ANNOUNCEMENT: We will record a Q&A episode at the end of this season. If you have questions for Susan or Susanna, send them to [email protected].

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Clarification on online class types:

Live = Students attend video call classes at a set time. During class they can interact with their instructor and peers. They may complete additional coursework on their own, but must submit it by a particular deadline. 

Asynch = Students watch video instruction on their own. There are no set meeting times. They may or may not have deadlines for coursework. 

Delayed (unique to WTM Academy) = Students can watch lectures on their own time (within 24hrs of the live class), but must complete all other coursework on the same timeline as live students. Here is a video about how delayed classes work at the WTM Academy. 

Things to Look For When Choosing an Online School: 

1. Is there an administration?
2. Is the school accredited? 
3. Tuition
4. How much do you want to be involved? 
5. Delivery method/Time online
6. Socialization opportunities
7. Viewpoint Diversity and/or Worldview 
8. Website design 

Nationally Recognized Accrediting bodies 

MSA

(Also check out the agencies they cooperate with)

WASC 

Cognia 

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German: Goethe Institute 

Spanish: Instituto Cervantes

French:  Alliance Francaise 

Well-Trained Mind Academy

Beth Gibbons – singing Penderecki/Gorecki Symphony #3

ANNOUNCEMENT: We will record a Q&A episode at the end of this season. If you have questions for Susan or Susanna, send them to [email protected].

• (00:00) - Intro with Elizabeth Weber-Edwards

Show notes: 

• What is History? How andWhy Should I Teach It by Susan Wise Bauer 
• Why Learn History When it’s Already on Your Phone? By Sam Wineburg 
  • Sam Wineburg for CBS 
  • Research on middle schoolers ability to interpret information on the internet
  • A helpful introduction to teaching historical thinking skills
• Resources for Teaching History: 
  • The Big History Project (skills taught: contextualization, sourcing, causation, comparison, continuity & change over time, close reading) 
  • Digital Inquiry Group (formerly Stanford History Education Group or SHEG). This organization offers free lesson plans and assessment ideas that emphasize historical thinking skills, perfect for logic stage students. The “Lunchroom I” and “Lunchroom II” lesson plans are a fun introduction to historical thinking skills. 
  • A great introduction to history for rhetoric stage students: Telling the Truth About History 
• Reading Lists for Hard History 
  • American Indians in Children’s Literature Web Page by Debbie Reese 
  • Heritage Mom Recommendations for Black History
  • Annotated Reading list for Grammar Stage: Picture Books About Slavery and Freedom via Heritage Mom
  • Annotated Reading list for Logic Stage: Age-Appropriate Books about the Holocaust via School Library Journal (you know your student, some of these may be too heavy for younger logic stage students). 
  • Another reading list with both grammar stage and logic stage titles on enslavement: Children’s Books about Slavery and Enslavement via Pragmatic Mom

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Summary: In this episode, Susan and Susanna discuss their thoughts on teaching children’s literature, particularly older books that have problematic or insensitive content. 

Show Notes: 

Articles We Reference: 

• Are some children’s classics unsuitable for kids? The Guardian
• American Indians in Children’s Literature Web Page by Debbie Reese 
• Ted Talk: The Danger of a Single Story
• Booklists and Resources for Finding Windows and Mirrors: 
  • https://www.storiesofcolor.com/
  • https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/
  • Heritage Mom Recommendations for Black History

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Summary: In this episode, Susan and Susanna are joined by Julie Bogart, the founder of the Brave Writer program. Susan and Julie compare their different approaches to teaching writing and discuss which approach might work best for different types of students. 

Show Notes: 

• Writing With Ease 
• Brave Writer 

Julie Bogart’s Books: 

• The Brave Learner: Finding Everyday Magic in Homeschool, Learning and Life
• Raising Critical Thinkers 

• (00:00) - Intro with Julie Bogart of Brave Writer

In this episode, Susan and Susanna discuss Susan’s classical approach to teaching writing across all three stages of a classical education. Apologies, Susanna’s audio was a bit messed up in this episode! 

Show Notes: 

• The Current State of Writing Instruction
• Susan’s Youtube video on teaching writing: Teaching Writing, Stage by Stage
• A Plan for Teaching Writing: Grades K-12, Audio Workshop
• The Complete Writer (Our recommended writing program by Susan)

Check out The Well-Trained Mind Essential Edition or head to our website to subscribe to the new recommendations portal. 

In this episode, Susan Wise Bauer and Susanna Jarrett discuss creating a positive learning environment for young children, before formal education begins. 

Our Top Recommendations for Preschool Curricula: 

1. Preschool Math at Home by Kate Snow 
2. The Toddler Busy Book by Trish Kuffner 
3. Complete Daily Curriculum for Early Childhood by Pam Schiller and Patt Phipps

• (00:00) - Intro

• The Marshmallow Experiment

Timecodes:

• (00:00) - Intro