Classical Education Courses for Parents & Classroom Teachers

Who: For those teaching writing to children 8-18.  For those seeking an intuitive way to teach writing.  For those who want an alternative to the "five paragraph essay."  

What: Many contemporary curricula merely take a modern analytical approach to writing while sprinkling in classical vocabulary. Instead, progymnasmata approaches writing through synthesis, beginning with ideas instead of processes.

The progymnasmata focuses on moral development and the discovery of Truth. It trains the intellect and the moral imagination. Developmentally appropriate, the progymnasmata progresses from concrete to abstract, simple to complex, poetic to civic, narrative to persuasive, and normative to controversial.

This approach to writing offers flexibility and creativity within limits and a guiding form. Most writing training is driven by outlines rather than ideas. An outline driven method, such as the "five paragraph essay," results in writing dry as crust and stiff as iron bars. Instead of cramming an idea into a form, the progymnasmata teaches how to find a form for an idea.

Time: Tuesday, March 11, 7:00-8:30 pm CENTRAL TIME

Zoom: A link to the class will be shared on the day of the class. 

(Live attendance is encourged for an immersive experience.)

Recorded: This will be recorded and available approximately 48 hours after the class. The video will be available to view for one month. 

Cost: $25/person (non-refundable)

About the Instructor:

Benjamin Lyda has been head of a classical charter high school and founder of a Charlotte Mason inspired K-12 school.  His more than 20 years of teaching experience is wide and varied including teaching in urban and suburban settings.  In addition Benjamin regularly works with both advanced and struggling students in public, private, and homeschool settings.  He founded and ran The Children’s Shakespeare Academy, directing full productions of the bard’s plays for homeschool children 9-18.  He holds a Master of Humanities degree from The University of Dallas and is certified by the state of Texas to teach 6-12 grade literature, history, speech communication, special education, and debate. He is the author of Scriptorium – Writing with the Progymnasmata, a 3rd-8th grade curriculum.  He is married to his high school sweetheart and together they are bringing up six children.