Simply Classical Journal - Summer 2023

journal A Publication of Memoria Press

Abram Came Back

by Cheryl Swope

Glimpses of Purpose

by Allison Tuttle

A Passionate Pursuit of Learning

by Sara Osborne

Autism and the Classical Christian School

Eleanor Bates Moody interviews Cheryl Swope

Classical Education for Children with Special Needs

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

In1946, for the preface to How Heathen Is Britain?, C. S. Lewis shared this observation:

Education is only the most fully conscious of the channels whereby each generation influences the next. It is not a closed system. Nothing which was not in the teachers can flow from them into the pupils . A man whose mind was formed in a period of cynicism and disillusion cannot teach hope or fortitude.

Few would disagree that we live in a period of cynicism and disillusion. How do we counter all that attacks our children and youth from without and from within? How do we train character? How do we pass on the faith? Lewis expounds further:

Hence the futility of many schemes for education. None can give to another what he does not possess himself. No generation can bequeath to its successor what it has not got. You may frame the syllabus as you please. But when you have planned and reported ad nauseam, if we are skeptical we shall teach only skepticism to our pupils, if fools only folly, if vulgar only vulgarity, if saints sanctity, if heroes heroism.

Where must a moral education originate? As Christian parents, teachers, grandparents, and neighbors, we know we must be transformed by the Holy Spirit working through the Word of God. Romans 12:2 says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind ." Only then, by the grace of God, will this be echoed in the children we teach.

I observed the fruit of this recently when a Christian neighbor's son, Sam, took my son, Michael, on an outing. Both young men were homeschooled in our small Missouri town with a classical Christian education. Due to my son's onset of debilitating parkinsonism, Sam had suggested a nearby farm offering gentle rides, live music, and outdoor games, rather than their usual annual daylong trek to Six Flags. They packed lunches and set out to enjoy the day.

For hours after arriving home, Michael chattered happily about the experience. As a person who, due to his disabilities, must remain home far more than most young adults, Michael spoke with words like "enthralled" and "entranced" as he described the harmonica player, the hayride among the trees, and the tall slide.

That evening after Michael completed his thankfulness journal, he looked up at me and asked, "Do you know what I really appreciated?" I paused to hear. "We said grace together before we ate our picnic lunches."

The remainder of those verses in Romans 12 include this:

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; … Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.

This, perhaps, is the pinnacle of character, but it does not originate from ourselves. Let us hold fast with gladness of heart to our role in conveying a moral education by being "kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love." Let us teach hope and fortitude by knowing first where our hope and strength are found.

As we persevere, this will be the greatest moral education our children can both witness and receive. We can rebuke and discipline, and we can also restore and forgive as we are forgiven in Christ. May our children and youth be formed and transformed for their good and for the good of everyone they encounter.

Simply Classical Spelling: Books 1 & 2

Ages 6-9, chronological age or skill level

$16.75 ea.

This series gives your struggling writer an incremental, multi-sensory approach with an oral/aural emphasis. Each week includes targeted Word Study exercises to promote linguistic awareness, cognitive flexibility, and improved spelling skills.

Ɓ Improve auditory discrimination

Ɓ Increase cognitive flexibility

Ɓ Strengthen listening skills

Ɓ Build spelling confidence

Simply Classical Writing: Books 1 & 2

Ages 6-9, chronological age or skill level

Student $22.00 ea. | Teacher $11.50 (Book 2 only)

This series combines classical copybook, grammar rules, and composition into one carefully sequenced series of explicit instruction so students can practice early writing skills with confidence. Choose from Bible Story or Read-Aloud editions.

Simply Classical StoryTime Treasures

$45.38 set (Student, Teacher, Little Bear, Little Bear's Visit, Caps for Sale, & Blueberrries for Sal)

Simply Classical More StoryTime Treasures

$44.11 set (Student, Teacher, Billy and Blaze, The Story About Ping, Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, & Stone Soup) Ages 6-9, chronological age or skill level

Blossoming readers need more than practice; they need to discover the riches of a good story. With simplified exercises in word study, composition, and oration, these delightful guides provide a joyful introduction to children's literature. Teach essential language arts skills as your students encounter stories of tenderness, bravery, and kindness. These adaptations of the Memoria Press originals have been created especially for struggling learners or students with special needs.

Glimpses of Purpose

by Allison Tuttle

"What are we going to do about school for her?"

This was among the first questions my husband and I asked each other as we processed the news of our daughter's genetic diagnosis.

Louisa's arrival had been a joyous occasion. As parents of four boys, we were excited to welcome a daughter into our family. Our sons could not wait to meet their baby sister, and we were all looking forward to adding a little bit of pink to our home. Our newborn bliss lasted four days. Five days after she was born our precious baby began having seizure-like episodes. This launched us on an unexpected trajectory. It was the first of many times we experienced that desperate, gut-wrenching feeling you have as a parent that there is something terribly wrong with your treasured child. It was the first of many times we had to trust that God does not make mistakes when He knits babies together in the womb. It was the first of many times we wrestled with the tension of God's perfect purposes amidst hard providence. Louisa's first two years of life have been marked by the paradox of intertwining heartache and abundant joy.

Louisa has global developmental delay as a result of a rare, genetic mutation. At this time there are less than one hundred individuals known to have this genetic mutation, and Louisa is the first with her specific genetic variant. All of this means her future prognosis leaves us with more questions than answers.

All parents have hopes and dreams for their children, and we all fear the possibility that something will thwart these hopes. I distinctly recall passing certain milestones with our sons and feeling a sense of relief that each was seemingly on a typical developmental path. With our daughter, rather than relief there is an ever-present undercurrent of concern and suspicion that infuses our interactions with her. We engage her with both hopeful anticipation and simmering dread of what her future might hold. "She smiled!" But was it purposeful? "She looked at my face!" But did she really make eye contact? "She is making progress!" But she is still quite behind her peers. Through our disappointments we are learning to trust the Lord rather than our own understanding. We are learning that our job is faithful labor and advocacy for Louisa; only the Lord brings growth. We are learning that His thoughts and ways are not like ours; His way is always best, and we can trust Him with our daughter's future.

As a reader, I have turned to books to help process suffering and disability. I found John Piper's Disability and the Sovereign Goodness of God particularly helpful. In this small booklet, the author discusses the passage in John 9 in which the disciples, upon passing a man born blind, ask Jesus who sinned, the blind man or his parents. The disciples are looking for a cause, but Jesus points them to instead consider the purposes of God in disability. Jesus tells His disciples that this man had been born blind so that God's glory might be displayed. This has caused me to ask, "How might God's glory be displayed through Louisa's life with disability? What is my role, as her mother, in this pursuit of declaring God's glory through our family's story? How does Louisa's story fit into God's grand redemptive story?"

Alongside heartache, these two years with Louisa have also presented us with many sweet surprises— glimpses of glory amidst the ashes. Thankfulness has been an unforeseen fruit. Not knowing what Louisa's capabilities will be has brought immense thanksgiving with each small milestone she passes. Her circumstances provide our family with opportunities to celebrate her accomplishments together and create a sense of teamwork as we rally around our precious girl.

Another surprising gift has been the effect of these circumstances on our four sons. We have begun to see

a cultivation of tenderness within each of them. We knew they would love their baby sister, but Louisa's vulnerability and unique needs have produced gentleness and compassion for her that has been noticed even by those outside of our home. Our boys have also begun to demonstrate care for other children with disabilities, with new eyes to notice these children and new understanding from which to engage them. And we have noticed growth in their desire to defend the defenseless, as they have expressed compassion for vulnerable children and have taken opportunities to defend them. All of this growth in virtue has been a delight, and something for which we daily thank God.

My husband and I chose classical Christian education for our sons because we believe this will teach them to live as image-bearers of their Creator, shaping their hearts to love Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. As we absorbed the reality of our daughter's unique design and future needs, we knew that we believed Louisa, too, was made imago dei, in the image of God. We knew that she, too, must learn how to live as an image-bearer of her Creator, and learn to love what is True, Good, and Beautiful.

Currently, there is very limited access to this kind of education for children with significant learning challenges in our community, but we are working to change this. In the meantime, we teach from Simply Classical Level A: Readiness, Rhythm, & Rhyme. Louisa's occupational therapist has marveled at her progress.

In just two years we have already begun to see the impact on Louisa of being given language-rich instruction at home. She is communicative and responsive and learning to love stories and songs that promote that which is True, Good, and Beautiful. We begin to see, too, potential glimpses of God's purposes for Louisa's life with disability. Because of Louisa, families in our community may have a classical Christian school option for their children with disabilities. Because of Louisa, such students might experience delight in learning to love Truth, Goodness, and Beauty as faithful image-bearers of their Creator. Because of Louisa, our family has grown in thankfulness to God for His many provisions, and we have become more compassionate toward children with disabilities and toward their families. We know also that her life has purpose beyond our limited understanding.

We thank God for allowing us to see these glimpses of His work through Louisa's life, knowing that His purposes and glory are more vast and allencompassing than our finite minds can comprehend. It is a privilege to participate in His grand redemptive work in this small way, for Louisa's sake and for others who might benefit. Soli deo gloria!

Allison Tuttle is a wife and mother of five in Wisconsin, where her older four children attend a classical Christian school. Allison is working to create a loving, edifying place for her beloved fifth child to attend.

Myself & Others: Lessons for Social Understanding, Habits, and Manners

by Cheryl Swope | Guide Books $20.95 ea.

Ages 4-13, chronological age or skill level

These 14-week sets provide simple, stand-alone lessons in common courtesy, character, and compassion that often seem neglected today, as well as lessons in developing good safety and health habits. With easy-to-teach instructions, each book provides 4-day lessons that can be taught in as little as 30-60 minutes per day over a single semester or summer. The lessons cover five areas: Rules, Health, Safety, Manners,

we eat, after noses, touch animals,

MANNERS

□ Use good manners. Being polite means using good manners. Being rude is not using good manners. Being polite is thoughtful of others. Read The Polite Elephant

□ Use good manners. Reread The Polite Elephant. "In what ways is the Polite Elephant using his good manners?" Find three ways the Polite Elephant is polite.

□ Use good manners. Do you know any mannerly like the

Polite Elephant

SAFETY □ Be careful. It is good to be polite, but if you want to be kind to a stranger (someone you do not know), ask your parents first. Your parents should always know where you are and who you are with.

LISTENING

Thoughtfulness

The Gardener

□ We can be thoughtful. We can love other people, even when they do not seem cheerful or thankful. (Read The Gardener.)

22 • Social Skills, Health, & Manners

Book One Core Set $58.81

(Myself & Others, F Is for Feelings, Polite Elephant, Listen and Learn, Know and Follow Rules)

Book One Read-Aloud Set $105.90

Book Two Core Set $23.35

(Myself & Others, Mind Your Manners! A Kid's Guide to Proper Etiquette)

Book Two Read-Aloud Set $102.83

□ Be careful. Be kind to others, but be safe when you show kindness. Ask a trusted adult before you give someone else a gift. Ask an adult you trust to go with you, if you want to bring a gift to someone.

□ We can be thoughtful. We can love people in thoughtful ways, even if they do not return our love. (Reread the book.) □ In what ways was the girl in the story being thoughtful?

Book Three Core Set $60.26

□ Be careful. What are kindness to someone well? (Bring flowers with a trusted adult

□ We can be thoughtful. anyone ever shown yes, in what way?

(Myself & Others, Healthy Happy Habits, Aesop's Fables for Children, Aesop Copybook, A Penny's Worth of Character, Sarah, Plain and Tall)

Book Four Core Set $52.17

(Myself & Others, Emily Post's The Guide to Good Manners for Kids, The Cabin Faced West, The Sign of the Beaver)

A

Passionate Pursuit of Learning

by Sara Osborne

Tears streamed down my face and I whooped for joy when the text came in. I had spent the morning alternating between busyness and prayer, trying not to pester my husband about the results of our son's American Kennel Club Junior Hunt Test. Accustomed to achievement falling just out of our son's reach, my heart longed for a win. Then at last the photo came: a beaming smile flanked by two happy judges and a dog boasting a large orange ribbon. They had passed. Hallelujah!

The path to this milestone began several years ago, when I came across the story of a family that started a leather handiwork business with a thought for the future of their adopted daughters. These daug hters suffered from severe vision impairments, and their parents wanted to gift them with skill development and confidence that could serve them for years to come. Their story served as a catalyst for numerous conversations in our home about how we might think creatively to provide a similar outlet for our struggling learner. Our prayer for all of our children has always been that they would grow as Jesus grew, "in wisdom and in stature, and in favor with God and man." How could we find something good that our son loved and turn it into an opportunity for intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social growth?

The answer came in the form of a puppy. One sunny Saturday in February, my husband loaded our boys into the van and headed to Kansas to pick up the dog who would be named "Osborne's Regis Pippa's Song." Bursting with joy, our son was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on this little German Shorthaired Pointer. He snuggled and fed her with great care, and we watched with anticipation to see how she would grow. By late spring both puppy and handler were ready to begin training sessions. Mornings before school and evenings after dinner found my husband and son out in the backyard, bonding with the puppy and repeating simple commands, time after time. Watching from the kitchen window, I couldn't help but notice how these short training sessions were developing character and skill in my son: He was developing attentiveness, confidence, and perseverance with every step. He learned to listen to instruction and follow multi-step directions. He discovered how to be assertive and speak with a confident voice. He began to sense the importance of timing. He failed—and he learned from his mistakes. And all of these gains were made possible because of his singular passion for working dogs.

Over the years, we've watched our son's passion for hunting dogs affect numerous areas of his development. He is a struggling reader, but he will read books about the German Shorthaired Pointer breed. Memory work is an arduous task for him, but he can list—in order—the various parts of NAVHDA's Natural Ability Test for hunting dogs. Public performance and independent work often induce anxiety for our son, but this past Saturday, he led his dog out into a field full of adult participants with independence and confidence. Our son's vocabulary has broadened, and his understanding of the natural world has grown. He is figuring out how to leverage his strengths to compensate for his weaknesses. He is stronger and tougher; he has grown in myriad ways.

This budding independence, confidence, and assertiveness have already borne fruit in our son's academic life. He recently brought home a lengthy Scripture passage to practice for solo recitation in front of his class.

Sara Osborne is an adjunct instructor at College of the Ozarks and the sometimes-homeschooling mother of four classically educated children. Content from this article has been excerpted from Sara's upcoming book aimed at helping parents and teachers of struggling readers.

Admittedly unsure about whether this was a feasible goal, my husband and I talked about the assignment with our child, hoping to develop a reasonable alternative plan. Expecting uncertainty and fear from him, we were met instead with optimism and a readiness to tackle this new challenge. I pictured my son standing in a huddle of dog handlers, trainers, and judges when he replied: "I'll try it. If I need help, someone will help me."

Despite the excitement of newfound achievement, our son has also experienced the test of failure— both in the classroom and on the field. Sometimes the mistakes have been his own; other times environmental factors or questionable assessments have played a role. Regardless of the context, those challenging times have prompted numerous conversations about attitude, gratitude, and diligence. We're quick to point out to all of our children that hard work is not always rewarded (and certainly not always with a large orange ribbon). Sometimes joy is to be found in the journey itself— working hard as unto the Lord and not unto men. Still, waiting at home that morning I prayed fervently for my son's first Junior Hunt Test. I pleaded for the Lord to help my child overcome numerous obstacles and remember the skills he had practiced so many times. I yearned for him to experience the pleasure of achieving a longanticipated goal. What a joy it was for me to see him standing tall in that photo of his accomplishment—proud, determined, and grateful. It's enough to keep us going amidst days of discouragement, when a group of math problems feels like an impassable field, or a page of text looms ahead like a thicket of briars. The groundwork for our son's motivation, determination, and confidence has been strengthened, and we will lean on those gains as we pursue every new academic lesson.

Finding a way for struggling students to plan for, execute, and achieve any goal can provide a valuable foundation for character formation, skill development, and academic success. It can also provide an unconventional environment for practicing important social skills and developing

true friendship. When our puppy-son duo travels to hunt tests, they are surrounded by handlers, trainers, and hunters who share our son's passion for pointing dogs. Most of his test companions are adults, and many of them have been working with hunting dogs for years—characteristics that might normally be intimidating to a young boy with learning challenges. However, as the months and tests have passed, our son has solidified a place in this group. Many of the faces he sees at hunt tests now are familiar (as are many of the dogs). Numerous judges and handlers have patiently guided our son along the test route. They don't exclude him because of his age or abilities. In fact, he has earned their respect. Our child has not only developed character and skill; he has gained friendship and community.

Classical education seeks to promote the growth of the child in every way. We're asking students to come with us to the mountaintops of human thought and experience, and to ask how God might use the knowledge they gain to serve their fellow man. We invite them to struggle with difficult ideas, to engage with great works of art and literature, to wonder at the marvels of the natural world and the God who made it. We offer them an excellent education, but one that often requires a creative approach for students with special needs. Struggling learners often lack the motivation, confidence, and independence to tackle academic challenges, yet parents and teachers have the opportunity to cultivate these qualities if we look for what brings joy to the heart of each child. What does your child love? What does he talk about? What makes her glow? What brings him delight? Identifying a struggling learner's passion for an activity outside of the classroom may serve her academic progress in ways you can't yet imagine. Running after something he loves could open doors to newfound motivation, character formation, and social development. Such strengths collectively form an invaluable foundation for a student's future learning—and an avenue for lifelong wonder and joy.

Simply Classical Curriculum READ-ALOUD PROGRAMS

Choose from:

• Level B Read-Aloud $137.83

• Level C Read-Aloud $360.54

• Level 1 Read-Aloud $185.83

• Level 1 Science & Enrichment $139.79

• Level 2 Literature, Science, History, & Geography $268.68

• Level 2 Arithmetic $49.87

• Level 3 Science & Enrichment $298.48

• Level 3 Arithmetic $58.91

• Levels 5 & 6 Read-Aloud $93.90

Simply Classical Read-Aloud Sets offer optional expanded material for each level in the areas of Literature, Science, History, Geography, Arithmetic, and American History. These classic books may be gathered from the library or purchased as complete sets from us. They are scheduled in the Curriculum Manuals.

Level 2 Literature, Science, History, & Geography Set pictured. For a complete list of books in each set, visit SimplyClassical.com.

• Levels 7 & 8 Read-Aloud $85.76

• Levels 9 & 10 Read-Aloud $101.94

• Levels 11 & 12 Read-Aloud $103.82

• American History $286.05 (read-aloud for Level 3, independent reading for higher levels)

BOOK NOTES A Book Review by Michelle Swope

Brrrr, it's cold and snowing. Maybe a cup of tea would be nice, no? Let me take you back to merrie olde England in Charles Dickens' day. It's Christmastime with all the happiness and laughter and cheer. Fine for you? I hope so….

Bah! Our protagonist, Ebenezer Scrooge, thinks no more of happiness than of Christmas. We might be able to understand him because of his miserable past: money-hunting, money-grabbing, being left to fend for himself at school. Ugh! Things change. He leaves laughter, love, and kindness behind him.

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

*This book is included in the Simply Classical Curriculum Levels 9 & 10 Read-Aloud Set.

Then, one memorable Christmas, Scrooge is visited by spirits of Christmas; you know the type: past, present, and future. And what do you think? From gifts of present and knowledge of past and future, Scrooge has a change of mind and, shall I say, heart as well. He vows always to keep Christmastime and, along with his protégé says, "May God bless us, every one." With God's help may we be just like Tiny Tim and echo: "May God bless us, every one!"

Happy tales!

Michelle Swope was born in 1995 with her twin brother, Michael. She enjoys reading and listening to music. Despite having schizophrenia, autism, and learning disabilities, Michelle graduated from her classical Christian homeschool in 2013 and has since written three books of fireside poetry, Through Time's Looking Glass , God's Harvest , and her most recent release, Aurora Cantica

Full-Year Curriculum Packages for Students with Special Needs

The Simply Classical Curriculum has been adapted especially for students ages 2-21 who have significant learning challenges. All curriculum packages are fully customizable to fit your needs and goals and your student's strengths and weaknesses. With a slower pace and ample review, the rich, beautiful content of classical Christian education is made accessible to all.

Email

us at:

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL A

Readiness, Rhythm, & Rhyme

PACKAGE PRICE

$220.09

Ages 2-3 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

• Level A Curriculum Manual

• Prayers for Children

• Jesus Is With Me

• Jesus Hears Me

• Jesus Knows Me

• Big Red Barn

• The Best Mouse Cookie

• Little Fur Family

• Bunny's Noisy Book

• From Head to Toe

• Goodnight Moon

• Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?

• Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

• Numbers, Colors, Shapes

Curriculum prices valid as of printing. Subject to change.

Curriculum Manual Only $30

• The Very Busy Spider

• Good Night, Gorilla

• The Tale of Peter Rabbit

• Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings

• My Very First Book of Shapes

• ABC: Amazing Alphabet Book

• Put Me in the Zoo

• Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb

• Cars and Trucks From A to Z

• My First Counting Book

• The Animals' Christmas Eve

• Big Dog ... Little Dog

• Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?

• A Children's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes

• 1 Is One

Curriculum Manual Only $30

Consumables Only $45.23

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans for One Year

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL B

Essentials, Etiquette, & Ear Training

Ages 3-4 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CHRISTIAN STUDIES, MEMORY, & MANNERS

A Child's Garden of Bible Stories, Bible Pictures to Color, Prayer for a Child, Please and Thank You Book, Big Thoughts for Little People, How Can I Help?

RETAIL $231.05

PACKAGE PRICE $202.57

PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS, PHONICS, & READING

Alphabet Coloring Book, My First ABC Book, Simply Classical Crafts: Book One (p. 32) , Alphabet Flashcards

ARITHMETIC & FINE-MOTOR

Numbers Coloring Book, Numbers & Colors, My Very First Scissors Book (p. 32) , Adventures With Books, Counting With Numbers

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

My First Body, My Big Animal Book, A Child's Garden of Verses, A Child's Garden of Songs CD, Back to the Garden CD, Best First Book Ever

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL C

Animals, Alphabet, & Aesop

RETAIL $248.11

PACKAGE PRICE $215.96

ARITHMETIC & FINE-MOTOR

Ages 4-5 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CHRISTIAN STUDIES, MEMORY, & MANNERS

My ABC of Bible Verses

New to Simply Classical? You need this item from Level A.

Prayers for Children

Curriculum Manual Only $30 Consumables Only $82.83

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS, PHONICS, & READING

Alphabet Books 1-2, Classical Phonics, First Start Reading A Student, First Start Reading Teacher, Simply Classical Letters & Numbers Desk Charts (p. 30)

CURRICULUM MANUAL Lesson Plans for One Year

Numbers Books 1-2, Going on Eagerly, My Very Own Scissors Book (p. 32)

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Animals Animals, Simply Classical Crafts: Book Two (p. 32), Aesop's Fables (p. 30), Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever, Christian Liberty Nature Reader Book K, Animal Alphabet Coloring Book

New to Simply Classical? You need this item from Level A.

Prayers for Children

RETAIL

$460.76

PACKAGE PRICE

$370.19

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL 1

Sentences, Sums, & Stories

Ages 5-6 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CURRICULUM MANUAL Lesson Plans for One Year

Curriculum Manual Only $30 Consumables Only $75.98 Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

ARITHMETIC & FINE-MOTOR

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 1 Student (Part 1), Teacher, Flashcards, Practice Sheets, 100 Bugs!: A Counting Book, This First Thanksgiving Day

PHONOLOGICAL AWARENESS, PHONICS, & READING

Fun in the Sun, Soft and White, Scamp and Tramp, Primary Phonics Readers Set 1, First Start Reading A-D Student Books, Phonics Flashcards, Cut & Paste Book, Kindergarten Phonics Supplemental Workbook, Phonics from A to Z

CHRISTIAN STUDIES, MEMORY, & MANNERS

The Story Bible, The Creation Story for Children, Simply Classical Copybook 1 (p. 31)

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Kindergarten & First Grade Art Cards, Hailstones and Halibut Bones, A Child's Book of Poems, The Days Gone By CD, My Nature Journal (p. 30), Map of the World Jumbo Puzzle

My daughter started eating before praying, and my husband reminded her to wait for prayer. She folded her hands and said, "Lord, dear Father, we thank Thee. And praise His holy name. Amen."

I had tears in my eyes. This was speech from my child with autism. She is verbal, but not conversational, so this truly took us by surprise. The prayer was clearly influenced by the ones she has learned in the Simply Classical Curriculum. This is a wonderful curriculum that touches every aspect of the student and recognizes the dignity of all children. —AMANDA

New to Simply Classical?

You need these items from Level C.

Classical Phonics, Letters & Numbers Desk Charts, First Start Reading Teacher

Curriculum Manual Only $30

Consumables Only $114.32

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL 2

Comprehension, Calculations, & Character

Ages 6-8 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

RETAIL $247.66

LITERATURE, COMPOSITION, & GRAMMAR

Simply Classical Writing: Book One (Bible Story Ed.), Simply Classical StoryTime Treasures Student and Teacher (p. 4), Little Bear, Little Bear's Visit, Blueberries for Sal, Caps for Sale, At the Farm

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans for One Year

PACKAGE PRICE $195.11

ARITHMETIC & FINE-MOTOR

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 1 Student (Part 2)

PHONICS & SPELLING

I Can Read It! Book 2, Core Skills Phonics 2, Simply Classical Spelling: Book One (p. 4)

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Second Grade Art Cards, Animal Tales CD

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels.

Classical Phonics, Arithmetic 1 Teacher, Arithmetic 1 Practice Sheets, Arithmetic 1 Flashcards, A Child's Garden of Bible Stories, Phonics Flashcards

CURSIVE

Cursive Practice Sheets I, New American Cursive 1 (p. 30)

CHRISTIAN STUDIES, MEMORY, & MANNERS

SC Copybook 2: Manuscript (p. 31)

I absolutely love Myself & Others , as well as the read-aloud book set that goes with it, for both my autistic son (5) and my neurotypical children (6, 3, and 2). The visual cue cards that are used with each lesson have been SO helpful in teaching my ASD 5-year-old what it means to be quiet, sit still, and listen—and they have been very helpful outside of the actual lessons in helping him learn to sit still and quiet in church, which is a blessing beyond measure. He has grown in understanding and my other children have also learned a lot! I love the amazing books and well-structured lessons! — JEN M.

Christian Studies, Memory, &Manners

Arithmetic & Fine-Motor Skills

Phonics, Reading, & Spelling

Level B Level C Level 1 Level 2

A Child's Garden of Bible Stories; Bible Pictures to Color; Prayer for a Child; Please and Thank You Book; Big Thoughts for Little People; How Can I Help?

My ABC of Bible Verses The Story Bible; The Creation Story for Children; Simply Classical Copybook One (p. 31) Simply Classical Copybook: Book Two, Manuscript (p. 31); A Child's Garden of Bible Stories

Enrichment (Optional)

Numbers Coloring Book; Numbers & Colors; Adventures With Books; My Very First Scissors Book (p. 32); Counting With Numbers

Numbers Books; Going on Eagerly; My Very Own Scissors Book (p. 32)

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 1 (Part 1); 100 Bugs!: A Counting Book; This First Thanksgiving Day

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 1 (Part 2)

Alphabet Coloring Book; My First ABC Book; Simply Classical Crafts: Book One (p. 32); Alphabet Flashcards

Alphabet Books; Classical Phonics; First Start Reading Book A; Simply Classical Letters & Numbers Desk Charts (p. 30)

Fun in the Sun; Soft and White; Scamp and Tramp; Primary Phonics Readers Set 1; Cut & Paste Book; Kindergarten Phonics Supplemental Workbook; Phonics Flashcards; First Start Reading A-D; Phonics from A to Z

I Can Read It! Book 2; Core Skills Phonics 2; Simply Classical Spelling: Book One (p. 4)

What? Who?

When?

Where?

My First Body; My Big Animal Book; A Child's Garden of Verses; A Child's Garden of Songs CD; Back to the Garden CD; Best First Book Ever

Animals Animals; Simply Classical Crafts: Book Two (p. 32); Aesop's Fables (p. 30); Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever; Christian Liberty Nature Reader, Book K; Animal Alphabet Coloring Book

Level A

Kindergarten and First Grade Art Cards; Hailstones and Halibut Bones; A Child's Book of Poems; The Days Gone By CD; My Nature Journal (p. 30); Map of the World Jumbo Puzzle

Literature, Composition, & Grammar

Second Grade Art Cards; Animal Tales CD Simply

Cursive

Prayers for Children; Jesus Is With Me; Jesus Hears Me; Jesus Knows Me; Big Red Barn; The Best Mouse Cookie; Little Fur Family; Bunny's Noisy Book; From Head to Toe; Goodnight Moon; Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear?; Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?; Numbers, Colors, Shapes; The Very Busy Spider; Good Night, Gorilla; The Tale of Peter Rabbit; Fuzzy Yellow Ducklings; My Very First Book of Shapes; ABC: Amazing Alphabet Book; Put Me in the Zoo; Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb; Cars and Trucks From A to Z; My First Counting Book; The Animals' Christmas Eve; Big Dog ... Little Dog; Mr. Brown Can Moo! Can You?; A Children's Treasury of Nursery Rhymes; 1 Is One

Simply Classical Writing: Book One (Bible Edition); Simply Classical StoryTime Treasures Set (p. 4)

New American Cursive 1 (p. 30); Cursive Practice Sheets I

The language lessons are absolutely wonderful! His comprehension has soared! This is the perfect pace for my son. —NUBIA

Scripture Memorization

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 2 (Units 3-4)

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 2 (Units 1-2); Write-On/Wipe-Off Demo Clock; Arithmetic Flashcards: Addition & Subtraction

; First Start Reading E; Simply Classical Spelling: Book Two (p. 4) Traditional Spelling I

Christian Studies I; Old Testament Flashcards; The Golden Children's Bible

Simply Classical Enrichment: Level Three (p. 32); Map of the U.S. Sticker Picture Book ; States & Capitals Flashcards

Mythology Read-Alouds; Don't Know Much About the 50 States; Patterns of Nature; Heroes, Horses, and Harvest Moons CD; Hurrah and Hallelujah

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 3; Multiplication and Division Flashcards

Traditional Spelling II

Creating Art; Music Appreciation I; States & Capitals; Mammals

Animals

Simply Classical Writing: Book Two (Bible Edition); Simply Classical More StoryTime Treasures Set (p. 4); Prairie School

Animal Folk Tales; The Courage of Sarah Noble; Little House in the Big Woods; Second Grade Literature Dictionary; Composition & Sketchbook II; Rod & Staff English 2

Rod & Staff English 3; Composition & Sketchbook III; Farmer Boy; Charlotte's Web; A Bear Called Paddington; Mr. Popper's Penguins; Little Fir Tree; Poetry for the Grammar Stage Papa

Latin

New American Cursive 2: Famous Americans (p. 30); My Thankfulness Journal: Beginner (p. 31); New American Cursive Desk Strip

New American Cursive 2: Scripture & Famous Quotations (p. 30); My Thankfulness Journal: Beginner (p. 31)

New American Cursive 3: Scripture and Manners (p. 30); My Thankfulness Journal: Intermediate (p. 31)

Prima Latina

cont. in Level 4

Classical Studies

Latina Christiana

D'Aulaires' Greek Myths; Timeline Program (optional); Courage and a Clear Mind CD

Christian Studies II; The Golden Children's Bible

Christian Studies III; The Golden Children's Bible

Christian Studies IV

The Book of Astronomy; Glow in the Dark Constellations; Draw 50 Animals; Geography I; United States Review; Music Appreciation CD; Story of the World Vol. 1

Geography I Review; Geography II; The Book of Insects; Story of the World Vol. 2

The Book of Birds; Exploring the History of Medicine; Story of the World Vol. 3; The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American History; Geography & Timeline Review

The Moffats; My Side of the Mountain; Homer Price; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; A Promise Kept; Good King Wenceslas; Papa Panov's Special Christmas; Carry On, Mr. Bowditch; Detectives in Togas; Mystery of the Roman Ransom; The Trumpet of the Swan; Rod & Staff English 4

The Blue Fairy Book; The Cricket in Times Square; The Door in the Wall; Heidi; Twenty-One Balloons; The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane; The Apple and the Arrow; Marguerite Makes a Book; Classical Composition I & II; Rod & Staff English 5

The Magician's Nephew; The Bronze Bow; Anne of Green Gables; The Trojan War; Classical Composition III: Chreia & Maxim; Rod & Staff English 6 Copybook Cursive II

Cursive III

IV

Lingua

Shane Saxon

Jim Duncan

Thomas Jay

Kathy Becker

Cheryl Swope

RETAIL

$377.62 PACKAGE PRICE

$300.52

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL 3

Literature, Latin, & Liberty Ages 7-9 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans for One Year

Curriculum Manual Only $30 Consumables Only $149.04 Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

LITERATURE, COMPOSITION, & GRAMMAR

Simply Classical More StoryTime Treasures Student and Teacher (p. 4), Billy and Blaze, The Story About Ping, Keep the Lights Burning Abbie, Stone Soup, Wagon Wheels, Prairie School, Prairie School Student and Teacher, Simply Classical Writing: Book Two (Bible Story Ed.) Student and Teacher (p. 4)

CURSIVE

New American Cursive 2: Famous Americans (p. 30), My Thankfulness Journal: Beginner (p. 31), New American Cursive Desk Strip

PHONICS & SPELLING

First Start Reading E Student and Teacher, Simply Classical Spelling: Book Two (p. 4)

LATIN

Prima Latina Student, Teacher, and Pronunciation CD

CHRISTIAN STUDIES, MEMORY, & MANNERS

Simply Classical Copybook 3: Cursive (p. 31)

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

SC Enrichment: Level Three (p. 32), Map of the U.S. Sticker Picture Book, States & Capitals Flashcards

ARITHMETIC & FINE-MOTOR

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 2 Student Units 1-2, Teacher Units 1-2, Practice Sheets 1, and Supplemental Pack, Arithmetic Flashcards: Addition and Subtraction, Write-On / Wipe-Off Demo Clock

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels. Classical Phonics, The Story Bible, K, 1st, and 2nd Grade Art Cards, Phonics Flashcards

Curriculum Manual Only $30

Consumables Only $130.21

Extended Literature Set $27.94

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

CURSIVE

New American Cursive 2: Scripture & Famous Quotations (p. 30), My Thankfulness Journal: Beginner (p. 31)

LITERATURE

Animal Folk Tales set, The Courage of Sarah Noble set, Little House in the Big Woods set, Second Grade Literature Dictionary

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVEL

4

Mozart, Multiplication, & Myths

Ages 8-10 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

PHONICS & SPELLING

Traditional Spelling I set

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans for One Year

RETAIL $535.76

PACKAGE PRICE $429.93

COMPOSITION & GRAMMAR

Rod & Staff English 2 Student, Teacher, and Tests, Composition & Sketchbook II

LATIN

Prima Latina Instructional Videos, Prima Latina Flashcards

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Heroes, Horses, and Harvest Moons: A Cornucopia of Best-Loved Poems, Vol. 1 CD, Don't Know Much About the 50 States, Rapunzel, Beauty & the Beast, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Cupid & Psyche, Persephone, Pegasus, The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War, Patterns of Nature Student and Teacher, Hurrah & Hallelujah

ARITHMETIC

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 2 Student Units 3-4, Teacher

Units 3-4, and Practice Sheets 2

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels.

Prima Latina Student, Prima Latina Teacher, Prima Latina Pronunciation CD, States & Capitals Flashcards, Map of the U.S. Sticker Picture Book, Classical Phonics, Phonics Flashcards, Rod & Staff Arithmetic 2 Supplemental Pack, Arithmetic Flashcards, Demonstration Clock

RETAIL

$793.93

PACKAGE PRICE

$621.15

$606.15 for One-Year Pace

Simply Classical Curriculum

LEVELS 5 & 6

Grammar, Greece, & Gratitude

Ages 9-12 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans:

Two-Year Pace or One-Year Pace (Two-Year Pace contains extra review!)

Curriculum Manual Only: Two-Year Standard Pace $45

Curriculum Manual Only: One-Year Accelerated Pace $30 Consumables Only $182.83

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

ARITHMETIC

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 3 Student, Teacher, Blacklines, Speed Drills, Supplemental Worksheets, and Supplemental Worksheets Key, Multiplication Flashcards: 0 to 12, Division Flashcards: 0 to 12

CLASSICAL STUDIES

D'Aulaires' Greek Myths Text, Teacher, and Flashcards, Timeline Program (optional), Courage and a Clear Mind CD

LITERATURE

Farmer Boy novel and Teacher, Charlotte's Web novel and Teacher, A Bear Called Paddington novel and Teacher, Mr. Popper's Penguins novel and Teacher, Poetry for the Grammar Stage Student and Teacher, Composition & Sketchbook III, The Little Fir Tree

COMPOSITION & GRAMMAR

Rod & Staff English 3 Student, Teacher, Worksheets, and Tests

LATIN

Latina Christiana Student, Teacher, and Pronunciation CD, Latina Christiana Review Worksheets, Latina Christiana Review Worksheets Key

CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Christian Studies I Teacher, Old Testament Flashcards, The Golden Children's Bible

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Creating Art, Music Appreciation I, States & Capitals Student, States & Capitals Teacher, Mammals set

PHONICS & SPELLING

Traditional Spelling II set

CURSIVE

New American Cursive 3: Scripture and Manners (p. 30), My Thankfulness Journal: Intermediate (p. 31)

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels. Demo Clock, States & Capitals Flashcards, Prima Latina/Latina Christiana Flashcards, Don't Know Much About the 50 States, Hurrah & Hallelujah, Classical Phonics, Phonics Flashcards, Arithmetic Flashcards: Addition & Subtraction

OPTIONAL: ADDITIONAL WRITING PRACTICE SET $99.00

Many of our studies in Levels 5 & 6 are conducted orally, as students with special needs often encounter difficulties with writing despite an ability to learn challenging content. We have assembled this set of workbooks for any student who needs or wants additional writing practice.

Curriculum Manual Only: Two-Year Standard Pace $45

Curriculum Manual Only: One-Year Accelerated Pace $30

Consumables Only $97.95

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

LATIN

Simply Classical Latin Games & Puzzles Workbook and Key

SPELLING

Traditional Spelling III set

LITERATURE

Simply Classical Curriculum LEVELS

7 & 8

Poetry, Pleiades, & Promises

Ages 11-14 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CURSIVE

Copybook Cursive II

The Moffats novel and Teacher; My Side of the Mountain novel and Teacher; Homer Price novel and Teacher, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe novel and Teacher; A Promise Kept; Good King Wenceslas; Papa Panov's Special Christmas; Poetry for the Grammar Stage Anthology; Carry On, Mr. Bowditch; Detectives in Togas; Mystery of the Roman Ransom; The Trumpet of the Swan

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans:

Two-Year Pace or One-Year Pace (Two-Year Pace contains extra review!)

RETAIL

$714.50

PACKAGE PRICE

$573.93

$558.93 for One-Year Pace

COMPOSITION & GRAMMAR

Rod & Staff English 4 Student, Teacher, Worksheets, and Tests

ARITHMETIC

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 4 Student, Teacher (Parts 1-2), Tests, Speed Drills, Speed Drill Packet

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Book of Astronomy Student and Teacher, Glow in the Dark Constellations, Draw 50 Animals, Geography I Text, Student, and Teacher, The United States Review Student and Teacher, Geography Flashcards, Music Appreciation CD, Story of the World Vol. 1

CLASSICAL STUDIES

Famous Men of Rome Text, Teacher, and Flashcards

CHRISTIAN Christian Studies II Teacher

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels. Old Testament Flashcards, Golden Children's Bible, Timeline Program, Poetry for the Grammar Stage Student and Teacher, Music Appreciation I, Demonstration Clock, Arithmetic Flashcards, Multiplication Flashcards, Division Flashcards, Hurrah & Hallelujah

OPTIONAL: ADDITIONAL WRITING PRACTICE SET $79.76

Many of our studies in Levels 7 & 8 are conducted orally, as students with special needs often encounter difficulties with writing despite an ability to learn challenging content. We have assembled this set of workbooks for any student who needs or wants additional writing practice.

RETAIL

$1037.78

PACKAGE PRICE

$818.81

$803.81 for One-Year Pace

Simply Classical Curriculum

LEVELS 9 & 10

Knights, Knaves, & Knowledge

Ages 13-16 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans:

Two-Year Pace or One-Year Pace (Two-Year Pace contains extra review!)

Curriculum Manual Only: Two-Year Standard Pace $45

Curriculum Manual Only: One-Year Accelerated Pace $30

Consumables Only $137.08

Extended Literature Set $44.92

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

SPELLING

Rod & Staff Spelling 5 Student and Teacher

ARITHMETIC

Rod & Staff Arithmetic 5 Student, Teacher (Parts 1-2), Tests, Speed Drills

LITERATURE

Selections from The Blue Fairy Book novel and Teacher; The Cricket in Times Square novel and Teacher; The Door in the Wall novel and Teacher; Heidi novel and Teacher; The Twenty-One Balloons novel and Teacher; The Apple and the Arrow; Marguerite Makes a Book; The Ink Garden of Brother Theophane

COMPOSITION

Classical Composition I: Fable Student, Teacher, and Instructional Videos; Classical Composition II: Narrative Student, Teacher, and Instructional Videos

GRAMMAR

Rod & Staff English 5 Student, Teacher, Worksheets, and Tests

LATIN

First Form Latin Text, Workbook, Teacher Manual, Teacher Key, Flashcards, Quizzes & Tests, Pronunciation CD, and Instructional Videos, Lingua Angelica Song Book, Teacher, and CD

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

Geography II Text, Student, and Teacher; Geography I Review Student and Teacher; Story of the World Vol. 2; The Book of Insects Text, Student, Teacher, and Flashcards; Peterson First Guide to Insects; How to Draw Insects

CLASSICAL STUDIES

Famous Men of the Middle Ages Text, Teacher, and Flashcards

CHRISTIAN Christian Studies III Teacher

CURSIVE Copybook Cursive III

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels.

Golden Children's Bible; Timeline Program; Poetry for the Grammar Stage Student and Teacher; Demonstration Clock; Geography Flashcards; Arithmetic Flashcards; Multiplication Flashcards; Division Flashcards; Hurrah & Hallelujah

OPTIONAL: ADDITIONAL WRITING PRACTICE SET $85.84

Many of our studies in Levels 9 & 10 are conducted orally, as students with special needs often encounter difficulties with writing despite an ability to learn challenging content. We have assembled this set of workbooks for any student who needs or wants additional writing practice.

Curriculum Manual Only: Two-Year Standard Pace $45

Curriculum Manual Only: One-Year Accelerated Pace $30

Consumables Only $115.05

Supplemental Read-Aloud Sets also available!

CHRISTIAN STUDIES

Christian Studies IV Text, Student, and Teacher

Simply Classical Curriculum

LEVELS 11 & 12

History, Homer, & Heroes

Ages 15-18 (Chronological Age or Skill Level)

CLASSICAL STUDIES

Famous Men of Greece Text, Teacher, and Flashcards

CURRICULUM MANUAL

Lesson Plans:

Two-Year Pace or One-Year Pace (Two-Year Pace contains extra review!)

RETAIL

$674.25

PACKAGE PRICE $547.50

$532.50 for One-Year Pace

LATIN

Note: First Form Latin is continued from Levels 9 & 10

LITERATURE

The Magician's Nephew novel and Teacher; The Bronze Bow novel and Teacher; Anne of Green Gables novel and Teacher; The Trojan War novel and Teacher

COMPOSITION

Classical Composition III: Chreia & Maxim Student, Teacher, and Instructional Videos

GRAMMAR

Rod & Staff English 6 Student, Teacher, Worksheets, and Tests

MATH

Rod & Staff Math 6 Student, Teacher (Parts 1-2), Chapter Tests, and Quizzes & Speed Tests

OPTIONAL ENRICHMENT

The Book of Birds Text, Flashcards, Student, and Teacher; Peterson Coloring Book; Exploring the History of Medicine Text, Student, and Teacher; Story of the World Vol. 3; The Declaration of Independence and Other Great Documents of American History; Geography & Timeline Review Worksheets and Key

SPELLING

Rod & Staff Spelling 6 Student and Teacher

CURSIVE

Copybook Cursive IV

New to Simply Classical? You need these items from prior levels.

First Form Latin Text, Workbook, Teacher Manual, Teacher Key, Quizzes & Tests, Flashcards, CD, and Instructional Videos; Lingua Angelica Teacher, Song Book, and CD; Poetry for the Grammar Stage Student and Teacher; Geography Flashcards; Hurrah & Hallelujah

OPTIONAL: ADDITIONAL WRITING PRACTICE SET $59.12

Many of our studies in Levels 11 & 12 are conducted orally, as students with special needs often encounter difficulties with writing despite an ability to learn challenging content. We have assembled this set of workbooks for any student who needs or wants additional writing practice.

Abram Came Back

by Cheryl Swope

"I wish people would be more blunt with me," my son said. "What do you mean?" I asked. Michael continued, "If they're tired of talking with me, I wish they would just say so."

Subtleties escape many of us, but individuals with significant br ain differences seem uniquely prone to missing social nuances. When teaching character formation, how do we sidestep such fads as "social emotional learning" and keep our teaching consistent wi th our classical Christian heritage?

Just as we teach phonics explicitly and sequentially, so we should nurture moral development intentionally within a classical Christian education. We choose books with classic themes to embolden our clear understanding of good and evil. We use copybooks with words of truth for our children to learn by heart. We teach ancient moral lessons through cherished texts and the Holy Scriptures. We guide

our children moment by moment as we teach them to seek ways to help, to love, and to befriend.

Character education is not as complicated as some would lead us to believe. In its essence, the message is this: We each need to be a good, true, noble friend to others. We need to be people who care for others, who sincerely listen, who confront others in love when they need to hear the truth, and who forgive freely. The corollary message is equally simple: We all need a good, true, noble friend.

One of my best, truest, and noblest friends has five children. I delight in each of them. The family is a joy to visit—full of good humor, strong in faith, and eager to fill a room with the sound of heartfelt hymns.

I've known the middle child, Abram, from the time he was a baby. My daughter Michelle held him in her arms. A few years later we traveled across the country to visit them and found Abram, five years old, sitting atop a stool with small, round glasses slightly askew on his small, round face, pouring over the thickest book of animal facts I had ever seen. He had an earnest countenance and an "old soul." Little Abram won my heart, as did all of the children over the years. As time wore on, they began to attend college and move away.

Last summer my son Michael and I were attending a classical education conference in Indiana. As I took my place at the lectern to begin my talk in the crowded room I looked around to assess the audience. I spotted Abram. He and his lovely young wife, both now teachers at a classical school in Virginia, were seated near the front of the long tables before me. I smiled. He still wore glasses. I could not help flashing back to the studious little boy from years ago.

After the session, while I visited with various people, Abram and his wife spoke at length with Michael. Abram's traditional path had included college, marriage, and then pursuing the dreams of a young couple, but such was not Michael's path. I wondered with some apprehension—as I seem to do involuntarily in such settings—whether the couple would give Michael perfunctory small talk and steal away, or whether the pair would take the time to speak soul-to-soul.

Drawn by conversations elsewhere, I had no ear to their discussions. As someone announced that lunch was forthcoming I moved toward Michael.

I overheard Michael ask Abram and his wife if they could all have lunch together. I found myself wondering what they would say. My husband and I have noticed that we reflexively cringe with worry in such situations.

At that moment the person who had gathered us announced that due to the record attendance we all had a colored dot on our name tags to indicate assigned lunch locations. Abram and his wife checked their name tags: blue dots. Ours were red. This is the sort of moment that can break my heart a thousand times over, as peers sometimes sigh with relief at having a socially acceptable means of escape.

Michael slumped a little and said to Abram with hope in his voice, "Okay. I'll see you later. It was great talking with you."

Michael and I found a place together near the back of our crowded, red-designated room. With his tremors, Michael could not carry both his drink and his tray, so he placed his tray at the table where I had taken my seat and made his way toward the front to retrieve his beverage. Above the crowd I heard his familiar voice exclaim, "Abram!"

Carrying his own tray, Abram said to Michael nonchalantly, "I wanted to finish our conversation." I could not swallow as tears came to my eyes. Abram informed Michael, "I found out that the dots only told us where to pick up our food, not where to eat it." Off they went to sit together.

Was this an act of Christian charity? Was this a genuine desire to catch up? I cannot know. I only know that this was an act of friendship.

After the meal Abram did not do what so many people do: He did not shoot me a wink, as if attributing the act to condescension. Rather, Abram said to me with characteristic earnestness, "We already own Ticket to Ride, but now I may need to make a more expensive purchase. Michael has sold me on Memoir 44."

We all left the room together and walked up the crowded stairs to the next event on the schedule. The young men continued chatting about the few things they still had in common, including welldesigned board games.

My mind was not on the board games. My mind was on the miraculous, merciful gift of companionship. Companionship surpasses all understanding, as the simplest of gestures bears great impact. In a bustling building, one young man had carried down the hallway a single styrofoam tray on which someone had plopped sausage, green beans, and coleslaw. But he did so much more: Abram sought my son.

Jesus Himself comes to us in our weakness. Jesus seeks us. May we teach our children to be such people, to look for such moments. As we teach them to give and receive friendship with generosity and gladness, may we help them remember that small moments speak deeply. In a loud lunchroom in Indiana, others might not have noticed anything extraordinary. Abram himself likely noticed nothing unusual. But I noticed, because Abram came back.

Cheryl Swope is the author of Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child and Memoria Press' Simply Classical Curriculum, as well as editor of the Simply Classical Journal

New American Cursive

by Iris Hatfield

Book 1 $25.00

| Ages 6-12, chronological age or skill level

Book 2 $25.00 (Scripture or Famous Americans)

Book 3 $25.00 (Scripture or Famous Quotes)

StartWrite CD $29.95 (Windows only)

Teach your student to write in a fast, legible script with the simplified letter forms of New American Cursive. Letter formation is taught, step by step, in NAC 1 , and NAC 2 and NAC 3 continue to build skill and confidence with practice exercises that develop neat handwriting while also teaching manners and correspondence protocol. Correct pencil grip, paper position, and posture are illustrated throughout.

My Nature Journal

by Cheryl Swope

Ages 4-11, chronological age or skill level

$10.00

This standalone supplement will help you savor small moments of wonder with your child as the penmanship exercises improve his knowledge, attention to detail, and writing skills.

Letters & Numbers

Desk Charts

Ages 4-7, chronological age or skill level

$14.65

Reinforce your teaching with desk charts formatted to accompany lessons. Bold, targeted letters assist visual discrimination.

Aesop Copybook

by Cheryl Swope

Ages 9+, chronological age or skill level

$21.24 set

(Fables and Copybook)

Copybook $10.00

Aesop's Fables $14.99

The Aesop Copybook is a lovely companion to Aesop's Fables . Strengthen your students' writing and composition skills while they contemplate the timeless wisdom of Aesop's fables and learn from the gentle moral instruction they provide. These fourteen weeks of exercises are in the New American Cursive font.

Simply Classical Copybook Series

by Cheryl Swope

Ages 5-8, chronological age or skill level

$10.00 ea.

Book 1, Manuscript

Book 2, Manuscript or Cursive

Book 3, Cursive

Strengthen penmanship, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary, fine-motor skills, and memory through the time-honored tradition of copybooks. Habits of accuracy, neatness, and patience are taught through the truth and comfort of Holy Scripture. Shorter selections help accommodate for writing difficulties while providing the full benefits of copybook and memory work, and the simple, clean pages help students focus on the task at hand.

My Thankfulness Journals

by Cheryl Swope

Ages 6-12, chronological age or skill level

Beginner $9.45

Intermediate $9.45

Practice cursive writing while thinking about God's daily blessings. The Beginner Journal uses a large font for beginning writers while giving guided practice in gratitude. The Intermediate Journal uses a smaller font size and has less tracing. Scripture at the bottom of every page encourages students to begin with a grateful heart.

Enrichment

Scissors Books

Ages 3-5, chronological age or skill level

My Very First Scissors Book

My Very Own Scissors Book

$6.85 ea.

Help your child develop hand strength, finemotor skills, and independence. My Very First Scissors Book teaches opening and closing scissors to cut along lines that start thick and progressively fade, get wavy, and finally form shapes. My Very Own Scissors Book features more complex shapes and coordinates with alphabet lessons in Level C (p. 15).

Simply Classical Enrichment: Level 3

Ages 7-9, chronological age or skill level

$22.00

This guide helps you teach American history, poetry, music, art, and science through the Simply Classical Level 3 American History Read-Aloud set, maps, classical music selections, and art cards. Everything is scheduled for you weekly with thoughtful discussion questions, science activities, and topics for art and music appreciation that will enrich your year and expand your child's cultural, scientific, and general knowledge.

Simply Classical Crafts 1 & 2

Ages 3-5, chronological age or skill level

$11.50 ea.

These activities reinforce number and letter recognition, strengthen finemotor skills, and foster creativity and confidence.

Book One contains letter crafts from Memoria Press' Jr.

K Book of Crafts . Book Two contains story crafts from Memoria Press' Jr. K Book of Crafts . Enjoy each of your creations and the time spent together making them!

Grade Level: ability or ages 10-15

We are excited to announce classes specifically for students with special needs at Memoria Academy.

• Same classical curriculum

• Smaller class sizes

• Appropriate pacing

Latin & Literature Classes for Students With Special Needs MemoriaAcademy.com

Autism and the Classical Christian School

Eleanor Bates Moody Interviews Cheryl Swope

Eleanor Bates Moody, a student at Westminster School in Alabama, selected the topic of "Classical Christian Education & Autism" for her senior thesis. Her questions were so thoughtfully and carefully prepared that we decided to share the interview she conducted with Cheryl.

EBM: Why is classical Christian education a great option for the average child?

CS: More than a mere "option," classical Christian education is a true education. With a formative inclination to that which is True, Good, and Beautiful, with timeless and effective pedagogy, and with the preeminence of the eternal, saving gospel of Jesus Christ, this is the educational heritage for all human beings.

EBM: What are your opinions on classical Christian education for children on the autism spectrum?

CS: Children on the autism spectrum vary widely, but all are human beings in need of an excellent, inspiring Christian education. Memoria Press and Simply Classical offer materials that allow for adaptations to welcome the average child, the child with learning challenges, the gifted child, and any child in between.

EBM: What aspects of classical Christian schools are intrinsically well-suited to children with autism?

CS: These things are often already in place: smaller class sizes, good order, artistically decorated and uncluttered rooms, clear teacher-led instruction, oral recitations, consistent expectations, exemplary models of conduct by faculty, great depth of learning, and memorization and recitation practice.

EBM: What would a classical Christian school need in regards to time and space, etc., to more fully include children with autism in the learning environment?

CS: This will depend on the severity of the autism. Children with the mildest manifestations of autism may be integrated without additional costs, if teachers and headmasters are willing to make reasonable adaptations. Children with mild to moderate autism may require an aide, a quiet area set aside for reading or working, different lighting, reduced classroom noise, more intentional routines, visual schedules posted and reviewed, and greater communication with parents to ensure that all is working well. Children with moderate to severe autism may require aides, additional part-time or full-time teachers, therapies, an alternate classroom for one or more hours per day, and an alternate curriculum, such as the Simply Classical Curriculum, designed specifically for careful pacing, multi-modal instruction, and the content adapted for such students.

EBM: What is the difference between accommodations and modifications?

CS: Overall, special education as a field has too much jargon. Rest assured that even without such jargon, if the teachers wish to invite students with special needs to the school, key ingredients for success already exist within the faculty: warmth, compassion, and common sense. Anyone with a researching mind can learn more about particular diagnoses or conditions to determine practical ways to help and teach such a child. In the field of special education both "accommodation" and "modification" denote adaptation, but accommodations are adjustments made while requiring the same content to be learned; modifications adjust the content itself. Sometimes a student needs both. Here are some examples:

When a student needs accommodations, he is expected to participate in class and otherwise engage with the same books his peers read, but he may need:

● an audiobook to follow along at home if he cannot yet read the work independently himself, as for dyslexia.

● to type papers or present orally, as for dysgraphia.

● to sit nearer the board, nearer a wellbehaved student, or nearer the teacher, as for attention difficulties.

● extra time on tests or a quiet setting for tests, as for processing disabilities.

● an aide to help him organize materials, follow directions, navigate social cues, or remain on task as he studies the material his classmates study, as for autism.

With modifications, the content is adjusted to allow the student to remain in the class or school when he is not learning at the same pace of study as his peers, as in:

● an alternate level of literature, math, or Latin.

● a modified classical education to such an extent that this is then reflected on report cards (possibly short term) or diplomas (long term).

● a side-by-side classical Christian education, such as a Simply Classical school-within-a-school or class-within-a-class, for one or more academic areas to allow the student to learn at the pace he needs to master material and thrive.

EBM: Should classical Christian schools offer accommodations and modifications? Why or why not?

CS: All classical Christian schools offer accommodations and modifications to some degree. We must not be quick to relegate children with autism to secular institutions or deem a classical Christian education worthy only for the most capable among us. School leadership needs to determine to what extent they are interested in integrating students with significant learning challenges. Discussions might give birth to written policies or the decision to determine adaptations on a case-by-case basis. While allowing for the understanding that "rigor" can be seen mercifully as "rigorous for that child," any adaptations should remain consistent with the mission of the school, with classical pedagogy, and with the Christian faith.

EBM: Will there be negative side effects from adding students that need accommodations or modifications to a classroom?

CS: It should not be assumed that welcoming a student with autism will bring negative side effects. As with any child, a careful application and interview process can

help to uncover any history of behavioral disturbances, set clear expectations, and foster discussion of the child's needs before enrollment. When included adeptly, a child with autism may well enhance the experience of his classmates and teachers, including by embodying the understanding that all persons are created in the image of God, all fall short, and all are redeemed in Christ.

EBM: What are your top three favorite strategies for both engaging with and educating children on the autism spectrum?

CS:

upper limits. A classical Christian school might offer an alternate upper school curriculum for those who need modifications in the content. For example, at the upper levels our Simply Classical packages offer two-year editions of all studies. The twoyear plans allow students to continue at a slower, steadier pace with greater review and instruction commensurate with their abilities.

1)

A Gentle But Predictable Routine: Create, post, and review a clear, visual routine for each day and week. Announce changes to the routine ahead of time in a calm, reassuring manner. Assist the student in transitioning from one lesson or activity to another with joy and ease.

2) A Compassionate Understanding of Sensory Differences: Integrate simple movements, chanting, or jumping into your recitations and academic games. Purposeful movement such as brief stretching or a nature walk may help the student "reset" for the next lesson. Reduce the classroom's overall sensory load by inserting periods of quiet. Add a period of silent reading each day, expect minimal talking during transition periods, allow headphones or a designated study carrel as an "office" for independent work, soften overhead lighting, reduce loud noises (muffle a bell or buzzer), and keep the room tidy.

3) An Appreciation for the Unique Interests & Strengths of a Child with Autism: Include the child's interests when possible. If he loves weather patterns, you might assign a report on weather in other lands when the class studies geography. If he is exceptionally fond of the history of England, allow him to write a brief report on the period of history when you study Dickens, Austen, or Shakespeare. Give clear boundaries (e.g., "a single-page report, double-spaced"), lest the intensity of the interest derail the intended studies.

EBM: Does there come a point where classical Christian education is no longer effective for children on the autism spectrum? In other words, does the curriculum ever become so rigorous that students can no longer keep up without extreme modifications?

CS: If the intent is to "keep up with the class," then this might close doors, but it is important that a child with autism or any other learning challenges be allowed to deepen his education—rather than abandon it—if he reaches what appear to be his

EBM: Is there a dramatic difference between classical Christian education in a homeschool setting and in a typical classroom setting for a student with autism? Which one is more effective?

CS: In the classical Christian homeschool, a child with autism might receive accommodations and modifications with greater flexibility than in a classroom. If he is unusually skilled in math or science, for example, he may be allowed to progress to far greater heights in the homeschool than if taught alongside classmates. For weaker areas, such as making literary inferences or organizing his time, he can receive step-by-step instruction in the homeschool. Discussions of literature, listening to sacred music, or practicing recitations might continue while traveling to and from appointments or therapies. Lasting friendships can be cultivated through extracurricular activities, without the daily pressures of academics or a classroom. Flexibility is perhaps the greatest benefit to homeschooling for a child with autism.

In the classical Christian classroom, however, a child with autism may receive the accountability he needs to stay the course, to redirect wandering thoughts, to conform to high standards, and to be respectful and self-regulated while learning to adapt to different personalities and the rules of multiple teachers. In a welcoming classical Christian school, the student with autism has numerous opportunities to enjoy companionship with Christian students and teachers. With sensitivity to the student's vulnerabilities and with respect for his stronger qualities, a student with autism can thrive in the classical Christian school.

There need not be a drastic difference between homeschool and classroom implementations, nor do these settings need to be mutually exclusive. With the variations now available, some private schools offer a la carte in-person classes, half-day enrollment, or cottage schools that meet once weekly. Some classical Christian schools extend invitations to homeschoolers to join for daily Matins, choir, theater productions, or other areas that might be more difficult to replicate at home. Similarly, a homeschooled student with autism can now find teachers and classmates through Memoria Academy's unique Simply Classical courses. All serve a common cause. Such partnerships can be gratifying and beneficial to all involved.

Classical Education Resources

Resource Books

CLASSICAL EDUCATION

• Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child by Cheryl Swope $26.00

• A Defense of Latin and Classical Education edited by Cheryl Lowe $10.45

• Climbing Parnassus: A New Apologia for Greek and Latin by Tracy Lee

Simmons $15.00

• From Achilles to Christ: Why Christians Should Read the Pagan Classics by Louis Markos $26.00

• The Recovery of Real Education: A selection of articles from The Classical Teacher $10.45

• The Great Books: A Journey Through 2,500 Years of the West's Classic Literature by Anthony

O'Hear $22.00

• The Great Tradition: Classic Readings on What It Means to Be an Educated Human Being edited by Richard M. Gamble $20.00

• The Well-Educated Mind: A Guide to the Classical Education You Never Had by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise $35.00

• The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home by Susan

Wise Bauer $39.95

• How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading by Mortimer J.

Adler and Charles Van Doren $18.00

• Figures of Speech: 60 Ways to Turn a Phrase by Arthur Quinn $44.95

• Rhetoric by Aristotle $5.00

• Medieval Literacy: A Compendium of Medieval Knowledge with the Guidance of C. S. Lewis by James

Grote $29.95

PHONICS

• Teaching Phonics & Word Study in the Intermediate Grades by

Wiley Blevins $33.99

• Phonics from A to Z

by Wiley Blevins $27.99

• Essentials of Dyslexia Assessment and Intervention

by Nancy Mather and Barbara J. Wendling $50.00

Memoria Press Pamphlet Series

$3.95 ea.

Whether you're looking for an elevator pitch for classical education to give a friend, a defense of the place of Latin in classical education, or encouragement in teaching your child to read and write, this series of concise, clear articles in convenient pamphlet format is for you!

What Is Classical Education?

What Is Civilization?

Simply Classical: The Liberating Arts

The Grammar of Our Lives

How Latin Develops the Mind

Why Literature Matters

How to Teach Your Child How to Read

Latin: The Next Step After Phonics

Christian Studies: How to Have Biblically Literate Children

What Is Classical Rhetoric?

A Defense of Penmanship

How to Teach Logic

• Podcasts

• Teaching Guidelines

• Famous Men of Virtue Series

• Memoria Press Speakers' Guild

• and more!

Simply Classical:

A Beautiful Education for

by Cheryl Swope Text $26.00

Any Child

The humanity of the child with special needs—the humanity of any child—must determine the education he receives. In this revolutionary book, Cheryl Swope guides parents, teachers, and schools in implementing the beauty, depth, and richness of a classical education for students with significant learning challenges.