{Book Review} The Conversation by Leigh A. Bortins from Classical Conversations

I had no idea.

This book has completely changed my entire perspective on Classical Education at Home. When I was offered to read this book about The Conversation from Classical Conversations, I was told that it really wasn’t about the Classical education movement in the homeschooling arena. Well, it sort of is, and it was more wonderful to read than I first imagined that it would be.

When I started the book I was of the mindset that Classical Education was not something I wanted to take part in. Maybe because it seemed so overwhelming, or maybe because it meant I would have to step out of my quiet comfort zone.

Whatever the deep rooted reason, I am so glad that I took the time to read this book. Everything in it screams “This is a Wonderful Way to School Your Children”!

As a lover of books myself I have tried to instill that love of good (and great) books in my children. I am pleased to know that even the classics that have been read in our house have contributed to their education. Who knew that this was even a way to homeschool?

So, this book, The Conversation, is laden with the various reasons that homeschooling high schoolers can be done and can be done very well.

The main points given in the book are just this:

• Conversations are a part of every day life, so why not use that to your advantage for school
• Conversations are a wonderful way to provide support and accountability in your students that will last them a lifetime
• Conversations are where the deep questions get asked and then get answered
• Conversations should not stop because you have teenagers, they are the ones that need them the most

The knowledge and the depth at which the author speaks of the benefits of using classical education makes me stop and take into account everything I have ever done as a homeschooler.

Not that I will make a drastic move from where we are in our learning style but without a doubt I am encouraged to test the waters with the benefits that I see from reading this book.

Some benefits that I see that I would like to implement into our education (and this is why we homeschool, so we can add, subtract, or change when needed)…

• Virtue
• The accountability of the student, making the load heavy enough yet engaging enough to for the learning to continue
• The ability to find a subject or hidden talent that can be followed up with an apprenticeship
• Serving others in every capacity

Each chapter in this book touches on subjects that can be covered in this style of education, there are some that I would never have considered but after reading the book it makes perfect sense to study the subjects in this way.

Part One – High School at Home

• Chapter 1   – Confidant Parents
• Chapter 2   – Rhetoric Defined

Part Two – The Rhetorical Arts

• Chapter 3   – Reading
• Chapter 4   – Speech and Debate
• Chapter 5   – Writing
• Chapter 6   – Science
• Chapter 7   – Math
• Chapter 8   – Government and Economics
• Chapter 9   – History
• Chapter 10  – Latin and Foreign Language
• Chapter 11  – Fine Arts
• Chapter 12  – A Graduation Conversation
• Epilogue

Part Three – Appendices 

• Appendix One    – Conversation Games
• Appendix Two    – Common Rhetorical Devices
• Appendix Three – Resources
• Appendix Four   – Real Parents Respond

I have come to the conclusion that there are many aspects of Classical Education that I (and the children) would enjoy. By far this is my favorite quote from the entire book though:

…”my only goal is to raise virtuous men…Virtuous men have no problem going to college because they are studious. They have no problem finding employment because they return honest hours of work for honest wages. They have no problems starting businesses because they can sacrifice to make others’ lives better. They have no problem serving in missions because they can delay personal desires. ….virtue should be the goal of education.” (page 27)

If nothing else I choose to use from this book works, I believe that this quote above defines for me the goal of our household as well. That would be the most pleasing to my husband and I as well as to the God that has blessed us with our children.

See what my fellow Review Crew members and to say about this book:

SOCIAL CORNER

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I hope you enjoyed this review and visit again soon to see what we are working on next!

In His Grace.

Callie