CiRCE Institute Home Page

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CiRCE offers support to any educator who wishes to implement the classical vision in the home, private, public, or charter school setting.<br> <br> Conference on Education<br> The CiRCE Institute is pleased to sponsor the first annual Conference on the Purpose, Essence, and Practice of Education, August 8-10, 2002, to promote a better understanding of education. This year, our Conference theme is Celebrate the Word. You'll want to be there as a truly outstanding line-up of speakers challenges us to raise our sights to what education can and ought to be. At the Conference, you will participate in open forum discussions and learn about classical education through numerous workshops and plenary sessions. <br> <br> Register for the Conference online now at this site, or contact The CiRCE Institute to register by phone at (704) 321-2929.<br> <br> Classical Homeschooling for the Upper Grades is Now Available<br> The CiRCE Institute provides classical education for today as it offers colloquies and tutorials for upper school students through the Great Ideas Academy. These tutorial-based classes are designed to cultivate wisdom and virtue by nourishing the soul on truth, goodness, and beauty through the study of the great books.<br> <br> Monthly Meditations<br> Register for CiRCE's Monthly Meditations to be sent via e-mail. (Paul, how?)<br> <br> <br> Classical Homeschooling for the Upper Grades<br> <br> Colloquies and Tutorials<br> In Charlotte<br> CiRCE's Great Ideas Academy has completed its inaugural year in Charlotte, with upper school students having studied Greek life and thought in the Humane Letters colloquy. This year, classes met at Sovereign Grace Church in the South Park area.<br> For the 2002/03 academic year, the Humane Letters colloquy will focus on Rome and the early Church. We are pleased to expand our offerings to include tutorials in Latin, biology, chemistry, algebra, geometry, logic/debate, and aesthetics (music and art). The Letters, Latin, and science classes will meet on Mondays and Thursdays, while math classes will meet on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. All other classes meet once a week on Wednesday. <br> <br> <br> Benefits of the Great Ideas<br> Colloquies and Tutorials<br> * Guide students toward wisdom and virtue through a challenging classical, Christian curriculum<br> * Train students to think and communicate through an orderly and purposeful Socratic approach<br> * Focus on the Great Ideas, such as truth, goodness, and beauty, as expressed through the Great Books and Great Works of Art<br> * Help students enter the Great Conversation by utilizing age-integrated, concept-centered classes<br> <br> Colloquies and Tutorials for 2002/03<br> Humane Letters and Classical Composition - Rome and the Early Church<br> This Letters colloquy offers an integrated approach to the great ideas taught in a colloquy or discussion format. Martha Faires, previously with Arx Axiom, and Andrew Kern lead students through the history of this period using the great books of Rome and the early church. These studies enable students to move toward a deeper understanding of high ideas within the Christian worldview. Classical composition teaches writing in an objective, step-by-step process, preparing students for college essays, debates, speeches, personal conversations, poetry, narratives, and rigorous thinking. <br> Latin I and II<br> Following Henle Latin, Sherri Madden, B.A. in Classics from Rhodes College, opens young minds to the glory of language through a comprehensive introduction to Latin thought. Nothing trains the mind like Latin, and nothing prepares the student for a world of learning like classical languages. <br> Algebra I and II<br> Harold Jacobs' Algebra is the text used to hone mental discipline, reasoning skills, and the ability of each student to perceive beauty and truth in mathematics.<br> Geometry<br> Using Jacobs' Geometry, students discipline their minds with logical, precise reasoning and are given the tools needed for the contemplation of beauty via the rigorous study of geometric principles. <br> Biology<br> Through the very popular and successful Apologia Biology, students will learn to ask questions, observe carefully, think precisely, and develop and challenge hypotheses. <br> Chemistry<br> As in Biology, students expand their understanding of science, while gaining insights into the beauty and wonder of the created order. <br> Logic/Debate<br> The principles of Traditional Logic, combined with coaching in debate, will help students learn to subject their opinions and those of others to careful scrutiny - an essential skill for an educated human.<br> Aesthetics - Music and Art<br> The aesthetics of music and art will help students focus on the beauty and wonder of music and art.<br> <br> <br> Testimonials<br> At the heart of the CiRCE Colloquy is the understanding that without virtue, knowledge is meaningless. It is in the application of knowledge that wisdom is found. This insight has allowed me to grow as a person and as a Christian. The education that Mr. Kern offers is truly vital toward becoming a grounded, discerning, and virtuous individual. <br> Jeremy Wierenga, currently attending<br> Gutenberg College<br> <br> Mr. Kern's Colloquies provided most of my high-school education in literature, history, and English. While learning about Dante, Caesar, Shakespeare, and the Magna Carta, I developed advanced reading and writing skills that I have applied again and again in college. I have always loved math and science, yet this course of study has given me a passion for the liberal arts, as well.<br> Tyson Rallens, currently attending<br> New St. Andrew's College<br> <br> I began Mr. Kern's Colloquies in the 9th grade after a year of scholastic apathy and struggling to gain value from my peers. I soon found myself captivated with the thrill of learning. Mr. Kern had a way of painting a beautiful picture of truth and goodness using literature and rhetoric. My classmates and I were motivated to begin the journey for wisdom and virtue. I also learned the value of an ordered mind and soul. Mr. Kern's classes were invaluable, and I would not have wanted any other high school experience.<br> Hilary Dotters, currently attending<br> Biola University<br> <br> By engaging in the conversations I had as a student of Mr. Kern, I developed a longing for truth. Realizations of truth never arrive on silver platters. The Colloquies provided me the opportunity to learn how to dig for myself, to make it my own.<br> Scarlettah Schaefer, currently attending<br> St. Thomas Aquinas College<br> <br> How CiRCE's<br> Great Ideas Academy<br> Began<br> Two books, Reading between the Lines by Gene Edward Veith and Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Doug Wilson, helped focus Andrew Kern's quest to be involved in education. Mr. Kern later studied under Dr. Veith at Concordia College, and together they produced the popular book Classical Education, Towards the Revival of American Schooling, now in its second edition.<br> In 1996, Mr. Kern relocated to Boise, Idaho to serve as Director of Classical Instruction at Foundations Academy, an elementary classical and Christian school. To meet the need for classical studies for the upper grades in Boise, Mr. Kern developed a series of colloquies, or CiRCE seminars, for the homeschool community, which was enthusiastically received. Numerous young men and women have attended these colloquies over the past five years, many of which were National Merit Scholarship finalists.<br> Mr. Kern has recently relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he is currently working with other families to develop and promote classical education. The Great Ideas Academy, a work designed to help parents meet the challenges of delivering a homeschool education at the high school level is the result. <br> <br> Great Ideas Colloquies and Tutorials<br> In Your Area<br> CiRCE plans to expand these colloquies and tutorials to additional locations. To learn more about CiRCE, join us this summer at the CiRCE-sponsored Conference on the Purpose, Essence, and Practice of Education at Queens University of Charlotte. Conference dates are August 8-10. Register for the Conference online now at this site, or contact The CiRCE Institute to register by phone at (704) 321-2929.<br> <br> The CiRCE Institute is sponsoring the first annual Conference on the Purpose, Essence, and Practice of Education, August 8-10, 2002, to promote a better understanding of education. The format is specifically designed with the intent that attendees not only learn about classical education, but actually enjoy a classical experience, as well. At the conference, you will participate in open forum discussions, or colloquies, and gain new skills and insights about education through the numerous workshops and plenary sessions. <br> <br> Come and join leading educators, teachers, and parents in the great conversation on the meaning of education.</p> </body>