Equip parents and teachers to lead meaningful literary analysis with the Teaching the Classics Syllabus Notebook from Center for Literary Education (Adam & Missy Andrews). This softcover workbook includes lecture notes from the flagship seminar, short story texts (e.g., The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Riki-Tikki-Tavi, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Martin the Cobbler), graphic organizers, suggested curriculum outlines, daily lesson plans, and examples of grammar, logic, and rhetoric exercises coordinated with IEW writing. It emphasizes the Socratic method for exploring literary elements—Context, Structure, Style, Plot & Conflict, Setting, Character, Theme, Literary Devices—with a Socratic List of questions and practicum applications to classics like The Iliad, MacBeth, Great Expectations, To Kill a Mockingbird, and "Casey at the Bat." High teacher involvement through discussions and hands-on activities promotes critical thinking and worldview evaluation in a neutral format—ideal for homeschoolers mastering how to analyze any fiction independently or in family settings.
Teaching the Classics Syllabus Notebook
Description
Teaching the Classics is an eight-hour seminar that shows parents and teachers a powerful method for discussing literature. This method can be applied to any book at any grade level, regardless of the teacher's experience. It is Center For Lit's flagship product, and the foundation of all our work.
The seminar builds on the idea that all works of fiction share the same basic elements, including Context, Structure, and Style. Lessons devoted to each of these elements explain how to identify them in any story and use them to understand an author's theme.
Teaching the Classics: A Socratic Method for Literary Education is a highly regarded video seminar with accompanying workbook by Adam and Missy Andrews that teaches parents how to lead meaningful, discussion-based literature studies using the Socratic method.
Instead of relying on pre-written study guides, this seminar equips parents with the tools and confidence to ask thoughtful questions that help students deeply analyze any work of literature from picture books to classic novels.
Key Curriculum Features:
- Teaches the Socratic method of literary discussion, focusing on asking questions rather than giving answers
- Focuses on the core elements of literature: Plot & Conflict, Setting, Character, Theme, Literary Devices, and Context
- Uses short stories as teaching tools, then applies the method to longer works including The Iliad, Macbeth, Great Expectations, and To Kill a Mockingbird
- Includes a comprehensive Socratic List of questions organized by classical stages (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric)
- Emphasizes critical thinking, worldview analysis, and character development through literature
- Suitable for parents and teachers; children can participate in the discussions
Program Components:
- 8-DVD Seminar: Eight one-hour lectures (revised and expanded with new content)
- 120-page Workbook/Syllabus: Lecture notes, short story texts, graphic organizers, suggested curriculum plans, and daily lesson plan examples
- Socratic List: A powerful appendix with carefully crafted questions for literary analysis
Teaching the Classics stands out as the foundational seminar that gives parents the “big picture” and practical tools for leading rich literature discussions. It is an excellent investment for homeschool families who want to move beyond worksheets and teach their children how to think deeply about what they read.
Browse the Teaching the Classics seminar and workbook below!
| Product Format: | Softcover Book |
|---|---|
| Grade: | AD |
| Brand: | Center for Literary Education |
| ISBN: | 9780998322919 |
| Length in Inches: | 11 |
| Width in Inches: | 9 |
| Height in Inches: | 0.5 |
| Weight in Pounds: | 0.85 |