The internet is a big place. Too big, probably, for the person who wishes to be contemplative and purposeful in her consumption of news and media and all the information one can find in the wilderness that is the world wide web. There’s so much stuff out there, so many places to go, so many things to read. Where to begin? Where to end?
Well, there are a few blogs out there that we think all classical educators should have bookmarked: insightful, wise, helpful purveyors of deep thought and careful reflection worth visiting regularly. Here are nine of them. Obviously this is not an exhaustive list. There are many blogs worth visiting on many topics but each of these nine choices is especially valuable to the classical teacher and parent. We chose them for their direct application to classical teaching, parenting, literature, and/or the arts and, for the sake of this post, specifically steered clear of blogs that deal primarily with political issues even if they might offer much that is worthy of contemplation or occassionally touch on education/parenting/arts. So that leaves out wonderful blogs by folks like Rod Dreher, Gene Veith, First Things, Touchstone, and others.
So, in no particular order, here are nine blogs you really oughtta bookmark and keep in your regular rotation.
Description: The Imaginative Conservative is an on-line journal for those who seek the True, the Good and the Beautiful. It addresses culture, liberal learning, politics, political economy, literature, the arts and the American Republic in the tradition of Russell Kirk, T.S. Eliot, Edmund Burke, Irving Babbitt, Wilhelm Roepke, Robert Nisbet, Richard Weaver, M.E. Bradford, Eric Voegelin, Christopher Dawson, Paul Elmer More and other leaders of Imaginative Conservatism. Some conservatives may look at the state of Western culture and the American Republic and see a huge dark cloud which seems ready to unleash a storm that may well wash away what we most treasure of our inherited ways. Others focus on the silver lining which may be found in the next generation of traditional conservatives who have been inspired by Dr. Kirk and his like. The Imaginative Conservative answers T.S. Eliot’s call to “redeem the time, redeem the dream.”
Sample Post: How Did Lewis and Tolkien Defend the Old West
Good Letters: The Daily Blog of Image Journal
Description: For the humanists of the Renaissance, literature mattered because it was concrete and experiential—it grounded ideas in people’s lives. Their name for this kind of writing was bonae litterae, a phrase we’ve borrowed as the title for our blog. Every weekday, one of the gifted writers on our blogging team will offer a personal essay that makes a fresh connection between the world of faith and the world of daily life, spanning the gap between theology and experience and giving language a human shape.
Sample Post: Having Enough: Jacob, Esau, and the Great Books
Description: Who are we? Your Allies in Imagination. What’s our purpose? Story Warren exists to serve you as you foster holy imagination in the children you love. Why? We hope God will use us to Kindle Imagination for Kingdom Anticipation.
Sample Post: A Library of Their Own
Inside Classical Ed, by Christopher Perrin
Description: This blog and podcast site from the Preisdent of Classical Academic Press attempts to acquaint newcomers and veterans with the history of the movement and its leaders, report on current developments and initiatives, present analysis and review, and interview leaders in the Christian classical movement.
Sample Post: Plato and Play
Description: The blog of author/podcaster/speaker, Sarah Mackenzie (Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler’s Guide to Unshakeable Peace, out this week from Classical Academic Press), Amongst Lovely Things is a smorgasbord of support for homeschooling moms who need some inspiration. But, more than that, its an ode to the truth that teaching from a state of rest is actually, really possible and therefore its a valauble resource for all classical educators (not just homeschoolers).
Sample Post: My Biggest Homeschooling Mistake: Overthinking Methods and Philosophies
Description: The purpose of this blog, from Brandy Vencel, is to nourish the mind. This blog got its name from what it does, which is to attempt to think through the thoughts of God and man. Very few original thoughts appear on this blog. The bulk of the ideas are simply afterthoughts: thoughts that other people thunk first. Anything original is purely accidental. So what do we think about? Good books. Charlotte Mason. Educational philosophy. News. Messy homeschooling days. Basically anything. Everything. It’s all fair game here.
Sample Post: Music and the Poetry of Education
SignPosts for Liberal Education
Description: From Christopher Nelson, President of the renowned St. John’s College, this blog contemplates old ideas in a modern context, from the perspective of an experienced educator who has defended the value of Liberal Arts education – and the Great Books – in a culture that increasingly them value-less.
Sample Post: 5 Things to Do When You Get to College
Description: Another blog written by a homeschooler that has a great deal to offer to all classical educators regardless of the kind of classroom you teach in. Sara Dennis focuses on creating intentionally awesome classical homeschool sto educate our children that fit our families’ particular needs. Featuring lots of tips for keeping organized, planning, and Schole’.
Sample Post: Planning for a Restful Homeschool
Description: Because even if you disagree it’s important to know what’s going on in the world of education.
Sample Post: The Difficulty in Assessing the Effectiveness of Early Education
What blogs should be added to this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
