Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment

Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Mark Bauerlein at First Things. The latest installment of an ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein. Charles Taylor joins in to discuss his new book, Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment. Listen

Introducing...Introductions! by Mary Frances Loughran at Cana Academy. Because the introduction contains the essential core of the essay, learning to write an effective one can be challenging. In addition to providing the necessary context for the thesis, the introduction is a summary of the student’s thinking upon which he will expand in the supporting paragraphs. Although good brainstorming produces a roadmap for their essays, students often struggle to write purposeful introductions that sufficiently frame that roadmap. Here are five tips for how to guide students through writing good introductions. Read

Kids Should Be Taught to Think Logically by Vinay K. Chaudhri at Scientific American. Certain aspects of logical reasoning must be taught explicitly using symbolic logic. Symbolic logic has lost its place in modern high school curriculum, however. It is time that we start offering symbolic logic courses in high schools across the country. Read

6 Saints Show Us How to Rise to the Challenges of Parenting by Cerith Gardiner at Aleteia. These are just a handful of the holy men and women who brought their children up in oft-difficult circumstances to be individuals of tremendous faith. As you'll see, we could all take inspiration from the message of their consistent parenting. Read

Texas Approves Bible-Infused Curriculum for Public Schools by Bill Zeeble at Houston Public Media. The Texas State Board of Education on Friday gave final approval to a controversial new elementary curriculum that features numerous biblical references, from stories about King Solomon to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The board voted 8-7 in favor of the state-developed "Bluebonnet Learning" English and language arts materials, which critics say privilege Christianity over other religions. A narrow majority of the board — consisting of 11 Republicans and four Democrats — had signaled earlier in the week it would support the new curriculum. Read

At Catholic Central, a Trend Emerges: More Students Are Choosing to Become Catholic by Janet Sugameli Biondo at Detroit Catholic. Since 2018, Basilian-run school's Order of Christian Initiation of Teens program has welcomed about 50 students into the faith. In the six years that Catholic Central High School has offered a program to guide students who are interested in becoming Catholic, the program has not only gained momentum, but it might be garnering some national attention. Read

St. Joseph Shrine Announces Purchase of 4.2-Acre Lot to Be Renamed DeSales Park by Daniel Meloy at Detroit Catholic. The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, the religious community entrusted with the care of St. Joseph Shrine in Detroit, announced it is under contract to purchase the 4.2-acre lot across the Dequindre Cut near Eastern Market, with plans to build a social hall, and eventually, a middle school. Read

Throwback

Motivation: Encouraging Reluctant Students by Tom Cox at The Heights Forum on October 3, 2022. As I enter the classroom each year, I do so with a strong purpose of first uniting my students around a shared goal and then motivating them to reach that goal. In so doing, I’ve picked up various tools and rules along the way for motivating students in the courses they have to take, but so often don’t want to. Read