15Sep 2018 by Gail Ledbetter No Comments
TLC 009 : On Learning with Stories from History and Literature with Jim Weiss – Part 2 of 3

TLC 009 : On Learning with Stories from History and Literature with Jim Weiss – Part 2 of 3

Classic Literature, Classical Education, History through Literature, Podcast, Stories for Children, Top Posts
Most people think that stories are only for children. Or worse, that classic literature is only for high school lit class or college English majors. In this episode, I introduce an award-winning professional storyteller who has changed all that! He and his wife travel the world while entertaining and educating audiences (young and old) with beloved stories from history and literature. This is the second of three episodes. In case you missed part 1, click here. Highlights from this episode on stories: what to do when you've strained your throat (and you use your voice a lot!) what to do when you're terrible at telling stories (like me :) ) different ways to tell the same story the structure of a story the key to a great story the importance…
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03Sep 2018 by Gail Ledbetter 1 Comment
TLC 008 : On Learning with Stories from History and Literature with Jim Weiss – Part 1 of 3

TLC 008 : On Learning with Stories from History and Literature with Jim Weiss – Part 1 of 3

Classic Literature, Classical Education, History through Literature, Podcast, Read Aloud, Stories for Children, Top Posts
Most people think that stories are only for children. Or worse, that classic literature is only for high school lit class or college English majors. In this episode, I introduce an award-winning professional storyteller who has changed all that! He and his wife travel the world while entertaining and educating audiences (young and old) with beloved stories from history and literature. Join us for the first of three episodes! Highlights about classic stories from this episode: why you should take the time to dig up true stories from history why original classic stories are superior to Hollywood versions how the entire family (from grandchild to grandparent) can enjoy the world's greatest stories...together how to coordinate the study of history and literature (and why chronological is a good option) how to…
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06Mar 2018 by Gail Ledbetter 1 Comment
TLC 001a – Teaching Literature in the Classroom with Donna Seidman – Part 1 of 2

TLC 001a – Teaching Literature in the Classroom with Donna Seidman – Part 1 of 2

Classic Literature, Classical Education, History through Literature, Podcast, Read Aloud, Reader-Response Journaling
If you find yourself teaching classic literature, you may need some fresh ideas on how to improve comprehension and help your students fall head over heels in love with books. Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, school at home, or snuggle with toddlers on the sofa, this message is for you! Teaching literature is a powerful learning tool that's easier than you might think. In Episode 001 on teaching literature you'll learn... how two classical educators use classic literature in their homes and in their classrooms the power of literature how historical context can be formed from classic literature Helpful resources for teaching literature:  Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) - Andrew Pudewa Classical Conversations (CC) Robinson Crusoe The Witch of Blackbird Pond Read-Aloud Revival with Sarah Mackenzie Timeline of…
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15Dec 2017 by Gail Ledbetter 7 Comments
TLC 004: How to Achieve a Literary Education with Adam and Missy Andrews

TLC 004: How to Achieve a Literary Education with Adam and Missy Andrews

Classic Literature, Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis, Podcast, Top Posts
In this episode, I am pleased to introduce Adam and Missy Andrews, the authors of Teaching the Classics! Highlights from this episode: how to confidently begin a literary education the definition of a classic why children's picture books are the best place to start how anyone can teach literature a flexible method for reading and understanding any work of literature how the Socratic method works why YOU are the most qualified for this job Resources: Note: some of the resources below may contain affiliate links, meaning I get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase. Teaching the Classics Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) Timeline of Classics: Historical Context for the Good and Great Books centerforlit.com      …
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10Dec 2016 by Gail Ledbetter 4 Comments
TLC 003 : Strange Name for an Awesome Resource – The Great American Bathroom Book

TLC 003 : Strange Name for an Awesome Resource – The Great American Bathroom Book

Classic Literature, Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis, Podcast, Read Aloud
TLC 003: Strange Name for an Awesome Resource - The Great American Bathroom Book Learn how you can broaden your personal knowledge of an enormous collection of classics and topics. This three-volume set is one of my favorite power tools! On Episode 003 of the Timeline of Classics podcast, we'll feature The Great American Bathroom Book: Single Sitting Summaries of All-time Great Books (originally titled: Compact Classics) We've all been there... Help! I need a quick reminder of the characters, setting, or plot of a Shakespeare play. It's been way too long since I studied this in my high school English class. I've got to teach this book tomorrow. There's a literary goldmine inside each volume! In Episode 003 you'll learn... how The Great American Bathroom Book (GABB) can introduce a…
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09Oct 2016 by Gail Ledbetter 1 Comment
TLC 002 : Teaching Literature in the Classroom with Donna Seidman – Part 2 of 2

TLC 002 : Teaching Literature in the Classroom with Donna Seidman – Part 2 of 2

Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis, Podcast, Read Aloud, Reader-Response Journaling, Top Posts
Whether you teach in a traditional classroom, school at home, or snuggle with toddlers on the sofa, this message is for you! Listen as Donna and I finish our conversation... In Episode 002, you'll learn: how Timeline of Classics can benefit classical educators how to study a period of history with multiple students of differing ages the nuts and bolts of reader-response journaling how reader-response journaling improves comprehension and thinking skills how reader-response journaling sharpens vocabulary study and summarizing skills literary analysis through Socratic discussion how reader-response journaling cultivates wisdom, discernment, and thinking Helpful resources from this episode: Jim Weiss - Greathall Productions Jim Hodges - Jim Hodges Audio Books The Great American Bathroom Book (aka - Compact Classics) Teaching the Classics - Adam & Missy Andrews Episode 36: Some…
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02Jun 2016 by Gail Ledbetter No Comments
Podcast Featuring TLC – An Interview with Sarah Mackenzie (Read-Aloud-Revival)

Podcast Featuring TLC – An Interview with Sarah Mackenzie (Read-Aloud-Revival)

Classic Literature, History through Literature, Podcast, Read Aloud, Top Posts
I love Sarah Mackenzie! If I could pick my neighbors, the Mackenzies would live in my neighborhood. But, since I'm on the east coast, and Sarah on the west, we'll just be thankful for wifi, headsets, and plenty of laughter! After meeting her for the first time last Fall at an IEW Exhibitor's Retreat, I learned that we had many things in common: a house full of kids an insatiable love for great books a great desire to give our families a literary education a sincere wish to face the library without fear We've bumped into one another since then at a home school convention and had a recent conversation, which is now a podcast for you to enjoy! There's so much more I could say, but that will have…
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31May 2016 by Gail Ledbetter 2 Comments
Reader Response Journaling: How the Light Bulb Switched on in One Classical Classroom

Reader Response Journaling: How the Light Bulb Switched on in One Classical Classroom

Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis
Luckily, there is a simple and effective way for classical educators to improve comprehension: reader-response journaling. Several months ago I was completing the finishing touches on the second edition of Timeline of Classics when I met a new friend, Donna Seidman.  As I explained the new edition, she became more and more excited! After spending a semester refining the methods I described to her, these are Donna's observations: I teach 6th and 7th grade English classes along with Classical Studies at a hybrid-style charter school in California. I became aware of Timeline of Classics earlier this year and was excited to implement it in my 7th grade class. Being a traditional class which was used to worksheets and simply answering questions, students were: challenged to consider the material learned to…
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19May 2016 by Gail Ledbetter No Comments
It Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming: Let’s Go to the Library!

It Doesn’t Have to Be Overwhelming: Let’s Go to the Library!

Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis, Read Aloud, Reader-Response Journaling
If you're like me, the library was, and still is, one of the favorite all-time stops for my kids and me. The very mention of going to get books brought nothing but glee and smiles to the faces of my kids. (One of my daughters is now a nanny for a young family. Guess where she takes the kids at least once a week?) I knew that I needed some sort of plan before we hit the road. Choosing books at the library is like walking down the cereal aisle at the grocery store...too many choices! What's a mom to do? My heart has always been drawn toward history. Perhaps it's because I was born into a home with four grandparents and a great-grandmother who lived to be 100 years…
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09Apr 2016 by Gail Ledbetter 1 Comment
Introducing Timeline of Classics – An interview with IEW’s Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker

Introducing Timeline of Classics – An interview with IEW’s Andrew Pudewa and Julie Walker

Classical Education, History through Literature, Literary Analysis, Podcast, Reader-Response Journaling, Top Posts
I am pleased to announce the arrival of TLC2! Wouldn't you know it? Timeline of Classics (the second edition) hit the presses the very same week I visited IEW's home base for a week of training! Not only was I overwhelmed by the beauty of eastern Oklahoma, but I could hardly contain my excitement. This was the first time I had seen the facility where my chronological book list is being published! Visiting IEW I serve the Institute for Excellence in Writing as a Certified online instructor, exhibitor, and author. It was a joy to finally meet so many of the wonderful people I work with at IEW. During my stay, I was interviewed by Andrew Pudewa (the founder, principal speaker, and director of IEW) and Julie Walker (Andrew's right…
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