Basecamp Live

Have you ever wondered what Mock Trial is all about? Today’s episode will explain how this intellectual sport works and how it combines some of the best parts of a classical education. Two students and their coach share stories, lessons learned and why Mock Trial has been one of the best decisions they ever made…and why more students should consider joining. Every school should start a Mock Trial Team if they don’t have one already. Learn how on this episode!

Neuroscience reveals that not only are we wired for stories, but our brains are activated up to 5x’s more when we hear a good tale. If true, then parents should maximize storytelling and not just leave it to teachers! But how? Matt Bianco and Brian Phillips identify the roadblocks, offer advice and walk us through their newest book filled with fairytales and templates to guide parents and kids in conversation. May the story force be with you, parents!

Parents and teachers often ask, “How do you teach science and math classically?” Today’s guest, Ravi Jain, is probably the most knowledgable person to answer this question. As a science teacher and co-author of The Liberal Arts Tradition: A Philosophy of Christian Classical Education, he offers theory and practical advice that every listener can incorporate right away in the classroom and lab. As a result, classical Christian students follow in the steps of the greatest scientists who ever lived.

A growing number of Christian schools are differentiating themselves by shifting to classical Christian education. One example is Toledo Christian Schools in Toledo, Ohio. BaseCamp Live host, Davies Owens, visited Toledo Christian on a “BaseCamp Live RoadShow” to hear firsthand from three teachers about the transition. Listen in to learn about their journey as a community that wants to go back to what Christian education lost in the last few decades…the classical foundation.

The last three decades have revealed amazing scientific discoveries. Yet, Chemistry tends to get a bad rap from American students and parents. Why? Looking back to the model of classical universities, Dr. Tim Anstine points out how the original scientists taught science. The great news is that today’s classical Christian schools follow this same model - so your children won’t have to be so bored anymore!

Is it possible to blend the flexibility of home life with the advantages and curriculum of the classical classroom? Yes! Parents and educators are excited about a new hybrid model that provides the best of both worlds. Listen in to hear about the latest option that parents, students and teachers give a five thumbs up!

What are technology’s latest sneaky maneuvers to get to our kids? How do parents combat the bad while accepting the good? Like Cyclops, the one-eyed giant who battled Odysseus, technology is the stranger in our midst attempting to get a grip on our children’s hearts, minds, and souls. Tune in to learn about the latest technology dangers online, the lack of helpful ratings in apps designed for children, and what you can do to protect your children.

For juniors and seniors at classical Christian schools, one of their most pressing questions is, “Where am I going to college?” And not far behind, “Should I continue in the liberal arts or focus on a different path?” Rob Sentz, Chief Innovation Officer at Emsi, a labor analytics company, reports on a recent in-depth study of liberal arts graduates and their job outcomes in the real world. Based on the data, he offers sound advice to parents and students considering the many options. When it comes to future employment, leaning into a liberal arts education has some advantages that you may not have thought about!

What can 550 elite world leaders teach us about raising the next generation? Michael Lindsay distills lessons he learned in his 10-year one-of-a-kind study and 2014 best seller, The View From The Top, and he communicates how to apply these strategies for today’s young people. As a college president, Lindsay knows what it takes to develop young “platinum leaders” that are led by virtue and faith, as well as their own struggles. Be prepared to be inspired by their stories!

How can a Classical Christian School exemplify loving your neighbor as yourself? Head of School, Russ Gregg, shares how starting Hope Academy in his inner city neighborhood was ultimately a matter of justice and a matter of love. And the results have had a rippling effect throughout his community and beyond. God truly does provide!

Emotions are the leading indicator of how young people see themselves today. But when parents and educators dismiss emotions altogether as unreliable and even dangerous, fireworks can ignite. Should we step into the emotional world of a child? And how? In this episode, Counselor Keith McCurdy offers parents and teachers sound advice about shaping your children’s perceptions so that emotions are put in their proper place.

The classical model served civilization for almost 1,000 years and produced extraordinary minds and developments in our history globally. Today, pragmatism and the desire to prepare students for jobs often seems to rule educational institutions. Indeed, today’s schools often create students who are more like widgets! This approach often leads parents to ask the wrong questions when evaluating schools. Dr. Roy Atwood helps parents think about the right questions to ask so that your student experiences the best of what education has to offer. Enjoy!

Are all schools created equal when it comes to spiritually forming kids? Our guest today spent years researching this question and has hard data to prove a difference … stay tuned….

Did the Founding Fathers have prize boxes? Probably not, and neither should our students. Our guest, Headmaster Chris Stevens, tells us why extrinsic reward systems are a form of student management that do not build souls. We are what we love, and if we are in the business of building affections, then parents and teachers need to re-evaluate why rewards are not all they are cracked up to be. Tune in...

The book Evidence That Demands A Verdict celebrates 45 years since it was first published! That means it is older than most parents of current classical christian students! But is a book that boasts such a title still relevant in this new age where feelings rule? Do logical arguments and evidence even work anymore to convince people that Christianity is worth taking seriously? Dr. Sean McDowell offers classical Christian schools and parents practical advice about how to relate more intentionally, especially to young people who indulge their feelings and often believe that traditional values are mean, insensitive and bigoted. Dr. McDowell explains that there are definitely better ways to relate than just offering the evidence to believe - but we still need to do that, too! Tune in to find out how!

Can we have our cake and eat it too? Parents often worry that a Christian school may produce students who are strong spiritually but not academically. They sometimes feel forced to choose between a moral education and one that will help their child get into college. What if there was a type of Christian education that helps students far outperform not just their public school counterparts but students at other Christian schools as well? When Christy Vaughan’s own grandchildren completely changed after beginning to attend a classical Christian school, she wanted to know more about this method of teaching and what difference it could make on a standardized test like the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test). The PSAT is not only prep for the SAT, but high scorers can qualify for a prestigious National Merit Scholarship. She compared scores of regular Christian schools and classical Christian schools. She discovered a glaring difference. Why?

What if you could go back and get the education your children are having now?  It’s not too late! There's still time for you and me to grow and learn in much the same way our kids in a classical Christian school are. Many parents think that it's too late, that they're too old, they can't focus enough, etc. David Moore says IT'S NOT TRUE! He has yet to meet someone who can't grow and learn right along with their kids. For a start, don't be afraid to be curious! Nobody knows it all so don't be embarrassed to ask questions, even if you feel like you should already know the answers. What else can you do? David has some great suggestions to get you going in a new life of joyful discovery. Listen in... Be sure to keep listening to hear the BACKSIDE where we continue our conversation with Mr. Moore beyond our usual half hour.

What in the world does “classical” even mean? Most people today imagine something out of date, old and not relevant for the modern world. Head of School Ty Fischer joins us today to tell his unbelievable story of how he was hired as Head of School at 25 years of age (you've got to hear it!) and gives us some practical ways to explain and really appreciate this important word...Listen in...

Decades ago now, memorization largely disappeared from the American classroom. What happened? Progressive educators had decided that memorization was just rote learning at best and at worst was oppressive and harmful to the creative mind of a child. Many classical Christian schools have revived memorization during the grammar stage when children’s minds are especially adept at absorbing large amounts of information. But why? Could we indeed be harming the creative mind, or might we actually be stoking the fires of creativity by filling students with beautiful words and amazing facts? Children will memorize whatever is in front of them, whether it be inspiring poetry or commercial jingles. Speech Meet is a great example of how memorization can impact a student’s life both now and in the future. Listen in...

Classical folks like to use fancy words that are often misunderstood. Some of our words may sound a little goofy in our contemporary culture, but are important to understanding the character traits we are trying to form in our children. The word “virtue” is often tossed about but what does it really mean? The answer has a lot to do with the way we raise and educate our children. It involves both parents and teachers and is crucial to forming things like justice and hope in the next generation. Listen in...