Dr. Scott Crider of the University of Dallas introduces us to Rhetoric, an art of persuasion that allows our future leaders to lead souls (and themselves) to the good. Dr. Crider discusses the nature of rhetoric, its place in the tradition of liberal learning, its role in a technologically advanced society (and classroom), and how it can be practiced by our students, not only later in life but now, in the context of the academic essay.
In a HeightsCast episode released in September, headmaster Alvaro de Vicente offered guidance for parents on how to understand, interpret, and respond to their sons’ grades while also nurturing strong and lasting bonds. This week we welcome Tom Steenson to HeightsCast to discuss grading from the teacher’s perspective.
Tom offers practical advice to teachers, framing grades as a means to helping students learn, whether they are relatively strong in a subject or struggling through a class. Approaching grading more as an art than a strict science, Mr. Steenson encourages teachers to be realistic without crushing a student and to challenge students to think beyond the grade, helping them find a real joy in learning.
Chapters
2:10 Introduction: Grading from a teacher’s perspective
3:00 How to think about grades
5:05 Dealing with a strong student
7:45 Should you grade different students differently?
10:53 The grade-monger: Kids who are hyper focused on the grade
14:20 Online gradebooks?
16:20 Practical advice for students struggling with grades
20:00 Grading fairly without crushing the student
21:45 Advice for the art of grading
28:10 Closing thoughts
Mentioned in the episode
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck
The book of Genesis tells us that God made man ut operaretur—that he may work. Far from a punishment for the Fall, work is an essential part of man’s original vocation. Indeed, it is precisely as a craftsman—a tektōn, in the Greek—who does his work well (cf. Mark 6:3) that Jesus was identified in the Gospels. Education, therefore, even a liberal arts education, ought to take into account this important aspect of man’s nature.
This week on HeightsCast, we welcome John Paul Lechner and Dr. Joseph Haggarty to discuss how a craftsmanship class can fit into the education students receive at a liberal arts school. Both teachers at Sparhawk Academy in Millis, Massachusetts, Lechner and Haggarty explain how students at Sparhawk engage reality through their unique craftsmanship curriculum. They give examples of the ways even their younger students learn to craft meaningful works for their families and community while gaining skills that will serve them for life.
Mr. Lechner and Dr. Haggarty help us see the ways craftsmanship class contributes to the formation of these boys so full of energy and budding strength.
Chapters
2:25 Introduction
3:10 Origin of Sparhawk’s craftsmanship courses
6:15 Craftsmanship in the younger years
7:19 Craftsmanship and the liberal arts
12:30 A brief history of craftsmanship
15:10 The dignity of working with one’s hands
16:20 Examples of projects
23:20 Learning to use energy and strength well
26:35 Getting started with craftsmanship
Recommended Reading
Shop Class as Soulcraft by Matthew Crawford