Thursday I had the absolute pleasure of joining the K-3rd grade classes on a field trip to Mr. and Mrs. Bush’s farm in Paron, Arkansas. Mrs. Bush teaches the upper grade students at PCA, but Thursday she stepped into the roll of field trip guide for our lower elementary students. It may have been the most enjoyable field trip I have ever been on as an adult, and it was chock-full of age-appropriate educational nuggets for the students.
In an era that seems to say, “we know better” and “let’s reinvent the wheel,” these parents have boldly embraced the old paths of teaching that seeks to impart knowledge, yes, but also teaches children to think deeply and exhibit great character by training the mind to think God’s thoughts after Him.
In the next several posts, I’m going to talk about what it means, in my perspective of course, to love God with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all I’ve got. I will also highlight a few areas where I see this viewpoint being reflected in Pinnacle Classical Academy. I’ll tackle the heart in this post.
Monday morning was full of smiles as all the students and teachers reunited for the beginning of a new quarter!
The question usually goes something like this: You seem to really know your stuff and the school is so small, why don’t you just homeschool your kids? An excellent question that I can’t wait to answer! I could homeschool my kids. I know I could do it, I know it can be a great choice for many families, I even think I could do it well. But there are a few key reasons my husband and I have intentionally chosen not to homeschool our kids.
Thursday evening I had the pleasure of attending an informal seminar at PCA hosted by our headmaster, Bill Izard. The topic was entitled Men of Valor, Women of Virtue and it was both simple and profound. The heart of the topic was about raising our children in such as way as to both model and thus instill in them a character that is in line with God’s ideal for us. In quintessential classical style, Mr. Izard encouraged us as parents and teachers to put great importance on growing our kids’ character and less on the career they may someday have.
Recitation night is when Pinnacle Classical Academy really shines. I have been to four Recitation Nights over the past two years and every one leaves me amazed at how much information our kids have learned in a short number of weeks. I am always proud of the confidence and professionalism of the students and faculty, while at the same time thrilled at the little smiles and giggles and wiggles that let me know they’re having fun at school.
It takes a special person to love teaching Kindergarten and 1st grade, and Pinnacle has that special person! Renee Reed is on her second year at the school. However, one glance in the classroom and you would think she’s been doing this for years!
His desk was neatly stacked with Latin curriculum, a logic textbook, grammar books, and many other things you would expect to see on a teacher’s desk. But front and center, in the middle, obviously there from recent use, was his Bible. It was a wonderful thing to see!