How many students do you accept into your classes?
Do I need special software?
How long are your classes?
How do you evaluate writing assignments?
Do your classes fit with a classical education model?
Can I take your classes if I am not using a classical education model?
How many students do you accept into your classes?
While I lecture as necessary to give students background into the literature we are studying, my classes are designed to promote interactive class discussion. This format works best with smaller class sizes, so my limit for each class is 12 students.
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Do I need special software?
Captive Thought Tutorials runs on a web conferencing platform called WebEx, which requires a simple free software download and is accessed from your internet browser. All you will need is a computer with a high speed internet connection, speakers, and a microphone.
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How long are your classes?
Each class meets once per week for two hours, with a 10-minute break in the middle.
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How do you evaluate writing assignments?
Writing is an important part of any English class; however, the focus of my tutorials is on the study of literature rather than the mechanics of writing. I evaluate each writing assignment primarily with regard to content and organization. Though I address and explain grammatical issues as necessary, they are not my primary focus. If your student needs more guidance on writing mechanics, you may wish to use an additional writing curriculum or find a writing tutor.
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Do your classes fit with a classical education model?
"Classical education" means many things to many people, and thus I have not adopted the term with reference to my tutorials. My approach to high school literature, however, is in keeping with expectations for the rhetoric stage of classical education. By this stage, students have moved beyond memorization, and are ready to apply their critical thinking skills to new areas of thought. They are also honing their thinking, speaking, and writing skills as they interact with the literature.
My classes do not follow a traditional "great books" reading list, and have a narrower focus than most great books programs. My courses will focus either on a particular era of literary history, a particular type of literature, or, for elective courses, a specific author. This somewhat more "specialized" approach is well-suited to the student in the rhetoric stage, where students begin to pursue their individual interests and gifts.
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Can I take your classes if I am not using a classical education model?
Yes, of course! Almost all educational models recognize the value of studying literature. My classes are appropriate for all high school students. Be prepared for evaluation to be based on discussion, presentations, and written assignments, rather than on comprehensive tests.
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