Classical Me, Classical Thee for Homeschoolers: Squander Not Thine Education, Understanding the Purpose of Education, Christian Books for Teens

by Rebekah Merkle

Rebekah Merkle knows which high school classes you like and which you roll your eyes at, which books you enjoy and which you kinda skim. That's because she went through this whole thing called classical education, She was a guinea pig in one of the very first classical Christian schools in the country. Written for students by a (former) student, Classical Me, Classical Thee is lighthearted and--most importantly for you busy homeschoolers--very short. It has a simple to explain why you students are doing what you do in class. ( Grades aren't the point--you won't use your knowledge of the Iliad Book 5 every year until you die.) What you do in class is a drill--and nobody drills for the sake of the drill. You do drills so that you can win the game. The real tragedy, though, would be if you didn't know you were doing drills... or didn't know there was a game at all. Grades aren't the point. So drill to win. This new updated edition of the book is specially geared for homeschoolers, and will help all students see the big picture of the crazy things they do all day.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, Christian

116 pages, Paperback

Published March 17, 2020

About the author

Rebekah Merkle has dabbled in a number of occupations ranging from running her own clothing label to designing fabrics to becoming a full-time high school humanities teacher. Her designs have been featured in a number of magazines and she has edited a Brit Lit curriculum for Canon Press, but by far her proudest accomplishment is her crew of five outrageous, hilarious, high-speed teenage children, and her favorite role is that of wife to her similarly outrageous, hilarious, and high-speed husband Ben Merkle.

Rebekah is the daughter of Douglas Wilson and is the sister of Rachel Jankovic & N.D. Wilson

Reviews

[The Criticizer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book to homeschoolers. Classical Me, Classical Thee actually makes you appreciate classical education. It explains how the study of Latin improves your vocabulary, how logic prepares you to point out invalid fallacies, how history can help you understand the world's problems, and more. Homeschoolers should take the time to read this great book because they will realize that their education will really help them later when they are in college.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

We did this book as a read-aloud. It was so delightful. My teenage daughter said that this was the most relatable book ever. Rebekah Merkle is ND Wilson’s sister and it shows! She writes this book to students of Classical Christian Education and my kids thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Caroline Bear · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great reminder of what a gift a Christian education is. Highly recommended.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

While this book is for teens, I found it to be the clearest explanation of classical education that I've read--and I've been teaching my kids classically for ten years! I'm passing this book to my teens first, then their homeschooled friends.

[Emily Byrd · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read which is written so in such an enjoyable, conversational tone. This book was a great reminder of why we have chosen a Christian Classical education for our daughters. It has renewed my desire and enthusiasm to keep running this race!

[Jean Schram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buyer beware: There are two versions of this book--one for homeschoolers and another for students attending classical schools. (I don't know the differences. I only have the homeschool version.

Great, short overview of classical education. Aimed at high schoolers but is helpful to adults who are new to the field.

1. A fundamentally different pizza
2. Puzzle skills
3. The right map
4. Behind the drill: Latin
5. Behind the drill: Literature
6. Behind the drill: Logic
7. Behind the drill: Rhetoric
8. Behind the drill: Worldview analysis
9. Behind the drill: The maths & all that
10. Behind the drill: History
11. Complications with the trivium
12. Conclusion: Talent in real life

[Whittnie Batchelor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I, a newer classical homeschool mom of 3, read this mostly out of curiosity. It is meant for a classically homeschooled older student.

If you’re struggling with how to verbalize the blessing and the reasoning behind classical education to your older students then this is the book for you AND your student(s).

Rebekah did an excellent job!

[Katie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a helpful book for explaining to my kids why we choose to do classical education. Short, easy to read. But sometimes I found her comparisons between classically educated kids and others too abrasive. And the "my dad is so cool" mentions in the last chapter were a little off-putting. But otherwise, I'd recommend this book to other classically educated homeschool moms and students.

[Mary-Alex Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I am not the intended audience, I really enjoyed this book. It gave a great synopsis of classical education and the why behind what is taught. I still lean more towards the Charlotte Mason style of classical education rather than the strict trivium style but still a great read!

[Myersandburnsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read aloud to my kids.

Every CC kid and parent should read this.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent, brief description of classical education of why we do what we do!

[Rebekah Means · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short, humorous, simple explanation of classical education—for a homeschooled older student, or a grandparent who needs some convincing ☺️