SS #08: Making the Most of Summer with Habits and Virtue

In today’s episode, Mystie and Brandy use Aristotle’s Nichomachean Ethics to discuss the connection between habits and virtue, and then proceed to convince themselves to work on shoring up good habits over the summer to pave the way for a better school year. They talk about different types of habits to build, as well as how to build them. They also discuss a question on assessment sent to us by Amanda Venema – and a big shout out to Amanda for being the first to leave us a recorded message!

Habits, virtue, summer, assessment – what’s not to like? This is a fun way to wrap up Season 1 of the podcast.

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16 Comments

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  2. You said something that I think about a lot! “..if we’re not careful, we can become the worst version of ourselves.” And “we grow what we water.”

    My husband and I have a lot of older-than-us friends (due to our lack of family help and connections–we kind of have to find and make our own family :). But what that means is I start to notice the good and bad character qualities in the older generation–things that I do or do NOT want to emulate. I’m taking notes, apparently? (no pressure to anyone I know in real life. ahem.) This always gets me thinking that I have to remain teachable and gracious!! Anyway, I just really loved that and don’t often hear people say it out loud. So thank you, you two!

  3. Just finished the second half of the podcast! 😀 I also really loved what you said regarding assessments! Very helpful, especially the parts about not grading their work, just talking about what needs to be changed and having them change it. 🙂

  4. I love what you said here — taking notes, remaining teachable. I think trying to learn from others (both the good and the bad) also keeps us from being judgmental — sort of helps keep our hearts in the right place, I think. ♥

  5. Pingback: Summer is a time for habit building. » Simply Convivial

  6. I have loved all the podcasts so far and eagerly look forward to more.

    I wanted to read aloud a ‘taste’ of Nicomachean Ethics in my homeschool (my kids are late teens). Which two chapters (or so) would you recommend for a ‘less is more’ intro to Aristotle?

    Thank you

  7. Personally, I would look at Book II and choose a few sections (in a row) from there. It’s such a great book and very applicable, I think, to modern life. 🙂

  9. Hey Ladies, I have so enjoyed and been challenged by listening to your conversations! I wanted to add to the conversation on assessment. In high school and college when I took a test, it was reassuring to me to know for sure
    (after I had received my grade) that I knew the material that I had been studying. Now, if I had known about Charlotte Mason back then I might have used narration to that end. But I think it would be helpful at the end of a term or semester, if the students had a final naration of what they had learned that term. Not for the purpose of showing what they don’t know, or I’d they had learned all the things … but to lead them to make further connections across their reading as well as to celebrate all they have learned.
    And though I can’t quote it, I am pretty sure that Charlotte Mason had her students do exams as well.
    You all, as well as assessment, are such a blessing! Keep up the good work, ladies!!

  10. Yes, for sure! CM did exams at the end of each term. Most of the questions did exactly what you say — gave them a chance to make connections and synthesize their knowledge across their readings. Love this! ♥

  11. You mentioned an online math drill program in this episode but I don’t see it in the show notes. What was the name of it?

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  14. Pingback: Summer is a time for habit building. | Simply Convivial
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