Mary Lebowitz | CUSTAT.ORG

Finding Wisdom: The Best Secular Classical Homeschool Curriculum for Elementary Students

The Classical Education model—built upon the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric) and the pursuit of wisdom and virtue—is highly sought after by homeschoolers. However, many of the most well-known curricula rooted in this tradition incorporate religious instruction. For families seeking the intellectual rigor and chronological structure of this approach without religious content, finding the best secular classical homeschool curriculum for elementary students requires careful selection. The goal is to retain the focus on language arts, history as the core, and memorization, while prioritizing neutrality and critical thinking.

The Secular Classical Imperative

A secular classical curriculum for the elementary (Grammar) stage must still focus on the mastery of foundational facts, rules, and vocabulary. Elementary students, who are naturally “parrot-like” and enjoy recitation, build the historical and linguistic “tools” they will analyze later.

Key characteristics of an ideal secular program include:

Chronological History: Starting with Ancients and progressing linearly, tying other subjects to

special education

Sanctuary in the Classroom: Calming Corner Ideas for Trauma-Informed Special Education

December 3, 2025December 12, 2025 - by Mary Lebowitz

In a special education classroom, where students often arrive with complex needs and backgrounds that may include trauma, creating an environment of safety and regulation is paramount. A calming corner is not merely a timeout space; it’s a strategically designed sanctuary that serves as a vital tool within a trauma-informed approach. It empowers students to self-regulate, process overwhelming emotions, and return to learning feeling secure and in control. Effective calming corners are thoughtfully stocked and consistently integrated into the classroom routine, making them a cornerstone of emotional support.

Why a Calming Corner in a Trauma-Informed Classroom?

Students who have experienced trauma often live in a state of hyperarousal or dysregulation, making it difficult to focus, engage, or learn. A calming corner provides:

Predictability and Control: A safe, consistent space where students know they can go to regain control.
Sensory Input Regulation: Tools to either calm an overstimulated nervous system

health education

Bridging the Gap: Diabetes Self-Management Education for Low-Literacy Patients

November 29, 2025December 12, 2025 - by Mary Lebowitz

Diabetes self-management is a complex, demanding task, requiring patients to understand medication schedules, dietary restrictions, and blood glucose monitoring. However, standard educational materials often rely on reading levels far exceeding the national average. For the millions of adults with low health literacy, these materials become a barrier, not a bridge, leading to poorer adherence and health outcomes. Therefore, developing highly effective diabetes self-management education materials for low literacy patients is not just beneficial—it is an ethical imperative.

The Imperative for Visual and Simple Communication

Low literacy affects a patient’s ability to understand written instructions, calculate dosages, and interpret charts. Traditional text-heavy pamphlets must be replaced with materials that prioritize visual communication and simplicity.

1. Focusing on “Need-to-Know” Information

Educational content must be streamlined, focusing only on the most critical, actionable information. Instead of explaining the pathophysiology of insulin resistance, materials should focus on the “Four Key Actions”:

Take medication correctly.

special education

From Intention to Action: Creating Measurable IEP Goals for Executive Functioning and Task Initiation

November 23, 2025December 12, 2025 - by Mary Lebowitz

For students with executive functioning challenges, the gap between knowing what to do and doing it—the difficulty with task initiation—can be a major obstacle to academic success. These skills, including planning, organization, and self-regulation, are critical for navigating the increasing demands of middle and high school. When developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP), it’s vital to move beyond general statements and create measurable IEP goals for executive functioning and task initiation that are clear, observable, and trackable.

The Challenge of Measuring Executive Skills

Executive functioning is an internal cognitive process, making it inherently difficult to measure. A goal like “The student will improve their task initiation skills” is too vague. Effective IEP goals must adhere to the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. They must pinpoint a specific behavior and define the criteria for success.

Key Components of a Measurable Goal

To …

The Great Divide: Classical Education vs. Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

November 15, 2025December 12, 2025 - by Mary Lebowitz

Choosing a homeschool philosophy can feel like navigating a maze of scholarly terms and passionate advocates. Two of the most respected and widely adopted methods are Classical Education and the Charlotte Mason (CM) Method. While both share roots in the pursuit of wisdom, virtue, and a broad, rich curriculum, their foundational approaches—particularly regarding how a child learns—create distinct experiences. Understanding these differences is key for parents seeking the best fit for their family.

Focus of the Curriculum: Tools vs. Ideas

The primary point of divergence lies in their method of knowledge acquisition, especially in the younger years:

Classical Education (The Trivium): The modern Classical method is famous for its Trivium, dividing learning into three stages based on developmental readiness: Grammar (K-4, memorization of facts), Logic (5-8, critical reasoning), and Rhetoric (9-12, articulate expression). The focus in the Grammar stage is on providing a vast storehouse of facts—the