Exercising the Socratic Method

Yesterday started out like any other. We followed our usual morning agenda for phonics, math, and current events and were just about ready to dive back into an adventure novel about a young Greek Athenian boy when our neighbor phoned us with a request to visit. Frank has just about a zillion stories to tell, he can quote every date and battle that ever took place in the history of the world, he's forever whetting his intellectual pallet with a great study or a new book, which is why it's always such a treat to have him over. So we close our workbooks and clear what remains of school from the kitchen table in anticipation of what Frank calls a time of "real learning."

Whether it's talking about character roles in their play, acknowledging the uniqueness of their names, advising that purity is a woman's "Ace" card, or affirming the devotion their father has for all of them, Frank knows how to engage them in good conversation.

An hour later, the discussion shifts to next year's presidential election. He gives us a lengthy review on the pros and cons of each prospective candidate before the conversation is allowed to move in a different direction...a movie we borrowed from him days ago about Leonidas and the battle at Thermopylae, whereby the topic of virtual reality leads to an examination of the limitless possibilities in film making and technology. Frank describes his delight in being able to rewind the bloody battle scenes for a more detailed viewing in slow motion of severed body parts, and of course, he gets the reaction he's expecting from four grossed out young ladies, "EEEWWWWWWW."

The subject changes to individual rights when Frank learns that no one has eaten breakfast or lunch. They explain that there was a 3-1 vote in favor of French toast earlier in the morning but one particular someone was holding out for another option. Mom holds fast to her view on democracy...that the majority vote settles. In our home everyone must agree without an episode of pouting or no one gets anything. Frank is quick to point out that under the Constitution individuals have the right to choose, though hungry tummies would surely have disagreed with him.

The discussion continues until there is a softening of opinion and ultimately a change of heart; stomachs are finally filled with breakfast at 2:30p.m. as Mom silently acknowledges that real learning has manifested itself. It was a good day, a full day.