Bona Verba from the Headmaster
At Cincinnati Classical Academy our commitment to providing students with a comprehensive and enriching classical education extends beyond the boundaries of our traditional classrooms. Building upon the success of our “Painting of the Week” initiative last year, which focused on famous paintings throughout history, we are excited to embark on a new exploration that will broaden students’ horizons and deepen their understanding of the world. This year, we are proud to introduce our weekly exploration of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces.
Much like our previous endeavor with paintings, this architectural immersion seeks to foster a dynamic connection between students and the artistic and historical legacies that define our heritage. Just as brushstrokes unveil the artist’s vision on canvas, architectural marvels encapsulate the dreams, innovations, and cultural narratives of their respective eras. By delving into these architectural feats, we are not only exposing students to awe-inspiring aesthetics but also unlocking gateways to history and its human aspirations.
Each week will see Cincy Classical spotlighting a different architectural masterpiece. Our approach will remain consistent with last year’s project: We will provide students with background information about the chosen structure and encourage them to embark on an exploration of their own. Armed with insights into the architectural marvel’s historical context and cultural significance, students will be challenged to observe closely, analyze keenly, and appreciate deeply.
Architectural masterpieces, like paintings, are far more than static entities. They are living embodiments of human ingenuity, reflective of the technological advancements and cultural ideologies of their times. From the flying buttresses of Gothic cathedrals to the innovative feats of suspension bridges, each architectural gem tells a unique story.
This journey of architectural exploration holds the promise of enriching our students’ educational experience in profound ways. By fostering a habit of critical observation and nurturing an appreciation for the interplay between form and function, we are equipping our students with skills and perspectives that extend far beyond the realm of architecture. They learn to decipher the layers of meaning embedded within structures and recognize how these masterpieces have shaped and continue to shape our collective human narrative.
As we embark on this project, we are excited to witness our students engage with architectural masterpieces with the same enthusiasm and curiosity they demonstrated last year with our “Paintings of the Week.” This year, through the study of architecture, CLASSICAL students will become explorers, detectives, and storytellers, uncovering the hidden tales and significant moments that have left indelible marks on our built environment.
We hope you will join us this year in this exploration. We will be publishing the “Architecture of the Week” in our weekly “Sentinel Life” sent to CLASSICAL parents every Friday at 3:00 PM. We will also be posting it each Monday on our official social media sites.
Mr. Michael Rose
Meet the Headmaster
Mr. Rose has taught various courses at Brown University, Cincinnati Moeller, and The Summit Country Day School. As a part of his degree work in education, Mr. Rose’s research interests included the Great Books curriculum, the Paideia teaching method, and the “effects of emerging digital technology on student reading, writing, and researching.” Read More