Thoroughness and Charm: Cultivating the Habits of a Classical Classroom

by Mandi Gerth

Are you trying to provide a classical education without having received one yourself? You might know the subject you’re teaching well, but so much of classical education transcends the textbook. What should the classroom, culture, and spirit of the classroom be like? And how can you know you’re doing it well? In this new book from Mandi Gerth, you will find the guidance you need to create a truly classical classroom. Thoroughness and Charm gives specific examples on how shared experiences—not activities—build culture, support the curriculum, and pass on the classical tradition while habituating the students to what is true and good for their souls.
After reading this book, teachers will be able

understand the role of culture in educationevaluate their classroom culturedetermine what they value most about the curriculum they teachunderstand how formative practices shape what students lovebuild classroom culture by focusing on shared experiences, common language, and embodied valuesand use liturgy, prayer, music, poetry, read-alouds, and catechisms to build classroom culture.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 3, 2026

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was listening to her being interviewed by one of my faves Andrew Kern (Ask Andrew podcast) and was so inspired by her ideas. I already put some of her ideas into place in my home! We do a few of her practices already but really appreciated her philosophy behind including liturgy and hymns and Scripture meditatively as transitions and repeated during the day with her students as a way as a collective to learn and grow in the faith together. I will read this again and would highly recommend to educators. She writes as a classical Christian educator but you could apply it to any form of spiritual discipleship (Sunday School, camp, homeschool etc)