Beauty Matters: Creating a High Aesthetic in School Culture

by Steve Turley

FINALLY, A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO TEACHING BEAUTY! From classroom décor, to poetic infusion, to music and art appreciation, classical Christian education recognizes that students can have a higher aesthetic if teachers model a love of beauty. In this book, you will discover the nature of beauty, and how it relates to ordering the loves of our students, and learn a number of practical ways in which our schools can be spaces of beauty wherein your students’ aesthetic sense flourishes. HERE’S A PREVIEW OF WHAT YOU’LL LEARN …. With Beauty Matters , you will give your students the resources they need to love what is truly lovely, a gift they can cultivate for the rest of their lives. And that is beautiful! Get your copy today!

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

66 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

Dr. Steve Turley is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and blogger at www.turleytalks.com. He is the author of 'Awakening Wonder: A Classical Guide to Truth, Goodness, and Beauty' and 'The Ritualized Revelation of the Messianic Age: Washings and Meals in Galatians and 1 Corinthians'. Dr. Turley is a teacher of Theology, Greek, and Rhetoric at Tall Oaks Classical Christian School in Bear, Delaware, and a professor of Fine Arts at Eastern University.

Reviews

[Myersandburnsie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! The first half of this slim book was everything I needed to read about Beauty. The author postulates that Beauty leads to a knowledge of Truth and Goodness. This Beauty cannot be subjective, when it is, it opens the door for Goodness and Truth to also be subjective.

The second half of the book is practical application of aesthetics to a classroom. This was not as useful to me as the first half of the book.

The book was almost $15, so as a Classical homeschooler, I recommend the less expensive kindle version. The first half of the book is so good.

[Myllena Melo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que livrinho maravilhoso. Saudades da Educação Clássica que não tive.

[Ryan Boomershine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief and succinct

[Jean Bowen]

A short book on the matter of beauty. Turley reminds us: beauty isn't relative- it is a physics.

Atmosphere is the hidden curriculum; What does yours teach?

[Sean Higgins · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is short, good, and would have been even gooder (sic)(in my opinion) if it had been shorter.

The first part of the book is gold. Does beauty belong with truth and goodness? True! Should we get better at seeing how beauty helps us love what is truly lovely? For real, it matters, and how much more so in a society schooled in subjectivity and sentimentality! Should we think about the best ways for our classrooms to commend beauty? Amen, so let it be.

It's the second half of the book that I was less encouraged by, even though the author was trying to give some examples. But do we need to think about the Whiteboard-as-Altar to get the message? Hmmmm.... Would God be more pleased with our commendations of beauty if we held science classes in gardens?

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy listening to Dr. Turley on YouTube now and then, so I thought I'd check out one of his books. Beauty Matters really got me thinking on the importance of beauty in our lives and how goodness, truth and beauty work together to help us learn, and grow closer to Christ. Some of the Christian views expressed are different than mine, but that's OK, I appreciate other's faith and strength as we all walk the Christian path. A short read that is informative and inspiring.

[Tor Stefan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiration book. Liked it

This book will be my inspiration to learn more about classical Christian education. I have been searching for a boot to give me an primer in the topic about how beauty can be the guide to the way of God. Can recommend.

[John Rutherford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good primer that definitely will spur more thought and conversation about the subject within our schools.

[Rebekah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It kind of felt like the author was trying to fill up pages. Some good info though.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read

[Susanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done synopsis on Beauty and a few practical suggestions on how to implement in the classroom.

[Congetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really short book which is why I gave it a four. I think it explained the concept well, but I think I would have liked more details and more examples. Regardless it is a good introduction to the Beauty part of Truth, Goodness and Beauty and I will keep it in my library.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an encouraging read! The author shaded in so many truths and goodness in beauty and how the three can be joined. Beauty is the term that is often left unexamined in detail and as the author mentions “lacking” in apologetics.

There is also a large majority of ways to incorporate beauty in a classical school and/or homeschool setting by way of atmosphere, life and discipline.

A niche read for sure but one that fit right in with my current readings and passions.