A

Mothers are Born Persons

The Importance of Continuing to Cultivate Ourselves

Workshop Presented by Rebecca Zipp
For Mothers

What we need is a habit of taking our minds out of what one is tempted to call ‘the domestic rag-bag’ of perplexities, and giving it a good airing in something which keeps it ‘growing’… Is there, then, not need for more ‘Mother Culture*’?

“A” – Parents’ Review, Volume 3

When our days are full, and various demands pull us in multiple directions, how can we, as mothers, justify taking time for ourselves? In this workshop, we’ll discuss what Charlotte Mason and others in the PNEU had to say about the idea of mothers continuing their own education, why cultivating our minds matters, and ideas for how to include this practice in our lives.

* The phrase “Mother Culture” is trademarked by Karen Andreola, author of A Charlotte Mason Companion.

B

Shakespeare

Immersion Presented by Dawn Rhymer
For Form 2 and Up

Each time we turn anew to Shakespeare’s works, intending to study them afresh, we come, as it were, to an unknown country: the surface may be familiar: but the moment we commence to dig, some unexpected treasure reveals itself.

W. Osborne Brigstocke – Parents’ Review, Volume 15

Let’s dig into Shakespeare together! Over the past decade, I’ve discovered a deep beauty in the Bard’s works—beauty that has only grown as I’ve explored his plays through the lens of Charlotte Mason’s principles. Along the way, I’ve had the joy of leading Shakespeare studies at home, in a co-op, and within a small hybrid school setting. In this session, I’ll share insights gleaned from study, practice, and a bit of trial and error. Then, we’ll step into an immersive Shakespeare experience together. Who knows what treasures we’ll uncover!

C

Striking a Balance with Nature Study

Immersion Presented by Jennifer Taylor
For All Ages

Nature Walks, these are the great times of finding out. One must use them to point out leaf mosaic, plant association, bird song, habitats of plants, habits of growth, but they should also be regarded as times when the children seek for themselves and should be encouraged to go and observe by themselves.

V. C. Curry – Parents’ Review, Volume 36

Nature Study in a Charlotte Mason education can seem challenging when it comes to the role of the teacher. Charlotte Mason states, “The teachers are careful not to make these nature walks an opportunity for scientific instruction, as we wish the children’s attention to be given to observation with very little direction.” (vol. 3, p. 237) But just how is this accomplished? Join us on a nature walk amongst the Ponderosa Pines on the beautiful Hideaway property. Our time together will include a planned object lesson, time for exploration, journaling and shared narrations. We’ll focus on striking a balance between observing nature with a specific purpose in mind while allowing space for a personal experience.

*Nature journals, writing/drawing tools, boots, coats, hats, and gloves are recommended to bring.

D

Carve Your Own Stamp!

Activity Presented by Lisa Hajda
For All Ages

(This is a repeat of session H.)

Carve a stamp—or two—to commemorate your weekend at CMER! In this workshop, we will be designing, transferring, and carving stamps from linoleum blocks. We will then design personalized bookmarks with the stamps we create. All supplies are included for a $5 supply fee per participant. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary!

E

Architecture

Parables in Stone, Wood and Steel

Workshop Presented by Karen Canon
For Middle School through High School

Of all the ways in which the mystery of long ago comes home to us, there are none so powerful as old historic castles.

C. Fortescue Yonge – Parents’ Review, Volume 7

Architecture—like others Arts—embodies in concrete forms the thoughts and ideas of the people who made it. Architecture’s message is conveyed not in words and sentences, but by forms and design elements, light and space, function and materials. “To read their messages aright is a thing due from us.” (Mason) In this workshop, we will touch on how Mason integrated the study of Architecture into lessons on History, Science, and Art and we will discuss how to approach learning its vocabulary and compositional forms so that we may read from the open book of Architecture for a lifetime of pleasure.

F

Hobby-Farm Reflections

Why having animals beautifully bolsters a CM Education

Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer
For All Ages

In the beginning of Home Education, Miss Mason repeatedly advises fresh air, nature study, and multiple advantages of observation (even advocating ant farm construction). This talk is a reflection of 15 years of having a small goat and poultry farm, whereby multiple Charlotte Mason principles can be seen. It will include reflections of what our kids learned (3 now adult) in working the farm.

G

Narration is for Born Persons

Workshop Presented by Amelia Rodgers
For All Ages

Anyone who has spent any time at all in the Charlotte Mason world knows that “narration” is a vital component of her educational method. Indeed, you could probably scrap everything else and just do narrations and you’d have a what could be considered a Charlotte Mason lesson. While there is much to be said about the practical side of narration, this workshop strips away all of the how-tos to glimpse the vital connection between narration and Mason’s first principle: children are born persons. Together, we will explore how understanding narration as a means of showing love can transform how we use this educational tool in our homes.

H

Carve Your Own Stamp!

Activity Presented by Lisa Hajda
For All Ages

(This is a repeat of session D.)

Carve a stamp—or two—to commemorate your weekend at CMER! In this workshop, we will be designing, transferring, and carving stamps from linoleum blocks. We will then design personalized bookmarks with the stamps we create. All supplies are included for a $5 supply fee per participant. Everyone is welcome and no experience is necessary!

I

Charlotte Mason and the Older Child

Workshop Presented by Karen Canon
For Middle School through High School

It’s been said that ancient cartographers would designate unexplored regions on their maps with the inscription ‘Here be dragons’ by way of warning to travelers: this is the great unknown.

Homeschooling the high school years need not feel like uncharted territory. Let’s address together some of these ‘dragons’ or misconceptions and chart a course to a living and fruitful high school journey for you and your teen. A mapped out itinerary is not our goal, but rather principles of travel that will inform our goings.

J

Storytelling

Family Stories

Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer
For All Ages

Every father and mother should have a repertoire of stories––a dozen will do, beautiful stories beautifully told…

Charlotte Mason – Formation of Character, p. 216

Charlotte Mason saw storytelling as a vital element of our children’s education, and, of all the stories we can tell our children, family stories hold a special place. Do you tell your children stories that connect them to your family’s past, present, and future? We will learn from the Volumes, Parents’ Review articles, and glean much from past and modern storytellers. And of course, there will be a few family stories thrown in. Hopefully, you will leave this workshop motivated and equipped to tell your children stories, making them heirs to all the ages of your family.

K

Music to My Ears

Composer Study

Immersion Presented by Jennifer Taylor
For All Ages

Hearing should tell us a great many things, but the great and perfect joy which we owe to him is Music. Many great men have put their beautiful thoughts, not into books, or pictures, or buildings, but into musical score, to be sung with the voice or played on instruments, and so full are these musical compositions of the minds of their makers, that people who care for music can always tell who has composed the music they hear, even if they have never heard the particular movement before. Thus, in a manner, the composer speaks to them, and they are perfectly happy in listening to what he has to say.

Charlotte Mason – Ourselves, pp. 30-31

You are invited to come in, take a seat and tune your ears for a lesson in composer study. Experience first-hand how to guide students of any age in building relationships with composers and their music. A time for teaching, discussion and resources to implement composer study will be available.

L

Geography & Mapping Skills

Immersion Presented by Christine Jauchler
For Forms 1 and 2

But the peculiar value of geography lies in its fitness to nourish the mind with ideas, and to furnish the imagination with pictures.

Charlotte Mason – Home Education, p. 272

We will look at what Mason says about geography and how to implement lessons in your homeschool by using books such as “Map Making with Children” and “Geography from A-Z”. To help inspire your geography lessons at home, we will work through some map games and activities.