A

Charting Your Own

Mother’s Education Course

(This is a repeat of Session I.)

Workshop Presented by Karen Canon

Teachers, Mason proposed, are like mountain streams. Supplied with inspiration in the mountain heights, they descend to pour themselves out in the plains. A Mother’s Education Course can be just that, a source that parents regularly turn to for refreshment, for personal growth, and in preparation for the demands to come. We will expand on the principles and ideas in the original PNEU Mother’s Education Course and discuss how we might chart individualized reading plans that fit our times and our particular needs as educators, parents, and persons.

B

Picture Study

Immersion Presented by Rebecca Zipp

…every child should leave school with at least a couple of hundred pictures by great masters hanging permanently in the halls of his imagination…he should go forth well furnished because imagination has the property of magical expansion, the more it holds the more it will hold.

Charlotte Mason – Philosophy of Education

Charlotte Mason said that education is the science of relations, and this includes picture study. We look at art not only to learn more about it, but more importantly, to develop a relationship with each piece, each detail, and through the paintings, each artist. Including picture study in your schedule does not have to be complicated, however, and is meant to be a time of simply adding those pictures to the halls of your child’s imagination. In this immersion session, we will walk through a picture study lesson and discuss why this component of Charlotte Mason homeschooling is important. We will also explore different ways to include picture study in your homeschool.

C

Critical Thinking and Narration

Workshop Presented by Don Rhymer

A former Harvard University President once claimed that critical thinking is the “most important purpose of undergraduate education.” Research also suggests its importance to employers and graduate schools as well. This session will survey various definitions of critical thinking, review a set of proficiencies for the critical thinking outcome at the Air Force Academy, and explore how narration can develop such proficiencies with a CM education, founded upon the mind being “‘thoroughly furnished’ with ideas that, of its own accord, it compares and examines critically.” (Charlotte Mason, Formation of Character) 

D

Swedish Drill

Immersion Presented by Niko Lewis

It would be good work to keep to the front this idea of living under authority, training under authority, serving under authority, a discipline of life readily self-embraced by children, in whom the heroic impulse is always strong. We would not reduce the pleasures of childhood and youth by an iota; rather we would increase them, for the disciplined life has more power of fresh enjoyment than is given to the unrestrained.

Charlotte Mason – School Education

Charlotte Mason believed that physical fitness, in its full sense, is a trust from God to be cultivated as a personal responsibility. We will spend our time in this immersion session learning about the philosophy behind Swedish Drill as part of physical development in a Charlotte Mason education. In light of the why of Drill, we will then move into the what where I will lead you through the process of learning an introductory drill routine. I’ll also share resources to equip you to teach Swedish Drill to your own students, whether just your own children or in a co-op setting.

E

Architecture

 Parables in Stone, Wood and Steel

Workshop Presented by Karen Canon

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

The Parents’ Review, 1896

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 three approaches to learning its vocabulary and compositional forms so that we may read from the open book of Architecture for a lifetime of pleasure.

F

History

(This is a repeat of Session J.)

Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer

Should we cycle through history every four years? Six years? Three years? What history should we be teaching: American, British, French, ancient, world? And at what ages should we be teaching it? What about timelines, century charts, and the Book of Centuries? What books should we be using? These are just a few of the questions we grapple with as we begin to think about history. In this workshop, I will share what I have learned about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and methods as applied to history through studying her writings, Parent’s Review articles, and the programmes. Then we will talk about how these ideas can guide us in the choices we make as we are planning our children’s history.

G

Rewilding Nature Study

Workshop Presented by Jennifer Taylor

VERB

rewilding (present participle)

1. restore (an area of land) to its natural uncultivated state (used especially with reference to the reintroduction of species that have been driven out or exterminated).

We live in an age where time spent outdoors is diminishing rapidly for our children. And with this, I dare say, the child’s natural, uncultivated state of wonder and desire to be out-of-doors. What a gift, then, that Charlotte Mason viewed time spent in the natural world as a vital part of child formation. In this session, our aim is to have a better understanding of how to approach Nature Study as it was intended. We will tackle the challenges of teaching Nature Study, find clarity about our role as teachers, and explore practices designed to rewild our natural wonder and desire to commune with the natural world.

We were all meant to be naturalists, each in his degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.

Charlotte Mason

H

Folk Dancing

Immersion Presented by Christine Jauchler

Therefore, children should learn dancing … at an early age. The subject of the natural training of eye and muscles was taken up pretty fully in treating of ‘Out-of-Door Life.’ I will only add, that to give the child pleasure in light and easy motion…dancing, drill, calisthenics, some sort of judicious physical exercise, should make part of every day’s routine.

Charlotte Mason, Home Education

Charlotte Mason offered many opportunities for children to be physically active.  Folk dancing is a fun addition to “spreading the feast!”  You are invited to experience an immersion session full of fun and laughter while you learn some techniques on how to implement folk dancing in your own home.  We will discuss the importance of physical activity, where to find good resources, tips to be successful in teaching, and learn a few folk dances together. Come ready to participate and get your groove on!

I

Charting Your Own

Mother’s Education Course

(This is a repeat of Session A.)

Workshop Presented by Karen Canon

Teachers, Mason proposed, are like mountain streams. Supplied with inspiration in the mountain heights, they descend to pour themselves out in the plains. A Mother’s Education Course can be just that, a source that parents regularly turn to for refreshment, for personal growth, and in preparation for the demands to come. We will expand on the principles and ideas in the original PNEU Mother’s Education Course and discuss how we might chart individualized reading plans that fit our times and our particular needs as educators, parents, and persons.

J

History

(This is a repeat of Session F.)

Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer

Should we cycle through history every four years? Six years? Three years? What history should we be teaching: American, British, French, ancient, world? And at what ages should we be teaching it? What about timelines, century charts, and the Book of Centuries? What books should we be using? These are just a few of the questions we grapple with as we begin to think about history. In this workshop, I will share what I have learned about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and methods as applied to history through studying her writings, Parent’s Review articles, and the programmes. Then we will talk about how these ideas can guide us in the choices we make as we are planning our children’s history.

K

Nature Study

Immersion Presented by Jennifer Taylor

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.

The Parents’ Review 36, p. 534

Nature Study in a Charlotte Mason education can seem a bit difficult and delicate 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? Perhaps there is no better way to gain an understanding of how to approach Nature Study than to experience it for oneself. Join me on a nature walk amongst the Ponderosa Pines on the beautiful Hideaway property. I will provide guidance in striking a balance of observing nature with a specific purpose in mind while allowing space for one’s personal experience. Time for narration both oral and written (nature journals optional) will follow our walk. Be sure to dress appropriately for our wintry Colorado weather!

*Boots, coats, hats, and gloves are highly recommended.

L

Out-of-Door Geography

Immersion Presented by Christine Jauchler

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

Charlotte Mason, Home Education

Charlotte Mason believed geography was a great subject to be taught – how it expanded over multiple subjects.  In this Immersion, we will be learning some practical ways to implement out-of-door geography into your homeschool.  We will do a few of the activities that Charlotte Mason mentions in Home Education, such as learning how to measure your stride.  We will also learn some orienteering activities that teach kids how to read maps.  If you have a compass bring it with you as we will do an activity using it as well.  I look forward to exploring the great outdoors with you!