Break Outs: multiple meetings occurring at the same time from which only one can be chosen to attend.
- Immersion: a larger portion of the session will be spent modeling a lesson–actually doing what we would be doing in our homes or with a group. It will be “real time.”
- Workshop: though it may include a short example of modeling, the format will follow a more traditional lecture style with the possibilities of group discussion and short activities.
Break Out I
A
Living History
Casting a Wide Net
Workshop and Immersion Presented by Karen Canon
For All Ages
(This is a repeat of session E.)
One of our duties as persons is “to get in touch with other persons of all sorts and conditions, of all countries and climes, of all times, past and present.” Is there more than the textbook treatment of history or even the living spine that can help us get at these “great human relationships”? In this workshop, we will experience how geography, biography, autobiography, historical fiction, Book of Centuries and so much more each, in their own way, broaden our outlook and bring us in touch with others.
B
Title to Come
Workshop Presented by Don or Dawn Rhymer
For All Ages
Description coming.
C
The Quiet Growing Time
Charlotte Mason Before Year 1
Workshop Presented by Rebecca Zipp
For Before Year 1
In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mothers first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it spent for the most part out in the fresh air. And this, not for the gain in bodily health alone––body and soul, heart and mind, are nourished with food convenient for them when the children are let alone, let to live without friction and without stimulus amongst happy influences which incline them to be good.
Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 43
We have many Charlotte Mason-based curricula from which to choose when our children reach the magical age of six, but what do we do with them before then? What does it look like to use Charlotte Mason’s philosophies and ideas with the youngest members of our families? We may be tempted to follow the advice of the modern education system (and well-meaning friends and family members) to get them started early, especially with reading! But is that truly beneficial for them? Do we really need a curriculum? Or perhaps we’re glad to wait on more formal education, but we feel like we need at least a little structure to our days, especially as they get closer to school age. What’s “allowed?”
In this workshop, we’ll discuss what Charlotte Mason had to say about the quiet growing time of the little years, the freedom and wisdom found in her recommendations, and explore ideas for how these years can look.
D
Landscapitos in Felt
Needle Felting Bookmarks
Immersion Presented by Lisa Hajda
For All Ages
(This is a repeat of session H.)
We will be needle felting landscapitos (small landscapes!) onto bookmarks! This breakout is designed to accommodate beginner and experienced needle felters as we creatively transfer some of CMER’s beautiful scenery onto felt bookmarks. The cost of supplies is $5.
Break Out II
E
Living History
Casting a Wide Net
Workshop and Immersion Presented by Karen Canon
For All Ages
(This is a repeat of session A.)
One of our duties as persons is “to get in touch with other persons of all sorts and conditions, of all countries and climes, of all times, past and present.” Is there more than the textbook treatment of history or even the living spine that can help us get at these “great human relationships”? In this workshop, we will experience how geography, biography, autobiography, historical fiction, Book of Centuries and so much more each, in their own way, broaden our outlook and bring us in touch with others.
F
Transcripts for a Charlotte Mason Educator
Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer
For Forms IV and Up (High School)
With two of my children now in college, I’ve had the opportunity to learn firsthand how to create high school transcripts. In this workshop, I’ll share what I’ve learned through that process and provide you with the tools—and the confidence—you need to create your own transcripts with clarity and ease. We will also briefly touch on other topics such as dual enrollment and standardized tests.
G
Narration as a Spiritual Practice
Workshop Presented by Jennifer Taylor
For All Ages
Charlotte Mason’s use of narration is an integral part of her teaching methodology, as we well know. Some have recognized this approach as being similar to the ancient spiritual practice of Lectio Divina or “divine reading”. In this session, we will explore the history and practice of Lectio Divina and draw parallels to the practice of narration. We’ll discover how narration is in fact a contemplative method for nurturing the spirit as well as the mind.
H
Landscapitos in Felt
Needle Felting Bookmarks
Immersion Presented by Lisa Hajda
For All Ages
(This is a repeat of session D.)
We will be needle felting landscapitos (small landscapes!) onto bookmarks! This breakout is designed to accommodate beginner and experienced needle felters as we creatively transfer some of CMER’s beautiful scenery onto felt bookmarks. The cost of supplies is $5.
Break Out III
I
The Parents’ Key
Mason’s Great Recognition and How It Can Be Ours
Workshop Presented by Karen Canon
For All Ages
“We long for a teacher,” Mason’s biographer and colleague, Essex Cholmondeley, wrote. How encouraging to find that our desire is answered! Mason’s Great Recognition is a key that opens for us a door, letting in fresh air and light to our approaches to home-schooling. Come and be refreshed; we have before us “…the true inspiration and daily help of the Holy Spirit which is the gift of God.”
J
The Service of Love
Workshop Presented by Dawn Rhymer
For All Ages
Love, and the service of love, are the only things that count.
Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, p. 154
In this workshop, we’ll explore the meaningful topic of service. We’ll begin by briefly looking at what both the Bible and Charlotte Mason have to say about living a life of service. Then, we’ll shift to practical ideas—considering what service can look like in everyday life for families of different sizes and with children of various ages. Whether you’re just beginning to think about service or looking to deepen your family’s practice, you’ll come away with thoughtful inspiration and doable next steps.
K
Spiritual Intelligence in Education
A Charlotte Mason Approach
Workshop Presented by Jennifer Taylor
For All Ages
We begin by believing in the children as spiritual beings of unmeasured powers…
Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children, p. 277
It has often been said that Charlotte Mason was ahead of her time when it came to her ideas about the nature of children and how in turn they ought to be educated. Mason believed that children are born persons possessing all aspects of personhood: body, mind, and spirit and therefore all aspects of their personhood should be nurtured.
It is not surprising then that thought leaders today are speaking out on how spiritual intelligence enhances teaching and learning, supports emotional well-being, and cultivates a more holistic approach to education.
In this presentation, you’ll discover what experts and cutting-edge research are saying about the profound connection between spirituality and learning. We’ll explore how a Charlotte Mason education offers an approach that allows “no separation to grow up between the intellectual and spiritual life of children” and thus provides that deep meaningful approach to education for which experts are advocating.
L
Margaret Coombs’ Biography of Charlotte Mason
Workshop Presented by Lisa Hajda
For All Ages
Margaret Coombs’ thoroughly researched biography of Charlotte Mason describes aspects of Charlotte Mason’s life and experiences that previously published biographies omitted.