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

A Main Course of Heroes

Workshop Presented by Don Rhymer
For All Ages

Charlotte Mason desired that children should one day be “capable of great conceptions and heroic efforts.” A key ingredient for such capabilities is giving them a steady diet of heroic tales and to feed a child’s imagination of the tallest tales and great escapes. Serving the mind and soul of a child with examples of heroes must be central in their regular feast of living ideas. A diet of both historical and fictional literary heroes can fortify the child with the nutrients to grow “large hearted” kids in your home. This talk has both fictional and historical heroes and heroines to include the inspiring historical heroine of Helen Keller’s Miss Annie Sullivan and Greek Mythology’s Pallas Athena.

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.

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.

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 service through the lenses of duty and love—how one can lead to a life marked by burnout and bitterness, while the other leads to a life of joy. We’ll briefly consider what both Scripture and Charlotte Mason have to say about living a life of service, how service is taught, and how we can avoid becoming weary in the work. Finally, we’ll turn to practical ideas, considering what service can look like in everyday family life—across different family sizes and with children at various ages. Whether you are just beginning to think intentionally about service or hoping to deepen your family’s practice, you’ll come away with thoughtful inspiration and doable next steps.

K

Reading from the Book of Nature

A Devotional Guide for Families

Immersion Presented by Jennifer Taylor
For Parents and Families

…the natural world is the expression of the Creator’s personality in a form that is within the reach of all of us to comprehend in some measure…She is the greatest of all teachers…she draws us on, revealing treasure after treasure…

Walton, M. G., Parents’ Review, vol. 65

It has been said that the natural world is the first book written by God. By spending time reading from the book of Nature herself one can, by degrees, come to an experiential knowing of her Creator. Drawing from years of teaching Nature Study coupled with her role as a Christian spiritual practitioner, Jennifer will take you outdoors to guide you in reading from the Book of Nature as a spiritual practice offering inspiring ideas for personal and family devotions. 

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.