2020 Breakouts & Enrichments Our breakout options consist of workshops, immersions, and talks. In a workshop a presenter will speak on a topic, share resources, and lead discussion. Immersions are times where the facilitator will act as teacher and the attendees will be the students with discussion and Q&A to follow. A talk is as it implies and includes some discussion and possible Q&A.
We also offer what we call enrichments throughout the retreat, which are optional activities in which to participate.
Workshops, Immersions & Talks:
Language Arts in the Upper Years - Joy Shannon (Workshop) What does language arts look like as we travel through the upper years in a Charlotte Mason education? How will my child learn to write the elusive essay? Where is this addressed in Mason’s volumes or is it 'like snakes in Ireland?" Join me as we consider principles to keep in mind during this time, as well as, strategies and resources to use along the way.
The Act of Knowing: Narration - Julia Wilson (Workshop) "Narrating is an art, like poetry-making or painting, because it is there, in every child’s mind, waiting to be discovered, and is not the result of any process of disciplinary education." - Charlotte Mason's Volume 1, Home Education , pg. 231
Narrating is a foundation to a Charlotte Mason education. Let us come together to discuss different fundamentals of narrating and her thoughts from the homeschooling volumes. We will talk about one of her principles, the importance of habits and how they all work together from the early to the later years.
Handicraft - Micah Pettes (Workshop) Brush up on your handicraft skills by designing and carving your own rubber stamp. We'll even test it out on a tea towel you can take home as a one-of-a-kind creation! Not creative? No worries! Micah will walk alongside you and offer as much guidance as you need to assure your comfort in teaching this handicraft to your children at home!
A Mason Education in the Upper Years - Joy Shannon (Workshop) Do you wonder if you can homeschool well all the way through high school with the Charlotte Mason method? Is it strenuous enough? Will they really be ready for college and/or whatever lies beyond graduation? How does a Mason education differ when we get to the middle and high school years? How does it stay the same? Join me as we discuss some of Mason’s educational truths that are especially helpful to keep in mind when approaching this season. In addition, we will consider how to dot your “i’s” and cross your “t’s” as you prepare for transcripts, standardized testing, etc. Yes, you can do this well!
Reflections from a CM Graduate - Kaiti Shannon (Talk) Many elements of the amazing Charlotte Mason education such as narration, worldview, scheduling, etc. have proved especially beneficial for Kaiti not only in her daily life, but in college and burgeoning life as an adult as well. She will discuss some things she found exceptionally useful in her education, areas she wished she’d focused on more, and finally her experience in the transition from high school to college.
Architecture - Karla Taber (Immersion) A key principle in Charlotte Mason education is that of the Science of Relations - "...a child has natural relations with a vast number of things and thoughts..." (No. 12 of CM 20 Principles). What a joy it is to put children in touch with pictures, music, Shakespeare, Geography, nature, architecture...wait, architecture?! Yes, the study of architecture would be a great addition to your broad and varied curriculum! Learning about buildings and their functions, and the people and culture that erected them, will increase their understanding of history and enhance their appreciation of creativity and beauty. During this session we will do a lesson on architecture and discuss ideas and resources that can be used in your home/school.
Storytelling - Bethany Stillwell (Workshop) “Every father and mother should have a repertoire of stories - a dozen will do, beautiful stories beautifully told;” - Charlotte Mason's Volume 5, Formation of Character, pg. 216
Storytelling - the telling of family stories, the retelling of old nursery folk tales, or the telling of a made-up story. Stories connect us to history and to our family past, and storytelling helps bring to life tales and stories of old. Do you tell your children stories? If not, why not? Do you struggle to retell a tale or your childhood memories in story form? Is it hard or has it been an unbeatable hurdle for you to make-up a story for your children when asked? Come engage with me in storytelling! We will learn what Charlotte Mason had to say about storytelling, why she saw it as an essential part of our children’s education, and how we can do a worthy job storytelling, for our children’s sake. Nature Study - Stephanie Lee (Immersion) “There is no time of year when there are not three or four of the important signs hung out on every tree to guide those who are trying to find out its name, and learn the story of its interesting life. And the finding out of tree names is not dreary and hard, but a good game to be played out-of-doors.” - Trees Every Child Should Know by Julia E. Rogers
Let’s take a nature walk and ask the leafless trees some questions. We will explore a special study of TWIGS and BUDS just before the trees awaken for spring. Bring your nature journal and a pencil. No experience required.
Parents as Inspirers - Karla Taber (Talk) "Honor to those whose words or deeds Thus help us in our daily needs. And by their overflow Raise us from what is low!" - H.W. Longfellow
Charlotte Mason addresses the role of parents in bringing up their children. She calls parents rulers, inspirers, and schoolmasters (Vol. 2 - Parents and Children). Today we will discuss parents as inspirers. What does it mean to inspire? Why is this role of inspiring so important to our children? How can we faithfully fulfill this calling?
Dinner & Lunch Talks:
CM & Her 20 Principles - IFL Team Members (Friday night Dinner) Bring your dinner plate and your questions about Charlotte Mason and her 20 principles to the designated table. We'll share briefly about CM and take a look at her principles and have some discussion as we just barely touch the surface of this life-giving philosophy of education.
CM in Community - Stephanie Lee (Saturday Lunch) Join us for a conversation about connecting with others in your area and growing a CM community. Stephanie will facilitate, but we would love for you to share your own experiences and suggestions too.
Enrichments:
Morning Meditation & Worship Come quiet your heart and mind during this morning of poetic and scriptural readings and engage in raising our voices together to praise our Lord.
Folk Songs Come experience joy in singing some familiar folk songs together and maybe learn a new one to take home to family and friends!
Folk Dance Following folk songs put on your dancing shoes Come learn some steps to a couple folk tunes! We'll do-si-do and circle to the right, Promenade and maybe dance all night! Or maybe just dance a couple rounds enjoying laughter, rhythm and music...oh such wonderful sounds!