AmblesideOnline's 2016 Conference - Save the Date!

Save the Date! 

Deep in the Heart of AO, AmblesideOnline's 2016 Conference, will be at the Lakeview Camp and Retreat Center in Waxahatchie, TX from Thursday, May 19 through Saturday, May 21. 

Nature Study Talk from Northwest CM Educators Conference 2015

Thanks to Kathy Wickward, Lisa Kaufman, Christine Wood, and all the other wonderful ladies over at Northwest CM Educators and CM West who invited me to speak on Charlotte Mason Nature Study in Seattle earlier this year and recorded the session so we can share it with all of you!

The audio is sketchy for the first couple of minutes and improves, there is also a brief Q&A that is hard to hear in the beginning so to get right to the talk it starts at 3:35.

To stay posted for next year's conference (which, rumor has it may be closer to home) head on over to Charlotte Mason West and enter your email there.
 

Northwest Charlotte Mason Educators Conference 2015

We just returned from the Northwest Charlotte Mason Educators Conference last night and I wanted to share some pictures here. I know not everyone is able to attend a conference and that was the case for me for years. This was the first year I have been able to attend any conference for many years of homeschooling.


View of Puget Sound from Dash Point

Shells of a mature and juvenile clam - these were spitting water here and there from their holes

Tiny mushroom

Banana slug on some kind of stinky cabbage plant.

More mushrooms!

The dining room at the conference

The beautiful table displays put together by Christine - her children gathered natural things for each table. Isn't it lovely?

There were two scheduled book discussions, one on the Living Page, and the other on this book written in 1903 discussing the "nature study movement" which resonates many CM's truths.

First nature walk group with the beautiful sound behind.

What someone believed was a sapsucker was making holes in this tree.

Someone identified this as a locust. It is so camouflaged, can you see it?

Nature walk through the forest

More fun things we saw on the walk

Tea time

The beautiful view

Nature journaling

Late night chats with neighbors :)

Glorious light through the forest greenery

More tiny mushrooms

Can you spot the spider?

Walking down to the sound on the closed storm damaged stairway - this is as close as we got

A beautiful flower

Catherine Levinson's interesting new book that asks a multitude of people from various walks of life what they thing the imagination is to delve deeper into their thoughts.

A view of the sound on takeoff

Flying by Mt. Ranier

More nature journaling... at 30,000 feet :)

Landing back home with the sunset and the blood moon on the drive home

Captain America picking me up at the airport.

A Nature Study Guide by W.S. Furneaux

In a previous post, inspired by the sheer spot-on-ness of what was written in W.S. Furneaux's A Nature Study Guide which I had just happily acquired, I made an outline of it hoping you could employ its truths. It's a rare old book mentioned by Charlotte Mason in her programmes to be used in Special Studies and for reference.  

  Well, now, thanks to AmblesideOnline, more specifically Phyllis Hunsucker who organized and set up the typing of it, and the lovely volunteers who have been typing a few pages each to help the cause, W.S. Furneaux's A Nature Study guide is available for you to read for yourself! Well, in part until the rest is completed.

The first three chapters contain the principles and methods of nature study prescribed by Furneaux and the rest of the book works through various studies by season. In the back of the book are sections on classification of animals, classification of plants, the school museum, aquaria, vivaria, the rearing of insects, the school garden, garden friends, garden foes, nature lantern slides, and nature note-books and diaries - all of which will hopefully become available soon.

Here is the link: http://amblesideonline.org/Furneaux.html

Scheduling Again

This is my messy morning schedule I scribbled out while I was at the beach Thursday. Cindy Rollins' talk at the AO At Home Conference in Indiana this summer about her precious moments with the kids in the mornings re-inspired me to look at my scheduling again. We're starting school Wednesday this week and spreading the first week over one and a half weeks so we're not rushed with the holiday and starting off in that mode. 

It's a two-week rotation. The kids are now in YR8, YR6, and YR2 and we have a 4yo preschooler who joins in the mix. I started by making one big list of all the things we'll be doing together, and then I jotted down approximately how long it will take for each - Poetry 10 minutes, Shakespeare 25 minutes, etc.

Once I had a list, I made up the schedule below of two weeks (Thursday is nature study so we don't gather.) Then I filled in the slots - some things are done daily, others once a week, others once every two weeks. My YR2er can play while we do things like Plutarch, but she'll be there overhearing it all since we're in a small space.

I'll pretty that up and print it for the kids and all of us will have a copy so it's predictable. The kids will also each have their own daily list of things to do - just like the one pictured in this post, but with much fewer things in the top section since those are now mostly being done in our morning schedule together. 

From there, I need to know what to do with each person for the rest of the day so I'll have a master schedule that looks like this one, but updated since the morning schedule will replace the 9am to 10:30am time slot. The rest of the day will look pretty similar with math, phonics, and readings with my younger two.

How about you? Has your schedule changed this year?

Corot Picture Study

After re-watching the Eve Anderson DVD on Picture Study I decided to make individual cardstock prints for each of my kids this year. It cost me less than $15 for all of these beautiful 8.5 x 5.5 prints. I used to pass one full size print around and then put it up for a month. I think this will be much more personal and gives them a chance to have their own.

I also think it's one thing to read what others say about a person, but an entirely different thing to read their own thoughts and ideas directly, as Charlotte says 'mind-to-mind'. I found a beautiful quote by Corot to a pupil in this Gutenberg bio that I felt told me more about him and his painting than anything else I'd read from others about him:

“Beauty in art is truth bathed in the impression, the emotion that is received from nature.... Seek truth and exactitude, but with the envelope of sentiment which you felt at first. If you have been sincere in your emotion you will be able to pass it on to others.” 

How much more to give words and a mind like this to our kids!

The flip side of habit training

Our youngest son is now four and as I revisit Charlotte Mason's ideas on habit training, or maybe some collectively gathered ideas on training and educating, I've come to realize the importance of the flip side of habit training - the side that maybe we don't consider often enough.

I think for the most part, we think of habit training along the lines of our homeschooling pursuits. Things like obeying mommy, being quiet while reading, no drawing or ripping books, no bickering, no whining or fussing, no touching breakables, sitting still, etc.. And then there are the intellectual habits - living books and no twaddle, an ear for classical music, accurate observation in nature, etc.

These are really important habits when you're a homeschooling mom. Without some of them, chaos ensues affecting everything and everyone. It is good for us to take the time to train our children in right behavior and to make it a priority in the early years, as it most certainly does make way for smooth and easy days down the road. What is equally important, and sometimes, I think,  neglected, is the flip side of habit training - treating them as a person. 

Let me explain.

So many of the struggles around the very early years come from a little person, who is quite stumbly and uncoordinated, who wants to do what everyone else is doing and have what everyone else has..

They want the knife, the big boy bike, the sharp stick, the glass, the toy. They want to climb the rock, walk the ledge, close the door themselves, run across the busy street, help cook next to a burning stove, open the fridge and fetch themselves a drink, plug the vacuum in the socket, etc.

They are already 'persons' these little people. They may not have the coordination, but the desire to know and understand, and the ability to think and process as they send their little tendrils out into the curious world is already fiercely within them. As their parent, we are presented daily with fearful and wonderful opportunities to guide them in those "first-born affinities" that fit their newborn existence to existing things, as penned by Ruskin in The Prelude, which Charlotte Mason quotes so often.

What I often see are mothers, who, from sheer frustration in handling the child's daily desires and curiosities, arrive at the end of their rope resorting to bribes like candy, a new toy, play with my cell phone/ipad, watch TV, or anything else that will buy just. a. few. minutes. of. peace. I completely sympathize. I can assure you with four kids I've had my share of days.

But what if we stop for a moment and try to consider the child, even the six-month-old, the one-year-old, the two-year-old, as a person, as CM says?

Next time, when the child whines or fusses, stop and ask yourself, before jumping to exasperation - What is all this fussing about? What is it they want and are unable to do?

Ask them, "What do you want?" "Stop your fussing and talk to me in your regular voice. Tell me what you want." And then listen.

Some things, obviously, are out of the question. And sometimes they really do need discipline, but sometimes there's a little person with a valid desire that may be easier to accommodate than we may think.

They want to get into the drawer for a spoon?
You: "No! Get out of the drawer, I'll get it for you!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss." 
OR, what if instead we tell them to stop fussing and ask for what they want nicely and then bring them a step stool and show them how to open the drawer safely? What if we set aside a spot for their special utensils and show them where that is and how to get them? "This side is yours, this side is no touch." What if we took the time to teach them how to avoid getting their fingers pinched when closing the drawer?

They want to get into the fridge? "No! Get out of the fridge! Dinner is in ten minutes!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss." 
OR, what if instead we put something on the bottom rack of the fridge, accessible for them to drink or snack on, like a cold sippy cup of water and some carrots?

They want to cut vegetables like mommy with a knife? "No! It's too sharp!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss."
OR, what if we set up a step stool, a cutting board next to ours, and a blunt cheese knife with some cheese for the child to "cut"? Or have them wash the vegetables for us in the sink or even in a bowl of water on a towel on the floor?

They want to walk the dog?
Mommy: "No! The dog is too big, he will pull you!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss."
OR, what if instead we hold the leash and they can hold the loose end of it? Or maybe tie another string to the leash for the child to hold?

They want to play with their siblings in the middle of a Monopoly game. "No! You mess everything up!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss." 
OR, what if instead we let them roll the dice for us every turn and pull a card when needed, or pass money from the bank to the players?

They want to get wet in the mud or shallow creek?
Mommy: "No! It's too messy!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss."
OR, what if instead we let them and bring a garbage bag, a hand towel, and a change of clothes?

They stopped in the way and want you to look at a bug in the street.
Mommy: "No! Let's go, we're late!!"
Child: "Whaaaaaaaaa! Fuss, fuss, fuss."
OR, what if instead we take one minute to stop and look and wonder with them at the crack in the sidewalk? 

These are just examples, but you get the idea.

Speaking about the qualities proper to a ruler, Charlotte Mason, in Vol. 3, p.18, says of Queen Elizabeth:

Her adroitness in getting over many a dangerous crisis has been much praised by historians; but, possibly, this saving grace was not adroitness so much as the tact born of qualities proper to all who are set in authority––the meekness of one who has been given an appointed work, the readiness to take counsel with herself and with others, the perception that she herself was not the be-all and the end-all of her functions as a queen, but that she existed for her people, and the quick and tender open-minded sympathy which enabled her to see their side of every question as well as her own––indeed, in preference to her own. These are the qualities proper to every ruler of a household, a school, or a kingdom.

To expect a child of young age to always simply obey while shutting out any and all opportunities to grow and learn is downright dehumanizing. And we don't have to look far to realize it is a symptom of our society that says children don't belong in the real world, they are incapable of doing real things and are merely to be tolerated and set in front of a TV or an ipad.


Don't buy in to it. Electronics can never truly substitute for the kind of learning a young child of this age needs any more than a stuffed animal can substitute for a real pet dog. And they are capable of so much more than we give them credit for. They are persons.

When we treat them as persons and reasonably help them instead of always shutting them down, frustration is lessened and we find our relationship in a better place to then work on those important habits. Treating them as persons from the beginning also helps pave the way for habits of attention, curiosity, and self-education that will aid them in their CM education. They are encouraged to wonder, try, investigate, and think. What a difference from the child who is continually told "No" except when the parent initiates an activity.

As a person, even a little person, we want to be treated as valid and valuable. We want to touch things, know things, try things, experience things, and be seen as an important part of the family, not just a nuisance. The young child wants to grow in independence. If we take just a moment to consider them as a person rather than always throwing out a knee jerk "No!" we may be surprised at what joy and discovery ensues between you and your little person.

Come Out with Me 
by A.A. Milne

There's sun on the river and sun on the hill...
You can hear the sea if you stand quite still!
There's eight new puppies at Roundabout Farm-
And I saw an old sailor with only one arm!

But everyone says, "Run along!"
(Run along, run along!)
All of them say, "Run along! I'm busy as can be."
Every one says, "Run along,
There's a little darling!"
If I'm a little darling, why won't them come and see?
 
There's wind on the river and wind on the hill...
There's a dark dead water-wheel under the mill!
I saw a fly which had just been drowned-
And I know where a rabbit goes into the ground!

But everyone says, "Run along!"
(Run along, run along!)
All of them say, "Yes, dear," and never notice me.
Every one says, "Run along,
There's a little darling!"
If I'm a little darling, why won't them come and see?

First AmblesideOnline Conference in 10 Years

Did you know? AmblesideOnline is having a conference next month, July 24-25 in Remington, IN!

Someone once said wisdom comes from two places - our mistakes, and the mistakes of others. Wouldn't it be nice to save years of making our own mistakes by learning from others who have walked further down this path who can steer us clear of the pitfalls and guide us to the scenic places we might otherwise miss?

Well here's your chance. Speaking at this conference are homeschooling moms who have been reading, studying, and applying Charlotte Mason homeschooling in their own homes for 20+ years. These are not women who have book knowledge alone, they have experience and wisdom and much encouragement and insight to share with you!

Space is limited to only 100 attendees for this year's retreat so don't wait!

REGISTER HERE

TOPICS INCLUDE:

* Why our view of the child matters, how Charlotte Mason saw the child, and how that view lays a foundation for successfully educating them. Karen Glass - Advisory Member, missionary in Poland, and author of "Consider This: Charlotte Mason in the Classical Tradition" - shares from her experience as a homeschooling mom of over twenty years and avid researcher of educational philosophy.

* What is the heart and soul of AmblesideOnline: the people and the story behind the designing of the AO curriculum, the purpose and vision behind it, and ongoing encouragement for the parent/teacher who is taking this journey with us. Donna-Jean Breckenridge (Bible College graduate and 25 years homeschooling mom) and Lynn Bruce (Graduate of Education/Special Ed and homeschooling mom of 21 years), Advisory members both, will each share their unique perspectives from homeschooling AO through various trials and joys.

* How a CM education is ideal for both college bound students and for students with other vocations, presented by Advisory member Wendi Capehart and her daughter Nicole. Wendi is the mother of seven children, grandmother of quite-a-lot, and has been homeschooling for 27 years. Nicole is a second generation homeschooling mom to 3 lively children under 4 with the 4th due in September.

 * What AO's new science changes bring to your homeschool. Jeanne Webb, Auxiliary member coming all the way from Australia, and Kathy Wickward lead AO's Science team.

* How CM language arts integrates to create the literate child, from pre-reading through high school writing. Auxiliary member Lani Siciliano of Connecticut, homeschool mother of 6, has children working in a variety of language arts levels.

* How to use CM's reading method to teach your child to read. Auxiliary member Amy Tuttle (missionary in Peru) has blogged extensively about how she teaches reading.

* How (and why!) to teach foreign language. Auxiliary member Phyllis Hunsucker, missionary in Ukraine, has a bilingual home.

* Why preschool and kindergarten shouldn't look like school. Auxiliary member Kathy Livingston of Texas will be accompanied by her current Year 0 child, her 21-month old.

* How to get a head start on next year's composer study. Megan Hoyt, a classical music lover from childhood, recently authored "Hildegard's Gift."

* All that, plus: ∙ Breakout sessions on Living Books (Auxiliary member Melisa Hills), Swedish Drill (AO forum moderator Dawn Duran), and Scheduling (AO forum moderator Christy Hissong) - the CM way

* Special Q&A session with the Advisory and Auxiliary (Including Advisory member and Canadian blogger Anne White)

* AmblesideOnline merchandise - pick up a coffee mug or totebag imprinted with the latest AO logo!

∙ and much, much more!

Spring Handicraft Fair 2015

Years ago during a planning meeting for our old nature group, one mom talked about her reading about growing pumpkins for a county fair in Farmer Boy and one thing led to another and the result was a Handicraft Fair where our kids could bring the things they make during the year and display and sell them.

For four years since that meeting, local CM groups and individual families have participated in these biannual Handicraft Fairs by coming together at a large park and setting out their creations. It's become an exciting event for many and a wonderful coming together of the larger community.

It can also be challenging to get it all together in time and work with the kids to help them through the ups and downs of planning, creating, preparing, setting up, etc. My daughter forgot one of the things she spent a lot of time working on this year and that was a sad moment of realization. So it is also a learning experience for each family through their experiences with it.

You can browse posts from previous fairs here:

http://livingcminca.blogspot.com/2012/05/spring-handicraft-fair.html

http://livingcminca.blogspot.com/2012/12/handicraft-fair-december-2012.html

http://livingcminca.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-handcraft-fair-2011.html

http://livingcminca.blogspot.com/2011/06/handcraft-fair.html


And here are the pictures from this past week's fair:

Delicious Almond Butter

They really work!

Lovely paintings ;)

My favorite booth at the fair - Yum!

Someone brought Free Cotton Candy run on a generator! A+ on the report card this year for this family :)

Boys organizing sparring matches with their newly purchased wooden swords.

Littles watching the mock battle about to start that ensued shortly after the sparring matches.

Girls doting on a friend's baby girl

Girls now putting their handmade headband on baby girl :)