Charlotte Mason Poetry
378 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 201 ratingsCharlotte Mason Poetry is dedicated to promoting Charlotte Mason’s living ideas. We strive to share an authentic interpretation of Mason’s life work through a combination of original and vintage articles by a wide variety of authors. Our team draws from and transcribes many rare and wonderful documents from the PNEU many of which cannot be found anywhere else on the web.
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Episodes
Art Studies
April 23, 2024 10:52 - 8 minutes - 11.6 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Charlotte Mason’s most obvious link to John Ruskin is found in her lengthy quotation from Mornings in Florence in Parents and Children. Less obvious is the link from Ruskin to the practice of picture study in the House of Education, the Parents’ Union School, and homeschools today. This fascinating piece … The post Art Studies first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Picture Study, by Mary Gillies
April 16, 2024 10:40 - 16 minutes - 23.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Mary Gillies began her studies at Charlotte Mason’s House of Education in 1914. Six years later she joined the staff of the Burgess Hill PNEU School, serving as assistant mistress.[1] Burgess Hill had been founded in 1906 by Beatrice Goode and was notable for teaching girls through all six forms, … The post Picture Study, by Mary Gillies first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Picture Study, by Madeline Lambert
April 09, 2024 10:48 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Madeline C. M. Lambert (1892–1965) arrived at the House of Education in 1912 where she learned the art of living and teaching from Charlotte Mason herself. Miss Lambert then cared for her “widowed father until she was free to teach.” Then in 1919, she was invited to help Laura Faunce … The post Picture Study, by Madeline Lambert first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Sunday School Teaching
April 02, 2024 10:43 - 9 minutes - 12.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff As Charlotte Mason’s ideas become more and more popular in homeschools and other kinds of schools, an increasingly common question is whether her philosophy can be applied within the church context, such as in Sunday school. At Charlotte Mason Poetry, we have shared two accounts from people who have introduced … The post Sunday School Teaching first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
An Uncommon Quarterly
March 26, 2024 10:51 - 1 hour - 116 MBImagine what it would be like to have a quiet growing place for parents in a digitally saturated world. A place where parents and educators could be mentored and instructed in Charlotte Mason’s ideas without looking at a screen. A place where the beauty of the printed page could speak to the heart. Cara Williams … The post An Uncommon Quarterly first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Latin — the elegant Tongue
March 19, 2024 10:32 - 16 minutes - 22.3 MBEditor’s Note by Angela Reed The defense of Latin is a tradition almost as old as the language itself. In the modern era, one can find many passionate defenders of lingua Latina in homeschool discussion forums or in Facebook groups, where they swiftly emerge out of the digital woodwork in response to posts like the … The post Latin — the elegant Tongue first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Mind at Work
March 12, 2024 11:07 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1944, Essex Cholmondeley had not yet written her biography of Charlotte Mason, and she was no longer principal of the House of Education. Nevertheless she was still quite active in the PNEU, and she occasionally wrote articles for The Parents’ Review to shed light on educational issues of her … The post The Mind at Work first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Disappearance of Difficulties
March 05, 2024 11:41 - 10 minutes - 14.2 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Daisy Golding was the Headmistress of the Hanham Road Girls’ Elementary School in Bristol. In 1918, her school took the bold step of adopting the Charlotte Mason method. She quickly became an expert in the method and corresponded frequently with Miss Mason herself. In June 1920, a conference was held … The post The Disappearance of Difficulties first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Concerning Repeated Narration
February 27, 2024 11:49 - 12 minutes - 17 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In the fall of 1927, a headmistress wrote to Elsie Kitching to ask about a fine point in the practice of narration in a group setting. Elsie Kitching’s response not only clarified the fine point but also provided a robust model for how to interpret and apply Charlotte Mason’s method. … The post Concerning Repeated Narration first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Group System
February 20, 2024 11:47 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In the final pages of the December 1921 issue of The Parents’ Review, five paragraphs appeared under the heading, “Extract from a letter.” No information was given about the writer or recipient of the letter, but the excerpt described a method by which a school with “a little organisation will … The post The Group System first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 3
February 13, 2024 12:10 - 30 minutes - 42.3 MBPersonhood Explored: The Atmosphere of Personhood This is the final article in a series on Charlotte Mason’s concept of personhood. The first article dealt with Mason’s doctrine of personhood, discussing what Mason believed the human person is. The second article explored how Mason’s doctrine of personhood inevitably led her to urge the pursuit of specific … The post Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 3 first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 2
February 06, 2024 11:54 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MBPersonhood Explored: The Discipline of Personhood This is the second article in a three-part series exploring Charlotte Mason’s concept of personhood. The first article was concerned with personhood from the angle of doctrine. That is, what did Mason believe theologically about the personhood of human beings, and thus the personhood of children? Out of doctrine … The post Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 2 first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 1
January 30, 2024 11:48 - 26 minutes - 36 MBPersonhood Explored: The Doctrine of Personhood From the time I was very young, I felt strongly that I was a person. I felt I was a unique individual, with undiscovered depths within me waiting to shine forth. One way I attempted to “shine forth” my unique personhood as a child was in climbing a large … The post Charlotte Mason’s Paradoxical Principle, Part 1 first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Olive Norton: The Recording
January 23, 2024 11:49 - 1 hour - 116 MBTwo weeks ago we met Olive Norton, the homeschool mother who taught her daughter at home all the way through the secondary level. Then we learned that after graduating her daughter, Mrs. Norton became the headmistress of a small PNEU school. On a fateful January day in the early 1970s, two girls visited that school. … The post Olive Norton: The Recording first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Olive Norton: The PNEU Teacher
January 16, 2024 11:50 - 7 minutes - 10 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Last week we shared the remarkable story of Olive Norton, the homeschool mother. Her testimony as a mother-teacher was reported in the 1962 issue of The Parents’ Review, soon after her daughter had left the “home-schoolroom … at the age of sixteen and a half years.” As with many parents … The post Olive Norton: The PNEU Teacher first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Olive Norton: The Homeschool Mother
January 09, 2024 11:57 - 11 minutes - 16.2 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In December 1962, an extraordinary article appeared in The Parents’ Review. Entitled “A P.U.S. Home-Schoolroom,” it was written by a veteran homeschool mother named Olive Norton. Mrs. Norton wrote the article at the end of her homeschooling journey; she had educated her children for more than twelve years. On this … The post Olive Norton: The Homeschool Mother first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
A Father and Son Look Back
January 02, 2024 11:55 - 1 hour - 108 MBTwenty-two years ago I was a young father with a little boy, my first child, aged two. My father-in-law called me aside. “How are you going to educate your son?” he asked. I had no idea. I had hopes and fears for the future, but I had no vision. I wanted the best for this … The post A Father and Son Look Back first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Carol of the Three Brothers
December 26, 2023 12:04 - 3 minutes - 5.33 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Frances Blogg (1869–1938) served as the Organising Secretary of the PNEU from 1896–1901.[1] During this time she was courted by and then engaged to the celebrated writer and philosopher G. K. Chesterton. After their marriage in 1901, Frances Chesterton moved on from her formal role in the PNEU, but she … The post The Carol of the Three Brothers first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Conversation Piece
December 19, 2023 12:03 - 11 minutes - 16.3 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In April 1890, the third issue of a fledgling periodical entitled The Parents’ Review was delivered to subscribers. Under the standard subtitle “A Monthly Magazine of Home-Training and Culture,” this third issue included yet another heading: “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.”—Matthew Arnold.[1] The next and following issues … The post Conversation Piece first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Joy to be Bought
December 12, 2023 11:58 - 22 minutes - 30.6 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Back in March we shared a 1961 article entitled “Joy to be Shared” by a schoolteacher named Donald Beswick. He was writing at a time when the popular conception of music was undergoing rapid and radical change, and he offered a bold and compelling case for the enduring value of … The post Joy to be Bought first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
A Home-Schoolroom in Madeira
December 05, 2023 11:34 - 16 minutes - 22.3 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff “Many interesting letters from all parts of the world have been received at the Office,” stated the annual report of the PNEU in 1936. For example, “a letter of enquiry was received from Vancouver, the writer having been encouraged to write by reading of Mrs. Egerton Evans’ experiences in her … The post A Home-Schoolroom in Madeira first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Relativization of Classical Education
November 28, 2023 11:47 - 1 hour - 100 MBIn July 2019 I had the privilege of attending the CiRCE National Conference. The topic that year was “A Contemplation of Form,” and the event was nothing less than a celebration of absolutes in a world of relativism. The conference opened with a panel discussion designed to “set the tone for the conference,”[1] and set … The post The Relativization of Classical Education first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Three Educational Idylls
November 21, 2023 11:47 - 33 minutes - 46.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Merriam-Webster defines an idyll as “a simple descriptive work in poetry or prose that deals with rustic life or pastoral scenes or suggests a mood of peace and contentment.”[1] In November 1912, Charlotte Mason observed that three educational idylls had emerged on the world scene. The first idyll was described … The post Three Educational Idylls first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
High School Roundtable
November 14, 2023 11:50 - 58 minutes - 80 MBWhen do children outgrow the Charlotte Mason method? The firm belief of Charlotte Mason and the PNEU was that they never do. That’s what we believe too. We’ve shared several Parents’ Review articles that address the upper forms from many perspectives, and now we’re discussing the lessons we’ve learned. In this very special episode, Antonella, … The post High School Roundtable first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Education in The Parents’ Union School
November 07, 2023 11:39 - 19 minutes - 26.5 MBEditor’s Note, by Jennifer Talsma On December 6, 1935, over 50 people from around Ireland gathered to attend a meeting of the PNEU’s Dublin Branch, held in Milford, County Armagh. They were addressed by Mrs. Claudia Shelley and Mr. Monk Gibbon. Mrs. Shelley, who gave the address that follows, was a graduate of the House … The post Education in The Parents’ Union School first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
A Measuring Line
October 31, 2023 10:47 - 45 minutes - 62.6 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Elsie Kitching served as Charlotte Mason’s personal assistant for many years before succeeding her as editor of The Parents’ Review and Director of the Parents’ Union School. Kitching’s understanding of and devotion to Miss Mason’s ideas were unparalleled, making her an especially valuable interpreter of Charlotte Mason’s thought. On several … The post A Measuring Line first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The P.U.S. Work in a PNEU School
October 24, 2023 10:47 - 12 minutes - 17.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In January 1931 “the largest P.N.E.U. School in England” was at Burgess Hill. At that time, the school had been operating for more than two decades and had “a most excellent record of success.”[1] It was one of five registered PNEU schools that covered all six forms, educating young people … The post The P.U.S. Work in a PNEU School first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Boys’ Preparatory Schools
October 17, 2023 10:55 - 36 minutes - 50.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The Craig Preparatory School of Windermere was founded in 1899 and led by William Snow, its first headmaster, until 1936.[1] When the Great War came to England, the headmaster’s son, Thomas William Snow, went to serve in France. He fought in “the 57th West Lancs Divisional Artillery and was awarded … The post Boys’ Preparatory Schools first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The PNEU and Public Examinations
October 10, 2023 10:52 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1931, a letter appeared in The Times Educational Supplement. “Dear Editor,” it began, “I have been asked to answer the criticism that the Parents’ National Educational Union (a) offers help to parents for young children only, and (b) disapproves of public examinations.” The author of the letter was Rev. … The post The PNEU and Public Examinations first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Theology of the Great Recognition
October 03, 2023 10:51 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MB“The great recognition, that God the Holy Spirit is Himself, personally, the Imparter of knowledge, the Instructor of youth, the Inspirer of genius.” It’s an idea that infuses education with meaning and life. What could more powerfully transform the daily routine of a home educator than the thought of “the divine teaching as co-operating with … The post The Theology of the Great Recognition first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Education And Life
September 26, 2023 10:57 - 16 minutes - 22.8 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Vera Pim attended the House of Education in 1926, where she received distinction in the subject of teaching.[1] After graduating, she went to Dublin and on January 18, 1928, she read an original paper at the Dublin Branch of the PNEU.[2] The paper was entitled “Education and Life,” and it … The post Education And Life first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Thomas Aquinas and the Great Recognition
September 19, 2023 10:47 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MB“Two years ago I had the privilege of visiting the Spanish Chapel of Santa Maria Novella in Florence,” wrote Rose Amy Pennethorne in 1935. “I was shown over the Chapel by a policeman, and having never seen the colours of the frescoes before, I was struck by the prevailing colours of green, white and red. … The post Thomas Aquinas and the Great Recognition first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Parents’ Union in a Secondary School
September 12, 2023 10:47 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff When do children outgrow the Charlotte Mason method? The firm belief of Charlotte Mason and the PNEU was that they never do. However, Mason and her followers were realistic about the challenges faced by teachers who wished to apply the method in the upper years. These challenges were openly discussed … The post The Parents’ Union in a Secondary School first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The History of an Idea: Children Are Born Persons
September 05, 2023 10:50 - 23 minutes - 32.6 MB“Upon first hearing the foundational principle of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, ‘Children are born persons,’ I couldn’t have been less impressed,” wrote one homeschool mother. Said another: “It’s hard to imagine that anybody even needed to say that.” She went on: “I’ve heard some people say this first principle is not really needed anymore… We know … The post The History of an Idea: Children Are Born Persons first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The First Steps of Education
August 29, 2023 10:47 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Rhoda M. Harrison was a student at the House of Education in 1928.[1] After graduating, she served on the staff of the PNEU School at Burgess Hill[2] before becoming the co-principal of her own PNEU School in Haslemere.[3] Through her study of Charlotte Mason’s writings and her own experience as … The post The First Steps of Education first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
What Is Education?
August 22, 2023 10:43 - 13 minutes - 18 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1897, the Women’s Institute was founded in Saltfleet, Ontario.[1] Ethel Somers describes its origins: The women of Canada, in their scattered homes, often many miles apart, felt the urgent need of each other’s help and advice—the need of discussing domestic problems, educational difficulties and social possibilities. They tried the … The post What Is Education? first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Where Virtue is the Goal
August 15, 2023 10:43 - 18 minutes - 25.4 MBWhat is the ultimate purpose of education? What are we trying to accomplishing in our homeschools and our schools? In the final analysis is education about “the assimilation of facts [and] the retention of information”? Is its goal to achieve “knowledge of external nature”? Or is it more about the heart than the head? Is … The post Where Virtue is the Goal first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Only Child
August 08, 2023 10:57 - 8 minutes - 11 MBby Sheila Fawcett (C.M.C) The Parents’ Review, 1957, pp. 71-73 Even in childhood I looked forward to the time when I should have children of my own. At first I thought six sons would be an ideal family, but later I reduced my aspirations to two sons and one daughter. Things turned out otherwise, and … The post The Only Child first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Education of Conscience
August 01, 2023 10:50 - 29 minutes - 40.5 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Florence Mary Parsons (1864–1934) was an accomplished author and acknowledged expert in 18th-Century literature and art. She was also friends with Henrietta Franklin, and in the late 1890s she was introduced by Mrs. Franklin to a growing movement of educational reform known as the PNEU. In 1899, Parsons gave a … The post Education of Conscience first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
What is a Liberal Education?
July 25, 2023 10:47 - 34 minutes - 47.9 MBIn 1917, the Times newspaper published a letter by Charlotte Mason in which she made four bold claims: (a) That our people are capable of receiving a liberal education in a generous sense of the term. (b) That no limitation of vocabulary or environment need be an obstacle. (c) That the method and means of … The post What is a Liberal Education? first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Jesus’ Bible Lessons
July 18, 2023 10:49 - 49 minutes - 68.6 MBThe Bible lesson is a unique, wonderful opportunity to dialogue over the Living Word with your child. Jesus had such discussions himself with some of the Father’s Children. Charlotte Mason writes, “It is only by trying the method oneself on such an incident, for example, as the visit of Nicodemus or the talk with the … The post Jesus’ Bible Lessons first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Book of Centuries and How to Keep One
July 11, 2023 10:49 - 23 minutes - 32.3 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Gertrude M. Bernau studied under Charlotte Mason at the House of Education in 1894. By 1906, she was the principal of a PNEU school for girls in London.[1] One benefit of having a school in London is that they were relatively close to the British Museum. Bernau recalled later: “When … The post The Book of Centuries and How to Keep One first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Three New Educational Common Factors
July 04, 2023 11:03 - 9 minutes - 13.2 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Rose Amy Pennethorne studied at Charlotte Mason’s House of Education in the class of 1898. She remained involved in the PNEU, eventually becoming Organising Secretary in 1921. In this capacity she traveled widely, lecturing, visiting schools, and representing the PNEU at international events. Henrietta Franklin remembered her as “a brilliant … The post Three New Educational Common Factors first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Way of Reason
June 27, 2023 10:47 - 11 minutes - 16.2 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff England in the late 1950s had not yet forgotten about Charlotte Mason. In fact, many educators still wanted to learn Mason’s philosophy, but they didn’t have the opportunity to study in Ambleside. To meet this demand, Charlotte Mason’s former friend and colleague Helen Wix proposed an intriguing innovation. Her idea … The post The Way of Reason first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Character Training
June 20, 2023 11:01 - 39 minutes - 53.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In April 1936, “418 members and friends of the Parents’ National Educational Union, and 268 children being educated in the Parents’ Union School” converged upon Ambleside in England’s lovely Lake District for an extraordinary conference.[1] It was “The Jubilee Conference for Parents and Teachers and The Children’s Gathering,” celebrating the … The post Character Training first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Charlotte Mason and the Spirituality of Motherhood
June 13, 2023 10:49 - 21 minutes - 29.8 MBA paper submitted to Dr. Bruce Hindmarsh in fulfillment of the requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Christian Studies from Regent College April 2023 “My dear, my life does not matter… It is the work that matters and, I say it with all reverence, it will some day (not in my lifetime) be seen to … The post Charlotte Mason and the Spirituality of Motherhood first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
The Conflict of Philosophies
June 06, 2023 10:56 - 1 hour - 104 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1936, Elsie Kitching wrote a book review for The Parents’ Review, the journal she edited from 1923 to 1949. Published in the April issue, the piece covered The Year Book of Education, 1936, edited by Harley V. Usill. Kitching enumerated the key sections of the book and noted some … The post The Conflict of Philosophies first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Obedience
May 30, 2023 10:52 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff N. McLeod enrolled in the House of Education in 1914[1] before heading up a PNEU school in Richmond, Surrey from at least 1921[2] to 1931.[3] In 1927, she contributed a short article to The Parents’ Review entitled “The P.U.S. Motto.”[4] The article is memorable to me because it opens with … The post Obedience first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Why Small Things Matter
May 23, 2023 10:46 - 23 minutes - 32.1 MBEditor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In November 1909, the 13th Annual PNEU Conference was held in Birmingham.[1] On the morning of the second day, a paper by Dr. Helen Webb was read entitled “Environment in Relation to Nervous Stability.” It offered advice on how to raise healthy children in our modern hectic era, and it … The post Why Small Things Matter first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.
Ask Art #5 — The Motto
May 16, 2023 10:58 - 1 hour - 133 MBOnly eternity will reveal how many lives were changed, hearts inspired, and works completed because of the motto of Charlotte Mason. Four powerful verbs — I am, I can, I ought, I will — recited, contemplated, and implemented for generations. But what is the origin of this remarkable motto? Did Miss Mason make it up? … The post Ask Art #5 — The Motto first appeared on Charlotte Mason Poetry.