Charlotte Mason Poetry

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff At the Living Education Retreat this past summer, I introduced what I call the Fundamental Law of Scheduling: scope = pace × time Scope is how much content is covered. For example, how many chapters are in your algebra book. Pace is how fast the material is presented. For example, …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1931, House of Education graduate Geraldine Downton wrote, “Special time is allowed for Nature Books on the time tables of all forms in the P.U.S.”[1] This remark puzzled me for several years, since I had never seen a PNEU time table that scheduled time for nature notebooks. From time …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff “I am quite sure that those who have gathered here this evening have come here full of anticipation because of the treat which is in store for us when we have the privilege of listening to Miss Evelyn Underhill,” announced Bishop Boyd Carpenter in 1916.[1] It was the first week …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In the summer of 1966, the name of The Parents’ Review was changed to The PNEU Journal. Joan Molyneux was editor at that time, and though the name of the periodical had changed, its purpose and philosophy had not. Parents and teachers were still filling its pages with articles that …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The 21st Annual Conference of the PNEU featured an impressive lineup of speakers. Henrietta Franklin, Honorary Secretary of the PNEU, gave a keynote address in which she insisted that “children must not be deprived of their simplicity of mind and the liberty that comes from wise authority.”[1] A doctor spoke …

Charlotte Mason put a heavy emphasis on meditation for the parent and the child. This talk explores what she meant by meditation and looks deeply at this neglected Christian practice. There is a not-surprising correlation between how we read Scripture and our school books! And the phrase, “read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest” might come …

Editor’s Note, by Nancy Kelly Some years ago, while meandering through the hushed archives of the Armitt Museum where so many of Charlotte Mason’s treasures are kept, I happened upon a little leaflet tucked into a plain box. Its title caught my eye immediately: Our Three-Fold Cord. I paused, heart stirred, and snapped a few quick …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The PNEU Notes section at the back of the March 1924 Parents’ Review contained a fascinating account of a conference on the topic of “A Liberal Education for All.” Although we only have a synopsis of the messages delivered, even these short paragraphs tell us much about what is meant …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff After only two years of teaching experience, Edward G. Bolton (1899–1964) became the headmaster of Barrowden School in 1925.[1] Apparently his first year as headmaster was difficult, described in his own words as “a period of dissatisfaction.”[2] He then heard about the Charlotte Mason method in a lecture, which prompted …

The Influence of Learning from Lives Well-Lived The lives of others—both past and present—offer wisdom, courage, and faith for our own journeys. Charlotte Mason knew that biography is more than a history lesson; it is an invitation to walk alongside those who have gone before us, learning from their choices, struggles, and convictions. Through living …

A well-worn path of knowing “… for we are on the other side of all doubt once we know Him in whom we have believed.” — Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children, p. 135  If you’ve traveled the way of an educator for long, you know that it often leads us through periods of doubt. In …

The Hidden Force of a Charlotte Mason Education A Charlotte Mason education is different and stands alone among the educational philosophies of the world. This may be due in large part to its not-so-apparent foundation of vitality, the peculiarity distinguishing the living from the non-living and the capacity to live and develop. Careful reading of …

Let’s face it: homeschooling is hard. As parent-educators, we want to prepare our children spiritually, mentally, and physically for the fullness of life. On this journey we face pressures and doubts. We wonder about our pace and progress. We wonder about results. We feel inadequate and can’t help but compare ourselves to others around us. …

Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff On October 10, 1934, Cerise Parker gave a presentation to the Dublin branch of the PNEU.[1] Mrs. Parker was a member of the branch and hosted at least one of its meetings.[2] Her husband Cyril was the Headmaster of Avoca School[3] and contributed at least one article to The Parents’ …

Charlotte Mason said that “joy reigns in all our schoolrooms.” Do our schools reflect this joy or do we sabotage its presence, making our homes joyless? Joy was such an important principle for a living education that a PNEU conference in 1908 had joy as its theme! Let’s explore what Mason said about joy and …

Editor’s Note. Today we present the fourth and final article from the 1926 “Democracy and Taste” series, “Art” by Juliet Williams. By Juliet Williams The Parents’ Review, 1926, pp. 236-244 The “drawing” that is taught to the average child at school scarcely comes under the heading of “Art”—but it is essentially an important educational subject, …