From Melissa Ferguson
I was thrilled when my local Charlotte Mason group chose “The Story of Charlotte Mason” by Essex Cholmondeley as our next book. This biography had been in my reading pile for months but a particularly busy season of caring for aging family members, working with the CMI team, and starting our family’s Alveary year had kept me from diving in. Reading together was the push I needed, and I have found many gems like the following story.
In chapter seven, Mr. G.W. Household, Glouchester’s County Secretary of Education, wrote to Charlotte Mason with doubts about allowing a teacher under his oversight to follow Mason’s program. This teacher had challenging students as well as being “less able” and lacking in resources. I think most of us have felt like that teacher at some point and had the same doubts as Mr. Household! Charlotte Mason, however, had no doubts in her reply. She reinforced that her method was for all students, then added “But may I extend my faith to all teachers?” She goes on to say that “…any teacher brought face to face with the surprising things children do on this method rises to the children's level” and adds that “teachers, as well as children, develop amazingly.”
Charlotte didn’t expect this teacher would find solutions to her challenges and have everything in place before she started teaching the program. Charlotte knew that her program had high ideals and wasn’t an easy path, but she also knew this teacher’s abilities would grow right along with her students’ over time and through consistent implementation - not from perfection at the outset. As I join you in starting the Alveary year with my own family, I find this story an excellent reminder to value progress over perfection and relationships over tasks. The rewards will be well worth our efforts! Join me in the Hive to share a story or quote that is inspiring you this school year, and let us encourage one another for the journey ahead.
Melissa Ferguson
CMI Operations Director
Notes
1. CMI is pleased to announce the opening of a new Marketing Coordinator position. You can read the job description here. Please share with anyone you think might be interested.
2. Handicrafts (String Art): Our membership numbers have overwhelmed this small business (in the best way) and they have been working to restock. The circle and hexagon kits will be back in stock by September 2nd and will be shipped beginning Tuesday, September 6th.
3. Office Hours: Here are the videos from last week’s session on Music and other topics with Kathryn Forney and Shannon Whiteside.
2) Printable Shakespeare Characters
5) Listening to Composer Study
Our next session will be Wednesday, September 7th at 3:30 p.m. EDT. Please submit your questions at least 24 hours in advance by commenting on the event in The Hive.
3. Seen in the Hive: This post includes some great resources on Native American tribes. Check it out!
Queries
1. How do I explain the difference between a "reflection" and narration for my 9th grader starting to use the Bible Journal? What if there is no reflection and the story/passage is what it is? Especially for the Old Testament readings.
It is perfectly fine for students to just tell back what they read. Other times they may have additional questions and thoughts about the passage. The point of the journal is to encourage their growing thoughtful interaction with the text and create a dedicated space for that. We want their relationship with God and his word to grow and this is just one means to facilitate that growth. It is similar to nature study where we learn to start asking questions of what we see around us such as “I wonder…. I notice…. This reminds me of ….” We want to come to the text asking questions and engaging with the content. Certain passages will be easier to do this with than others.
