Charlotte Mason Poetry

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In December 1918, American President Woodrow Wilson visited Europe and gave speeches in which he “reaffirmed that the making of peace and the creation of a League of Nations must be accomplished as one single objective.”[1] That same month, Charlotte Mason’s beloved friend Rev. Francis Lewis contributed an article to …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-true-league-of-nations/">The True League of Nations</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The first annual meeting of the Melbourne, Australia branch of the PNEU was held in 1905. One of the speakers had just arrived from England, and she riveted the audience with a detailed account of the House of Education in Ambleside. Then the vice-president of the branch “said that though …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-application-of-pneu-principles-in-the-home/">The Application of PNEU Principles in the Home</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Agnes Drury (1874–1958) was “brought up … on lines very similar to those advised by Charlotte Mason.” We are told this about her mother: She loved flowers and out-of-door things; she was skilful with her hands, teaching the children to bind their books and encouraging a sense of colour which …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-value-of-handicrafts-in-education/">The Value of Handicrafts in Education</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff When H. W. Household first introduced the Charlotte Mason method to the schools of Gloucestershire, he began with five schools in 1917. Miss F. M. Clark was a teacher at one of those schools. She spoke briefly about her experiences at a teacher conference in 1920, and her words may …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/some-difficulties-overcome/">Some Difficulties Overcome</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff On a fateful January day in the early 1970s, two girls visited a school. Their names were Margaret and Kirsteen. Their mother recalled that it “was a small PNEU school, run in a classroom built onto the back of someone’s private home, looking into an English country garden.”[1] The mother …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/olive-norton-the-transcript/">Olive Norton: The Transcript</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The June 1918 Parents’ Review shared some good news: “The generosity of members has enabled the Committee to engage Miss Wix, ex-student of the House of Education, as an additional Organising Secretary, and with her help they look forward to an even more successful year’s work.”[1] A letter from Henrietta …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-pneu-ideal-in-education/">The PNEU Ideal in Education</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Today we continue our Helen Wix series. Last week we saw that Miss Wix was widely recognized for her ability to teach the Charlotte Mason method to professional teachers. This was no easy task, as Wix herself pointed out in a 1927 letter: Indeed, the training of a [university] graduate …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/education-is-a-life/">Education Is a Life</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff One of the most dramatic chapters in the story of Charlotte Mason’s life is the adoption of her methods by a large number of state schools. The logistical challenge alone must have been staggering. Imagine trying to convince hundreds of teachers to teach in a new way and then finding …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/a-few-roots/">A Few Roots</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The “Books” section of the 1909 Parents’ Review contains a brief notice by Miss Mason of a new book: The Training of Children, by Mrs. H. C. Cradock (Bell, 2/–). Contains many useful hints, carefully arranged.[1] An earlier notice that year indicated that Mrs. Cradock’s first book, The Care of …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/if-i-could-begin-again/">If I Could Begin Again</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The first time a visitor enters St. Mary’s Church in Ambleside, the first thing she notices is the beautiful and intriguing mural on the back wall. Everything about it is unusual, including its history. Gordon Ransom was a student at London’s Royal College of Art, but during World War II …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/by-my-spirit/">By My Spirit</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The Table of Contents of the 1921 Parents’ Review lists an article entitled “To What Extent Obedience may be Considered as a Vice”[1] By Mrs. Dermod O’Brien. Mrs. O’Brien was memorialized in the 1943 Parents’ Review with these words: Once again we have to mourn the passing of a most …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/obedience-as-a-vice/">Obedience as a Vice</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Rose Amy Pennethorne was Organising Secretary of the PNEU from 1921 to 1940. In her first year in office, she contributed two articles on the teaching of Scripture to The Parents’ Review. The first article was published in March and the second in November. Charlotte Mason celebrated Pennethorne’s work with …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-teaching-of-scripture-in-the-parents-union-school/">The Teaching of Scripture in the Parents’ Union School</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff When does a composer qualify for composer study? And when is music “good enough” for music appreciation? I have wondered this as I have surveyed Dawn Tull’s table of composers studied in the Parents’ Union School from 1908–1953. Many modern composers are listed. Some were studied in their own lifetimes. …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/maurice-ravel/">Maurice Ravel</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Among my favorite Parents’ Review articles are the occasional pieces by homeschooling parents. I find great inspiration in the advice and perspective of these dedicated mothers and fathers from a prior generation. This short piece from 1923 is no exception. The hints from Mrs. Thompson remind us that a Charlotte …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/hints-for-home-schoolrooms/">Hints for Home Schoolrooms</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Dawn Tull This article was of particular interest to me because of my research on the Ambleside Geography Readers and the role of map questions in the study of geography. As with the previous two conference articles released, Mr. G. H. Smith addresses concerns that others, and perhaps previously he, had held …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-teaching-of-geography-by-mr-g-h-smith/">The Teaching of Geography, by Mr. G. H. Smith</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Miss Mason was looking through the Christmas examination papers in February 1920. ‘What a long time since I have written to you! It is the school—it has taken me ten to twelve days to look through more than 1,200 sets, at about a hundred a day—heaps of elementary school children …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/a-liberal-education-for-all-by-daisy-golding/">A Liberal Education For All, by Daisy Golding</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The Contemporary Review was a monthly journal, founded in 1866, which “became known as a forum for open, erudite inquiry into controversial theological and philosophical issues of the day.”[1] In the July 1922 issue, an article by H. W. Household appeared which advocated for a liberal education for all according …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-need-for-a-liberal-education/">The Need for a Liberal Education</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The April 1924 Parents’ Review included a powerful piece by Francis Lewis. We are not told whether it was originally a sermon, or whether it was composed specifically for The Parents’ Review. In either case, it contains references that would be familiar to members of the Charlotte Mason community of …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-manifestation-of-christ-in-worship/">The Manifestation of Christ in Worship</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In last week’s episode we shared a second paper from the June 1920 teacher’s conference in Gloucester. This week we share a third paper by a professional teacher who embraced Charlotte Mason’s method, along with some brief discussion that followed. By Mr. C. Jones The Parents’ Review, 1920, pp. 570-575 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-new-facility-in-composition/">The New Facility in Composition</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff One of the great chapters in the epic story of the Charlotte Mason method involves the introduction of the complete method, principles and practices, into the established British schools of Gloucestershire. H. W. Household began this project with five schools in 1917, and by May 1920 he had gone to …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/certain-difficulties/">Certain Difficulties</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff On the front page of the November/December 1971 PNEU Journal, editor Joan Molyneux wrote: There are PNEU Members in 95 countries living amongst people of other cultures, having different approaches to life, and it is essential that there should be understanding and communication between Members of every country. Later in …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/vehicle-of-imagination/">Vehicle of Imagination</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Sermons by Francis Lewis frequently appeared in the pages of The Parents’ Review. He was a devoted friend of Charlotte Mason, and his sermons reveal how like-minded they were. Both pondered the child’s estate, and Rev. Lewis shared his reflections in this 1924 sermon. It was published the year after …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-heart-of-a-child/">The Heart of a Child</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff Essex Cholmondeley (1892–1985) is known to many as the first biographer of Charlotte Mason. In fact, she spent most of her adult life advancing Charlotte Mason’s ideas. Cholmondeley studied under Charlotte Mason at the House of Education and received her certificate in 1919. On February 15, 1923, she gave a …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/first-bible-lessons/">First Bible Lessons</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff In 1902, George F. Husband left Stockton-on-Tees to work for the school system of neighboring Middlesbrough. There he eventually found himself headmaster of an elementary school. But it was no ordinary elementary school. It was a school “where the children came from among the poorest and most disreputable part of slumland, familiarized with …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/some-notes-on-narration/">Some Notes on Narration</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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, …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/notes-from-a-home-schoolroom-parent/">Notes from a Home Schoolroom Parent</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-group-organization/">The Group Organization</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-education-of-the-spirit/">The Education of the Spirit</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/now-he-wants-to-read/">Now he wants to read</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/pus-in-home-schoolroom/">PUS in Home Schoolroom</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/meditation-narration-of-the-heart/">Meditation: Narration of the Heart</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/our-three-fold-cord/">Our Three-fold Cord</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/pneu-notes/">PNEU Notes</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/a-year-of-pneu/">A Year of PNEU</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>Editor’s Note, by Art Middlekauff The 1880s featured a public debate between two leading thinkers, both of whom were cited favorably by Charlotte Mason. These two thinkers were Thomas Huxley (1825–95) and Matthew Arnold (1822–88). Paul White summarizes this debate: In the public statements that are taken to epitomize the Victorian debate, Huxley’s 1880 lecture …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/professor-huxley-and-the-pneu/">Professor Huxley and the PNEU</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/stories-that-last/">Stories That Last</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/the-other-side-of-all-doubt/">The Other Side of All Doubt</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/vitality/">‭Vitality</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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. …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/trusting-the-method/">Trusting the Method</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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’ …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/games-and-wet-day-occupations/">Games and Wet Day Occupations</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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 …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/joy-mainstay-of-a-living-education/">Joy: Mainstay of a Living Education</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.

<p>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, …</p> The post <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org/art-democracy-and-taste/">Art (Democracy and Taste)</a> first appeared on <a href="https://charlottemasonpoetry.org">Charlotte Mason Poetry</a>.