Welcome!
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Dear Friend,
I am glad you are here! If you have found this site, then it is likely that you are interested in finding a community based on Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy and methodology or that you are interested in forming one yourself. I firmly believe there is no sense in re-inventing the wheel, so rather than let you pursue the ends of the internet to locate information on forming a community, I decided to put my experience in one place and invite other community leaders to share their experiences as well. Here is a little bit of what you can find on this website:
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Why Is Community Important and Why Does This Page Exist?
Although a growing number of families are choosing to home school their children, it is often a challenge to choose curriculum, modify your schedule (and your life!), think about extra-curricular activities, AND look for a community of like-minded parents with whom to share your experience! Charlotte Mason thought community was important. When she formed the Parents National Education Union (PNEU), she wrote:
No other part of the world’s work is of such supreme difficulty, delicacy and importance, as that of parents in the right of bringing up of their children. The first obligation of the present – that of passing forward a generation better than ourselves – rests with parents. As every child belongs to the common weal, so his bringing up is the concern of all. Yet parents, with the responsibility of the world’s future resting upon them, are left to do their work, each father and mother alone, rarely getting so much as a word of sympathy, counsel or encouragement.
All other bodies of workers, whether of hand or brain, enjoy the help and profit of association; commonly, of cooperation. Thus the wisdom, the experience, the information of each is made profitable for all; enthusiasm is generated by the union of many for the advance of a cause, and every member is cheered by the sympathy of his fellow workers. — Charlotte Mason, “A Draft Proof” pamphlet, 1888
Can you imagine? A community in which "enthusiasm is generated by the union of many for the advance of a cause, and every member is cheered by the sympathy of his fellow workers." This sounds like a community to which I'd like to belong! However for many of us, that community doesn't exist in our area. Facebook pages, blogs, Pinterest links and websites are a great source of information and encouragement, but they do not replace gathering together as a group of parents who are pursuing the goal of encouraging our children to be lifelong learners.
Ms. Mason gave this charge to parents and teachers:
Ms. Mason gave this charge to parents and teachers:
We know well that "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." In other words, we know that parents and teachers should know how to make sensible use of a child's circumstances (atmosphere) to forward his sound education; should train him in the discipline of the habits of the good life; and should nourish his life with ideas, the food upon which personality waxes strong.
So, how can we create a community that believes "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." ? It may be easier than you think. Take a look at how our CM Community began with a series of Info Sessions, see if there is one near you, and if there is not, consider forming a community of your own with these resources to guide you along the way.