LARK RISE
This month and next the Educating Mothers discussion group is working together to cast a vision for a Charlotte Mason educational community we are calling Lark Rise.
The name was prompted by Mason’s favorite poem, ‘To the Skylark’ by William Wordsworth. I hope our community can be animated by its themes of love, glory, rejoicing, and that ‘type’ of wisdom ‘true to the kindred points of Heaven and Home.’
This poem being likewise an inspiration for the PNEU student badge, our name is a concrete connection to the history of our philosophy and practice.
{VISION}
At our first meeting the big question was ‘What do you envision when you get excited by a Charlotte Mason co-op?’ As we prepare to draft a vision statement for our community, here for our consideration are points raised in that first meeting.
•We desire foremost a community of believers approaching education in a deliberate way, directed by Charlotte Mason’s philosophy and methods. We don’t want to be simply another option in a salad bar approach to education.
•We desire a community that actively includes both children and adults as students, communicating the importance of life-long learning and personal enrichment.
•We desire a community that respects children {and adults} as persons, particularly in the recognition of their spiritual being, and in the protection of their ‘freedom within bounds’ {as Mason called ‘liberty’}.
•We desire a community that reflects ‘the calm beauty of an ordered life,’ to borrow Whittier’s line. We desire relief from hectic, loud, and flashy approaches to teaching.
•We desire a program that enriches the lives of people with a wide variety of subjects, including the ‘riches’ often marginalized in education: handicrafts, art, music, literature, nature study, etc.
•We desire a beautiful building and natural surroundings for our classes. We want classroom aesthetics that communicate respect for the human need for beauty and for intimacy with God’s creation. We believe that the surroundings we choose for our children tell them something about how we view them and the world.
{SOME DETAILS}
program {general}
•The general consensus at this time is for a school year enrichment program with weekly classes on Thursdays, beginning in the morning and ending in the early afternoon {five hours, including lunch and nature study}.
•There will be a registration fee for the support of the community, as well as enrollment fees paid to teachers.
•Enrollment will be for a full program, rather than individual classes; this does not preclude choice among classes, but does require that families attend the whole day. The personal investment and commitment required by this approach accords with our vision for creating a community rather than merely another academic option.
•The program would be a combination of general assemblies and break-out classes, in order to foster community and personal relationships.
•Break-out classes are to be divided by ‘forms’ of three years {ex. Form A=grades 1-3, with some fluidity for individual ability} in order to facilitate age-appropriate instruction while also encouraging peer mentoring across multiple ages.
•The program will have a certain degree of coordination across forms. For example, a meeting of the board and teachers might decide on a period of history or a branch of science to be covered by all related classes in all forms. This, again, is to foster whole community, encouraging older and younger students to discuss and be excited by common topics.
program {miscellaneous}
•There will be an adult form, with classes available to those who don’t have teaching or volunteer responsibilities during a time-slot. These classes might include book discussions, workshops, and Bible studies as well as classes for personal enrichment {handicrafts, art, nature study, music, drama, etc}. The adult form will also participate in general assembly classes.
•There is interest in having an ‘elective slot’ in the program that allows students to make their own choice among predetermined and directed and/or supervised activities.
•There is interest in making this ‘elective slot’ available to older students for the forming of student organizations {with minimal direction and supervision}. This would allow them to independently pursue common interests while learning about parliamentary procedure, the forming of a constitution, the format of a business meeting, etc.
parents & teachers
•Parents and teachers must sign a general statement of faith.
•Teachers must show themselves to be committed to the philosophy and the community. Teachers must first go through a mentorship period that may include attending the book discussion group, interning as an assistant teacher in a class, and receiving three recommendations from other members.
•Teachers will be paid by parents. There is value to the time and effort they are investing in the class, and we need the commitment parents make to a paid class rather than a free one. Teachers may additionally get free classes or class discounts for themselves and/ or their own children.
•Teachers must have current certification in CPR and attend a class on first aid and child safety. {I have a contact at a local hospital, and will see about their offerings and group rates.}
location
•We are looking for a central/ Palmetto Bay area location to meet weekly. Although we recognize the reality of ‘stepping stones’, we are brave enough start looking for what we really want.
Our desires are for a beautiful building that will allow for both general assemblies and break-out classes. We want beautiful natural surroundings or gardens we would be allowed to explore.
This location could be a home, church, library, park or reserve, community center, etc.
Research is being done by various people on possible locations. If you know a place that might suit our needs, please find a contact there who can answer questions about cost, liability and capacity. Then you can pass your findings on to the group. Thank you!
{OTHER QUESTIONS}
•What are the pros and cons of eventually gaining nonprofit status?
•What leaders in the larger, local home-school community would be a good resource for us as we plan the organizational aspects of our community? We are hoping to arrange meetings or a panel talk; if you know someone who might be willing to speak to us, please let me know!
•What opportunities do we have for a group of us to attend a conference, apprenticeship program, etc. before starting our community, in order to better equip ourselves?
•What limits in number or age do we need to consider for the first year of classes?
•What provisions could be made for children with medical or behavioral challenges? What are ways we can keep these children/ families in mind as we plan the community and train teachers?
{NEXT STEPS}
•In February 2016 we will have a second conversational meeting to unify our vision, discuss certain practical points in a preliminary manner, and identify areas that require further research.
•We will work to arrange panel talks with CM and local co-op leaders, in order to better equip ourselves.
•In spring 2016 we will begin a series of formal meetings for the drafting, discussion, and approval of community bylaws and policies. A board will be formed and elected, and committees will be elected for specific projects, including our first educational program.
•The hope is to formally open the community with a parent-teacher conference in the summer of 2017.
•The hope is to open our first program of classes in September 2017.
• Wheat Field with a Lark by Vincent van Gogh •
January 26, 2016