BOOK CLUB
Fee: $0
Community
CM Philosophy. We read and discuss Mason's Volumes and other writings to deepen our understanding of Charlotte Mason's educational principles and methods. There will be variety in how each family approaches educating their children in accordance with Mason’s philosophy. At the core, we agree on the hallmark characteristics of habit formation, living books, narration, and showing children truth, goodness and beauty through a full feast of short, focused lessons. In a manner of love, we hold one another accountable to that core.
We value and respect every member of the Hive, no matter where someone may be on the journey of the CM paradigm shift. There is room in Honey of the Hive and its Book Clubs for both established CM families already committed to using Mason’s methods and new families committed to learning more about Mason’s philosophy of education but are still in the process of integrating it into their children's learning.
Original Writings. With Mason’s approach to education gaining ground in the US homeschooling community, there are many new avenues for learning about her philosophy and methods. So with websites, curricula, social media, podcasts, conferences…(the list goes on) to tell us what to do and how to do it, why do we need to read her original volumes? We believe there is a notable difference between obtaining knowledge filtered through secondary sources like an Instagram post and reading and responding to information from primary sources. For example, we read the Bible, not just others’ thoughts on the Bible. Reading and narrating (and sometimes wrestling with) these primary sources allows us to accept or reject ideas for ourselves, the ability of which to do Mason considered a chief responsibility of any person (Vol. 6, p 139).
Therefore, in our Honey of the Hive Book Clubs, we encourage you to read Mason’s original writings. One of the reasons many homeschooling parents bypass reading Mason's original volumes is that she wrote in Victorian English with many casual cultural and time-period references. Many of these will not be familiar to the modern reader, so reading those sections with an annotated version may be helpful. We encourage mothers and fathers to read and narrate these assignments together. Although one parent is typically the teacher, it is helpful and encouraging for the other to understand the “why and how” of a Charlotte Mason homeschool. We understand that not all families will be able or want to do this, but we encourage it all the same.
When honey bees bring nectar back to the hive, they pass it off to another bee, who then passes it off to another bee. Each bee adds its own enzymes to help break down the nectar into its simplest form of sugar, which is then stored and made into honey. A similar refining process happens when we read the volumes on our own and then come to discuss it as a group. Sharing our thoughts, questions, and experiences helps us understand the volumes better and break it down into useful information for our homeschools.
We value and respect every member of the Hive, no matter where someone may be on the journey of the CM paradigm shift. There is room in Honey of the Hive and its Book Clubs for both established CM families already committed to using Mason’s methods and new families committed to learning more about Mason’s philosophy of education but are still in the process of integrating it into their children's learning.
Original Writings. With Mason’s approach to education gaining ground in the US homeschooling community, there are many new avenues for learning about her philosophy and methods. So with websites, curricula, social media, podcasts, conferences…(the list goes on) to tell us what to do and how to do it, why do we need to read her original volumes? We believe there is a notable difference between obtaining knowledge filtered through secondary sources like an Instagram post and reading and responding to information from primary sources. For example, we read the Bible, not just others’ thoughts on the Bible. Reading and narrating (and sometimes wrestling with) these primary sources allows us to accept or reject ideas for ourselves, the ability of which to do Mason considered a chief responsibility of any person (Vol. 6, p 139).
Therefore, in our Honey of the Hive Book Clubs, we encourage you to read Mason’s original writings. One of the reasons many homeschooling parents bypass reading Mason's original volumes is that she wrote in Victorian English with many casual cultural and time-period references. Many of these will not be familiar to the modern reader, so reading those sections with an annotated version may be helpful. We encourage mothers and fathers to read and narrate these assignments together. Although one parent is typically the teacher, it is helpful and encouraging for the other to understand the “why and how” of a Charlotte Mason homeschool. We understand that not all families will be able or want to do this, but we encourage it all the same.
When honey bees bring nectar back to the hive, they pass it off to another bee, who then passes it off to another bee. Each bee adds its own enzymes to help break down the nectar into its simplest form of sugar, which is then stored and made into honey. A similar refining process happens when we read the volumes on our own and then come to discuss it as a group. Sharing our thoughts, questions, and experiences helps us understand the volumes better and break it down into useful information for our homeschools.
Mother CultureBuilding community requires spending time together. Group meetings with kids divide our attention, and Book Club is focused discussion, so we have to build in fun time together as well! Sometimes Mother Culture events are an evening out for dinner or coffee, while others may be a handicraft workshop to teach us a new skill to then teach our children. They are planned regularly with the hopes that everyone can make it to some. We want everyone to attend all the time, but we know that isn't always possible. We require reasonable participation in this vital part of our community and hold one another accountable for regular attendance. |
Commitment
Honey of the Hive Book Clubs are the first step in the development of a local hive, but they aren't just for beginners. We believe that no one ever "arrives" at knowing all there is to know about implementing a Charlotte Mason education in their home. Therefore, all levels of involvement in Honey of the Hive require regular participation in our Book Club.
It is important to carve out child-free time for Book Club in order to have focused, deep discussions. Because our main goal is to build communities of Christ-centered relationships, we prefer this attendance to be in person. However, we understand certain situations, like nursing babies and husbands who travel for work, make it challenging to get out sometimes. Local hive leaders work with members in these situations to get them plugged in virtually for that season.
Book Club Commitment:
It is important to carve out child-free time for Book Club in order to have focused, deep discussions. Because our main goal is to build communities of Christ-centered relationships, we prefer this attendance to be in person. However, we understand certain situations, like nursing babies and husbands who travel for work, make it challenging to get out sometimes. Local hive leaders work with members in these situations to get them plugged in virtually for that season.
Book Club Commitment:
- participate in online Basecamp community activity
- faithfully attend 1 time a month to discuss CM education
- join in as often as possible for mother culture events