Our goal is to help you as parents have confidence for educating your children using Charlotte Mason’s philosophies. In the local programs we teach, we consider our teachers to simply be assisting you, the parent. You are the authority in your children’s lives and as you are an integral part of your child’s growth, we want to support you. Our support group meetings are FREE to all current Loft & Field members.
For the Children’s Sake Study
In order to understand and support our philosophy of education at Loft & Field, we encourage all parents to read “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. We will host an optional discussion group to help process the book and answer any questions you have. You can attend our discussion group in-person or via Zoom. This class is free with a membership, let us know if you’d like to join via email.
Schedule:
| FRI Aug. 20th | What is Education? Children Are Born Persons | Read Introduction – Chapter 2 |
| FRI Aug. 27th | Authority and Freedom A New Perspective (CM Philosophy) | Read Chapters 3-4 |
| FRI Sept. 3rd | Education: A Science of Relationships The Way of the Will, Reason, & the Unity of the WholeParental Liberty in Education | Read Chapters 5-6 and the Appendix |
The Early Years – Parent Preschool Support Group
Parents of Seeds students are invited to study “The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook” by Karen Smith & Sonya Shafer. We will meet for 30 minutes after morning announcements while your Seeds are in class. We will offer this same study in the Fall and in the Spring. This class is free with a membership, let us know if you’d like to join via email. Purchase your own copy here, or we have a few copies in the library as available.
Schedule:
| Art Day Sept. 10th or Sci Day Sept. 17th | Parent’s Chief Duty A Quality Education Children are born persons. | Intro & Ch. 1: A Parent’s Chief Duty Appendix: Charlotte’s Thoughts on Kindergarten |
| Art Day Sept. 24th or Sci Day Oct. 1st | Proper Physical Care Habit Training | Chapter 2: Proper Physical Care Chapter 3: Habit Training |
| Art Day Oct. 8th or Sci Day Oct. 15th | Using the Senses Outdoor Life | Chapter 4: Using the Senses Chapter 5: Outdoor Life |
| Art Day Oct. 22nd or Sci Day Oct. 29th | Nature Play | Chapter 6: Personal Acquaintance with Nature Chapter 7: Play |
| Art Day Nov. 5th or Sci Day Nov. 12th | Books & Stories Language | Chapter 8: Books & Stories Chapter 9: Language |
| Art Day Nov. 19th or Sci Day Dec. 3rd | Music & Art Spiritual Life | Chapter 10: Music & Art Chapter 11: Spiritual Life |
| Art Day Dec. 10th or Sci Day Dec. 17th | The Alphabet Gifts | Chapter 12: The Alphabet Chapter 13: A Gifted Child |
| Art Day Jan. 7th or Sci Day Jan. 14th | Upcoming Subjects How to Teach | Appendix: Beginning Reading, Math Concepts, Handwriting |
| Art Day Jan. 21st or Sci Day Jan. 28th | Mid-Year Assessment and Support | What is going well? What is difficult? What questions do you have? |
| Art Day Feb. 4th or Sci Day Feb. 11th | Parent’s Chief Duty A Quality Education Children are born persons. | Intro & Ch. 1: A Parent’s Chief DutyAppendix: Charlotte’s Thoughts on Kindergarten |
| Art Day Feb. 18th or Sci Day Feb. 25th | Proper Physical Care Habit Training | Chapter 2: Proper Physical Care Chapter 3: Habit Training |
| Art Day Mar. 4th or Sci Day Mar. 11th | Using the SensesOutdoor Life | Chapter 4: Using the SensesChapter 5: Outdoor Life |
| Art Day Mar. 18th or Sci Day Mar. 25th | Nature Play | Chapter 6: Personal Acquaintance with Nature Chapter 7: Play |
| Art Day Apr. 1st or Sci Day Apr. 8th | Books & Stories Language | Chapter 8: Books & Stories Chapter 9: Language |
| Art Day Apr. 15th or Sci Day Apr. 22nd | Music & Art Spiritual Life | Chapter 10: Music & Art Chapter 11: Spiritual Life |
| Art Day Apr. 29th or Sci Day May 6th | The Alphabet Gifts | Chapter 12: The Alphabet Chapter 13: A Gifted Child |
| Art Day May 13th or Sci Day May 20th | Upcoming Subjects How to Teach | Appendix: Beginning Reading, Math Concepts, Handwriting |
| Art Day May 27th or Sci Day Jun. 3rd | Looking Back, Looking Ahead | What went well this year? What do you want to do next year? |
Parent Support Luncheon
The aim of this group is to treat homeschooling like a profession and to provide support for one another. Our agenda will be topical teaching (30 min.), Q&A on the given topic (30 min.), personalized guidance and support (30 minutes), social time (30 minutes). Bring a bag lunch. Some childcare is available (donations for our teens are appreciated!). You can attend in-person or via Zoom. This class is free with a membership, let us know if you’d like to join via email.
Schedule:
| TUE Sep. 14th | Finding Rhythm to Your Days – Time Tables & Scheduling | CM Principles 8, 11, 13 |
| TUE Oct. 12th | The Personhood of Yourself & Your Child – A Firm Foundation AND I Can’t Teach Them All Day All The Time! – Masterly Inactivity & Teaching from Rest | CM Principles 1 & 2 AND Masterly Inactivity by Sonia Shafer (free eBook) https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/masterly-inactivity/ |
| TUE Nov. 9th | Securing Smooth & Easy Days – Habit & Character Training | CM Principles 3 & 7 |
| TUE Dec. 14th | Lifelong Learning vs. Temporary Work – The Value of Journaling & Narration | CM Principles 14 & 15 |
| TUE Jan. 11th | NO PARENT SUPPORT LUNCHEON TODAY | |
| TUE Feb. 8th | Offering the Full Feast – Living Ideas & Living Books | CM Principles 8, 9, 10, & 11 |
| TUE Mar. 8th | Education Can Be Beautiful – Atmosphere in Education | CM Principles 5 & 6 |
| TUE Apr. 5th | Come! Meet My Very Good Friends! – The Science of Relations | CM Principles 12 |
| TUE May 3rd | Christ Before Me, Behind Me, Beside Me – Christianity & Education | CM Principle 20 |
| TUE May 31st | Showing Love to Your Family Every Day – How to Really Love Your Kids | CM Principle 4 |