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 if available). This class is free with a membership, let us know if you’d like to join via email.
Schedule:
| SAT Aug. 20th | What is Education? Children Are Born Persons Authority and Freedom | Read Introduction – Chapter 3 |
| SAT Aug. 27th | A New Perspective (CM Philosophy) Education: A Science of Relationships The Way of the Will, Reason, & the Unity of the Whole, Parental Liberty in Education | Read Chapters 4-6 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. We will use the chapter topics to guide our chats but will also heavily focus on the questions and concerns of those who attend. 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. 9th or Sci Day Sept. 16th | 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. 23rd or Sci Day Sept. 30th | Upcoming Subjects Slowing Down How to Teach | Appendix: Beginning Reading, Math Concepts, Handwriting |
| Art Day Oct. 7th or Sci Day Oct. 14th | Habit Training in the Early Years, Games Fitting Everything into a Day | Chapter 2: Proper Physical Care Chapter 3: Habit Training |
| Art Day Oct. 21st or Sci Day Oct. 28th | Experience and Senses in Educating Spending the Day Outdoors | Chapter 4: Using the Senses Chapter 5: Outdoor Life |
| Art Day Nov. 4th or Sci Day Nov. 11th | Nature is Science Play is the Work of Childhood | Chapter 6: Personal Acquaintance with Nature Chapter 7: Play |
| Art Day Nov. 18th or Sci Day Dec. 2nd | Books & Stories, Living Books Language | Chapter 8: Books & Stories Chapter 9: Language |
| Art Day Dec. 9th or Sci Day Dec. 16th | Music & Art in the Morning Basket Spiritual Life | Chapter 10: Music & Art Chapter 11: Spiritual Life |
| Art Day Jan. 6th or Sci Day Jan. 13th | The Alphabet Gifts | Chapter 12: The Alphabet Chapter 13: A Gifted Child |
| Art Day Jan. 20th or Sci Day Jan. 27th | Mid-Year Assessment and Support | What is going well? What is difficult? What questions do you have? |
| Art Day Feb. 3rd or Sci Day Feb. 10th | 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. 17th or Sci Day Feb. 24th | Upcoming Subjects Slowing Down How to Teach | Appendix: Beginning Reading, Math Concepts, Handwriting |
| Art Day Mar. 3rd or Sci Day Mar. 17th | Habit Training in the Early Years, Games Fitting Everything into a Day | Chapter 2: Proper Physical Care Chapter 3: Habit Training |
| Art Day Mar. 24th or Sci Day Mar. 31st | Experience and Senses in Educating Spending the Day Outdoors | Chapter 4: Using the Senses Chapter 5: Outdoor Life |
| Art Day Apr. 7th or Sci Day Apr. 14th | Nature is Science Play is the Work of Childhood | Chapter 6: Personal Acquaintance with Nature Chapter 7: Play |
| Art Day Apr. 21st or Sci Day Apr. 28th | Books & Stories, Living Books Language | Chapter 8: Books & Stories Chapter 9: Language |
| Art Day May 5th or Sci Day May 12th | Music & Art in the Morning Basket Spiritual Life | Chapter 10: Music & Art Chapter 11: Spiritual Life |
| Art Day May 19th or Sci Day May 26th | The Alphabet Gifts | Chapter 12: The Alphabet Chapter 13: A Gifted Child |
| Art Day Jun. 2nd or Sci Day Jun. 9th | 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 if available). This class is free with a membership, let us know if you’d like to join via email.
Schedule:
| TUE Sep. 27th | Finding Rhythm to Your Days – Time Tables & Scheduling | CM Principles 8, 11, 13 |
| TUE Oct. 25th | 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. 22nd | Securing Smooth & Easy Days – Habit & Character Training | CM Principles 3 & 7 |
| Dec. | NO PARENT SUPPORT LUNCHEON TODAY | |
| TUE Jan. 10th | Lifelong Learning vs. Temporary Work – The Value of Journaling & Narration | CM Principles 14 & 15 |
| TUE Feb. 7th | Offering the Full Feast – Living Ideas & Living Books | CM Principles 8, 9, 10, & 11 |
| TUE Mar. 14th | Education Can Be Beautiful – Atmosphere in Education | CM Principles 5 & 6 |
| TUE Apr. 11th | Come! Meet My Very Good Friends! – The Science of Relations | CM Principles 12 |
| TUE May 9th | Christ Before Me, Behind Me, Beside Me – Christianity & Education | CM Principle 20 |
| TUE Jun. 6th | Showing Love to Your Family Every Day – How to Really Love Your Kids | CM Principle 4 |