Liz – A Vision for Children

Charlotte Mason said character was the goal of education. A living education inevitably results in a life of character. How do living books contribute to this life? How does involvement in literature live, breathe, and have being? How can our own children grow and be shaped by books? Liz will discuss how story is the sustenance of life and becomes the substance of character as it shapes our child’s intellect, imagination, body, soul, and spirit, and how living books are the vision our children need to see the world, themselves, and God.

Nicole – A Life You can Live With: Home, Family and School

This candid workshop is for the woman who has committed to educating her children, in addition to the task of feeding, clothing, and caring for all of her people, when "too often when she has had no previous training of any kind for the marvelously varied duties she has to perform. All at once." ("Mother Culture," Parents Review, vol. 3, p. 93) Let's have a frank conversation about how to stay organized, manage the myriad responsibilities, and keep a joyful and patient disposition. Let's also recognize the importance of caring for our bodies, feeding our minds, and honoring our spirits as we continue to grow as a person loved by God.

Emily – A Single History Lesson

The Charlotte Mason method can seem daunting to those unaccustomed to the use of living books and narration, and it is only through doing that we see the beautiful simplicity of Miss Mason's applied philosophy. This session offers the chance to see the method in action as attendees participate in a history lesson and ask questions once the lesson is complete.

Nicole – Guide, Philosopher and Friend: The Role of a CM Educator

In this session, Nicole Williams will explore the transformative role of parents as the guide, philosopher, and friend in their child’s education, a concept central to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy. Parents will learn how to move beyond the traditional model of teacher-as-expert to one that fosters connection, curiosity, and growth in their homeschool. Building on this foundation, Nicole will guide attendees through the practical framework of “finding the sweet spot” for each child—balancing challenge and support to ensure progress without frustration. This approach acknowledges every child’s unique strengths and challenges, helping parents create an environment where their children can thrive both academically and personally. Designed for parents and educators working with students of all ages, this workshop includes 45 minutes of instruction and 15 minutes of group discussion, allowing attendees time for reflection and practical application. Attendees will leave inspired to create a peaceful, purposeful educational environment where their children can thrive.

Melissa - The Joy of Scouting in Mason’s Schools

If you’ve ever wondered what a scouting skills lesson might actually look like, this session invites you to step fully into the experience. Join Melissa as she guides you through a simple, hands-on lesson in the wonderful world of scouting—where you become the scout, practice a practical skill, and leave ready to share what you’ve learned with friends and family. Enjoy a time of reflection after the lesson on how Mason herself did scouting in the PNEU schools and take the opportunity to ask any questions that may have come to mind. Teens are also welcome in this session, as it wouldn’t be the same without them!

Liz Cottrill – Kindness

The kindness talk is about kindness, but specifically, in the home, teaching our children to be kind and why, including habit training.

Liz – The Perfect Story

The "Perfect Story" is about our unrealistic expectations for children, and consequent demands of them or excuses for them. Naturally, this is rooted in our own idea of "perfect" for ourselves. I address both the mother's own attitude about being perfect and her imposing it on children, and this is not just moms who are high achievers, but low achievers also can be perfectionists. The "story" part is God's story and how as imperfect, finite creatures, he desires our wholeness and dependence upon him.

Emily – A Method for the Madness

One of the hardest parts of home educating our children has nothing to do with the lessons themselves: how to balance our home responsibilities with all of the effort required to ensure a positive learning environment. Join Emily as we look at some foundational principles Charlotte Mason gave us that can help ease our burdens and ensure smoother and easier days.

Melissa – A Taste of Shakespeare: Meeting the Bard Together

Experience Shakespeare in this engaging, all-in-one lesson designed to help you enter the world of the Bard with confidence and delight. Together, you’ll participate in an interactive reading of a carefully selected play excerpt, discovering how hearing and speaking the lines aloud brings clarity, humor, and depth to the text. Along the way, you’ll explore how Charlotte Mason approached teaching the Bard—rather than overwhelming analysis, you’ll see how simplicity, consistency, and enjoyment form the heart of a Mason-style Shakespeare lesson. Melissa guides you through this lively and whimsical subject as part of Mason’s rich educational feast, with time for questions and practical application woven throughout. Teens are warmly welcome to join and enjoy.

Emily – A Wise and Purposeful Letting Alone

Charlotte Mason said, “[W]ise and purposeful letting alone is the best part of education.” In this session, we will explore the distinctive elements of the Charlotte Mason Method, a philosophy rooted in our created identity as persons, and how to implement her natural method in our individual classrooms. Much of our time will be devoted to the unique role of the teacher in this method as we learn how to practice Masterly Inactivity–what that wise and purposeful letting alone means, and what it doesn’t.

Nicole – Fostering the Habit of Attention: Practical Strategies for Engaged Minds

Cultivating the habit of attention is essential to unlocking a child’s ability to learn. In this workshop, we will explore how living books ignite curiosity and foster a love for learning. We will also discuss several other practical strategies to strengthen this vital habit of mind. Join Nicole to discover how these methods nurture focused, engaged learners, transforming both their education and personal growth.

Melissa – Folk Dance for the Reluctant (and the Ready!)

Whether folk dancing feels intimidating or completely familiar, this session invites you to step into the role of the student and experience it firsthand. Join Melissa as she leads a full folk dance lesson using Charlotte Mason’s method—simple, joyful, and thoughtfully structured to cultivate attention, coordination, and delight. Rather than merely discussing how to teach folk dance, you’ll participate in it just as it might have been done in Mason’s schools, learning steps incrementally and experiencing how music and movement become part of a rich educational feast. After the lesson, Melissa will share how folk dance functioned in Mason’s schools—why it mattered, how it was scheduled, and what it contributed to a child’s development—followed by time for reflection and Q&A to help you consider how it might fit naturally into your own home or classroom. Teens are warmly welcome, as folk dance is best enjoyed together.