

A Delectable Education Charlotte Mason Podcast
Liz Cottrill, Emily Kiser and Nicole Williams
Through twice monthly conversations, three moms who have studied the Charlotte Mason method of education and put her ideas into practice in their homes join together to share with one another for the benefit of listeners by giving explanations of Mason's principles and examples of those principles put into practice out of their own teaching experience. These short discussions aim at providing information, support, and encouragement for others by unfolding the myriad aspects.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 15, 2023 • 29min
Episode 265: Trusting the Method with Bethany Glosser
 This season, we are interviewing experienced Charlotte Mason moms, inviting them to tell us how they've come to "Trust the Method." In today's episode, Bethany Glosser, mom of six children, teenagers to preschoolers, shares her experiences both successes and "failures" and has important words to bring us about our ultimate hope for our children. Quotes Mothers owe 'a thinking love ' to their Children.-"The mother is qualified," says Pestalozzi, "and qualified by the Creator Himself, to become the principal agent in the development of her child ; . . . and what is demanded of her is a thinking love. • • • God has given to thy child all the faculties of our nature, but the grand point remains undecided-how shall this heart, this head, these hands, be employed? to whose service shall they be dedicated? A question the answer to which involves a futurity of happiness or misery to a life so dear to thee. Maternal love is the first agent in education.'' (1/2) "Of the three sorts of knowledge proper to a child,-the knowledge of God, of man, and of the universe,-the knowledge of God ranks first in importance, is indispensable, and most happy-making." (6/158) Books For the Children's Sake, Susan Schaeffer Macaulay Links  INK Newspaper   Morgan Conner's Reading Lessons   Living Literature Courses with Jono Kiser   Beauty and Truth Math   Climbing Higher Math   ADE's Patreon Community  

Sep 1, 2023 • 41min
Episode 264: The Time-Table
 Charlotte Mason encouraged us to use a time-table to ensure lessons were kept short and varied. Today on the podcast we're talking about this essential tool, why Miss Mason called it the first principle of a well-managed schoolroom, and how we can make one to fit our family today.   "Time-Table; Definite Work in a Given Time. -- I shall have opportunities to enter into some of these points later; meantime, let us look in at a home schoolroom managed on sound principles. In the first place, there is a time-table, written out fairly, so that the child knows what he has to do and how long each lesson is to last. This idea of definite work to be finished in a given time is valuable to the child, not only as training him in habits of order, but in diligence; he learns that one time is not 'as good as another;' that there is no right time left for what is not done in its own time; and this knowledge alone does a great deal to secure the child's attention to his work." (1/142) "In the first place, there is a time-table, written out fairly, so that the child knows what he has to do and how long each lesson is to last. This idea of definite work to be finished in a given time is valuable to the child, not only as training him in habits of order, but in diligence; he learns that one time is not 'as good as another'; that there is no right time left for what is not done in its own time; and this knowledge alone does a great deal to secure the child's attention to his work." (1/142) "It is impossible to overstate the importance of this habit of attention. It is, ..., 'within the reach of everyone, and should be made the primary object of all mental discipline'; for whatever the natural gifts of the child, it is only so far as the habit of attention is cultivated in him that he is able to make use of them." (1/146) "Miss Kitching's introduction to the discussion of this subject involved the following points: "1. That the P.U.S. time-table is intended to serve simply as a guide to the teacher in making her own, for it stands to reason that no two schoolrooms are identical as regards the work done, or the time allotted it. "2. That in making her own time-table the teacher must be careful that no two lessons requiring the same mental effort follow one another in close proximity. "3. That it is better to leave the term's work unfinished, than to rush the pupils through for sake finishing the work set. "The general outcome of the discussion was to the effect that some modification of the programme and time-table is absolutely necessary, each teacher using her own discretion in the matter. Somebody very wisely remarked that Miss Mason intends the programme to fit the child, and not as some wildly imagine, the child to fit the programme." (L'Umile Pianta, May 1915, pp. 58-59) "It is evident that the young lady at home has so much in hand, without taking social claims into consideration, that she can have no time for dawdling, and, indeed will have to make a time-table for herself and map out her day carefully to get as much into it as she wishes." (5/261)   Talkbox.mom  Beauty & Truth Math  Episode 258: Afternoons   ADE's Schedule Cards   Schedule Cards in Russian, Spanish, French, Portuguese   ADE's Patreon Community   

Aug 18, 2023 • 45min
Episode 263: What Does it Mean to "Trust the Method"?
 Explore the importance of aligning homeschooling goals with the Charlotte Mason Method of Education, motivations for homeschooling, developing good habits and embracing a broad educational curriculum, exposing children to life beyond academics, trusting the method and nourishing education, and exploring Charlotte Mason's method of education. 

Aug 4, 2023 • 41min
Intro to Season 9: Announcements! New PEC! New Products!
 A Delectable Education is back for its NINTH year. We have grown a lot over these past 8 years, and so has the Charlotte Mason Community. We are honored to be here sharing with you all still. In this episode we are sharing some big announcements like our 4th Annual Parents' Educational Course Reading List, our 4th Annual Online Conference (coming February 2024) and new Teacher Helps and Training Videos to help your school year go smoothly. We're glad you're here with us. Vanity Fair, William Makepeace Thackeray 2024 ADE Book Club selection (Find the suggested reading schedule  here)  Episodes By Topic: Explore previous episodes grouped by subject    2023-24 Parents' Educational Course: A suggested reading list curated for the modern CM educator   ADE at HOME 2024: Our fourth annual {Virtual} Conference, check back for more details in November. Registration begins November 24, 2023.   Teacher Helps: Products we've created to help you plan, forecast, and implement lessons   Natural History Planner   Form 3-4 Bible Lesson Breakdowns (Revised Form 1-2 Bible Lesson Breakdowns here)    Form 1-2 Literature Breakdowns (Available August 7, 2023)   Upper Forms Geography: If you have previously purchased these, you can re-download the revised copy from your Purchase History   Recitation Planner with optional add-ons for printable Bile Passages   Teacher Training Videos   Sabbath Mood Homeschool Science Curriculum: Nicole has completed her curriculum with High School Ecology   ADE's Patreon Community    

May 19, 2023 • 28min
Episode 261: Season 8 Closing Ceremonies
 The end of the school year and the end of this podcast season is cause to pause and reflect. The ADE ladies review the past year and encourage you to not just slam the books closed, but pause to remember the good and give thanks. The episode closes with a fitting devotional to help you gain perspective on the value of the past year and inspire you for what lies ahead. Show Notes: Seven Days that Divide the World, John Lennox  Episode 241: Seasonal Reflections    Seasonal Reflection Questions   ADE at HOME {Virtual} Conference (First weekend in February each year, access for 3 months following)   Awaken: Living Books Conference July 21-22, 2023   ADE's Patreon Community   Parents' Educational Course   Episode 232: Forecasting Lessons -- How to plan    Beyond the Forum Podcast with John Lennox  

May 5, 2023 • 31min
Episode 260: CM in Your World--CM in Other Countries
 Charlotte Mason's educational method was worldwide in her day and, thanks to persons like Mariana Mastracchio, this is happening again in our day. This episode closes out the ADE series on Charlotte Mason in Community for this season. It is an inspiring personal account of how one American-Brazilian mother is impacting the country of Brazil to bring Charlotte Mason's method to that Portuguese speaking nation.  Charlotte Mason For All Podcast   Mariana's Podcast and the Mentorship    - Instagram https://www.instagram.com/descobrindocharlottemason/   - Website: https://descobrindocharlottemason.com.br/   Publishing Company, Editora Ideias Vivas   - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/editoraideiasvivas/   - Website: https://editoraideiasvivas.com.br/   Schedule Cards in Russian, Spanish, French, and Portuguese   Charlotte Mason Colombia   Charlotte Mason Online   Charlotte Mason France   Russian language resources:   -www.uchimdoma.com    -https://vk.com/mamauitman (NOTE: May not be accessible in all areas of the world)   -Luda's Video Seminars:   Образование - это атмосфера   Образование - это жизнь   Образование - это дисциплина   Как учить не по учебникам   * Contact Luda if you are interested in a Russian translation of the book For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay  

Apr 21, 2023 • 26min
Episode 259: CM in Your Community: CM Gatherings and Conferences
 Charlotte Mason held big gatherings to continue training educators in her method. Some of our formative learning about Charlotte Mason happened through conferences. This interview in the Charlotte Mason in Community series is with Joy Vanderley who hosts the Awaken conference in Traverse City, Michigan, and who shares about some of the joys and work involved in holding a local conference to make this special environment available to people in your area.   A Charlotte Mason Companion, Karen Andreola  Living Literature Courses: Open Registration begins May 1, 2023   Awaken: A Living Books Conference: July 21-22, 2023   Michelle Miller Howard's Children's Preservation Library   TruthQuest History  

Apr 7, 2023 • 51min
Episode 258: Afternoons (Re-Release)
  Charlotte Mason recommended "afternoon occupations" and instructions about them were included in her programmes. Are there particular occupations, specified times and occurrences, and how much does the parent need to superintend these occupations? These and all questions involving afternoon was the focus of the original episode being re-aired, which includes a preliminary conversation from this year about clarifying particulars and eight years more experience of Nicole, Emily, and Liz.       "Then comes 3:45 when the children have an hour's work before tea—handicrafts, singing, painting, picture study are the type of lessons given at this time. Then comes tea, after which the children read and sew and have some time to amuse themselves." ("The Work and Aims of the P.U.S.")   "That the claims of the schoolroom should not be allowed to encroach on the child's right to long hours daily for exercise and investigation." (Vol. 1, p. 177)   "Thus, the morning, after breakfast (the digestion of which lighter meal is not a severe task), is much the best time for lessons and every sort of mental work; if the whole afternoon cannot be spared for out-of-door recreation, that is the time for mechanical tasks such as needlework, drawing, practising; the children's wits are bright enough in the evening, but the drawback to evening work is, that the brain, once excited, is inclined to carry on its labours beyond bed-time, and dreams, wakefulness, and uneasy sleep attend the poor child who has been at work until the last minute. If the elder children must work in the evening, they should have at least one or two pleasant social hours before they go to bed; but, indeed, we owe it to the children to abolish evening 'preparation.'" (Vol. 1, p. 23)   "Five of the thirteen waking hours should be at the disposal of the children; three, at least, of these, from two o'clock to five, for example, should be spent out of doors in all but very bad weather. This is the opportunity for out-of-door work, collecting wild flowers, describing walks and views, etc. (see Home Education). Brisk work and ample leisure and freedom should be the rule of the Home School. The Children's Day will, on the whole, run this: Lessons, 1 1/2 to 4 hours; meals, 2 hours; occupations, 1 to 3 hours; leisure, 5 to 7 hours, according to age. The work not done in its own time should be left undone. Children should not be embarrassed with arrears, and they should have dues sense of the importance of time, and that there is no other time for work not done in its own time. Should the children flag at any time, a day's holiday, a little country excursion, should refresh them." (From Suggestions which accompanied the PNEU Programmes)   "[Referring to the afternoon occupations]...at any time of day, in any division of time, to suit family arrangements; when possible, out of doors." (From Suggestions which accompanied the PNEU Programmes)           If you would like to study along with us, here are some passages from The Home Education Series and other Parent's Review articles that would be helpful for this episode's topic. You may also read the series online here, or get the free Kindle version from Fisher Academy.   Home Education, Part II: Out of Door Life of Children     The Secret World of Weather, Tristan Gooley         Episode 217: The Work and Aims of the P.U.S.   The Parents' Educational Course Reading List   List of Afternoon Occupations  

Mar 17, 2023 • 40min
Episode 257: CM in Your Community: Learning in Community
 What do it look like do use the Charlotte Mason Method with a group of students? Kelsi Rea joins the ADE ladies today to explain how she went about developing her Charlotte Mason school. Her enthusiasm is contagious and has led to her consulting with dozens of others with the desire to open schools, as well as co-ops.     Charlotte Mason In Community   Kelsi Rea's Website    Emily's succinct description of Charlotte Mason's Method (to get you started coming up with yours)   Heritage Christian Academy  

Mar 3, 2023 • 53min
Episode 256: ADE Book Club--The Scent of Water
 Charlotte Mason firmly believed that novels are our greatest teachers, hence why she included them as a major serving in the feast that nourishes our children's education. This episode was recorded live at the ADE At Home conference, February 3, 2023, with Nicole, Emily, and Liz leading a discussion with attendees who had read the book and come to contribute what they had been taught by Elizabeth Goudge's novel The Scent of Water. If you have read the book, you will revel in the myriad messages this book conveyed to us all, and if you have not, you will be inspired to read it.      The Scent of Water, Elizabeth Goudge     Awaken: Living Books Conference, July 21-22, 2023, Traverse City, MI  


