S7E88: Starting a Charlotte Mason Co-op with Jess Smith

The New Mason Jar with Cindy Rollins

• On this week’s episode of The New Mason Jar, Cindy and Dawn talk with Charlotte Mason homeschooling mom of three boys, Jess Smith
• How Jess first heard about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy
• How did Jess and her friends come to start a co-op using Mason’s methods?
• Why a small co-op of just two families can still be a great fit
• How Jess kept their focus on the principles
• Some ways to cover many subjects without burdening families
• How to deal with conflict in a group setting

One thesis, which is, perhaps, new, that Education is the Science of Relations, appears to me to solve the question of curricula, as showing that the object of education is to put a child in living touch as much as may be of the life of Nature and of thought. Add to this one or two keys to self knowledge, and the educated youth goes forth with some idea of self management, with some pursuits, and many vital interests.

Charlotte Mason, Home Education, Preface

Books and Links Mentioned:

For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

Material World by Peter Menzel

D’Aulaire’s Book of Greek Myths by Igri and Edgar Parin D’Aulaire

The 2024 Back to School Conference: Heart to Heart

Find Cindy and Dawn:

Morning Time for Moms

Cindy’s Patreon Discipleship Group

Mere Motherhood Facebook Group

The Literary Life Podcast

Cindy’s Facebook

Cindy’s Instagram

Dawn’s Swedish Drill website

Dawn’s A Reasoned Patriotism website

Dawn’s Substack

Almighty God, Heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Give us calm strength and patient wisdom as we bring them up, that we may teach them to love whatever is just and true and good, following the example of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer for the Care of Children, The Book of Common Prayer, p. 829