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Charlotte Mason 1842-1923

Check out the Welcome Page to get started!  

"The question is not, -- how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education -- but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?"                          

  ~ Charlotte Mason ~

          (School Education: Developing a Curriculum)

                      

Our Mission Statement 

or 

"What we're trying to do here!"

Charlotte Mason rightly believed that we should prepare for our children a feast, a banquet of ideas coming from those who were passionate about those ideas. This group strives to help Charlottte Mason-inspired (and those who are just curious!) homeschooling moms deliver that feast. 


The teenage years are a special time in a person's life. You are no longer a child, yet not an adult, either. But, you are bursting to learn and to grow and to become. As homeschooling moms it is a time of providing more, allowing this "not-a-child, yet not-an-adult" person to take on more responsibility, to start to turn over ideas more critically, and more often than not, form their own opinions. And, the homeschooling mom's job is much the same: to continue to supply a feast of worthy ideas. Phil 4:8 reminds us to be wise with our choices regarding the courses in this feast of ideas.  


This group will provide a safe environment to provide the feast of ideas and activities that are the stuff of life: artist and composer study, poet and literature study, creative writing and drama and Shakespeare, nature study, group recreation and hand crafts, field trips and volunteering activities, all in a group setting with other "not-a-child, yet not-an-adult" persons who will share the journey of "becoming" with each other.

Thanks for stopping by!

Famous Lives: Composer Study

Whose music are we listening to? 
Find out here!






2011-12
Term 1

September, 2011

Early Music Period

1098-1179

    Composer: Hildegard Von Bingen

    Nationality: German

    Biography at Classics For Kids

    On the Music of Hildegard Von Bingen

    
Music Selections: 

1. Video: Music & Visions of Hildegard Von Bingen

                 by Anonymous 4

Track 1: Sequence: Veni Spiritus Eternorum Alme

Track 2: Antiphon: O Quam Mirabilis Est

Track 3: Vision 1 "The Fire Of Creation": Et Ego Homo

Track 4: Vision 1 "The Fire Of Creation": Et Audivi

Track 5: Sequence: O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti

2.  Video: Antiphon "O Virtus Sapientie."

Translation: O Virtus Sapientie

O strength of Wisdom

who, circling, circled,

enclosing all

in one lifegiving path,

three wings you have:

one soars to the heights,

one distils its essence upon the earth,

and the third is everywhere.

Praise to you, as is fitting,

O Wisdom.

3. Video: Columba aspexit

Translation: Columba aspexit

The dove peered in

through the lattices of the windows

where, before its face,

a balm exuded

from incandescent Maximilian.

The heat of the sun burned

dazzling into the gloom: 

whence a jewel sprang forth

in the building of the temple 

of the purest loving heart.

He, the high tower,

constructed of Lebanon wood and cypress, 

has been adorned with jacinth and diamonds,

a city excelling the crafts 

of other builders.

This swift hart sped

to the fountain of clearest water

flowing from the most powerful stone

which courses with delightful spices.

O Perfume-Makers,

you who are in the sweetest greenness 

of the gardens of the King,

ascending on high 

when you have completed the holy sacrifice

with the rams.

This builder shines among you,

the wall of the temple, 

who longed for the wings of an eagle,

kissing his nurse Wisdom 

in the glorious fecundity of the Church.

O Maximilian,

you are the mount and the valley 

and in both you seem a high building,

where the goat went with the elephant 

and Wisdom was in rapture.

You are strong

and beautiful in rites 

and in the shining of the altar,

mounting like the smoke of perfumes 

to the column of praise.

Where you intercede for the people

who stretch towards the mirror of light 

to whom there is praise on high.

4. Video: O Virga ac diadema 

Translation: O Virga ac diadema

Praise for the Virgin

O rod and diadem of royal purple,

you are like a breastplate unbroached.

Your branching flowered in contradiction

to the way Adam brought forth all mankind.

Hail! Hail! from your womb

a different life came forth

from the life that Adam denied his sons.

O flower, you were not budded by the dew

nor drops of rain, nor the circumambient air,

but Divine Light brought you out

from this most noble stem.

O stem, your flowering

God foresaw on the first day of His creation.

And with His Word made you the golden matter,

O Virgin worthy of praise.

O great is the strength of man’s side,

from which God took the form of woman,

and made her the mirror of all adornment,

the clasp of His entire creation.

Then the celestial harmony sounded,

and all Earth marvelled,

O praiseworthy Mary,

because God loved you so.

O, how lamentable and dismal it is

that sorrows and wrongs at the serpent’s word

flowed into Woman.

For that woman, whom God placed as mother of all,

ruined her womb with wounds of ignorance

and brought great sorrow on her children.

Yet, O Dawn, from your womb

a new Sun came forth, to wipe out all Eve’s sin

and through you brought a greater blessing

to humankind than all Eve’s hurt.

Whence, O saving Lady, who brought

new light to all mankind

unite the members of your Son

in celestial harmony.

5. Video: O Frondens Virga

Translation: O Frondens Virga

O leafy branch,

standing in your nobility

as the dawn breaks forth:

now rejoice and be glad

and deign to set us frail ones

free from evil habits

and stretch forth your hand

and lift us up.

October, 2011

Early Music Period
1525 - 1594

    Composer:  Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Nationality: Italian

    Biography "The World's Great Men of Music" 

    by Harriette Brower

   
Music Selections: 

1. Audio:   O Magnum Mysterium  

Translation: 

O great mystery,
and wonderful sacrament,
that animals should see the new-born Lord,
lying in a manger!
Blessed is the Virgin whose womb
was worthy to bear
Christ the Lord.
Alleluia!

2. Video:   Nunc Dimittis

Translation: "The Song of Simeon"
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant
depart in peace
according to Thy Word,
for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation
which Thou hast prepared
before the face of all people.
To be a Light to light on the Gentiles
And to be the glory of Thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father
And to the Son
And to the Holy Ghost,
As it was the beginning,
Is now and ever shall be,
World without end. Amen.

3. Video:  Missa Brevis - 1 - Kyrie

Translation: Kyrie

Latin:
Kyrie eleison.
Christe eleison.
Kyrie eleison.

English:
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.


   4. Video: Stabat Mater Dolorosa

Translation:

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her son to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed

O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.

Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ's dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother's pain untold?

For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent:

She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

O thou Mother! fount of love!
Touch my spirit from above,
make my heart with thine accord:

Make me feel as thou hast felt;
make my soul to glow and melt
with the love of Christ my Lord.

Holy Mother! pierce me through,
in my heart each wound renew
of my Savior crucified:

Let me share with thee His pain,
who for all my sins was slain,
who for me in torments died.

Let me mingle tears with thee,
mourning Him who mourned for me,
all the days that I may live:

By the Cross with thee to stay,
there with thee to weep and pray,
is all I ask of thee to give.

Virgin of all virgins blest!,
Listen to my fond request:
let me share thy grief divine;

Let me, to my latest breath,
in my body bear the death
of that dying Son of thine.

Wounded with His every wound,
steep my soul till it hath swooned,
in His very Blood away;

Be to me, O Virgin, nigh,
lest in flames I burn and die,
in His awful Judgment Day.

Christ, when Thou shalt call me hence,
by Thy Mother my defense,
by Thy Cross my victory;

While my body here decays,
may my soul Thy goodness praise,
Safe in Paradise with Thee.

Translation by Edward Caswall
Lyra Catholica (1849)

November, 2011

1653 - 1712 

Baroque Period

Composer: Arcangelo Corelli 

Nationality: Italian

Biography at Classics for Kids

Famous Lives: Artist Study

Giotto, Boticelli, Van Gogh, Vemeer?
Whose art work are we studying? 
Find out here!

2011-2012

Term 1

Sept, 2011

Artist: Giotto

Resource: Simply Charlotte Mason Picture Study Portfolio

Supplies: Each student needs a copy of the pictures for this month's study. You can order an extra set for your student from the above link (Simply Charlotte Mason website).  You do not need the entire portfolio, just the pictures that go with the portfolio.

Alternatively, you may print the pictures for this study from the following websites. Note: Please make 8x10 prints

1. Lamentation (The Mourning of Christ)

2. Madonna Enthroned

3. Crucifixion

4. Raising of Lazarus

5. Ascension of John the Evangelist

6. Noli me tangere

7. Pentecost

8. The Death of Mary

Oct, 2011

Artist:  Van Gogh

Resource: N/A

Supplies: Each student needs a copy of the pictures for this month's study. You may print the pictures for this study from the following websites. Note: Please make 8x10 prints

1. Reaper
2. Sunflowers
3. Starry Night
4. First Steps, after Millet
5. Irises
6. Self Portrait 1887

Nov, 2011

Artist: Norman Rockwell

Resource: N/A

Supplies: Each student needs a copy of the pictures for this month's study. You may print the pictures for this study from the following websites. Note: Please make 8x10 prints

1. The Problem We All Live With
2. Girl At Mirror
3. A Scout Is Helpful
4. Freedom from Want
5. Bedside Manner
6. Triple Self Portrait

Dec, 2011

Artist: Fra Angelico

Resource: Biography may be found here.

Supplies:  Each student needs a copy of the pictures for this month's study. You may print the pictures for this study from the following websites. Note: Please make 8x10 prints


1. The Annunciation
2. Adoration of the Magi
3. Madonna of Humility

Term 2

Jan, 2012

Artist: TBD

Resource:

Supplies:

Feb, 2012

Artist: TBD

Resource:

Supplies:

Mar, 2012

Artist: TBD

Resource:

Supplies:

Term 3

Apr, 2012

Artist: TBD

Resource:

Supplies:

May, 2012

Artist: TBD

Resource:

Supplies:

Field Trip!

What are we planning? Where are we going? 

Check it out here!

Field Trips can take place during normal Co-op hours, in place of our regular schedule. Or, depending on the activity, might take place at another mutually agreeable time/day. Depending on the activity and how it coordinates with our studies, we might be able to go on one or two field trips per semester. 


Some ideas to consider:

The Blanton Museum of Art (free on Thursdays)

Austin Nature & Science Center (free)

Inner Space Cavern $$

Ladybird Johnson Wildlife Center $

Ladybird Lake (Canoeing) $$

Congress Avenue Bats (free) or via Lonestar Riverboat Sunset Cruise! (Mar - Oct)

The Austin Museum of Art at Laguna Gloria ($ - donation)

Mayfield Park (free)

Barton Springs (free)

Long Center  $$

The Harry Ransom Center (free)

The O. Henry Museum (free)

Boggy Creek Farm (free/$)
Waste Management's Wildlife Habitat Park: A Wildlife Habitat on the grounds of the landfill. A 30 acre park includes a 2 mile walking trail through a Texas wildflower meadow, and follows a creek and circles the pond. (Look for Open House in May, which includes tours of the facility and other environmental info, as well.)


Other Ideas? (Add your suggestion to the Discussion Forum.)

2011-12
1st Term
(Sept - Dec)

Date: Sept, 17, 2011 (Sat, Daytime)

Cost: FREE

Location: TBD

Tentative Nature Study Field Trip Outing!

The Texas Cave Conservancy is offering a FREE Cave Day on Sept. 17. Maybe we can try to  go together to this event? (There are 4 cave sites to choose from.) Because of the nature of the outing (no pun intended), I would like to have at least one parent for each attending student join us. Ie, you must bring a parent with you.  Here is a link to the Texas Nature Conservancy: http://www.texascaves.org/. More info coming on their website after Sept. 1, 2011.  (This might be a fun trip for dads and siblings to join us on, too!)  More details via email/discussion group and/or at our first meeting on Sept 8.




Date: Sept 22, 2011 (Thurs, Daytime)
Cost: $8 per person (ages 3 & up)
Location: San Antonio, TX


Tentative Nature Study Field Trip Outing!

The Sea World Adventure Park in San Antonio is having its annual Homeschool Day on Thurs, Sept 22, 2011, from 9:30am - 1:30pm. The park is closed, but the animal attractions are open. Included are the seal/sea lions exhibit (where you can feed the sea lions),  the shark/underwater fish exhibit, the penguin exhibit, the dolphin exhibit (where you can feed the dolphins as they swim in their pool), a fun sea lion/walrus show, and of course, the Shamu Show (which has an educational emphasis).  

Cost is $8.00/person ages 3 and up. You bring a sack lunch and they have a lunch break in the covered pavilion. (Many of the exhibits are in the shade, just fyi.) The cost for a tray of fish to feed the dolphins or sea lions is $4.

If we decide to go as a group (moms and siblings are invited - dads, too! - for this field trip), I can call and make the reservations. Payment is due upon registration. (You can reimburse me at Co-op.)  This would take the place of our regularly scheduled Co-op meeting on Sept 22. We would be back in Austin by around 3:30 pm. If you want more details you can call the Education Dept. at 800-406-2244. 

Date: October (TBD)

Cost: $10 per adult, $7 under 12, under 2 free, $8 seniors

Location: Downtown, Austin, TX

Tentative Nature Study Field Trip Outing!

Let's go see the bats and take a Riverboat Cruise! Lonestar Riverboat Cruises will take you on a one-hour sunset cruise (not to be confused with a "three-hour tour" for you Gilligan fans) near the Congress Ave. Bridge to see the bats, plus, you get a tour of downtown Austin from the water.  (Too bad we're not reading Mark Twain this year!)  Great outing  for families. Note: this trip can also wait for next spring, Mar - May.

Date: Nov 3, 2011 (Thurs, Evening)
Cost: Free
Location: The Long Center, Austin, TX

Tentative Composer Study Field Trip Outing!

Austin Lyric Opera's Opera Education Night: Magic Flute  by Mozart (TBD)

2nd Term
(Jan - Mar)

Date:  Feb, 2012  (TBD)

Cost: TBD
Location: Emily Ann Theatre & Gardens, Wimberly, TX

Tentative Literature Study Field Trip Outing!

Emily Ann Theatre & Gardens, Indoor Studio Show - Little Women

Feb 23 - 26, 2012

Date: TBD, 2012 (During Co-op, Thurs)
Cost: Free
Location: Blanton Art Museum, Austin, TX


Tentative Artist Study Field Trip Outing!

Jasper Francis Cropsey
On the Susquehanna, 1877
Oil on canvas
12 x 17 ½ inches

Blanton Museum Of Art   (FREE on Thurs)
American Scenery: Different Views in Hudson River School Painting

January 22 - April 29, 2012

Date: Mar 24, 2012 (Sat, 7:30 pm - 10 pm)

Cost: TBD, approx $20-25 per student

Location: First Unitarian Church, Austin, TX

Tentative Composer Study Field Trip Outing!

 Brahms
1833 - 1897

Austin Chamber Music Society Concert: "Vary Interesting"

Featuring pieces for chamber music (violin, cello, piano) by Haydn, Beethoven & Brahms!

3rd Term
(Apr - May)

Date: Apr 5, 2012 (Thurs, Daytime)

Cost: $5 per student

Location: Pioneer Farms, Austin, TX

Tentative History & Hand Crafts Field Trip Outing!

Pioneer Farms
THE FIRST TEXANS   (Grades 4-8)

Thursdays, Sept-Oct & Mar-May

Visit the authentic site of a Tonkawa Indian encampment in the early

1800s, long before Texas was a state, and learn about how the First Texans lived, worked and played, and about how they interacted with the early white settlers.  A hands-on history class that will take your students back to the days of the Republic of Texas. 

FEE: $5 per student. TIME: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m

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