Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Mackfam
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 7:24pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

CrunchyMom wrote:
Did Rob take the children out while you retreated? How did you make it work logistically?

Rob didn't take the kids. I carved out short times in the afternoon. I would watch a DVD during quiet time, which is strictly enforced around here. And... once when I couldn't stop ( ) my oldest dd watched the littles for me while I finished a DVD.

One DVD is totally do-able during a naptime or afternoon quiet time.

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 7:30pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

lapazfarm wrote:
As you may remember, I was a CM homeschooler for many years before we added Montessori and then unschooling into our days. We seem to have seasons when different approaches work best for us. And though I am sure I will continue to lean toward unschooling as an ideal, right now I am feeling the pull to get back to my CM roots for a while. I think this seminar may be just the thing to get me back in my CM groove.

Sorry. I actually do remember. I just didn't communicate very well! I suppose I was too busy blathering on about my happy little tea-filled retreat!

When I said...
Mackfam wrote:
For the money, Theresa, the All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar would be my recommendation. If you're looking to learn about or incorporate any of Miss Mason's philosophies in your home, I think you'll find this presentation practical, enjoyable to watch, and very educational and helpful. It was for me...but then...I'm an unabashed CM fan!

I meant to insert a bit more of a hard stop in there because I intended this...

Quote:
If you're looking to learn about or incorporate any of Miss Mason's philosophies in your home, I think you'll find this presentation practical, enjoyable to watch, and very educational and helpful. It was for me...but then...I'm an unabashed CM fan!

...to be in general.

lapazfarm wrote:
We seem to have seasons when different approaches work best for us.

So true, isn't it!!

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 7:39pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

Angel wrote:
I'm not sure exactly what my point is here, but... I did want to share my experience of retreating in the middle of life, and how it has helped to reinvigorate me in some tough times.

I'm so glad, Angela! How wonderful for you!!!! Hey -- your retreat basket of goodies was a little fuller than mine with that precious bundle in it!

It does feel good to peel back a few layers and just refocus on the ideas and beauty that originally brought us here. And, I hope I'm not implying that I'm a purist! I'm not! But, it's great to touch home base and affirm again those ideas that I embraced all those years ago! No matter what your home ed philosophy...or what blend of home ed philosophies for some of us ...that comfortable space is home...and it is invigorating to reconnect and refamiliarize!

I'm overjoyed in your unexpected retreat, Angela! Hope you can ride that wave right on to the new house and the new year!!!!

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 7:47pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

DianaC wrote:
All this to say, that I think that an At-Home Retreat is probably a great way to get started on this.

How are you doing wrapping your heart and mind around the idea of school in the guest room? Have you made the transition? Did you do any invigorating *retreating*?

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Mackfam
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 7:48pm | IP Logged Quote Mackfam

I'm now officially serial posting on this CRAZY thread!!!

I just wondered if anyone else had other ideas or inspiration to share about an at-home home education retreat? Not necessarily CM...could be anything that invigorated and inspired you in your vocation as Catholic home educator.

What is inspiring you this summer???




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lapazfarm
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 8:02pm | IP Logged Quote lapazfarm

Jen, Nothing to apologize for. I certainly didn't take it as an insult at all. Quite the contrary. It has been a LONG time and I can use the reminders f how to do this CM thing again!
One thing that has invigorated me is this TED talk I shared on my blog a few weeks ago:TED: Sir Ken Robinson bring on the learning revolution
It isn't about homeschooling or Catholicism, but it is about education and it sure is inspiring.
Oh, and if you haven't seen his first talk form a few years ago, you really should.
Sir Ken: schools kill creativity

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Donna Marie
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Posted: June 26 2010 at 9:22pm | IP Logged Quote Donna Marie

I am TRYING to find inspiration. There are so many factors that are clogging my brain (including a new baby in 7 weeks, what I can't buy this year and the limitations of our library and cancellation of Inter Library Loan), but figured that God is just challenging me to think about things differently and I decided to find out just how do to do whatever HE wants from me. I just decided to start SOMETHING and this is what I have been doing and it is helping me out....

I found the best way to clear my head of "too many thoughts" when it comes to what to select for the next year is to completely clean out the school areas...ARMED with a notebook for scribbling and a pen...

~go through each binder and put a file away on each child that is labeled with the last school year and placed in the file cabinet...umm...immediately so the toddler doesnt' eat it...

~look at what each child has covered and jot down a few notes of what I want to find in there at the end of this next year.

~completely clean out every book box and shelf and really get a feel of what I do (and don't have) and jot down what I am thinking about it AS I do it, because I WILL forget. AAAnd I am not going to be afraid to load up a box of things to get rid of because I want our shelves to assist us in learning...not clog up the works with things that don't work...and right out to the van the box goes to be brought to the local thrift store (I sometimes forget this last step and it causes me to have to do it all AGAIN...arg)

~Look again at every manipulative and paper I have...it either makes things easier on me or the kids in terms of learning or out it goes...I just can't be a slave to stuff, it gets in the way of me thinking clearly and the kids being more content. Elegant simplicity...remember? It has to work or it doesn't earn its keep. Then plan fun things around what is left!

~I am re-reading old posts here and elsewhere about various topics gleaning ideas and trying to put together a logical order of what each child is to accomplish and what I want to see our family accomplish.

~go to adoration (WITH a notebook) very frequently and write down goals and ideas for each child. I HAVE to take it up with God. He is the only one who knows what we really are about anyway.

So far so good. I have some kind of order started and I hope my health holds out so I can keep up the pace. I want to have the books in order by the end of next week and then..I will start cleaning the little girl clothing and 'making a nest' for her...sigh!



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Angie Mc
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Posted: Aug 26 2010 at 10:42pm | IP Logged Quote Angie Mc

Next week we're taking a break between quarters. During this time, I want to have a retreat-at-home Tuesday through Friday. I look forward to reading through all the lovely ideas here.

I'm also eager to hear from others who have enjoyed a retreat-at-home since this topic was first posted, especially any tips on what you enjoyed best an/or ideas that didn't quite work as you had hoped.

Thanks!

Love,

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Cay Gibson
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Posted: Aug 26 2010 at 11:25pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson

I didn't know this thread was here at first. Thanks for resurfacing it, Angie.

Donna Marie wrote:
I am TRYING to find inspiration.

~I am re-reading old posts here and elsewhere about various topics gleaning ideas and trying to put together a logical order of what each child is to accomplish and what I want to see our family accomplish.



I must have started my retreat without even knowing it. LOL

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SuzanneG
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Posted: June 06 2013 at 9:25am | IP Logged Quote SuzanneG

Bumping for "Bump-a-Favorite-Thread-Thursday!" A good one for this time of year.

I won't be attending any conferences this year, but my mom is coming in July, so will take advantage of a couple days of her visit to have my own little "retreat."

Please share what you are planning on doing, watching, listening to!

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