Free Homeschool Information Night
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 5 pm

"Education is an Atmosphere, A Discipline, A Life"

An Introduction to the Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Method

So often as homeschoolers we head into the school year focusing on things like curriculum, the extra-curriculars and the three Rs… Charlotte Mason, a turn of the century British Educator, thought there was more to education than just the rote practices for traditional schooling. Instead, she asserted that education depended on establishing good habits in order to pave the way to consistently "smooth learning days."

Charlotte Mason believed that education included much more than simply filling up a child with knowledge and from that premise, founded a method of training that has captivated generations of children and allowed Christian homeschoolers to consistently train up well educated children. In this talk, homeschooling moms, Naomi Goegan and Kristine Johnson, homeschooling moms themselves, will explain the power and simplicity of the Charlotte Mason child training and education system. They will discuss some of their own experiences and the things they learned along the way about how to implement the method properly. In addition, they will describe many of the blessings that come from proper implementation of this educational and discipleship method for their children.

Join us as we take a look at some of the foundations of the Charlotte Mason Philosophy of Education including:

• A child’s motto "I am, I can, I ought, I will,"
  
  
• The atmosphere of the home – the center of real education,
  
  
• Habit training – forming habits definitely and thoughtfully.
  
  
• Nourishing ideas – the proper diet for the child’s mind.
  
  

Come and learn why children are being well prepared for life - academically, socially, spiritually - with the Charlotte Mason method!

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Naomi Goegan is a wife and homeschooling Mom. After initially being drawn to the Charlotte Mason method, she grew overwhelmed, confused and frustrated trying to figure out how to actually implement it in her home. By the grace of God, she was put in touch with the support she needed and has since discovered the beauty, richness, rigor, and joy manifest in the Charlotte Mason philosophy and method of education. She is now passionate about helping and encouraging others who also find themselves resonating with this wonderful, Godward, homeschooling method and way of life.

Kristine Johnson is a wife to her husband, Chris, for 16 years and a homeschooling mother of four boys. A former private school teacher and textbook editor, she was eager to teach her own children since birth and researched about every option available. After reading For the Children's Sake, she knew she had found a kindred spirit and that a Charlotte Mason education was a fit for her family. She embraces Charlotte's wisdom in her view of the inherent value of the child, habit training, using quality living books, spending time in nature, and setting a feast of ideas before the children and allowing them to form relationships from them.

Naomi and Kristine are Moms just like you, homeschooling their children and right in the midst of it. They participate in weekly nature study outings, facilitate a monthly Charlotte Mason meeting, and created a networking site for educators using her methods to connect and share information online. They find that they are "twice blessed" as they learn right alongside their children from the best of books and God's creation. They have seen the results of this gentle art of learning and are happy to help others along the way and homeschool joyfully.

To make it easier for families with little ones to attend, we have childcare. Cost: $5 per child. If you have a big family, you only have to pay for the first three children. Children who can sit quietly with their parents in the meeting won't be charged - however, they must sit right next to you, and cannot run around the meeting, in the halls or outside unsupervised. Note: babies under 12 months old and children with colds must stay with their parents in the meeting.

5 pm to 6:30 pm

Enjoy snacks, fellowship, and an opportunity to meet veteran homeschoolers and other families considering homeschooling after the informative presentation.

Irvine Community Church
14804 Sand Canyon Ave.
Irvine, CA 92618

Take 5 South, exit Sand Canyon & turn left, church is on right.

Take 5 North, exit Sand Canyon & turn right, make immediate U-turn at light, church is on right.

Take 405 South, exit Sand Canyon & turn left, go two miles and pass under the 5, church is on right.

The mission of Exploring Homeschooling is to impact the world for Jesus Christ by encouraging Christians to homeschool from a biblical worldview, especially starting when their children are babies, toddlers, preschoolers; and equipping individuals, families, churches, homeschool groups and other organizations to engage in homeschool evangelism.

Click for directions.