Our blog
Keep up to date with our latest posts.
May 15, 2023
New Videos on Key Topics!
Enjoy a series of new videos on important topics such as parenting, notebooking, pre-school, Alveary FAQs, choosing quality books, narration, and more!
May 8, 2023
Could it Be Dyslexia? Part 2 with Dr. Donna Johnson
Part 2 of a series with Dr. Donna Johnson thinking through dyslexia from within the framework of Charlotte Mason's relational education.
April 24, 2023
Could it Be Dyslexia? Part 1 with Dr. Donna Johnson
Part 1 of a series with Dr. Donna Johnson thinking through dyslexia from within the framework of Charlotte Mason's relational education.
April 18, 2023
Artistic Atmosphere at a Relational Conference
Delight in these artistic pieces from the 1908 PNEU conference and, incidentally, gain an understanding of the artistic and literary PNEU atmosphere.
April 14, 2023
A message from Miss Mason
An unpublished excerpt from the Parents' Review of a message from Charlotte Mason at the opening of the 1908 PNEU conference.
April 13, 2023
A discussion on The Enabled Life with Danielle Merritt-Sunseri
As part of the "What We're Reading" series on the Blue Orchard Bee, Danielle discusses the book "The Enabled Life."
March 15, 2023
Abstract Art, Wagner, Museum Tips, and more
A collection of poetry, music, art, and more for your March inspiration.
March 14, 2023
A Blue Orchard Bee Thinks About...Habits, Anxiety, and Advocacy
Join these conversations from the Blue Orchard Bee on habits, anxiety, and advocacy, especially in a neurodiverse home or classroom.
March 14, 2023
Mason in France
First shown at CMI's 2022 annual gathering, this video gives an exciting glimpse at the way relational education is taking root in France.
March 14, 2023
Mason in the Classroom - The Trinity School
See how one school implements Charlotte Mason's relational philosophy in Texas!
February 2, 2023
Orton-Gillingham with Donna Johnson
A conversation with Danielle Merritt-Sunseri and Dr. Donna Johnson on Orton-Gillingham and how to support our students with dyslexia.
January 20, 2023
A Centenary Collection
A collection of readings, poetry, music, and more centered around Charlotte Mason and her home in the Lake District.
January 19, 2023
Charlotte Mason in South Africa
First shown at CMI's 2022 annual gathering, this video gives an exciting glimpse at the way relational education is taking root in South Africa.
January 12, 2023
Inspiring a new generation of educators by Deani Van Pelt
How one woman’s counterintuitive approach to learning is inspiring a new generation of educators.
December 29, 2022
Advent for All - The Returning King
Week 6 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
December 22, 2022
Advent for All - In Bethlehem
Week 5 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
December 15, 2022
Advent for All - Love Descends
Week 4 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
December 8, 2022
Advent for All - The Coming of Joy
Week 3 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
December 1, 2022
Advent for All - Waiting for Peace
Week 2 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
November 26, 2022
Advent for All: Hope in Beginnings
Week 1 of the CMI Advent and Christmas series of resources for families, classes, neighborhood, etc. Read or download.
November 22, 2022
Neurodiversity on Our Bookshelves with Danielle Merritt-Sunseri
Danielle Merritt-Sunseri talks about bringing neurodiversity to our bookshelves in this video from the Blue Orchard Bee.
November 16, 2022
Choosing Gifts - Advice from the Parents' Review
What makes a good toy? One of the writers in the Parents' Review, the journal of which Charlotte Mason was editor, offers some guiding principles.
November 16, 2022
Noticing November - Education as Service
Citizen science projects, Thanksgiving sonnet, acorn whistling and more to enjoy yourself or with others.
November 15, 2022
Charlotte Mason In Spanish
This video featuring Johanna Peréz Ray gives an exciting glimpse into the efforts to create Mason resources in Spanish!
October 26, 2022
Activities for October
Geography games, Music, Art, and Poetry to enjoy yourself or with your students.
October 25, 2022
Scavenging for Literary Beauty with Kathryn Forney
I’m excited to talk about one of my favorite ways to go hunting for literary beauty: a common place book.
September 23, 2022
September Selections
A September collection of small things to enjoy alone or with your students.
September 22, 2022
Charlotte Mason Centenary Conference
Registration is open and details about speaking posted for the Charlotte Mason Centenary Conference in Ambleside, England!
June 30, 2022
Introducing the New CMI and Alveary!
We are excited to present new branding and new websites for the Charlotte Mason Institute (CMI) and Alveary.
May 18, 2022
Bookish Beauty
In celebration of our upcoming conference (in person and broadcast online) centered around Literature and the Humanities in a Charlotte Mason education, this month’
May 18, 2022
Charlotte Mason in Canada
First shown at the CMI 2021 Conference, this video featuring Sarah Hobbs gives a glimpse at the Mason movement in Canada during the 2020-21 school year. We’re looki
April 27, 2022
Mountains, Planets, and Picture Books
Activities and opportunities to see and enjoy more around you – for yourself and/or your students. View: Fuiji, Mountains in Clear Weather — also known as “Fine ...
April 13, 2022
Bringing Geology to Life with Stephanie Russell
Charlotte Mason’s oft-quoted goal of education from her third volume School Education is: “The question is not,––how much does the youth know? when he has finished
April 12, 2022
Charlotte Mason in Indonesia
First shown at the CMI 2021 Conference, this video featuring Susan Gunawan gives an exciting glimpseat the Mason movement taking root in Indonesia!
March 16, 2022
Birds & Notebooks
Activities and opportunities to see and enjoy more around you – for yourself and/or your students.
March 16, 2022
The Wingfeather Saga Series – Book Review by Chalise Bondurant
“So once someone remembers their true name, they’re cured?” Janner asked. “I wish it were so. We all forget from time to time, and so we need each other to tell us
March 16, 2022
Mason in the Classroom – Blue Willow Tutorial
As the Mason movement continues to grow back into classrooms (in charter schools, private schools, and various alternative models) across North America, we are exci
March 1, 2022
An Educational Philosophy for Today (Video Series)
Video series on some of Charlotte Mason's key ideas for relational education.
February 17, 2022
A Soldier of the Great War – Book Review by Scott Forney
Helprin, Mark. A Soldier of the Great War. New York: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1991.
February 16, 2022
February Finds
Activities and opportunities to see and enjoy more around you – for yourself and/or your students.
October 13, 2021
The Tech-Wise Family - Book Review by Kelli Rummel
It's challenging to navigate technology constructively. Kelli's book review shows how Crouch equips parents to establish healthy rhythms in their homes.
February 2, 2014
Practical Suggestions for Narration by Carroll Smith
We end this series on narration for those new to Charlotte Mason with some practical suggestions. I hope these suggestions help teachers and parents to get started
January 19, 2014
Narration for the Newbie by Carroll Smith
Narration, the practice of students telling back after a single reading what they have heard or read, is a cornerstone
January 14, 2014
More Thoughts About Narration by Carroll Smith
In this post I try to answer such questions as, is narration a fad; what are basic guidelines for narrations; what about preschool children; and what can parents
September 15, 2013
Creating a Mason Atmosphere on a Dime by Carroll Smith
Education as an atmosphere is one of Mason’s fundamental pillars for education. What are the components of education as an atmosphere?