Dwell

Rachel Woodham, homeschool mom and author of a soon-to-be-published book on play, joins Renee and Karen to discuss the importance of free and voluntary play in the lives of children (and their parents). They explore the relationships between play and virtue, order, beauty, and imagination. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the concept of Christian paideia: how Ephesians 6:4 "Bring them up in the admonition of the Lord..." is the meaning of the word paideia in the Christian context. They talk about how homeschoolers can provide a rich culture in the home where children (and parents) can train their affections and grow in wisdom and virtue, the promise of classical education. H...

Renee King, author of the new book Ubi Est Mater?, joins Karen and Renee to talk about teaching Latin to her children and how she came to write this beautiful picture book in memory of her son. If you are just beginning the Latin journey with your family or are afraid to start, be encouraged as you listen to Renee tell her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why not start off 2025 with a new book club?! In this episode Renee and Karen talk about their book clubs: how reading together fosters community and friendship, the different formats book clubs can take, and how they choose what to read and how often they meet. Be inspired to start one of your own with a couple of friends and a good book! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the claim that classical education is elitist and explore the objectives of a universal classical education in a democracy. Be encouraged to continue this noble task of nourishing your children's souls on the true, the good, and the beautiful and to "turn their attention away from worldly gain and onto the soul's salvation." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Listen as Renee and Karen offer some ideas for getting together with other families to celebrate the season and traditions to incorporate in your home. Christmas is a joyous and busy season, and can even be hectic and messy, but you can adopt simple traditions that your children will love and grow up to cherish and want to continue in their own homes—that's the best! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

In this episode Renee and Karen talk with Amber Vanderpol, homeschooling mom of 7 children ages 1-22, about homeschooling in difficult seasons. She recounts how a brain injury caused her to re-evaluate the education she was providing for her children asking the question: Does Charlotte Mason education and classical education mean doing "all the things" or is the goal to cultivate wisdom and virtue...

Listen to this fun episode with Renee, Karen, and two friends, sisters Rebekah and Rachel, as they talk about the ceremony and traditions surrounding the enjoyment of tea and the blessing of a pot of tea with friends. They offer suggestions on how to bring tea time into your homeschool and where to find the best brands of tea online. You will want to boil some water and enjoy your favorite tea in...

Listen as Renee and Karen chat with Katerina Hamilton, Karen's daughter, about a new book called Let Heaven and Nature Sing: Advent Art and Poetry Lesson Plans for All Ages. This is a lovely resource for Advent with poems, color prints, and discussion questions to celebrate the season with your children or to enjoy by yourself! Listen as Katerina answers the question as to why so many Renaiss...

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss chapter 6 of Norms and Nobility, "On the Necessity of Dogma". This chapter explores dialectic-the art of thinking, of wrestling with a dogma or an idea and coming to the truth. They discuss HIcks' statement of how "dialectic awakens the quarrelsome inner life" and that this is not to be feared, how the "should" question is a powerful tool, and how following...

Join us as we chat with Andrew Kern about his new book, Unless the Lord Builds the House, a treatise on how the temple is the pattern for learning. We discuss how the temple and its parts: the Holy of Holies, the Holy Place, the Courtyard and the Camp are patterns of us as humans and of the world around us and how that makes a difference in how we see our children and the glory to be found in ever...

Listen as Renee and Karen are joined by our friend and previous co-host, Emily Hill, to talk about her schools: Haven Forest School for K-6th grade and Haven for middle and upper school. Be encouraged with ideas and resources for your co-op or hybrid school, and if you are dreaming of starting something, jump in, and as Emily says, "Start small and do what matters to you." Hosted on Acast. See aca...

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss the meaning of the phrase, "saving the appearances", how the ancients viewed science compared to the moderns, and the role of science in the classical curriculum. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Mason said, "If we fail to ease life by laying down habits of right thinking and right acting, habits of wrong thinking and wrong acting fix themselves of their own accord." Listen as Renee and Karen discuss a few habits for kids that will serve them for the long run. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlotte Mason wrote that habits are the rails on which the good life runs. In this episode Renee and Karen each offer three habits for moms to help launch a new school year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode Karen talks with Missy Andrews, author of My Divine Comedy and mother of 6 grown children, about her homeschool journey, a journey of coming to terms with her own weaknesses and perfectionism and discovering the gift of grace. You will be encouraged by Missy's honest and hopeful telling of her story. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss Ch. 4 of Norms and Nobility , "The Tyrannizing Image". They explore the place and significance of the Ideal Type—that which embodies virtue and excellence—in education historically, why it is central to classical education, and what accounts for the fate of the Ideal Type in the modern era. If you have not read N and N, or if you find it intimidating,...

In this episode, Renee and Karen chat with Patty Bianco about how to help your children thrive in their online classes. Patty offers eight specific hints, from creating a designated work space to communication etiquette, and gives advice on how involved mom should be and what to do if a student isn't getting their work done. Patty also describes the various CiRCE online class options and how you c...

Listen as Renee and Karen talk with guest, Amber Vanderpol, mother of seven children ages 7 months to 22 years, about how adopting Charlotte Mason's principles of education can simplify and bring joy to your homeschool. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen discuss Norms and Nobility, Chapter 3, starting with Wordsworth's poem, "My Heart Leaps Up" which expresses the idea that the child is father of the man. Homeschooling moms have the privilege of keeping the long view in sight: that they are preparing their children for adulthood, and that ultimately, nurturing wisdom and virtue in their children is both their goal and their hope. H...

In this episode, Renee and Karen discuss poetry: they share their favorite poets, offer tips for enjoying poetry by yourself or in a group, share ideas on how to get started writing your own poems, and each read one of their favorites. Whether you are new to the world of poetry or you have long enjoyed it, we hope you will be encouraged to open a volume in a moment of quiet (or to still the chaos!...

Today on Dwell, Renee talks with Katherine (Katie) Briggs, a middle-school teacher, author, and one of her former students. They talk about encouraging young writers as well as what it is like to have your first book published. See more about Katherine: www.katherinebriggs.com Instagram at katherinebriggs_author Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Renee and Karen explore Chapter 2, "The Word is Truth", discussing Hicks' statement that "Mythos represents man's spiritual effort to make this world intelligible."; that there is power in mythos (stories) to help us understand the world and our place in it; that mythos is the skeleton of civilization as men are inspired to good, heroic acts. Listen, and be inspired to enjoy the best stories with...

Listen as Renee and Karen chat about chapter 1 of Norms and Nobility by David Hicks. The title of the chapter is Virtue is the Fruit of Learning, and they discuss how classical education is the cultivation of wisdom and virtue and therefore virtue can be taught; how virtue is taught over time and in the community of a family; and how a mom can avoid the temptation of being a perfectionist while de...

Listen as Renee and Karen chat with Tim McIntosh, actor, teacher, and podcaster, about his infectious love for Shakespeare. He share his favorite plays and movie adaptions and offers advice and resources for enjoying Shakespeare's plays with your family. You will be inspired to choose a play, assign characters, and jump right in! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.