This is truly inspiring. Thank you.

What to think vs how to think.. I'm afraid you guys are making it more difficult than is needed. Idk any of you, but speaking from a perspective that has been through a religious deconstruction, I think all of you can agree on the problems between denominations and theological debates. institutions and families that are wrapped up in bad theology have been known to control narratives, leave little room for questioning, and will outrite shun and banish a person for choosing a different way to think when the current narratives in these institutions beg the question. When a progressive says they want people to know how to think, it's unhelpful to call it propaganda. It's ultimately dismissive. To an uneducated young adult, they couldn't care less about the semantics. For clarity, I don't believe it helps to discuss semantics when either parties, either conservative or progressive, are approaching the matter from two planes of thought. As someone who believes a classical education leans for a net positive in pursuits of a better political climate, I feel like it's the duty of an intellectual to make yourself clear, pick your battles well, and know when it's appropriate to compromise your attachment of the semantics in order to bring a progressive closer to the importance of conserving such a wonderful tradition.

What you folks have missed is that we have come to view you with respect and friendship. It may be a one-sided friendship since you do not know us, but many of us have enjoyed hour upon hour of your witty banter, most of it with a point. But now, you have laughed at us and attacked a giant among men whom we esteem greatly for good reason. I have attended a few of Martin's lectures involving educators who did far less than CM and have never heard him mock them in this disrespectful manner. If an informed part 3 came out, I would watch it. I purchased the whole series of her books in 2005, I chose both available printings, the original, and the modern translation. I don't know CM parents that didn't read at least "A Philosophy of Education." There are CM book discussions going on right now in my area. Much of CM's teaching was classical but utilizing what parents could get their hands on. They didn't have a public domain library at their fingertips. What it isn't is organized (for the teacher), and that's why I started using MP. I am not naturally organized, and MP has helped with that part. Both use the great books to teach, but we have so much more than she was working with. You understand your topic so little. It hurts to hear these words come out of your mouths. I thought so highly of you all 😢💔

The K-2 science and enrichment sets are amazing for building background knowledge. I purchased many of these titles used.

We need an antique Roman’s perspective on Coriolanus not a modern Christain in a liberal democracy.

Yes, they were reading Ivanhoe.

I agree with the other comments. Have they all read her volumes? If not, add someone who has read her volumes. I just kept asking myself, why doesn’t sound like they just read the list of 20 principles? Whether you think CM is classical is a good topic but it was overshadowed by the fact that they don’t know anything about CM. It seems so out of character for them. So yes, add some people who know CM very well so that it is a more productive conversation. This doesn’t have to be a battle Classic vs CM. I think everyone was just shocked by how little they knew of the subject.

Had classicial education, but was lucky in my homeschooling.

Classical education can NOT be fundamentally Christian since it was well established before Christianity came around.

Wow. A youtuber giving a moral message at the end of a 'tube.

The irony for me is I bought my first purchase from “Memoria Press” this year. It is a Latin curriculum for my fourth grader, because the CM curriculum I’m using (Ambleside Online) requires Latin! The heart of a Classical Education is a desire for truth. The truth of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy was not communicated in these videos. I hope they are removed.

Samual was Steinbeck’s grandfather, not his uncle.

This assessment is like judging Christianity based on a nominal Christian's take on it, then judging true/historic Christianity and declaring it to have numerous faults and inconsistencies.

Charlotte Mason "lite" homeschoolers are much more likely to be coming to MP for help with filling in their gaps. These are not actual gaps left by CM, but rather by a lack of understanding CM fully. Finding out what CM ACTUALLY advocated for, the type of curriculum she prescribed (yes, she did that) provides educators with quite a lot of pedalogical help and curricular direction. Therefore, many CM educators are able to educate students without the curriculum offered by MP, and that is a problem for this company.

Outstandingly well said. One cannot begin to understand the complexities of our history, civilization, or literature without a firm grasp on Homer, Virgil, Aristotle, Cicero, The Old and New Testament, and more. Greek and Latin along with their myths can unlock so much of our own language when we understand where a common word like "echo" or "tantalize" come from.

I wanted to jump into the middle to see how accurate or inaccurate this video was. I started a few seconds before 24 minutes during their discussion of how CM doesn't include Latin and that is because what CM expected of her students wasn't deep thinking and daily focused lessons. All I can say is please read someone's work or talk to experts on a person before making a video about them. You are so far off that I would not trust anything you say as factual and I wonder what kind of research skills pupils learning with your curriculum have if this us an example of research.

I've read all of the volumes once, most of them twice and some of them three times. Because homeschooling my kids is my calling. Charlotte Mason says mothers ought to come to their task well prepared.

The readings are enjoyable. Thank you for putting them together.

Merry Christmas to you all from Texas!

Helen is Helenism, Troje (troia) = three in greek , Menelaos is Menos- Laos "menos tou laou" to understand Homer yous should understand the meaning of the names , its writen in code.

They seemed to insinuate that reading six volumes of Mason's educational philosophy was too much? too hard? To me this begs the question - where have they read and learned about classical education? Was it not equivalent to six volumes worth of information?

I don’t believe Aquinas restricts beauty to just sight. He goes onto elaborate the three things needed for beauty: harmony, clarity and something else- I don’t remember. In Joyce’s Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man the main character- Stephen Dedalus- gives a very good summary of Aquinas’ view of beauty. Joyce should be read as part of the tradition to go deeper into Aquinas’ ideas on beauty and aesthetics.

Shakespear, stirling bloke. Wrote a mean sonnet. I often have a quick flick through after reading the sun. 😂

I totally agree with you , but how do you convince someone not of European descent ? Such people may find it hard to identify with our intellectual heroes. The Asians have their own canons and classics, but how to bring on board people from sub Saharan Africa ?

Is classical education for women and girls or just males?

I am an American public school teacher who teaches Mandarin Chinese. I am a BIG proponent of public education. Public education CAN level the playing field in many ways. A democracy as inclusive as ours needs good thinking and techincally advanced citizens. I think elements of classical education should be brought back into the classroom. But, as an African American, I will always be wary of movements like this. It sounds serene on its surface, but I strongly believe in the teaching of a modern morality. Given that I am the descendant of slaves, who worked hard for their freedom, I would be remiss if I did not urge in the strongest langauge for the continued moral education of the masses. Classical education, especially as it has been traditionally taught, was abandoned for good reason. I agree that the proverbial baby has been thrown out with the bath water, yet I am not convinced the reading of Socrates or Marcus Aurelius will provide a safe guard against the exclusionary practices that made life for minorities miserable in this country. For some, there may be a sense of diginifed nostaglia in these conversations. But it was well educated, classically trained men of their day that unleashed great evils upon people who looked like me because they looked like me.

I’m not sure the point of arguing against a false interpretation of a philosophy. Can be disappointing to produce an erroneous work, but better to trash it than to publish it anyway knowing it is in error. You don’t have to read all six to get a grasp. Home Education and Philosophy of Education are the place to start.

24:23 “All kids are barbarians… *giggle*” This is the fundamental difference. CM says children are born persons with all the feelings and thoughts of any adult, lacking only in experience. Our job as teachers is to provide the atmosphere, discipline, and life that will give them the experience they need for their early years. Imagine name-calling or labeling any other group of people besides kids as “barbarians.” It wouldn’t (and shouldn’t) be tolerated. Children are PEOPLE who deserve RESPECT. If one doesn’t respect children, especially in all their “truth, goodness, and beauty” (a phrase CE people love to repeat), then one does not agree with CM’s first principle. If this (barbarian theory) is the CE viewpoint, then discuss no further; CM is not Classical. Classical certainly isn’t CM for many reasons. However, the most interesting point of the whole panel discussion was made by the guy on screen left and then completely ignored by the rest of the group: “Is CM Classical, or Is CM right?” THIS is the question y’all need to be discussing and “analyzing.” This is the more interesting question and the one to which I’d actually love to hear MP’s answer.

Is it just me… am I misunderstanding or, at 18:53-19:40, is this guy saying CM moms are “a bunch of Mrs. Jellybys running around,” and our children are a bunch of troublemakers? And then goes on to accuse CM moms of child neglect? And, as a cherry on top, acts like social advocacy is, like, a bad thing? At this point, I hope I’m misinterpreting -someone please explain! Bc it sounds like that’s what he just said. And they wonder why the “mob” showed up? Those are fighting words!

15:55 “There are solutions that CM doesn’t have for boys.” My question to you is, “What are these solutions?” Because you forgot to mention the CE “solutions” after you said CM doesn’t have them.

“They are to be FORCED to narrate.” Just the choice of the word “force” lets us in on the attitude and mindset of these MP representatives toward children. That does not line up with Principle 1 nor with how anyone who likes and respects children should think. Why teach if you think this way?

How can you conclude that Charlotte Mason's philosophies don't fit within your definition of classical education when you don't understand her philosophies and admit you have to dig deeper? Not very classical to make a conclusion before completing your investigation.

This part should not have been released. It just intensifies the belief that not one of the speakers has read anything other than a very cursory overview of cm. Just the part of the podcast where they talk about latin shows how little they actually cared to do any research on something they act to be authorities on. I will wait till the final part releases, but you have put all of your episodes in an unpleasant light of distrust in my eyes.

Hilarious. I knew this podcast was going to be controversial while listening to it. I didn't bother to check the comments on YT until hearing the disclaimer on part 2. People go very hard for Charlotte Mason. Ever attended a CM nature study meetup with CM purist? I have, I thought it would be a relaxed nature walk... Nope, better bring your nature guides and art supplies and be prepared to give an impromptu lesson on a bug/ bird you've never seen before. What turned me off from CM were the purist I've encountered and how judgy and elitist they were. If CM isn't working for your family the response was always "you must not be adhering to all the principles"... a bit cultish if you ask me. Another issue I had was the constant rotation of books and the fact that I was required to read all of them. I've always believed MP had taken bits and pieces of CM with the way it chooses to focus on nature study for science in the early years and narration and dictation. While I do feel like this topic was not researched enough beforehand, their is still room for redemption. Do a quick reading of For the Children's Sake by Susan Macaulay and get back to us with another round of podcast on this topic. Clearly, it's a popular subject as far as views/comments go. I've tried both methods and I prefer the structure of MP. I love your curriculum! It's the best available and I have a deep respect for your company and all those involved. Don't take these rude comments to heart. Some people don't know how to express their opinion in a kind and respectful way.

If there is one quote by Mason that essentially undermines the claims made about her educational philosophy in this video, it's probably this one: “If [our pupils] are so taught that knowledge delights them, they will choose companions who share that pleasure. In this way princes are trained; they must know something of botany to talk with botanists, of history to meet with historians; they cannot afford to be in the company of scientists, adventurers, poets, painters, philanthropists or economists, and themselves be able to do no more than ‘change the weather and pass the time of day’; they must know modern languages to be at home with men of other countries, and ancient tongues to be familiar with classical allusions. Such considerations rule the education of princes, and every boy has a princely right to be brought up so that he may hold his own in good society, that is, the society of those who ‘know.’” - (Towards a Philosophy of Education)

Excellent video that does two things simultaneously, teaches us why classical education is important but also identifies issues with our current education system.

Beware whoever intends to engage in discussion with the video creators. This video is an advertisement for a KZbin series of for pay educational videos. If you are not a parent who might be swayed to spend big on educational videos, this video is not for you.

This was a very snide but beautifully narrated essay. Great mix of hate for the common people and vague but valid criticism about the current state of education. Would be nice if it was less philosophy and opinion and more logical reasoning and evidence and suggestions of actual steps for improvement. This was too much flattery towards the audience and too little call to action.

If you were trying to turn people off of Charlotte Mason, you failed. This turned people off from you! Everyone’s talking about it in coops and Facebook pages. Definitely lost a customer. I thought it was hilarious no one wanted to answer the question about a kid who needed to run around?! 😂😂 They are children who need exercise and interest in their subject matter! Ugh, you four were so frustrating….

There are plenty of people who claim the name of Christ who have never read the Bible, have cherry picked verses, and have decided what they want and will not follow. We would never look at those people as example of what it means to be a Christian. Similarly, I agree with you that there are many homeschooling moms who say they are CM inspired, or claim to be CM but really mean they have taken a few of her teachings (i.e. nature study and living books) and implemented them. Let’s not take these moms as the poster children of CM. There are many of us who have read or are reading through her 6 volumes as well as reading books that claim the classical education pedagogy. It would be refreshing to see this conversation move forward with an invitation to someone who has read her volumes. I also would love a clear explanation of your definition of classical education.

Very inspiring. You have no idea how much people are in need of this type of stuff. Thanks.

I love Charlotte Mason philosophy for my homeschool, but I totally agree with your take on the "only a single reading," when reading older works it can be quite hard for my kids to visualize what is happening in the story. So I tend to stop and explain parts that they may not understand and then reread that passage again. For instance, when reading the book of Ruth, I read it and paused then explained the rituals in that time period that were relevant, then reread the passage. My kids understood so much more during that second reading. This single reading and no comprehension questions are my main faults with a Charlotte Mason education, but overall it has been a joy and benefit to include in my homeschool. Thank you for your input and although I dont agree with all that is being said in this podcast, I do appreciate your point of views.

This is too frustrating to finish watching. You keep harping on not teaching Latin but it was actually a portion of her curriculum study plan. So many points being made only demonstrate you have not properly read or studied her works, principles or methods. Please consult Karen Glass, Brandy Cancel, or Autumn Kern for an interview

This was incredibly disappointing and incorrect. It would be wonderful if you had included someone who's actually read her volumes. This is a misrepresentation of Charlotte Mason's principles and methods.

Population control… the flea and tick

If you did any research about Charlotte Mason, you would have no doubt what a living book is. This whole video and part one is ridiculous.

You sound like you just pulled a list of points off the Internet that somebody made and did not understand any of the context that went along with all the points.

She’s a liar, but at least she pretends to give the true Christian message.

This is the most intellectually dishonest video I’ve seen in a long time. None of you even attempted to gain an understanding of Charlotte Mason. So much time was spent arguing some made up assumption of what she meant. What exactly was the point of this? If you weren’t going to take any time to research or get to know what you were discussing, why discuss it?

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