"Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking - the strain would be too great - but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest."
~ Charlotte Mason (1842 – 1923)
LIVING BOOKS, LIVING IDEAS, AND LIVING THINGS
Our curriculum is rich with living books, living ideas, and living things ... ones that foster wonder, delight, reflection, and reverence.
Branches & Vine Cottage School selects the best of living books and original source documents (in lieu of traditional textbooks and workbooks). We rely most heavily upon the booklists and resources of AmblesideOnline and Charlotte Mason's own PNEU (Parents' National Educational Union).
AmblesideOnline uses Charlotte Mason’s principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: knowledge of God, knowledge of man, knowledge of the universe.
AmblesideOnline Curriculum Overview
AO Booklist
AmblesideOnline's Annotated Charlotte Mason Series
Our curriculum is rich with living books, living ideas, and living things ... ones that foster wonder, delight, reflection, and reverence.
Branches & Vine Cottage School selects the best of living books and original source documents (in lieu of traditional textbooks and workbooks). We rely most heavily upon the booklists and resources of AmblesideOnline and Charlotte Mason's own PNEU (Parents' National Educational Union).
AmblesideOnline uses Charlotte Mason’s principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: knowledge of God, knowledge of man, knowledge of the universe.
AmblesideOnline Curriculum Overview
AO Booklist
AmblesideOnline's Annotated Charlotte Mason Series
HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY & LITERATURE
Chronological History is the "pivot upon which our curriculum turns." Our chronological streams determine the course for other areas of study, including many of our literature selections.
Each academic year, Branches & Vine Cottage School students focus on three primary streams:
1. Western Civilization - 4-year rotation: Middles Ages to Modern Times (Europe & North America)
2. Classical Studies - 3-year rotation: Greece, Rome, Early Church (to 800)
3. American Studies - 3-year rotation: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Our Book of Centuries (timeline), narrations & notebooks center around:
Rotation 1 (2021-2022)
Western Civilization: 800s to 1500s
Classical Studies I.: Greece
American Studies I.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 2 (2022-2023)
Western Civilization: 1600s to 1700s
Classical StudiesII.: Rome
American Studies II.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 3 (2023-2024)
Western Civilization: late 1700s to 1800s
Classical Studies III: Early Church (to 800s')
American Studies III.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 4 (2024-2025)
Western Civilization: late 1800s to Current
Classical Studies I.: Greece
American Studies I.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Chronological History is the "pivot upon which our curriculum turns." Our chronological streams determine the course for other areas of study, including many of our literature selections.
Each academic year, Branches & Vine Cottage School students focus on three primary streams:
1. Western Civilization - 4-year rotation: Middles Ages to Modern Times (Europe & North America)
2. Classical Studies - 3-year rotation: Greece, Rome, Early Church (to 800)
3. American Studies - 3-year rotation: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Our Book of Centuries (timeline), narrations & notebooks center around:
- Great Men & Women
- Wars, Conflicts, and Political Changes
- Religions, Church History & Christian Worldview
- Great Books & Poetry
- Theatre, Music & Art
- Inventions & Technology
- Daily Life
Rotation 1 (2021-2022)
Western Civilization: 800s to 1500s
Classical Studies I.: Greece
American Studies I.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 2 (2022-2023)
Western Civilization: 1600s to 1700s
Classical StudiesII.: Rome
American Studies II.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 3 (2023-2024)
Western Civilization: late 1700s to 1800s
Classical Studies III: Early Church (to 800s')
American Studies III.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
Rotation 4 (2024-2025)
Western Civilization: late 1800s to Current
Classical Studies I.: Greece
American Studies I.: Geography, Leaders, Literature, Documents & Speeches
SPREADING THE FEAST
Our Branches & Vine approach to spreading the feast includes (samples taken from current term):
Our Branches & Vine approach to spreading the feast includes (samples taken from current term):
- Chapel Scripture Readings: Book of Acts
- Hymns & Latin Songs: Holy, Holy, Holy, He Will Hold Me Fast, Dona Nobis Pacem
- Habits: Patience, Fortitude, Self-Control
- Prayers & Creeds: Nicene Creed
- Psalms & Scripture Memory Work: Psalm 84 (I); Psalm 33 (II); Psalms 45-48 (III/IV)
- Composer Study: Rachmaninoff
- Picture Study: James McNeill Whistler
- Poetry Study: Christina Rosetti (I); Wordsworth (II); Shakespeare Sonnets (III/IV)
- Nature Study: Fish, Amphibians, Reptiles
- American Studies: States in order of statehood through Ohio; Founding Documents
- Classical Studies: Major Heroes - Hercules, Perseus, Jason, Theseus
- Shakespeare Play: Twelfth Night
- Plutarch's Lives: Themistocles
- Handicrafts: Weaving, Calligraphy, Book Binding, Paper Sloyd
- Folksongs: Kitty Alone, The Tailor and the Mouse, Michael Row Your Boat
- Folk Dances: Rakes of Mallow, Chimes of Dunkirk, Bridge of Athlone, Los Machetes, Sashay the Donut
- Spanish Songs: Nanita, Nana, Las Hormiguitas and Los Elefantes
B&V STUDY GROUP ROTATIONS
Our Branches & Vine afternoon afternoon classes include:
Our Branches & Vine afternoon afternoon classes include:
- PASSAGES of Poetry & Prose (Literature)
- PAGEANT OF HISTORY (History & Geography)
- PROFICIENCIES of Latin & Classical Studies
- PATHWAYS OF NATURE (Nature Study)
- PATTERNS OF DESIGN (Art & Handicrafts)
- PLAYWRIGHTS & PORTRAYALS (Shakespeare)
- PARCHMENTS & PLATFORMS (Speech & Composition)
- PSALMS OF RHYTHM & MELODY (Music)
- WINCHESTER GATHERINGS (Afternoon Clubs including: Certamen, Chess, Fitness, Strings Ensemble, Theatre, Gardening, Cooking, Arthurian Legends Tea Time, Woodland Creatures, Home Renovation, Lego)
LATIN & CLASSICAL STUDIES
We love the logical and systematic nature of the Latin language, the mother tongue of Western civilization.
In studying Latin, your student will gain an academic vocabulary, a mastery of English grammar, and will develop the critical thinking skills that come from the study of a complex, inflected grammar.
Top 10 Reasons for Studying Latin
We love the logical and systematic nature of the Latin language, the mother tongue of Western civilization.
In studying Latin, your student will gain an academic vocabulary, a mastery of English grammar, and will develop the critical thinking skills that come from the study of a complex, inflected grammar.
Top 10 Reasons for Studying Latin
- Intro to Latin: Classical Academic Press (Woodland Friends & Form I)
- Beginning Latin: Latina Christiana, Memoria Press (Form IIB)
- Intermediate Latin: First Form Latin, Memoria Press (Form IIA)
- Upper Form Latin: Henle Latin (Forms III/IV)
CLASSICAL STUDIES RESOURCES include:
Form I: Aesop's Fables, D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths, Trial & Triumph Church History
Form II: Greek Myths, Famous Men of Greece, Famous Men of Rome, Famous Men of Middle Ages, Trial & Triumph Church History
Form III: Horatius at the Bridge, The Trojan War, The Book of the Ancient Greeks, The Book of the Ancient Romans, Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Geoffrey Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain
Form IV: Iliad, Odyssey, The Aeneid, Greek Plays (Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus), William of Malmesbury's Chronicles of the Kings of England, Dante's Divine Comedy
Form I: Aesop's Fables, D’Aulaires’ Greek Myths, Trial & Triumph Church History
Form II: Greek Myths, Famous Men of Greece, Famous Men of Rome, Famous Men of Middle Ages, Trial & Triumph Church History
Form III: Horatius at the Bridge, The Trojan War, The Book of the Ancient Greeks, The Book of the Ancient Romans, Bede's Ecclesiastical History of the English People, Geoffrey Monmouth's History of the Kings of Britain
Form IV: Iliad, Odyssey, The Aeneid, Greek Plays (Euripides, Sophocles, and Aeschylus), William of Malmesbury's Chronicles of the Kings of England, Dante's Divine Comedy
READING & LANGUAGE ARTS
Our Branches & Vine approach to learning to read incorporates generous:
Our Branches & Vine approach to learning to read incorporates generous:
- living books woven throughout our entire day
- phonics-based activities and spelling with resources like Traditional Spelling, by Memoria Press and Explode the Code
- regular independent reading level practice with an adult - application of phonics rules and sight word strategies with our readers
- small guided reading groups
- teacher and student read-alouds across the curriculum
- writing in the form of both oral and written "narrations" across the curriculum
- Charlotte Mason-style copywork (penmanship and spelling), studied dictation (grammar and spelling), word study (vocabulary), notebooking (written narrations), and recitation (oral narration and public speaking).
- grammar learning through intensive Latin and English study
- Speech Meet Week
- Annual Short Story Contest
- Writing Workshops that reflect the Charlotte Mason approach to developing writers.
NATURE STUDY
Our Branches & Vine nature study approach incorporates:
Our Branches & Vine nature study approach incorporates:
- captivating nature lore & poetry
- term nature study emphasis
- nature observation & journaling
- nature walks
- gardening and landscaping projects
- creature care (chickens, fish, small animals, birds and bird feeders)
- weekly Nature Talks
MATH & SCIENCE
Our Branches & Vine math and science approach incorporates:
Our Branches & Vine math and science approach incorporates:
- daily designated math and science time individualized to each student's stage and pace of learning
- science study groups and lab activities
- STEM club options
- math manipulatives and resources available for students
- parental partnership with math and science progress, grading, and guidance
Do you desire for your child's heart and mind to be nourished and cared for?
STUDENTS FLOURISHING THROUGH ...
THREE-FOLD KNOWLEDGE (GOD, MAN, UNIVERSE) WITH DEPTH OF RELATIONS
A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE
GOOD HABITS SHAPED BY HUMILITY & WISDOM
A GENEROUS FEAST OF LIVING BOOKS, LIVING IDEAS, & LIVING THINGS
THREE-FOLD KNOWLEDGE (GOD, MAN, UNIVERSE) WITH DEPTH OF RELATIONS
A REFRESHING ATMOSPHERE
GOOD HABITS SHAPED BY HUMILITY & WISDOM
A GENEROUS FEAST OF LIVING BOOKS, LIVING IDEAS, & LIVING THINGS
All applicants and BVCS parents are expected to have read: For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay and In Vital Harmony by Karen Glass. Our families must be supportive of Charlotte Mason principles and methods to ensure that your hopes for your children resonate with our vision and priorities for BVCS, and are in keeping with the philosophical distinctives of our work.
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Branches & Vine Cottage School is a Charlotte Mason “Cottage School” (homeschool hybrid) coming alongside families located in South Dayton, Ohio.
Guided by the Word, and informed by Charlotte Mason principles, we spread the feast of a “life-giving education” (living books, living ideas, living things) through three-fold knowledge (God, man, universe) with depth of relations and habits of thought & life, to be used by the Holy Spirit to transform students (Branches) in loving, serving, and abiding in Christ (True Vine). “I am the VINE, you are the BRANCHES. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 |
The Cottage School Branch of our TRUE VINE CM NETWORK
An educational initiative of Calvary South Dayton |