Over the past few months, I’ve taken a deep dive into poetry study and its application in our homeschool. Fortunately, Charlotte Mason researcher, speaker, writer, and father extraordinaire, Art Middlekauff, has graciously given me the resources and space to dig in, chew on a few things, and share my journey publicly. All of this culminated in a podcast episode, a personal blog post, and a couple of editor’s notes on related Parents’ Review articles, all of which can be found on Charlotte Mason Poetry.

Interestingly, the Charlotte Mason Poetry website offers all of its articles in writing on the blog and audio via the podcast. So whether you have a strong preference for one or the other format or prefer to switch back and forth depending on your mood, the option is always available. I’ve linked directly to the blog below for your reading (or listening) pleasure, but you can also pull the show up in your favorite podcast app.

Podcast Interview

Before rolling up my sleeves on the special topic of poetry, I was able to share my heart in an honest and cathartic interview with Art. In this podcast episode, Charlotte Mason and Your Heritage, we discuss the relevance and application of Charlotte Mason’s ideas for mothers and families today.

Personal Blog Post

In The Promises of Poetry, I speak about how I journeyed from complete indifference to adoration of poetry for myself and my children, and I reference two compelling Parents’ Review articles. The authors of these articles from the early 1900s helped propel my understanding of how poetry can be used (and abused) within my homeschool and have been the the driving force behind my recent pushes to highlight poetry and poets we love.

It was certainly my “ignorance of what they have written” that at one time threatened to deprive my children of a glorious heritage [poetry]. And because I speak so frequently of my deep desire to connect my children with their cultural heritage, I find it ironic that I was nearly willing to deny them a link to their broader heritage — those things which bind all human hearts. 

Parents’ Review Articles

The Parents’ Review is a magazine that was sent to parents and teachers of Charlotte Mason’s schools and correspondence-type homeschools between about 1890 and 1920. Many of these articles have been transcribed and can be found online in various places, including the Charlotte Mason Poetry archive of PNEU documents.

I’ve spent hours and hours reading PR articles on many topics while growing my mind and expanding the application of Charlotte Mason’s principles, as well as general life principles, in my home. But there are two articles in particular that convicted me while simultaneously helping me fall deeper in love with poetry:

On the Teaching of Poetry – In January 1919, a writer identified only as M.A.W. wrote this article for the Parents’ Review addressing how and why poetry should be taught. What struck me while reading the author’s thoughts was how timely the 100-year-old observations are for parents and educators today.

Read to the child, as beautifully as you can read, the most melodious things you can find. Ask him whether the tones are those of sorrow or joy, anger or entreaty, desire or regret. Then turn to the words for an explanation of the emotion.

M.A.W. The Parents’ Review, 1919, pp. 13-18

On the Teaching of Poetry to Children – Poetry is difficult to define, but in this Parents’ Review article from 1908, M. H. Simpson attempts to do just that while acknowledging that she has yet to encounter a satisfactory description. After settling on poetry as “the expression of our spiritual instincts which our present materialism will not let us hear,” the author reminds us that, like other art forms, an appreciation of poetry must be cultivated. It is a gift, freely given to all who extend their arms to receive “its beauty, its sadness, its mystery, its joy and its pain.”

Though titled similarly, these articles were written 11 years apart by different voices who carved unique paths to a common destination. Evaluated separately, they are insightful, but when considered in tandem, magic is made.

Poetry Recommendations

Inspired by a comment left on one of the Charlotte Mason Poetry posts asking about my favorite poets, I’ve compiled a list of a few cherished Black poets for poetry teatime and Charlotte Mason poetry study that you may enjoy as mirrors or windows in your home.

I know better than to think that I’m done considering poetry and its place in the hearts of my children, but I wanted to pause here and share my journey to today with you. I hope there is something here that you can carry with you and sprinkle into your home right away or over time. And I’m sure that I’ll be back to share more as I mature in my understanding and love for verse and the poets who share their gifts with us.

You can find me on Instagram @heritagemomblog, Art @artmiddlekauff and the Charlotte Mason Poetry team @charlottemasonpoetry.