Signature Framework

Our Daily Bread

Our Signature Framework, or rhythm, here at Fablewood Cottage is called “Our Daily Bread”. The purpose of our uniquely designed rhythm to not only help create a smooth homeschool day, but to also cultivate a living family culture in the home.

This rhythm has three distinct sections-

01
The Morning Gather

02
Living Lessons

03
The Evening Fold

The Daily Flow -

Since we are a Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool curriculum rooted in classical living books, slow traditional skills, and hands-on homestead/nature education, we created a unique to us rhythm, or schedule, to help the flow of the day. This is our Daily Bread.

  • The Purpose of the Morning Gather is to gather the family, set the tone for the day, and nourish the soul before the mind begins to work.

    What this looks like:

    • Breakfast together at the table

    • Morning prayer or Bible readings

    • Soft morning riches like listening to hymns, folksongs, looking over a picture study or quietly doing handicrafts

    Most curricula rushes kids into academics, we begin with beautiful meaning, belonging and worship.

  • Living Lessons is where the meaningful, focused work happens without hurry.

    What lives here:

    • Core education lessons broken into small, nourshing portions (including literature, math, science, history, etc)

    • Younger Years - lessons done with Mom

    • Upper Years - Independent work with check ins

    • Lunch, naps, quiet time and/or outdoor time can also live here

    The normal Charlotte Mason structure but shining through our Cottagestead lens. We’re not afraid of rigor, but it is also not forced.

  • The purpose of the Evening Fold is to return learning back into life and family at the end of the day, coming together as a unit once again. Education that prepares you for real life and forms whole persons whom are attentive, self governing, and morally grounded young adults that can think, work and create independently.

    What this looks like:

    • Family discussions around the dinner table and our “Fireside Studies”

    • Cooking dinner together or baking dessert

    • House and Farm chores

    • Nature walks or outdoor time

    • Handicraft time, game nights and family read-alouds

    Learning doesn’t end when the official curriculum books close.

Example Schedule -

Monday

THE MORNING GATHER

    • Wake up and Mom starts preparing breakfast with a soft hymn playing in the background, while the children explore a morning basket sat out on the table with riches inside (handicrafts, picture study, Bible verses, coloring pages, etc)

    • Prayer and then breakfast is had.

    • Short morning discussion about today’s plans, goals and expectations or short discussions about morning basket work done.

    • Everyone helps tidy up the table for Living Lessons and morning house or farm chores are done.

    LIVING LESSONS

  • Mom starts reading a chapter from Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne to the Younger years, while the Upper years start working on their lessons independently (three subjects a day on rotation).

  • Upper year makes lunch for everyone while mom reads a Bible story. Lunch is had and children can give their oral narrations during this time.

  • Mom puts toddler/baby down for a nap, Younger years have quiet time in their room or play outside, while Upper year continues to work on their lessons for the day.

EVENING FOLD

  • Toddler/baby gets up from nap, and the kids play independently while Mom starts prepping for dinner. Younger years and Upper years can either help with dinner or play/watch siblings.

  • Narrations can be given orally during this time (either while preparing dinner or at the dinner table) about what they read today if they didn't give one right after the lesson.

  • Sit at the table, prayer and have dinner together as a family, and tidy up dinner together as a family.

  • Evening family house or farm chores - everyone pitches in somewhere. Younger kids play outside or independently during chore time.

  • End the day with a family Fireside Study, game night or family read aloud from Bible or chosen novel.

  • Normal bedtime routine to finish off the night.

The Weekly Flow -

This weekly rhythm stays the same for all years and for every term to help students gain confidence in their independence and ownership of their work and individual schedules.

Remember, each subject, especially for Younger and Middle years, are done in about 20 minute increments. Upper years may need to read or work longer if they have an assigned chapter for the day.

YY = Younger Years. MY = Middle Years. UY = Upper Years.

    • Literature

    • History

    • Enrichment (YY & MY)

    • Independent Study (UY)

    • Science

    • Theology

    • Enrichment

    • Literature

    • History

    • Enrichment (YY & MY)

    • Business Block (UY)

    • Science

    • Theology

    • Enrichment (YY & MY)

    • Independent Study (UY)

    • Literature (lighter or discussions)

    • Enrichment

    • Business Block (UY)