Charlotte Mason’s feast spreads to include the subject of architecture. A Delectable Education podcast this week is an interview with Sandra Zuidema who has discovered the joy of exploring the ideas in architecture, its history, people, structures and culture and shares ways she has introduced this to her children.
Listen Now:
“But any sketch of the history teaching in Forms V and VI in a given period depends upon a notice of the ‘literature’ set; for plays, novels, essays, ‘lives,’ poems, are all pressed into service and where it is possible, the architecture, painting, etc., which the period produced.” (Vol. 6, pp. 177-178)
“We do what is possible to introduce children to Architecture; and we practise clay-modelling and the various artistic handicrafts, but there is nothing unusual in our work in these directions.” (Vol. 6, p. 217)
“I shall touch later upon the burning question of a curriculum which shall furnish children, not with dry bones of fact, but with fact clothed upon with the living flesh, breathed into by the vital spirit of quickening ideas.” (Vol. 3, p. 124)
If you would like to study along with us, here are some passages from The Home Education Series and other Parent’s Review articles that would be helpful for this episode’s topic. You may also read the series online here, or get the free Kindle version from Fisher Academy.
An Essay Towards a Philosophy of Education (Volume 6), Book I, Chapter 10, Section II: Art
Story of Architecture, Waterhouse
Child’s History of Art, Hiller
Architecture Shown to the Children, Wynne
Concise History of Western Architecture, Jordan
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How fascinating!! I didnt know that I didnt know! Thank you ladies!
Isn't it wonderful, Maria, to know we're not done knowing and are doing what we were made for: wanting to know.
Liz
I am a spanish students who loves listening to your podcasts, but it would also be fantantic to be able to read the script. Would there be any possibility to obtain them.
Thank you very much in advance.
I just listened to this podcast! I have always found architecture fascinating! I love the idea of finding out about the culture, people and their motives for building what they built, I never thought of it that way! I was also trying to think of modern day examples that I can study with my children and I remembered that there is a Christian faith that has been building temples since the 1800s until even today. One temple took them 40 years to build, and in the early years, they would build these temples under great persecution, while they were being driven from their homes, their goal was to complete these temples. One of the times when they were being driven from their homes by gunpoint, they had to witness there beloved temple go up in flames as it was burned by mobs, some of my ancestors were there. About 16 years ago this church rebuilt that temple using the original plans, and journals that were kept by the members, and they were able to replicate it, even down to the rugs and curtains, because of the details that were written down 100+ years earlier, this was in Nauvoo, Illinois. Also they were able to build a temple in East Germany during communist rule! Today there are 16 temples of these temples under construction all around the world, Italy, Paris, AZ, the Congo, Brazil, and as they build each temple, they spare no expense, and they use local artists and craftsmen, and the local architecture that reflects each culture! It is so amazing to see this in modern times. Before they bless each temple, they open tours up to the public, anyone can go in, and before the blessing or dedication, they have the youth from that area, or country put on a grand cultural celebration! I have been to a few of these temples, and they are absolutely AMAZING!! My brother owns a construction company that was hired by this church to do the concrete for two of these temples in Arizona, and he said that because these temples are sacred to the people they are very strict about how the workers conduct themselves on the job sight. So as I listened to this podcast and it was mentioned about our modern architecture, skyscrapers, big shopping malls, I felt so sad for our society, but then as I kept listening to the beautiful conversation of architecture through the ages, it came to mind this modern example right here in our time, and it gave me hope, there are still people who build beautiful monuments for who or what they believe in, and this blesses the society where they are built. there are currently 155 temples completed, and 15 under construction, and 10 more that have been announced where they will be built! Amazing!
This is very inspiring. Thank you for sharing.
~Nicole
This was thrilling! I can’t wait to start my own study of architecture! We live in a beautiful West Coast city with a rich, proud history and wonderful old buildings, and fancy ourselves architecture appreciators, but there is so much more to it than eye candy! Can’t wait! Fabulous guest, ladies!
Enjoy learning more about architecture! I’m glad you enjoyed listening to Sandra as much as I enjoyed talking with her.
-Emily
What forms are the suggested books suited for? I’d like to make a plan for form 2 and up.
Other than the Waterhouse and Jordan books, I would say the others would be appropriate for Form 2–however, keep in mind that CM didn’t start the study of Architecture until at least Form 3 (7-8th grades). Check out yesterday’s episode (#99) to hear more specifics of what this looked like in her programmes!