TBG Classical
T BG Classical co-op
A Classical Charlotte Mason Co-op in Fort Mitchell, Alabama
Form 1-5 (Grades 1-12)
Our Vision
We are a classical Charlotte Mason co-op in Fort Mitchell, Alabama for families with children in Kindergarten, Form 1-6 (Grades K-12). We believe to educate a person is to cultivate virtue and wisdom by nourishing the whole child with truth, beauty, and goodness so that, in Christ, a child is able to know, glorify, and enjoy God.
TBG Classical equips and enriches the lives of its families by providing a curriculum within a cooperative community wherein we serve one another and delight in learning together about God's world. Every mother shares her gifts to benefit the co-op, and every child- even a younger sibling- is invited to participate in either the form, kindergarten, or playroom.
TBG Classical stands for Truth, Beauty, and Goodness—the timeless virtues that guide our community. It serves as a reminder that Christ is our Truth. That through Him, He reveals beauty in creation and learning, and His Goodness is poured into our lives each day. As such, we pursue, protect, and pass on truth, goodness, and beauty as image bearers of Christ.
​May every child in TBG Co-op, know and experience Christ in these things and the life of the Spirit.
The Heart Behind TBG Classical
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In 2019, life brought a wave of overwhelming challenges. I was homeschooling four of our children, grieving the loss of my mother, caring for a newborn, and navigating the absence of my husband who had just deployed. I was alone—and I was weary. I needed support. I needed community.
By God’s grace, I found a homeschool co-op that welcomed me in and poured into my soul. It was a lifeline. A place where I could learn to thrive again, grow, and be reminded that I wasn’t alone.
Fast forward to 2023, the Holy Spirit began stirring something in my heart. He reminded me of the isolation I once felt—and opened my eyes to the many other homeschooling mothers who still feel that same loneliness. With His prompting, TBG Classical was birthed.
Our mission is simple but deep: to provide not only classical Charlotte Mason education, but a strong, Christ-centered community for families who are longing to be seen, supported, and spiritually nourished.
Our Curriculum: All Forms
Art Study
Education should prepare a child to use his aesthetic sense. Through art study we aim to furnish the child's mind with whole galleries of beautiful paintings to shape the thought life and the imagination. We enjoy the paintings of one artist each term.
Ethics
Children need to learn how to identify truth. Charlotte Mason believed that children grow in wisdom and character by reading Aesops fables, stories about real people who faced big decisions, and books about ethical and moral behavior .
Dancing
Dancing is a unique part of Charlotte Mason Education. The lessons help children train their bodies through fun movement. Mason believed a child's duty included the care and cultivation of the body so they would be able to serve Christ.
Our Curriculum: All Forms
Handicraft
Truth, Goodness, and Beauty is found in the way we learn how to spend our time making things for others. Handicrafts are not "cute" crafts made from construction paper, scissors, and a glue stick. These are timeless treasures that teach us a skill that our children can use for the rest of their lives.
Hymn Study
Singing together is one way to give our children deep theological principles of our triune God. It creates a storehouse from which to draw that convey truth, goodness, and beauty.
Recitation
Recitation is not the same as memorization. Reading, returning to, remembering and sharing a recitation teaches a child how to dwell on living ideas and speak well. Every child is invited to share a personally chosen piece on a weekly basis but no child is required to share in front of the group.
Our Curriculum: All Forms
Folksong Study
Singing songs of the past unite children and history together in profound ways. A certain camaraderie exists between those that share a sung story.
Art lessons
Children should train their eyes to notice the things that are beautiful. Philippians 4.8 encourages believers to focus their thoughts on what is lovely. Training children in art theory and instructing them on how to study and draw lovely things, helps them to learn how to focus on what is lovely. Furthermore, it helps them become more observant, thoughtful, and connected to the world around them.
Our Curriculum: Specific Forms
Form I Fairy Tales (grades k-3)
Children should have exposure to good literature. They need to nourish the mind. Fairy Tales provide opportunities for children to imagine and hope. G.K. Chesterton said, "Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed."
Form 2, 3+: Shakespeare (grades 4-12)
As children get older, their brains need to continue feasting on good ideas. Mason believed that Shakespeare's language, while challenging, exposes children to beautiful, expressive, and complex English. Mason trusted that even nine and ten year old children could understand and enjoy Shakespeare when introduced in the right way (often through well-done retellings first, then original excerpts).
Our Curriculum: Form 3+ ( High school)
Literature
As the body is sustained on food, so is the mind nourished with good literature. In high school our students are exposed to literature. These good sources will help to form mature, thoughtful, and virtuous young adults. In the high school years, students read a wide variety of challenging, living books, including:
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Classic English literature (Shakespeare, Milton, Dickens, etc.)
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World literature (translated works from Homer, Dante, Goethe, etc.)
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Historical novels and biographies
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Speeches, essays, and thoughtful nonfiction
Composition
Students begin formal writing and learn how to write essays and technical writing that will equip them to become life long writers. They learn how to communicate their ideas clearly and thoughtfully.