As an eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschooler, nature study is near and dear to my heart—and the hearts of my children. We have learned so much about our Creator and the sciences through our weekly nature walks, all while touching on bits and pieces of almost every other subject under the […]
Read MoreNew to Homeschooling
A Gentle Preschool: The Charlotte Mason Way
The preschool years are a special time, full of wonder and innocence as children try to make sense of their world. I don’t know about you, but when I think about what I want for my preschoolers, I want these years to be abundantly full of excitement, discovery, and learning. […]
Read MoreThe Sense of Classical Education
The aim of a classical education is to form children into adults who pursue truth, prefer goodness, and proliferate beauty. The art of grammar provides practice in gathering truth naturally through hearing, seeing, touching, tasting, and smelling. The art of dialectic provides practice in wisely analyzing the goodness of the things we see, hear, […]
Read MoreWhat is Classical Christian Education? A Sailing Ship
The word classical is derived from the Latin word classis, which means “a fleet of ships.” Let me, therefore, touch on some of the ways in which classical Christian education can be likened to a ship. Like an old three-masted ship built of wood and powered by the wind, classical education sailed around […]
Read MoreLearning Is a Lifestyle
When I began homeschooling eight years ago, like many new homeschoolers, I thought homeschooling was the same as (public) schooling at home. Boy, was I wrong! Over the years, with much trial and error, we have finally come to rest in our gentle daily rhythm. This rhythm allows for the […]
Read MoreInside a Charlotte Mason Homeschool
Pull up a chair. We’re just getting started with our homeschooling for the day. Amy is eight this year, and we’re using the Charlotte Mason method. If you’re curious about what a typical day looks like, you’re welcome to take a peek inside this Charlotte Mason homeschool. 8:30—Scripture Memory I […]
Read MoreHow to Teach Great Literature in the Classical/Charlotte Mason Homeschool
Oh, Mom—I’ll never forget this book!” Wouldn’t you love to hear those words from your son or daughter? Great books are special. They capture the hearts and minds of readers, century after century. Great books enlarge thinking, expand the known world, and bring abstract concepts such as justice, love, and […]
Read MoreDon’t Forget the Fun!
Do you ever feel like all you do is cover the basics? Jumping from math to English, to history and science, then off to the kids’ activities or church and all those other good things you do. Before you know it, the week is over and you didn’t do nearly […]
Read MoreUnderstanding Learning Styles Sets Us Free
We were two weeks into my second son’s first grade year. It was our second year of homeschooling. He was seated at his desk, and I was stationed at the whiteboard, emulating my public school teachers. This was our routine: Me: “Sit still, Honey.” I would teach. Me: “Pay attention.” […]
Read MoreWho Needs Evidence? But, Here it is Anyway!
No one needs research evidence to convince him that murder is bad for people. And why does anyone need research to show her that loving parental involvement in a child’s life is good for his education? Most Christian parents homeschool because they know that parent-led home-based discipleship is biblically normative. […]
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