Sonya Shafer

Joined: April 19, 2006
Articles: 928
Comments: 271

Charlotte Mason Method, Nature Study, Seasonal Inspiration

Nature Study Ideas for Winter

In the midst of yet another cold front and winter weather advisory, I wondered what nature lovers during Charlotte Mason’s day did for winter nature study. So I turned to The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady to see what…

Sonya Shafer
January 28, 2014
7 Comments

Visits to the North America geography notebook

Books & Resources, Geography

Visits to North America and More Stamps

We’re excited to announce that Visits to North America, the latest in our Visits to . . . geography notebooks, is now available! Each notebook combines step-by-step map work with delightful living book suggestions for older and younger students, plus…

Sonya Shafer
January 22, 2014

Encouragement, Books & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is

The Story of a Stamp

Every once in a while you meet a kindred spirit who just knows how to nourish your heart. I had that privilege last fall when my travels took me to McDonough, Georgia, and the Hildreth family. I had actually met…

Sonya Shafer
January 14, 2014
4 Comments

Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is, Encouragement

Flowing Stream or Stagnant Pool?

Near our neighborhood are two houses that provide a study in contrast. Each has a pond on its property, and each of the owners has built a little dock at the edge of his pool. When you drive by in…

Sonya Shafer
January 8, 2014
1 Comment

Books & Resources, Encouragement

Planning to Learn and Grow in 2014

There’s something about a blank calendar that excites me! All those days are spread out in enticing array as opportunities. When I look at 2014, I see so many opportunities to learn and grow as a person! But if there…

Sonya Shafer
January 2, 2014
1 Comment

Charlotte Mason Method, Seasonal Inspiration

The Shepherds at Bethlehem

Sometimes a turn of phrase can bring a fresh perspective on the familiar. That is what Charlotte Mason’s poetry has done for me this season. Ponder, for a moment, these descriptions of the shepherds’ experience on the night of Christ’s…

Sonya Shafer
December 24, 2013

Charlotte Mason homeschooling favorites for 2013

Charlotte Mason Method

Favorite Posts from 2013

As we near the end of the year, it’s fun and interesting to look at summaries in different areas of life. We run financial reports to summarize how we spent our money during the year and are sometimes astonished to…

Sonya Shafer
December 18, 2013

Events

Encouragement Conference

Encouragement. We all need it. Sometimes more than we know. When you’re first starting to learn about Charlotte Mason methods and everything is new, encouragement can assure your heart and give you confidence to keep moving in the right direction.…

Sonya Shafer
December 11, 2013
1 Comment

Books & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Seasonal Inspiration, Encouragement

A Winter Season

It’s hard to believe that winter is nearly here. The leaves are off the trees and it seems like there is nothing green growing in sight. Yet this time of year is important to the growth process. Something is happening…

Sonya Shafer
December 4, 2013
2 Comments

Charlotte Mason Method, Reading, Literature

Reading for the Pleasure of Others, Part 5

Reading aloud well is an art form and a skill that we would do well to practice, especially those of us who use the Charlotte Mason approach for homeschooling. Reading aloud holds a prominent place in Charlotte’s methods; it rests…

Sonya Shafer
November 27, 2013

Reading, Charlotte Mason Method

Reading for the Pleasure of Others, Part 4

I once worked with an organist who had been taught the mechanics of playing the instrument. She had also been informed about the idea of “playing with feeling” and was careful to vary the speed and volume of the piece…

Sonya Shafer
November 19, 2013

Charlotte Mason Method, Reading

Reading for the Pleasure of Others, Part 3

During my high school years, I spent summers working at a camp. One particular week, all the campers had various special needs, and my job was to help serve the meals to their tables. As I was going about my…

Sonya Shafer
November 13, 2013
1 Comment

Charlotte Mason Method, Reading

Reading for the Pleasure of Others, Part 2

Last week we started a series on the art of reading aloud. Those of us who use the Charlotte Mason Method of homeschooling read aloud regularly. And Charlotte gave us some tips to help us read in a way that…

Sonya Shafer
November 5, 2013
2 Comments

Charlotte Mason Method, Reading

Reading for the Pleasure of Others, Part 1

From the time my children were tiny, reading aloud has been a fixed pleasure in our lives. I remember sitting on the couch with a stack of books that my little ones had gleefully selected, hauled over, and handed to…

Sonya Shafer
October 31, 2013
2 Comments

Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is

A Lesson from an Old House

Earlier this week a dear friend showed me her 100-year-old house. We tread on the original wood floors, admired the multiple fireplaces, and talked about the people who had lived there before. The house has a rich history, and my…

Sonya Shafer
October 23, 2013
2 Comments

Books & Resources, Handicrafts

New Woodworking Handicrafts DVD

As I sit at my desk, I can see so many pieces of furniture that my father has crafted from wood for our family: four beautiful bookcases that stretch to the ceiling and hold much of my precious library; a…

Sonya Shafer
October 16, 2013

Books & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is, Encouragement

A Calendar and a Reminder That Children Are Not Carrots

First, the calendar. Each year SCM publishes a specially-themed calendar in two versions: a school-year version (July through June) and a calendar-year version (January through December). We’re happy to announce that the 2014 Calendar Journal, A Growing Time, calendar-year version,…

Sonya Shafer
October 8, 2013
2 Comments

Encouragement, Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is

A Chance to Be a Person

A couple of weeks ago, for no compelling reason, I pulled off the shelf a historical fiction book that I first enjoyed about 25 years ago. I figured its 1400 pages would again give me many happy moments over the…

Sonya Shafer
October 3, 2013
12 Comments

Charlotte Mason Method, Special Needs, Narration

Narration with Auditory and Speech Issues

The art of narrating—telling back what you know in your own words—can be a challenge for most every student. But for those who struggle with auditory processing or speech issues, narration can be even more challenging—for both student and parent.…

Sonya Shafer
September 25, 2013
19 Comments

Books & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is, Encouragement

Simple and Effective

Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be. Take writing this blog, for instance. I started the process several times this morning, deliberating, pondering, debating over how best to communicate what I’ve been thinking and feeling. I must…

Sonya Shafer
September 11, 2013
2 Comments