If you’ve been around Charlotte Mason homeschoolers for any length of time, you have most likely heard the term “spine” book. While it may seem like such a term would refer to a type of science book, it’s actually more likely to be used for history. Let’s take a few minutes to make sure we’re […]
We’ve been talking the past couple of weeks about how much Charlotte Mason valued Shakespeare. She considered his works to be a great way to help instruct children’s consciences, reinforcing the differences between right and wrong, good and evil. (more…)
My first exposure to Shakespeare was in a high school language arts class. We had a substitute teacher that day. He didn’t know what to do with the class, so he wheeled in one of those TV-on-a-cart jobs and popped in a video tape of The Taming of the Shrew. (more…)
Every once in a while you find an author with whom you connect on a deep level. One who can use words masterfully to paint a picture on the wall of your mind, almost as vivid as a framed watercolor in your living room. A writer with keen insights into personality and human nature, which […]
My youngest daughter is earning money toward a trip. Ever since she learned about the Oregon Trail, she has wanted to go visit some of its destinations in person. She is saving coins in a bright purple piggy bank. She usually earns only one or two coins per day, but each time she drops one […]
Last week we talked a little about how a Charlotte Mason education works well with boys, sharing points from Doug and Karen Smith, who have graduated three boys from their CM home school. We thought some of you might also be interested in hearing about “the next step” for one of their boys. CM parents […]
When I tell people that I have four girls, they often jump to an incorrect conclusion: So the Charlotte Mason Method doesn’t work for boys? That’s when I smile and tell them that the “other half” of Simply Charlotte Mason is Doug and Karen Smith, who just so happen to have three boys. (more…)
Like many of you, I grew up taking piano lessons. I remember playing Beethoven’s Fur Elise and exercises from Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier. But no one ever told me the stories behind those pieces or introduced the composers to me as real people with living histories. For me, those composers were simply labels and their works […]
As the old year winds down, one thing I love to do is look for resources that will help me in the new year. A variety is best. I keep my eyes open for resources that will save me time, keep me focused on what is most important, help me continue to learn, enrich my […]
We’ve talked a lot about narration this past year. So we thought you might enjoy reading a portion of Charlotte Mason’s own written narration of the birth of Jesus Christ, composed in poetry form. Have a blessed Christmas! (more…)
Earlier this year I had the privilege of reading Karen Glass’ new book, Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition. From the very beginning I couldn’t put it down! Her work cuts deftly through the confusion swirling around this topic. She clarifies what true classical education is and how Charlotte Mason related to it; […]
A quick read. Sometimes that little touch lifts our heads from the everyday rush and points our eyes once again toward a beautiful goal. This Christmas season we want to give you the gift of a quick read. One that will encourage your heart for a new year of homeschooling. A little touch that will […]
We are pleased to announce one new book, two new Picture Study Portfolios, and free shipping during the month of December! (more…)
(Editor’s Note: I sometimes get asked, “What about creative writing?” Here is a lovely post about how to approach creative writing by guest writer, Karen Andreola.) “If we would believe it, composition is a natural as jumping and running to children who have been allowed due use of books.”—Charlotte Mason (more…)
When I started homeschooling with the Charlotte Mason Method, my focus was all on the children. I thought this endeavor was about giving my children the kind of education that I hadn’t received. Little did I suspect the added bonus that awaited me. (more…)
This year we graduated our third child from our home school. All three of our children were taught with Charlotte Mason methods, though I refined my techniques over the years as I researched and learned more. Some of the refinements I made were in how I used narration during the high school years. Here is […]
Sometimes a phrase jumps off the page and sticks with me. I’m sure you have experienced similar moments. The choice of words resonates with my heart or touches something deep inside my mind, and I notice them replaying in my thoughts over the next few days, sometimes weeks or months. Sometimes years. (more…)
As we have worked our way through the Narration Q & A series over the past few weeks, I’ve been trying to group the questions by topic. We have a couple more big topics left to cover, but today I want to touch on two great questions that didn’t quite fit into those larger topics. […]
Can you touch your ceiling? I can’t touch the ceiling in my kitchen even if I jump. It’s a standard height, but I can barely reach it with a 2-foot-long fly swatter. Now can you imagine jumping over your ceiling? That’s the current world record for high jump: a smidgen over 8 feet. It boggles […]
There was once a man named Bill, who decided to go for a hike from Georgia to Maine on the Appalachian Trail. A distance of about 2,000 miles. Six months of hiking, sleeping on the ground, and cooking meals outside. So he went to a local outfitters and they laid out everything he would need, […]
Getting the Spine Book Straight
6 days ago
Wisdom from Shakespeare
2 weeks ago
Shakespeare in Three Steps: A New Resource
3 weeks ago
Shakespeare: Author and World-Teacher
4 weeks ago
Small, Constant Touches
1 month ago