How to Do NarrationHere's how to do narration: a foundational Charlotte Mason method.Sonya ShaferJanuary 7, 20201 Comment
Homeschooling Overseas with the Charlotte Mason MethodIt seems like more and more people are traveling and expanding their horizons around the world. We often get asked for advice and practical tips from families who are planning to live and homeschool overseas. The Charlotte Mason Method can…Sonya ShaferDecember 30, 20191 Comment
Our Wills and God’s WillWe’ve spent several blog posts talking about the way of the will and how to strengthen the will so it will be able to choose to do what is right, even when it’s hard. I’ve really enjoyed these weeks of…Sonya ShaferDecember 23, 2019
Favorite Early Modern History Books for Grades 10–12I remember my high school history books. They were nothing like these beauties! My history textbooks were full of summaries and facts. These are full of ideas and people and fascinating narratives that make the events of the past come…Sonya ShaferDecember 17, 20192 Comments
I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Wish I DidThis morning my alarm went off as scheduled. I squinted my eyes part-way open and took in the dark room and the cold rain pattering against the window. It was a dreary day, but it was warm and cozy under…Sonya ShaferDecember 10, 20195 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Christmas Season EditionA well-rounded Charlotte Mason education involves living ideas from great books, the discipline of good habits, and the atmosphere of our homes. We’d like to focus on that third aspect today. My friend and co-worker Laura Pitney is here to…Sonya ShaferDecember 2, 201911 Comments
Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 7–9I love being surrounded by great books! My father recently made me two more bookcases, so I’ve been happily reshuffling and reorganizing my collection of history and literature books. That’s one of my favorite tasks: handling and organizing my books.…Sonya ShaferNovember 19, 2019
3 Ways to Develop WillpowerRight off the bat, some of you may be thinking, “Strengthen my child’s will? I don’t need to strengthen it. He’s a strong-willed child already!” And that may be the case, but don’t jump to any conclusions. You might want…Sonya ShaferNovember 12, 2019
Your Questions Answered: Fitting in the Good StuffMy friend and co-worker Laura Pitney is joining me to talk about all of those wonderful enrichment subjects. Here’s the question to discuss today: “There are so many enriching subjects in a Charlotte Mason approach: picture study, music study, nature…Sonya ShaferNovember 5, 20192 Comments
Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 4–6The Early Modern time period includes many fascinating people and events. And what better way to study them than through living books—books that make them come alive in your child’s mind; books that touch their emotions and fire their imaginations;…Sonya ShaferOctober 23, 2019
Is Your Child Strong-Willed or Weak-Willed?A few weeks ago I did a post on the Way of the Will as a little refresher course on how Charlotte Mason explained the will and how it works. Many of you responded with requests for more on that…Sonya ShaferOctober 15, 2019
Your Questions Answered: Favorite CM MomentsToday my friend and co-worker Laura Pitney is with me to share some of our favorite moments using the Charlotte Mason method. Sonya: I’m thinking back on it, now that I’ve graduated three out of my four kids, and I…Sonya ShaferOctober 8, 20192 Comments
How to Read HistoryWhen I was a little girl, I would go visit my grandparents once or twice a year. I quickly figured out that things at my grandparents’ house were different from my own house. They had different-looking furniture; they watched different…Sonya ShaferOctober 1, 20192 Comments
Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 1–3Today I’d like to share some of my favorite living books for early elementary students, those in grades 1–3, covering history during the years of 1550–1850 or so. I’m going to share titles for both American history and world history…Sonya ShaferSeptember 24, 2019
Nature Walk or Nature Study?In a Charlotte Mason Homeschool, we know we should do nature study once a week, or is that a nature walk once a week? What’s the difference, anyway? Let’s figure this out. Joining me today is my longtime friend and…Sonya ShaferSeptember 17, 20193 Comments
