3 Little Words for Habit Training: TactMany of you are in the throes of habit training this fall. So over the next few weeks let’s take a look at three little words that will play a big role in that process. We’ve discussed key words in…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits
CM Blog CarnivalEvery month you have a wonderful opportunity to access an inspiring collection of blog posts from other moms around the world who use the Charlotte Mason approach. It’s called the CM Blog Carnival. At the carnival site you will find…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement
Visits to South & Central America and AustraliaA couple of weeks ago my daughter and I visited New Zealand. We didn’t board an airplane or book passage on a ship; we made the trip from the floor of our school room with a map and a sweet…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Geography
The Book List QuizChoosing the books for your Charlotte Mason home school is an important task. Put any two CMers in a room for any length of time and chances are good that they will be talking books. “What do you think about…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Education Is
2016 Calendar Journal Now AvailableI’ve been copying a lot of meaningful entries in my Commonplace Book lately. Many of them have come from the little but rich volume that Charlotte Mason gave all her teaching-school graduates, The Cloud of Witness compiled by Mrs. Lyttelton…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement, Books & Resources
The Power of an IdeaLast week we talked a bit about how living ideas feed the mind. You will hear that phrase “living ideas” often in a Charlotte Mason approach to learning. Sometimes it’s hard to grasp the concept of a living idea as…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Education Is, Living Books2 Comments
Happiness: A Family TrustWhen I think about responsibilities within the household, I immediately think of chores. Who is in charge of emptying the trash this week? Who is in charge of doing lunch dishes or cleaning the downstairs bathroom? Many of those responsibilities…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Parenting2 Comments
Reinforce Good Habits: Simple Tips for a Smooth Year, Part 4The habit of full attention. The habit of best effort. Would your home school be any different if your students had those two habits? Here are two tips to help you reinforce them—the last tips in this series.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement2 Comments
Sequence Your Day: Simple Tips for a Smooth Year, Part 3There seems to be a somewhat common misconception among homeschoolers—especially those who are new to the Charlotte Mason Method. Let’s set the record straight: the Charlotte Mason approach is not just living books. There is much more to Charlotte Mason…Sonya ShaferEncouragement, Charlotte Mason Method3 Comments
Provide Variety: Simple Tips for a Smooth Year, Part 2A couple of days ago a friend shared something exciting over lunch. She had been reading a book about the origins and use of colors throughout history. In it, the author mentioned several artists. My friend enthusiastically explained that she…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement
Stop and Wait: Simple Tips for a Smooth Year, Part 1This morning my youngest and I went to the store. Schools in our community started today, so it was a quiet time to go shopping. I pulled a shopping cart from the end of the stack and wheeled it to…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement1 Comment
Taking ShapeIt’s exciting to see a new community take shape! First you see the plots marked off. Then the utilities and infrastructure are put in place. Little by little you see a few homes built. Roads are paved; sidewalks go in.…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Encouragement10 Comments
More Lesson Plans to Keep It SimpleLast week we stayed at one of my favorite hotels when we were in Texas for a convention. The facility itself is nice, but one key that makes it a favorite of mine is a petite, cheerful lady named Ling…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method5 Comments
Think of a Trip to a Theme Park, Part 2Last time we started a light-hearted little comparison that describes similarities between Simply Charlotte Mason and a trip to a theme park (complete with a hopefully unnecessary disclaimer). We talked about how our SCM Curriculum Guide is like a map…Sonya ShaferHomeschool Planning5 Comments
Think of a Trip to a Theme Park, Part 1Are any of your friends heading to a theme park this summer? It seems like, at any given time, at least one of my friends will be planning a trip to one, or heading off on her trip, or posting…Sonya ShaferHomeschool Planning2 Comments
Feed Your MindTwo statements this week have grabbed my attention. One was made by a speaker; the other, by my daughter. First, the speaker. He said that the typical adult needs about 2,000 calories per day to run on. Of those 2,000…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Seasonal Inspiration3 Comments
Using Language Well: A New Language Arts ResourceLast week we talked about how Charlotte Mason used guided discovery with her students to help them grow in language arts—the art of using language well. With guided discovery, you guide your student’s attention to a particular aspect of a…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Language Arts8 Comments
Guided Discovery: The Power of Dictation, Part 3The other day my older daughters were invited to an outdoor wedding at a barn. They spent considerable time discussing what they should wear. No one was quite sure. They wanted to wear something appropriate for the occasion, but they…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Language Arts6 Comments
Growth in Spelling: The Power of Dictation, Part 2I remember in elementary school we had weekly spelling lists. Ten words we were expected to learn before Friday’s spelling test. I would look over the list and identify any words I didn’t already know and study those. When it…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Spelling, Language Arts3 Comments
A Natural Progression: The Power of Dictation, Part 1Natural progressions. We see them all around us. A plant sprouts, then grows taller and wider, then develops buds, then blossoms with flowers. A baby pulls himself up, then stands, then cruises with the help of the sofa or mom’s…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Spelling, Language Arts2 Comments
Charlotte Mason’s Living Math: A Guided Journey, New DVD SetIn the teaching of math, Charlotte Mason believed that everything that can be demonstrated, should be demonstrated; or, in her words, “demonstrate everything demonstrable” (Vol. 1, p. 255). There is something about a hands-on demonstration that clarifies and cements the…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Math, Books & Resources7 Comments
Paper Sloyd: Charlotte Mason’s Living Math, part 3Several times a week Charlotte scheduled some type of handicraft for students in the elementary years. While all of her selected handicrafts gave those young students multiple benefits, one craft in particular was designed to give them confidence in mathematics:…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Math6 Comments
Mental Math: Charlotte Mason’s Living Math, part 2You’re at the grocery store and you remember that you promised to make spaghetti for a family reunion. Happily, you notice a sale on pasta: buy three, get the fourth one free. Each box costs $0.99. You have $10 left…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Math
Numbers and Sums: Charlotte Mason’s Living Math, part 1A few months ago I hit a wall with my youngest and her progress in math. She was doing the work but not really understanding the concepts. So I e-mailed my friend, Richele Baburina, who has done extensive research in…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Math3 Comments
Charlotte’s Heart for Teachers: 2015-16 Calendar JournalFor years young women from all over England would live with, eat with, laugh with, work with, and learn from Charlotte Mason. Charlotte believed that these teachers-in-training came to her, not just to learn to teach, but to learn to…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources3 Comments
Charlotte Mason on PrayerIf there is one thing I have become strongly convinced of over recent years, it is the importance of praying for our children. Every day. We cannot know what thoughts assail our children’s minds and hearts, all that transpires within…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits2 Comments
Charlotte Mason on KindnessIsn’t it funny how sometimes it’s hardest to show kindness to those with whom we live day in and day out? It seems like when we walk out the front door, we remind ourselves that others are watching and we…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits7 Comments
Journaling a Year in Nature: A New Nature NotebookI’ve often wished I had a personal nature guide who could accompany me on my nature walks. It’s not that I want someone to do the observing for me; that would steal my own joy of discovery. What I want…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Nature Study
Doing Nature Study in Your Yard(Editor’s Note: I’m happy to present another very helpful nature study article from my friend, Karen. She’s a wealth of nature study ideas, and I’m sure you’ll find much to encourage you from her thoughts on how to do nature…Karen SmithCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study2 Comments
Have a Purpose in Mind(Editor’s Note: I’ve learned so much about nature from my friend and coworker, Karen Smith, over the years! She is my nature go-to person. I know you will enjoy this practical and encouraging reminder from her on an important basic…Karen SmithCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study1 Comment
Two New Nature CompanionsWe mentioned last time how helpful it is to have some resources to assist you in making new acquaintances and getting to know them better in nature study. Today we’re happy to announce two new resources designed to do just…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Nature Study, Science
Making New AcquaintancesWe talked last time about the benefits of spending time outside—how it cultivates reverence for God, respect for others, and renewed focus on life. Some of you may have felt annoyed at the reminder. Some of you avoid spending time…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study4 Comments
The Quiet Schooling of NatureThe promise of spring is in the air. Lately we’ve had a few days that were warm enough to invite us outside for a refreshing walk. Here in Georgia I’ve even spotted the first brave daffodils in various yards, turning…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study5 Comments
2015 Reader Awards and Convention ScheduleTwenty years ago when I started homeschooling, one of the first resources I latched onto was Practical Homeschooling magazine. I loved reading the “A Day in the Life” diaries from other homeschool families and getting a peek into what their…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method2 Comments
Getting the Spine Book StraightIf 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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Living Books
Wisdom from ShakespeareWe’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.Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Literature
Shakespeare in Three Steps: A New ResourceMy 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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Language Arts
Shakespeare: Author and World-TeacherEvery 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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Literature1 Comment
Small, Constant TouchesMy 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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement6 Comments
Finding the Best Fit: One CM Graduate’s Next StepLast 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…Sonya ShaferParenting, High School
Charlotte Mason: It’s for Boys Too!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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Encouragement5 Comments
Music Study with the MastersLike 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…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Music3 Comments
To Equip, Educate, and Inspire You for 2015As 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,…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method1 Comment
Charlotte Mason’s Own Narration of ChristmasWe’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! It came…Sonya ShaferSeasonal Inspiration2 Comments
Charlotte Mason and Classical Education: Consider ThisEarlier 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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources2 Comments
5 Steps to Successful Narration: New Free E-bookA 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…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method
One, Two, Free!We are pleased to announce one new book, two new Picture Study Portfolios, and free shipping during the month of December!Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources
Creative Narration, Creative Writing(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…Karen AndreolaCharlotte Mason Method, Narration, Language Arts
An Added Bonus (Narration Q & A, part 18)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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Narration
Narration in High School (Narration Q & A, part 17)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…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Narration1 Comment
