Getting Started with a Book of Mottoes, or Commonplace BookA book of mottoes is a wonderful lifelong habit to form. Here's how to do it.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Language Arts1 Comment
How to Do TranscriptionHandwriting practice that encourages careful work and accurate spelling—that's transcription.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Spelling, Language Arts
Finding a Substitute BookIn a Charlotte Mason education, it’s the books that shine. They are the teachers, and a lot depends on them. That’s why we are selective when it comes to the books we recommend in our curriculum at Simply Charlotte Mason.…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources
A Charlotte Mason Homeschool Dad’s StoryMany times we focus on the mom in a Charlotte Mason homeschool. We usually focus on the moms, because they’re often the ones doing the bulk of the teaching in a homeschool. But homeschooling affects both parents. And we thought…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method
How to Do CopyworkCopywork is how Charlotte Mason did handwriting practice. Here's how to do it.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Spelling, Language Arts3 Comments
Give Your Home School a KISSIn the spring and summer, many of us turn our thoughts to evaluating our home schools. How are things going? What changes might we want to make? Some states or provinces require that you write some kind of end-of-the-school-year assessment.…Sonya ShaferEncouragement, Charlotte Mason Method1 Comment
Favorite Modern Times History Books for Grades 10–12Modern Times (about 1850 to present day) is a jam-packed era in history. So many things were happening all around the world; and thanks to improved technology, we have access to more details than any other time period. The thing…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, History
Nature Study in the CityMany of you know that Charlotte Mason was a big advocate of taking nature walks and doing nature study. She scheduled her students to get out into the fields one half-day every week, and Charlotte herself did a nature walk…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study1 Comment
How to Do Nature StudyNature study puts you in touch with the wonders of God's Creation! Here's how to do it.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study1 Comment
Your Questions Answered: Prolific ReaderI think almost all of us who use the Charlotte Mason Method have a desire to see our children love to read. We know how much richness good books can add to our thoughts and our lives, and we want…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method4 Comments
Favorite Modern Times History Books for Grades 7–9Today I want to share my top picks for living history books on modern times. These are the books that I recommend for grades 7–9, and in some cases, all the way through twelfth grade. I’ll explain more about that…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, History
Screen TimeSonya is joined by SCM co-founder Doug Smith to discuss screen time and technology.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Parenting1 Comment
How to Do a Poet StudyWith this simple approach, your children can actually enjoy poet study!Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Language Arts3 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Charlotte Mason with a Large FamilyToday I’ve asked two friends to join me: Laura Pitney and Jenn Faas. We’re going to be talking about the unique challenges of home schooling, Charlotte Mason style with a large family. Sonya: So between all of us, we’ve got…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Parenting5 Comments
Be HomeAll right, I just have to say that I’m going to miss seeing you in person! I was really looking forward to getting together with you at homeschool conventions this spring. Now that many of them are canceled, we will…Sonya ShaferEncouragement4 Comments
Favorite Modern Times History Books for Grades 4–6I love sharing great book recommendations with other homeschoolers. Today I’ll be sharing my top picks for grades 4–6 who are studying modern times, about 1850 to the present. I already reviewed books that will give an overview of that…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, History1 Comment
Charlotte Mason with BoysI have four daughters, no sons. So sometimes I get asked whether a Charlotte Mason approach works with boys. The answer is “Yes, absolutely it does,” but don’t just take my word for it. Today we’re going to talk with…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method4 Comments
How to Do Music StudyMusic study brings so much enrichment to your homeschool schedule. Here's a simple way to do it.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Music5 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Time to PlayWelcome to another installment of Your Questions Answered. As usual, my friend and co-worker, Laura Pitney is joining me. Here’s the question we’re going to discuss today: For elementary students, how do you balance all the subjects and still give…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Homeschool Planning
Favorite Modern Times History Books for Grades 1–3There are a lot of books available on modern history (about 1850 to present day). The trick is to find the good ones, the ones that are appropriate for those younger grades mentally and emotionally. Some very difficult events occurred…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, Living Books, History
Is My Child Learning Enough?If you're feeling like your child is behind or not learning enough, take a moment to be encouraged.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, Education Is, Encouragement6 Comments
How to Do Picture StudyPicture study is a simple but effective way to add art appreciation to your homeschool schedule.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Art2 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Common CM Homeschool MistakesRecently, Sonya Shafer and Laura Pitney and Karen Smith sat down to discuss this question: What are one or two (or three, four, whichever we get to) common homeschool mistakes that get in the way of success with the Charlotte…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method2 Comments
Favorite Modern Times History Books for the FamilyI must admit that I’m somewhat partial to old books. But when you’re teaching modern history, you have to find some new favorites. And I’m happy to tell you about some real gems that I’ve found and can heartily recommend…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Living Books, History
Winter Nature StudySonya is joined by Karen Smith to talk about how to do nature study when it's cold outside.Sonya ShaferNature Study, Charlotte Mason Method4 Comments
How to Do NarrationHere's how to do narration: a foundational Charlotte Mason method.Sonya ShaferNarration, Charlotte Mason Method1 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method1 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Parenting
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 ShaferBooks & Resources, Charlotte Mason Method, Living Books, History2 Comments
Habit Training Yourself — New Workshop VideoI forget which convention it was that started it all. I had just finished presenting the workshop on Laying Down the Rails, all about instilling good habits in your child’s life. As I was taking off the lapel mic and…Sonya ShaferBooks & Resources, Habits
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method5 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method11 Comments
A Chat with Pam BarnhillMy friend Pam Barnhill stopped by today and she sat down to have a little chat with us. Some of you might know her from her popular podcast, Homeschool Solutions. Sonya: Pam, thanks so much for joining us today. Pam:…Sonya ShaferEncouragement2 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, Living Books, History
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits, Parenting
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method2 Comments
How to Choose and Use Field GuidesA good field guide can be a very helpful tool when you’re doing nature walks or nature study. Let’s talk about what to look for when you’re choosing them and how to use them. Joining me today is my longtime…Sonya ShaferNature Study5 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, Living Books, History
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Parenting, Habits
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method2 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Living Books, History2 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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Books & Resources, Living Books, History
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 ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Nature Study, Science3 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Not Repeating YourselfToday I’m joined by my friend and co-worker, Laura Pitney, to do another installment of Your Questions Answered. The question for today is quite interesting: “You say not to repeat yourself, but I’m wondering how you teach this? I have…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits, Parenting7 Comments
The Way of the WillI was recently talking with a group of parents, and in the course of our time together, I mentioned how important it is to make sure our young adults know how the will works. Well, all of the parents in…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Habits, Parenting16 Comments
Favorite Early Modern Books for the Whole FamilyGreat living books for the whole family to enjoy on the Early Modern time period.Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Living Books, History, Books & Resources
Your Questions Answered: Audiobooks in a Charlotte Mason Home SchoolMy friend and coworker, Laura Pitney is with me today for another episode of Your Questions Answered. Today’s question is What is the place of audiobooks in a Charlotte Mason home school? Laura: That is a great question for sure.…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Living Books9 Comments
Using Subject Cards to Plan Your Homeschool SchedulePlanning for your home school can sometimes seem overwhelming. But let me encourage you that the more you do it, the easier it gets. And today I want to share with you a quick and simple trick I use when…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Homeschool Planning2 Comments
5 Things to Remember When Planning Your Charlotte Mason HomeschoolIt’s that time of year again — the season when many of us get the itch to plan our next school year. Whether you’re just starting out or have been doing this for decades, here are five friendly reminders—just five…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Homeschool Planning, Books & Resources2 Comments
Your Questions Answered: Narration with Multiple ChildrenToday my friend and coworker, Laura Pitney, is with me to discuss a question that we received about narration: “With more than one child in the phase of doing oral narration, how do I have them each do a narration…Sonya ShaferCharlotte Mason Method, Narration, Language Arts5 Comments
