My personal favorite is Vol. 6. It is the culmination of her life’s work and written 40 years after Vol. 1. But, yes, if your children are younger you might want to start with Vol. 1.
I find I pull from various volumes as needed/curious. Do you know about the CM Blog Carnial? There’s a schedule for reading through it and the lovely discussion via bloggers is very helpful and encouraging.
I agree with Robin. 6 is the culmination of all her observations. But, starting from the beginning sort of eases you into it. I rather like 4, Ourselves, for working on my own character and it encourages me to do the same with our children.
Based on your children’s ages, I think I’d study volume 1, read volume 4 WITH your older ones, and search 6 to pull the things you choose to implement with your older ones. Your younger ones will have the most CM education. Take notes and review them off and on. You will find “new” things each time you revisit what you’ve already read before.
Thank you. I am going to check out the clog carnival now. I don’t really know what it is, lol.
I feel like I have really done a number on my older kids 🙁 Changing and switching curriculums here and there all the time. I only have 4 years left with my oldest and really want to be diligent with them. I feel like I have been a terrible homeschool mom to him. We have always had a good relationship but his education seems to have always taken second place to sick mom, sick kids, etc…..
The blog carnival reading is already on chapter 14 🙁 I can’t just jump in there. I would feel I missed so much. I guess I could just start at the beginning and check on the blogs to see what others said after I read each chapter 🙂
I wish I had someone or some people to read with me, hint, hint, lol.
I hear volume 6 recommended a lot. I actually thought it was pretty dense and not the best representation of Charlotte’s thought. It was written after WWI and Charlotte (and others) was struggling with a lot of things. I think you are better off starting with volume 1. I have blogged a lot on my observations from her books on my blog if you have any interest. It is http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com
I was just reading up for the next Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival and next week’s passage is a wonderful encapsulation of all CM’s thought. Though it is from the middle of the third volume, it would be a great place to start. You will be able to see the blog carnival link up here: http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com/p/cm-carnival-schedule.html and you can also click the lnk to the article on AO.
Coming in a little late here, but Ambleside.org has a bit of info about which volume to read first, and a mini summary of each volume, which I found useful:
It may have been mentioned, but they also have them in Modern English. I love the original, but when I am feeling rushed or lazy, their version is great.
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