Homeschooling With "A Charlotte Mason Companion"

Jenny/ May 20, 2019/ Thrifty Homeschool Mama Tips & Tricks

 

After I read Karen Andreola for the first time this winter and fell absolutely in love with her writing in  “Mother Culture” I just had to buy ” A Charlotte Mason Companion”. I had begun to read some of Charlotte Mason’s original writings on my table but the are a little difficult to get really into for me. I’m still plugging along with them but was looking for something a little more consise and easy to apply. That is exactly what I found in Karen’s book!

 

So, basically, this is a down to earth book that carefully explains how to homeschool with the Charlotte Mason method using the author’s personal experience as a homeschooling momma of 3. That’s what I especially love about her books!  Her personality just oozes out of the pages and it really seems like you’re chatting with a good friend!

Here’s what I am using from this book right now:

 

• We started reading Greek mythology on her suggestion. Jake is really enjoying this and we are learning some very interesting things that actually apply to us. For example, the origins of many of our words or names for things. We got one that is especially written for children so they are appropriate. 

 

• We are doing nature study. Though we’ve always been big fans of the outdoors I’m taking it a step further and utilizing identification manuals, bird and flower apps and an awesome book on my tablet called “The Handbook of Nature Study”.  We’re also reading from “The Burgess Book of Birds” and “Lives of the Hunted”.  

 

• We are taking even more time than usual to be outdoors!  Charlotte believed that children needed to be outside the major portion of their day. We have been doing most of our work outside weather permitting.  This makes for a happier mom and kids!

 

• We started studying poetry.  We ordered this book of poetry just especially for children and I love it!  We have begun with “All Things Bright and Beautiful”. I am not encouraging Jake to memorize it but instead reading it every day to him. Just like Charlotte says they will naturally memorize it without even trying. Jake already knows at least 1/3 of it after only a couple of days!

 

• We added in music study and have been listening to different styles such as Carribean, Blues and Classical.

 

So, this is what we’re doing so far that’s new and has come as a direct result of this wonderful book. I’ll be updating as we add more things such as picture study and handicrafts!

 

What about this appeals to you?