Once you begin your homeschool journey it won’t be long until you start hearing the question: What philosophy do you follow in your homeschool? Then pretty soon you will begin to hear the phrase, A Charlotte Mason Education. But just what is a Charlotte Mason Education?
The first I ever heard about this woman was when I read For the Children’s Sake : Foundations of Education for Home and School. I had been educating for around four years before I even heard her name mentioned again. I still remember the very first book I ever saw. Karen Andreola introduced me to the practical side of a Charlotte Mason education and A Charlotte Mason Companion soon become my favorite homeschooling resource. This book is one that I recommend to any homeschool Mom. I have now been home educating for almost two decades and I’m still learning about this amazing educator who is influencing the educating sector almost ninety years after her death.
Charlotte Mason had never claimed to have invented the methods that she put forth, rather she modified and combined them in a practical and intelligent way. Her methods include Narration and copywork, Nature Notebooks, Fine Arts, Languages, a Literature-based curriculum instead of textbooks, and real-life applications. I am rather grateful to have discovered some wonderful new books on understanding her methods a little better. In fact last year I was so inspired by the start of a local Charlotte Mason support group I went on a hunt to find more books and online support materials. I have shared them in A Basket Full of Resources for a Charlotte Mason Education on my blog.
One of my greatest pleasures these days is discovering resources for teaching some of the great authors and ideas which are pursued in a Charlotte Mason Education. Here are a couple of posts to whet your appetite for using a Charlotte Mason Method in your homeschool.
- Charles Dickens Resources for a Charlotte Mason Education
- Nature Journaling
- Shakespeare for a Charlotte Mason Education
I am so grateful to those who have spent hours researching and sharing about her methods and the home school mothers such as Jeanne who share their insights on their blogs (here are ten to get you started) and I am so looking forward to continually learning and sharing with you.
So now I invite you to grab a cup of your favorite beverage and read what my fellow home-educating bloggers are sharing on the final day of the Homeschool Review Crew 5 Day Blog Hop.
Blessings from our home to yours!
