Charlotte Mason: The Simplest Homeschool Ever

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Charlotte Mason's Educational Philosophy

At first glance, Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy seems complicated. But in fact, that misconception is only because CM is so vastly different from the textbook driven education many of us received in public schools.

As you read more and more about CM, you discover the simplicity of this educational outlook. More than that, you realize that this gentle style of teaching and learning is also easy to implement step by step, one area at a time.

The Top Five Reasons a CM Style is the Simplest Homeschool 

boy and girl
  1. low cost -- fantastic living books can be found for free online or at your library.
  2. quick -- no silly busy work; you get right to the matter at hand with narration.
  3. easy -- Once you internalize the principles, a CM education comes easy. You don't need special products or tools.
  4. lots of online support -- there are blogs, forums, and carnivals all devoted just to CM education.
  5. it works -- CM education, although gentle, offers a strong academic foundation that would carry your children through whatever future aspirations they have.

Low Cost Homeschool 

with Charlotte Mason

Living books --quality children's literature from Aesop to Shakespeare to Thornton Burgess to Mother Goose-- can be found at your public library. Or read things from free online sources! Many of the best books are old and therefore in the public domain.

Ambleside Online Booklist
Ambleside is a standby for CM educators. Whether or not you use their entire plan, you can use this booklist to guide your own choices.
Classical Christian Homeschooling
Classical education has some overlap with CM. Use these graded booklists for more suggestions.
Skylard's Book Links
The beauty of this list is that each title is linked to a free online text!
Classical Christian Education Booklists
This site features one THOUSAND book titles in its lists!
Reading Lists
If the links above still leave you wanting more, try this mega list of lists!

CM on eBay 

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eBay

Charlotte Mason Education Blog 

boy with envelopeThis blog is a wealth of CM inspiration!

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At Home Science Blog 

boy in envelopeThis blog offers booklists and ideas to incorporate more living science into your homeschool.

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Artist Study 

Pissarro



Art is easy with CM. Simply choose one artist for a 6-12 week period. Each week study one work of art by that artist. The child should narrate back the painting, explaining what he sees. For more details, see the pages below.

Artist Study on Flickr 

Sprite's Version of The Guitar Player by Vermeer by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Sprite's Version of...

picasso notebooking page by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso notebooking...

vermeer id exercise by jimmiehomeschoolmom

vermeer id exercise

picasso ATC with buttons by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso ATC with but...

picasso ATC with swinging tag by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso ATC with swi...

picasso ATC with big button by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso ATC with big...

picasso project cutting little paintings by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso project cutt...

picasso project (3) by jimmiehomeschoolmom

picasso project (3)

Picasso reproduction by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Picasso reproduction

Picasso reproduction by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Picasso reproduction

Nature Study 

Nature study is so simple! Take weekly nature walks outdoors. Experience nature through first hand observation and then document your experiences in a nature journal. Find out much more with the links below.

Nature Journal on Flickr 

ant hill notebooking by jimmiehomeschoolmom

ant hill notebooking

detail Sprite's snail nature journal by jimmiehomeschoolmom

detail Sprite's snai...

Sprite's snail sketch by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Sprite's snail sketc...

Sprite's snail sketch by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Sprite's snail sketc...

snails -- fun font! by jimmiehomeschoolmom

snails -- fun font!

Sprite's nature journal 6-22-08 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Sprite's nature jour...

my nature journal 6-22-08 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

my nature journal 6-...

Downy Woodpecker Aug 4 08 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Downy Woodpecker Aug...

Carolina Chickadee Aug 4 08 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Carolina Chickadee A...

Nature Journal Turtles April 08 by jimmiehomeschoolmom

Nature Journal Turtl...

Handbook of Nature Study Blog 

This blog is written by a homeschool mom who is using the Handbook of Nature Study as CM suggested. Not only does this blog inspire you with the beauty of nature, but it also teaches you how to use the Handbook.

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Composer Study 

Music is easy with CM! Choose one composer for each 6-12 week term. Each week or even more often, listen to this composer's works! After the term, you'll be thoroughly familiar with his style. Click the link below for more ideas and resources.

Other CM Styled Topics 

Here are three more pages to push you towards a more CM styled homeschool in the areas of poetry, Shakespeare, and math.

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hand and pen

Janiece wrote...

I homeschool as well. Wonderful lens! 5's

ReplyPosted May 03, 2009

eclecticeducation wrote...

I love this lens!!! While I'm not strictly Charlotte Mason, I have lots of leanings that way. Lot's of great resources here. 5*

ReplyPosted April 06, 2009

marsha32 wrote...

Just me again...it seems the featured lenses module doesn't recognize the ever lenses as being lenses...it won't accept the url :(

ReplyPosted February 17, 2009

marsha32 wrote...

adding featured lenses to my homeschooling lens :)

ReplyPosted February 17, 2009

Cari_Kay wrote...

We homeschooled two years and although we didn't take the CM approach, I was fascinated by it and read up on it. This page is a great resource!

ReplyPosted November 22, 2008

 
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