Living Math Series
Beginning next week… October 15-26… a series full of practical ideas for incorporating more living math into your school days! Join me here daily! Better yet, add my feed to your feed reader so you’re sure not to miss a post!
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason homeschooling encompasses everything that is wonderful about homeschooling. Gentle lessons in a literature-rich environment, short lessons that focus on real-life with plenty of opportunity to explore the world indoors and out. And, these are just a few of the reasons I love this style of homeschooling! In these articles, my goal is to share the wonder, joy and creativity of the Charlotte Mason style, while giving you plenty of ideas and practical advice for implementing it in your own home. Enjoy!
Montessori in a Charlotte Mason Homeschool
(This post contains affiliate links and links to my business website, Shining Dawn Books.) I’m sure I’ve never mentioned that I used to help in a Montessori preschool before my public school teaching days. Some of the things I learned during that time impressed me so much that I’ve carried them into teaching my…
Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Nature Study
As an eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschooler, nature study is near and dear to my heart – and the hearts of my children. We have learned SO much about our Creator and the sciences through our weekly nature walks, all while touching on bits and pieces of almost every other subject under the sun, too. You…
Weekly Lesson Notebooks
(This post contains affiliate links.) Better lesson organization is one of my main goals for the upcoming school year. Having a high school student, middle school student and a kindergartener, I have no choice but to be more organized – or feel flustered and fall behind too often like I did last year when I…
Charlotte Mason Carnival
Welcome to the Charlotte Mason Carnival! An Atmosphere of Learning is our theme – and don’t you just LOVE the atmosphere a Charlotte Mason education provides?? Me, too! I wouldn’t trade for the world our times of snuggling up with living books, basking in the sunshine of nature study, or enjoyment of handicrafts and artist…
M&M Math
(This post contains affiliate links.) Talk about a fun week of learning with M&M Math! Below you’ll find all sorts of activities we have done for M&M Math. Most of the ideas could easily be used with other types of candy pieces, too. Estimation: Fill a jar with M&M’s and ask your children to estimate…
Nature In Your Notebook Printables
One of the best ways to perk up the school year during the winter is to get outside. Yes, you heard right – get outside! I know it’s cold, but I also know what “going stir crazy” feels like and how {even cold weather} nature walks can rejuvenate the spirit. Not to mention, there’s a world…
Simple Field Guide Hint
Here’s a simple field guide hint that will work for all ages from preschool through adult. We started using this little trick before our children were even readers and we still use it to this very day. Simple Field Guide Hint Get out the stickers! Before they could write, or even draw very well, I…
Charlotte Mason Series #1 – Why CM?
Welcome to the 10 Days of Homeschooling blog hop! Over the course of ten posts in ten days, I’m going to do my best to introduce you to the Charlotte Mason style of homeschooling and how I somewhat eclectically incorporate it into my homeschool. I hope you’ll stop by every weekday over the next two weeks…
Charlotte Mason Series #2 – Living Books
Welcome back to day 2 of the 10 Days of Homeschooling blog hop! You can find the entire series here. I promised a look at each main aspect of a Charlotte Mason education, so today we dive right in and take a look at one of my favorite parts – living books! What in the world…
Charlotte Mason Series #3 – Short Lessons
Welcome to day 3 of the 10 Days of Homeschooling blog hop! You can find the previous articles in my Charlotte Mason series here. Short Lessons One of the most refreshing aspects of CM style homeschooling is the implementation of short lessons, especially for elementary-aged children. Most lessons should last no more than 10-20 minutes for…
Charlotte Mason Series #4 – Narration, Dictation and Copywork
Welcome back to the 10 Days of Homeschooling blog hop! You can find the previous posts from my Charlotte Mason series here. I might as well go ahead and tell you that this is my weakest area. I didn’t want to leave it out of my series, though, because it truly is a very important aspect…