The Charlotte Mason Way
There are so many different homeschooling philosophies and approaches that it can be overwhelming to decide which one to choose. The Charlotte Mason method may be just right for your homeschool. Take the quiz below to find out.
Charlotte Mason was what we might call a “lifelong learner”. She loved education for education’s sake, believing that education was not simply a means to an end such as a job, a good grade on a test, etc. Here are a few of the essential elements in a Charlotte Mason homeschool.
Living Books
Many homeschoolers love the “living books” idea which are simply good, quality literature which our homeschooled kids can engage with and learn something about the world and themselves through the characters. This is very different than typical “textbook learning.”
Retelling or Narration
An important part of comprehension is the ability to retell a story. An integral part of the Charlotte Mason method is narration, where the students will read a passage or portion of a passage and retell the story.
Dictation
A Classical approach, dictation is simply having your student rewrite something that you have chosen. It may be a passage from a story he has read, or a quote or Bible verse. The idea is that the act of reading and writing will help the student learn spelling, vocabulary and grammar.
Rooted in Nature
There is a lot about the Charlotte Mason method for the homeschool that I love, but this may be the biggest draw for me. Charlotte believed that children should interact with nature and the outdoors. She believe that this was integral to their learning. I wholeheartedly agree! Unfortunately, our public school system in the US doesn’t agree, and I believe that children are suffering for it.
Music and Art
Children who learn about the creations of great works of music and art are only more apt to become creative people themselves. We must not leave this out of our homeschool! The key to a well-rounded, educated person is that they learn to appreciate all the things listed above.
I am not a Charlotte Mason expert by any means. We incorporate a lot of this intuitively and naturally, but we do not follow a strict Charlotte Mason method.
If you are intrigued by this, you can take this quiz and find out if this homeschooling style is for you!
This sounds like such a great program for those who homeschool! I’m sure kids would love this interactive program!
Two of my daughters are doing online school and they’re introverted souls so thy love it. This was a good guide to homeschooling for sure. Thanks for sharing!
Happy it helped, Lavanda!
I agree that the arts are so important for children. It’s a human need to be creative (not just traditional arts but also building things, writing their own stories, etc.) so showing children different options is a great thing
I don’t have kids but this seems like a great resources for homeschoolers
What a great resource for home schooling! I don’t home school my kids but I know many who do and this would be so useful.
Feel free to pass it along!
This is great information! We want to homeschool our daughter so we are defiantly going to check this out when she is older!
I’m glad it was helpful, Kara!
I really admire parents who choose to homeschool and especially those who truly invest the time and effort to find the teaching methods that work best for the child/family. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Lisa.
Although I don’t homeschool our boys, I will admit that this sounds pretty interesting. I have friends who do homeschool and might find this resource useful.
Dana, please pass it along.
This sounds like a very good program. I homeschooled all of my kids and miss it so much now that they are grown. But, God has given me a granddaughter with a hunger for knowledge, so I will work with some of these ideas. 🙂
Jennifer, I can tell that one day I will miss it, too. Great that you have a granddaughter to teach!
I need to take the assessment. It seems like a great program for sure!
It’s an interesting quiz, Jessica!
I don’t home school, but I know a lot of people who love this program.
Feel free to pass it along.
This is great for moms who are interested in homeschooling their children 🙂
Yes!! Connect with trees and nature. I subscribed to your blog. We are on the same page.
Exactly, Verla! And thanks for subscribing!
Sometimes homeschooling is the best way. I think this is an awesome teaching approach.
I think it’s something that parents can use to teach their kids even if they don’t homeschool. It’s a great way to develop a child’s much needed skills!
I agree, Alison.
I agree with it all, but esp the “getting out in nature part.” So important now with all the technology distractions.
SO true, Gail!
Thank you for sharing! When I do have kids on day I really do want to homeschool if I can. This is a great guide ❤️
I’m glad it was helpful, Shaye.
This is a great resource! I have never heard of the Charlotte Mason method before. My little guy is only 1 but we are considering home schooling. I will keep researching this method. Thanks!
Great, Cassandra!
We actually incorporated Charlotte Mason a little bit into our homeschool classroom at the start of this year! I think we may add even more for next year!
Karen, what were the quiz results for you?
This is really interesting to read, home schooling is really starting to take off over here and it is interesting to see the different forms it takes.
I have never heard of this method of teaching! I love that it includes rooting children in nature.
Yes! I think that it is so important to incorporate nature into our children’s lives in some way.
I don’t homeschool but this sure does sound like a good way for anyone who wants to start.
Thanks, Joan. It’s a good quiz for those who don’t know what their style is yet.
I never knew much about homeschooling but this was very educating 🙂 thank you for sharing 🙂
You’re welcome, Nisha!
My friend homeschools her 12 kids. I’ll pass this article on to her!
Great, Izzy! I bet she’ll enjoy the quiz.
Never heard of Charlotte Mason but she gave a great insights.. I also agree that everybody should interact with nature and outdoors even if you homeschool..
I agree, Vian!
This sounds like a fabulous way to teach. I don’t homeschool, but I know many people do.
A bit curious on what kind of method it is.. first time hearing it.. Would like to know more.. will google and find out more.. looks interesting..
Kylie, let me know if you’d like more information.