Tuesday 18 April 2017

Books to Understand a Charlotte Mason Philosophy

Welcome to day two of the 5 Days of Charlotte Mason Resources.  Yesterday I shared my Charlotte Mason Method Book Recommendations. These books were the very first books I read about home education and they are the books which influenced my home educating journey.  Until recently these were the only books on the market about educating using a Charlotte Mason Philosophy. The topic today has been in response to the following question from my friend in Singapore.

"What books do you suggest that I can pick up and read to understand more?" - Lady T...


For most of my home education journey I have only had access to A Charlotte Mason Companion. This book inspired me and still does. When ever I need some encouragement or reminding I go straight to this book for it.

A couple of years ago I had the privilege of attending a Charlotte Mason Afternoon here in Melbourne that I came face to face with a deeper understanding of her method and how it works in real life.  That wonderful day was hosted by  Jeanne from A Peaceful Day.  Jeanne is passionate about Charlotte Mason, her passion and joy are an inspiration and a deep source of encouragement.  It was at this meeting that I first heard about the two books I am sharing with you today.


Consider This : Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition

  • Format Paperback | 138 pages
  • Dimensions 152 x 226 x 12mm | 220g
  • Publication date 12 Oct 2014
  • Publisher Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
  • Language English
  • Illustrations note black & white illustrations
  • ISBN10 1500808032
  • ISBN13 9781500808037
This book inspired and encouraged me to think deeply about why I choose to do things in my homeschool.  Karen asks some very deep questions that most of us simply gloss over.  Karen helped me see that a Charlotte Mason education is deeply purposeful.  Karen explores the Why behind every aspect of Charlotte's methods.  Having a deeper understanding of the Why definitely enables to better pursue the how. I found the word studies fascinating and insightful.  I came to realise that reading Charlotte's books takes on a whole NEW meaning when you understand what the words meant in her era.  Karen has written a book to empower the Charlotte Mason educator to understand the principles that are behind her teachings. Once you have an understanding of these deeper principles you will be able to structure a full educational experience for your child with full confidence.

I wish to share what I think I know concerning the connection between her understanding of educational philosophy and the traditions of the classical past...
I assume you are reading because, like me, you are interested in Charlotte Mason and classical education. If we had the opportunity to sit down comfortable and chat over a cup of coffee, these chapter are what I would share with you. - Karen Glass
This is exactly what Karen has done in this beautifully written book.  This book will challenge and inspire you regularly.

You can connect with Karen on her blog: Karen Glass: Author of Consider This.

The Living Page: Keeping Notebooks with Charlotte Mason

  • Format Paperback | 210 pages
  • Dimensions 154.94 x 228.6 x 17.78mm | 340.19g
  • Publication date 16 Oct 2013
  • Publisher Underpinnings Press
  • Publication City/Country United States
  • Language English
  • Illustrations note black & white illustrations
  • Author: Laurie Bestvater
  • ISBN10 0615834108
  • ISBN13 9780615834108
I really enjoyed reading The Living Page.  Laurie invites us to take a closer look at what Notebooks are and how they were used by Charlotte Mason and more importantly why.  I was surprised to learn just how much notebooking has changed and the deeply personal nature of a Notebook.  A few of the types of notebooks Laurie looks at are:
  • Nature Notebooks
  • Scrap books
  • Science Notebooks
  • Calendar of Firsts
  • Motto Books
  • Poetry Book
  • Fortitude Journal
  • Commonplace Book
  • Copy Books
  • Other Copybooks
  • Timelines
  • History Charts
  • Book of Centuries
  • Calendar of events 
I love the samples and insights.  This book will change the way you view written work in your Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool.

Mason had shown me that the notebooks can be forms of vitality, literally the shape and outline, the liturgy of the attentive life. They nurture the science of relations and the art of mindfulness. They teach us to see the very brief beauty of now, to know the landscape of here, to be present in all our pleasures and pains.  - Laurie Bestvater

You can connect with Laurie here:

Which books have you read that have helped you have a deeper understanding and appreciation for a Charlotte Mason education?
Blessings
Chareen

{All links to the Book Depository are Affiliate Links in this post. This does not change the cost of books should you choose to click on my links. The cost to you remains the same. I only recommend/link to books I have actually used or personally own.}

5 Days of Homeschool Annual Blog Hop - 2017
This post is a part of the Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop. Grab a cup of your favourite beveridge and be encouraged by this group of homeschool Mom's sharing their hearts and homes with you

Monday 17 April 2017

Charlotte Mason Method Book Recommendations

Welcome to the annual Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop.  This is post one in my series for this week: 5 Days of Charlotte Mason Resources.  Before I begin though I would like to let all my readers know that I have been accepted into the Book Depository Affiliate program and will be using affiliate links in this series. 

The topic today is  Charlotte Mason Method Book Recommendations.  A few months ago I had the wonderful privilege of meeting a beautiful home school family from Singapore.  It was so lovely connecting with someone new whom I met via my blog.  The hours flew by and were too short but we have managed to stay in touch via my blog Facebook page.  One of her questions to me was:

"How do you get started with Charlotte Mason?" - Lady T...
My journey with Charlotte Mason started around 19 years ago.  We had just immigrated to New Zealand and heard home education. We were very much sitting on the fence regarding education and the idea of educating my own children was something so stunning my mind was reeling in shock!


Answering my friends question is a little harder than a simple straight forward here read this.  Today there are so many books about Charlotte Mason and her philosophy of education.  Personally it is good to read a few different things and then decide what is best for you and your family.

When I first learned about Charlotte Mason there were very few books available and her personal writings were not in print either.  The interent was a thing on the horizon and most people I knew did not own a computer! (including us)

 I am deeply grateful to all those who have written books on what they have learned about Charlotte and the more of them I read the broader my understanding becomes.  Today I will share with you the first two books I read and that influenced my choice to pursue a Charlotte Mason Philosophy and Methodology.

Books to start with


I was given a copy of For the Children's Sake : Foundations of Education for Home and School to read. Reading this book created a whole paradigm shift for me. I had never heard of the gentle art of learning before.  This was the fist book I read introducing me to a Charlotte Mason Education. In fact reading this book is the catalyst that started me home educating.



A couple of years later Karen Andreola introduced me to the practical side of a Charlotte Mason education and A Charlotte Mason Companion was soon become my favourite home schooling resource and is one that I recommend to any homeschool Mom who asks me which books I would recommend they read. It is still my go to book when I need some homeschool encouragement.

This beautifully illustrated book is full of encouragement and how to chapters. Karen covers practical topics like: The Art of Narration, Mother Culture, Shakespeare and Dickens. Topics of Art and Music appreciation along with Grammar, History, Nature Study and a few more kernels of wisdom.  A beautiful book full of gorgeous line illustrations.



Books Written by Charlotte Mason
None of Charlotte's books were in publication when I first started home educating and come to think of it there was no internet either! When they were first brought back into print they were still very rare.  I managed to procure Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series recently and will be reading through it over the next year.

There are six books in the series:
  1. Home Education
  2. Parents and Children 
  3. School Education
  4. Ourselves this book was written to be read with parents and high school aged students
  5. Formation of Character
  6. Towards a Philosophy of Education
The series has now been published in a single volume of over 2,700 pages! The Original Home Schooling Series by Charlotte Mason.

The Original Home Schooling Series is available on Kindle  
Or for FREE here:  Charlotte Mason in Modern English

Online Resource for homeschooling with Charlotte Mason Methods

Connect with Charlotte Mason Home Educators on Facebook

I am looking forward to sharing more resources with you tomorrow.
Blessings
Chareen

{Affiliate Links to the Book Depository have been used in this post. This does not change the cost of books should you choose to click on my links. The cost to you remains the same. This decision will not impact the way in which I recommend books to you my readers.  I only recommend books I have actually used or personally own.}

5 Days of Homeschool Annual Blog Hop - 2017
This post is a part of the Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop. Grab a cup of your favourite beveridge and be encouraged by this group of homeschool Mom's sharing their hearts and homes with you

Friday 14 April 2017

Silhouette Woodcarving from Kenya on Argyle Pattern {Virtual Fridge}

This Week
One of the things I really appreciate about the Virtual Fridge is that I'm held accountable to do art with Nathaniel. If not it would be one of the things that is lost among the rubble of things I want to do but never seem to get to. Last year we were blessed with a subscription to ArtAchieve.Last week we worked through a Level III lesson: Level III-Art Lesson 7: The Woodcarving from Kenya.



This weeks Feature

This weeks feature is a tutorial from over at Our Unschooling Journey who used the Lighthouse tutorial from over at Art Projects for Kids.
Your Turn

I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.
Virtual Fridge Link Up

Blessings
Chareen

Connect with me
 Facebook Google+ Pinterest Instagram YouTube RSS Feed


Your hosts are


Add YOUR LINKS from your BLOG or INSTAGRAM


Please NOTE by adding your links to the Virtual Fridge link up YOU are giving the hosts of the Virtual Fridge link up permission to use a photograph from your blog to feature 
your ART along with a link to your art/tutorial.