When you first start looking at home education one of the things you will notice is that there are a lot of terms and definitions that home educators use. People speak about the method or style of home schooling. They fling around words like: Twaddle Free, living books, delight directed education, trivium education, classical education and more. Soon you start to hear the words: A Charlotte Mason Education.
Years ago I discovered Memories of a P.N.E.U. Education online and became inspired to search for a more practical application of using the Charlotte Mason approach to home education.
Today I would like to share with you a very brief overview of who Charlotte Mason was followed by a few resources to help you find out more about this educational philosophy and method.
Who was Charlotte Mason?
She was born in Bangor and christened Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason (1 January 1842 – 16 January 1923). Miss Mason was a pioneering educator who developed a matchless approach to education. She believed that all children should have a wide-ranging, generous education and to be allowed to reach their full potential.
Charlotte Mason
During her life she taught school, was a lecturer at a Teacher Training College, wrote many books and pamphlets, started a training school for governess’ which became Charlotte Mason College, became a popular public lecturer, established the Parents National Education Union (PNEU), and was Editor of it’s magazine, “Parent’s Review”. Miss Mason’s philosophy of education is designed for homes, private schools, and homeschools.
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.
My Journey to Charlotte Mason
The first book I ever read on the topic of Homeschooling was: For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (first published in 1984).
This book I am pleased to say is back in print and available from
The Book Depository, Amazon and Christian Book.com For the Children's Sake has six chapters and is 158 pages.
Susan challenged some of the fundamental beliefs I had and the surprising thing is I was not even aware I had them until I read the book. I was introduced to Charlotte Mason in this book and really loved the idea of twaddle free books.
The idea of real books as a basis of education really appealed and still appeals to me today, and thus began my search for a curriculum that contained 'living' books. Books that would touch our lives for years to come, books that were not dead, books that were real and did not leave us treading water going nowhere.
A couple of years later Karen Andreola introduced me to the practical side of a Charlotte Mason education and A Charlotte Mason Companion 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.
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.
Purchase this book from Book Depository, Amazon. For online encouragement meet Karen over at Moments with Mother Culture.
Books written by Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason's Elementary Geography
Home Education: Volume I
Parents and Children: Volume II
School Education: Volume III
Ourselves: Volume IV
Formation of Character: Volume V
Towards a Philosophy of Education: Volume VI
Completed Six Volume boxed series: The Original Homeschooling Series.
The Original Home Schooling Series by Charlotte Mason Hardback
The Original Home Schooling Series is available on Kindle
The Original Home School Series Kindle Edition (All 6 books in ONE)
Home Education
Parents and Children
School Education
Ourselves
Formation Of Character
Towards A Philosophy of Education
FREE: Charlotte Mason in Modern English
Books on a Charlotte Mason Education
A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning
For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
A Charlotte Mason Education: A Home Schooling How-to Manual by Catherine Levison
More Charlotte Mason Education: A Home Schooling How-To Manual by Catherine Levison
When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today by Elaine Cooper
Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition
For the Love of Learning: Information & Resources for Combining Charlotte Mason & Classical Education by Jenny Sockey
Online Resource for homeschooling with Charlotte Mason Methods
Ambleside Online
Simply Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason Method
Charlotte Mason Twenty Principles of Education Philosophy
Who and What is the Charlotte Mason Method?
Charlotte Mason Approach with Penny Gardner
What is the Charlotte Mason Method?
An Introduction to Charlotte Mason
More About Charlotte Mason & PNEU (Australia)
Charlotte Mason / Living Books Approach - Why we love it!
My Favorite Charlotte Mason Homeschool Books by Latoya Edwards
Charlotte Mason Basics by Jimmie Lanley
Connect with Charlotte Mason Home Educators on Facebook
Charlotte Mason Australia(group)
Simply Charlotte Mason (Page)
Charlotte Mason Home Education (Page)
Charlotte Mason Inspired Homeschoolers (group)
Charlotte Mason Homeschoolers (group)
The Schoolhouse Review Crew will be joining forces with Homeschool Blogging Connection to bring you a week full of back to school encouragement.
I encourage you to grab a cup of tea and take some time to take a look at what my fellow bloggers are sharing this week in the 2015 Back to Homeschool Blog Hop
Marcy @ Ben and Me
Debra @ Footprints in the Butter
Amy @ Homeschool Encouragement
Missica @ The Open Window: An Autism Blog
Misty @ Year Round Homeschooling
Jennifer @ A Glimpse of Our Life
Heather @ Only Passionate Curiosity
Clarissa @ Counting Our Blessings
Christy @ Unexpected Homeschool
Monique @ Living Life and Learning
Win a Microscope {1894.99 value}
For your chance to win a Microscope and microscope Camera be sure to enter the giveaway over at the Schoolhouse Review Crew.
Blessings
Chareen