How to Plan a Unit Study Using Charlotte Mason Methods

Does your family enjoy using unit studies where you try to include most academic subject areas centered around one topic? Do you wish to include some of those neat ideas you hear about like "living books", "narration", "dictation", "copywork", or "notebooking"?

Combining these two teaching and learning styles can be easy! You want to start by choosing what topic you will focus on in your studies. Will it be a book you all have been reading together? A person from history or a historical period or event? What about a topic in science or a value you wish to instill in your home?

Or, you can take a different kind of approach and choose an interest of one or more of your children and follow that interest through history. For example, the history of dogs or horses. When in history do we seen mention of horses or dogs as a part of a specific culture? Were they looked at as contributing something important to the culture? How did the horse or dog continue to contribute something to that particular culture, other cultures, and other periods in history?

Once you've picked the central topic of your study, you'll want to list what academic areas and the skills and concepts that can be covered in those academic areas. If it's a piece of literature, what subject areas are covered in the book? Is it a story that includes a famous person or historical period, or geographical area that you can study along side the literary elements in the story? Does it include any scientific or mathematical concepts that can be researched?

If your family is crazy about history, it will be easy to pick a time period you all enjoy and tie in everything that was happening at that time including science, math, literature, art and culture, and the geography.

After you've listed what subtopics from different academic areas you want to include in your study, you can decide what "living books" you want to read for your narration (oral and written), dictation, and copywork. From there, you can decide what notebooking pages you want to complete when completing your written narration.

There are other methods that Charlotte Mason used in her teaching that you can incorporate as well. For instance, your children can make what she referred to as a "Book of Centuries", a timeline of sorts in a notebook. Art, music, and handicraft studies can also be tied into your unit study topic, especially when focusing on a historical period.

This is just the beginning in including Charlotte Mason methods in a unit study, because there are many other aspects to using Charlotte Mason's methods. But this is a good start!

Is Using the Charlotte Mason Method Right For Your Homeschool?

If you are looking for a way to homeschool a number of children of various age ranges, enjoy reading books with them, want to enhance their writing skills, delve into stories of historical figures and events, and minimize the use of textbooks, using Charlotte Mason's methods may be just the right path for you to follow.

Ms. Mason was an educator in England in the 19th century. She wanted children to learn from "living books" not textbooks. She felt children should go outside and experience nature, make observations, and record them in a nature journal. She advocated that children learned and retained information best when they listened to or read good literature and had the opportunity to narrate orally what they remembered from the reading. Their writing skills developed from reading good literature, studying it, and copying it into copy work journals, and writing down dictation. This is a simplified summary of her philosophy, but it gives you a starting point of her basic ideas. To fully understand and implement her methods you can read her original works or books that have been written summarizing her methods. Ambleside Online has published her works in six volumes for your convenience.

Using CM's methods, you teach history chronologically, and can include Bible instruction if you wish. Lessons are kept short so that the child does not dawdle and includes foreign language and art and music appreciation. There are suggested curriculums you can follow at Ambleside as well.

Some homeschooling families combine the use of these methods with unit study topics. They use notebooking pages to write their narrations, copy work, and dictation to document what they have learned about the theme they are studying. For example, if your family is studying the Middle Ages, you would read living books about the Middle Ages or stories set in the Middle Ages, provide copy work for your child from the book or written work from that time period, and tie in a science topic like disease (black plague) or any scientists' biographies from that time. You would also include art and music appreciation of artists and musicians from that era.

This is just an introduction to the wonderful homeschooling experience you and your children can enjoy when implementing Charlotte Mason methods in your daily routine. For further information, read any of the following books: A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning by Karen Andreola; A Charlotte Mason Education and More Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison; and When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today by Elaine Cooper, Eve Anderson, Susan Schaeffer Macaulay, and Jack Beckman.

The Waldorf Connection - Back to Rhythm

Have you ever felt like you got nothing done in the day? Yet, you were busy putting out fires, attending to crying children and just chasing your tail. As August marched on those dog days of summer we are used to never showed up. Instead it rained for like 3 weeks. No lazy days at the pool and beach during our last few weeks of summer play. The house started closing in and the bickering began. My summer painting project (where I paint a room each summer when it is too hot to do anything else) was shrugged off. I was feeling more and more out of sorts. After taking the month of July off and a week of vacation at the beginning of August - It was official: our rhythm had become non existent.

How did this happen? Sometimes it sneaks up on you while you are on summer vacation. Enter the first day of school and regular rhythm. I was a little apprehensive, but was pleasantly 

surprised (amazed!) when everyone was helpful, did their chores without complaint and participated fully in lessons.

Amazing! I couldn't believe how much I got done that first day. But the best part was, I felt in control. And relaxed. I had forgotten how good rhythm is for a household. 

What can a good plan for your day do for you?

A good Rhythm Supports YOU

* Frees Your Energy-No more spending all your time wondering whatis coming up next in your day. Having a daily rhythm will free up your energy. Having a plan already in place will allow you to concentrate on what is happening in the moment instead of rushing around wondering what you are forgetting.

* Less Stress- Knowing you have it together gives you piece of mind, less stress and a chance to breathe. Everything won't always be perfect, but with a plan to start with there is a much better chance!

* More Focus: That peace if mind will allow you to work when you need to and be present and mindful with what you are doing instead..

* More fun Sprinkled in: Once your basic pieces of the day are mapped out, you will find opportunities to add some fun! Use your precious time for activities you love because you know the rest is taken care of.

Rhythm Support your Kids too:

* Kids thrive on a secure environment.

* They love knowing that YOU have it under control.

* A peaceful, flowing home allows them to play fully without worry.

* Reduces discipline issues because the routine is set and it just becomes "what you do."

Homeschool: Teaching Older Children About Business

One of the mental challenges of homeschooling is the process of taking complete and total ownership of your child's education. It can be quite a burden to break out of the molds that society would label "education". The beauty of homeschooling is that you as the parent/educator is that you can weave your child's passions, interests, and abilities into the subjects you bring to the table.

Why wouldn't I take the time to teach my children something they want to learn, something they see value in, and sneak in a few "educational lessons" along the way.

I currently am teaching 3 of my children how to build an online business. I have their complete and total attention because they are very motivated by the fact that they believe they have something to offer people online. The bonus is that because they believe they can make a few dollars, I have their undivided attention.

The same way that we might puree carrots and squash to add to a sauce and sneak in nutrition, I sneak my core goals into everything I teach my kids as we research and pursue their passions.

As I teach the process of brainstorming and running toward an online business, I am able to teach many "academic" subjects, masquerading in the interests of my kids.

Math is easy to sneak in. For business, they need to know and practice statistics, math, and accounting.

Language is covered in every part of these projects in the form of content, marketing, and research.

I have spent quite a bit of time thinking about how to better prepare my young men for this new and crazy world. My oldest son is a sophomore in college and we are constantly discussing his future, his career choices and the fact that what he does today profoundly impacts his tomorrow. He is well on his way to earning his degree and reaching his lifelong dream of being a history professor, but he has dreams or being a business owner.

So why build an online business with him?

Because I can.

Because I am learning the processes myself and am very excited about my own progress.

My enthusiasm is contagious.

I believe this is the perfect time in history to teach our children more than their ABC's and 1,2,3's. Technology was basically birthed into these young sponges. They are bored with traditional educational processes, because everything they need to know is at the tips of their fingers or on their smart devices.

Find what your children are passionate about and wrap their education like a learning burrito.

Unknown Challenges and Rare Potential of Homeschooling

Whether you are a parent or parent teacher, it's the charge of the guardian to ignite a spark that lights your child's inner flame with the desire to learn.

Children are in part the juxtapose reflections of their biological parents. Environmental conditioning also plays a role. In the learning process of home-schooled children, one aspect is often not addressed, i.e. can the parent teacher connect with the child beyond genetic and family conditioning and leverage complex dynamics from a coherent perspective?

Inspiring the desire to learn through example and emulation, while leveraging understandings reflective of individual attitudes is more achievable in a home school scenario, since parent teachers have the flexibility and opportunity to fine tune the process based on immaturity observed while tutoring their child.

As a parent teacher have you asked yourself if your child truly recognizes what is mirrored back to him or her, and does that child know and understand their own ability to apply reasoning and knowledge garnered? Especially when incongruences are observed which add elements of confusion to the learning process, since all humans bring baggage to the equation of life? Stuff that clouds our vision and may cause a child to resist or reject what is taught; extinguishing the inner flame which requires constant tending by the entire family?

With integrity, acceptance, and self-regulation garnered through reasoning (principles that exist in addition to academic subjects taught) do you as the parent teacher recognize and nurture a mutual appreciation of these constructs in yourself and your child? Is your child able to associate value to that which is garnered as they translate knowledge relative to the circumstances, coincidences, and consequences they encounter in their world?

In the end it comes down to a relational trust foundation between the child and adult. Without this foundation it's impossible for parents to live-up to expectations formed in youngness by the child who instinctively puts them on a pedestal.

Should you as the adult stumble, fall, or make a mistake begin by privately acknowledging this, and then take the time to uncover associated biased patterns. Better known as self-reflection, it's a key aspect of that intangible flame reflective of you and your child's unique brilliance and knowing within.

As the observing child begins to recognize that the person in-front of them is human too, facing the same circumstances and consequences they face, he or she begins to understand the nature of empathy and compassion, which is absent in biased judgments that so often occur when the child becomes calloused or removed by that which rings untrue.

When reasoning enters the equation - not just reciting, memorizing, and regurgitating - the observing child soon learns that information garnered and welcomed regardless of its nature empowers them with valuable skills that also help to establish self-worth. Not to mention the fact that true dialogue between adults and children inspires a desire to learn.

Homeschooling: How To Move From Newbie To Veteran

A Newbie Homeschooler is one who is still in that honeymoon phase of homeschooling. It lasts for about one to three years and can honestly hold you back from the best homeschooling has to offer.

So how does one move from the newbie side of the homeschool line to the coveted veteran side? It's different for everyone, but it all starts here: Do not quit.

Homeschooling is one of the more challenging endeavours that a parent can undertake. Imagine sitting in your home, surrounded by all of your children. You are the chief cook and bottle washer. You decide what they eat, what they wear, what they learn. Honestly, the task can be daunting.

Complicate the homeschooling experience by the fact that humans are competitive by nature and we tend to want what others have. That translates into having our children involved in too many activities and ordering their school days with an ivy league quality set of assignments to be completed each day.

New Homeschoolers tend to make a huge mistake. They run out an order a curriculum because it looks good long before they discover who their children are as students and who they themselves are as teachers.

A Newbie still believes that this curriculum or that curriculum will help their child learn.

Veteran Homeschoolers are a different breed entirely. While we are all unique, we do share some concrete similarities.

Veterans know their child's strengths and weaknesses.

Veterans tailor their child's education to fit in between the lines of their students passions and abilities.

Veterans are confident in their ability to teach, yet humble enough to ask for help when necessary.

Veterans are more interested in their child's character than how many math facts they can fire off in 60 seconds.

So how does a Newbie move to the Veteran Side?

Spend more time studying what makes your child tick than you do shopping for curriculum.

Ask for help determining your child's learning style and your teaching style.

Have fun learning along side your children.

Choose to ignore the laundry and play in the mud.

Realize that your primary goal is to teach your child to love to learn, not master xyz.2 of your states standards.

Being a newbie can be a wonderful season in your educational career. This is where you can honestly glean wonderful pearls of wisdom from educators around you. Enjoy the process of discovering who you and your children are as homeschoolers. It is never about how well your child knows page 214 of their science book. It is about how well you equip your child to seek knowledge daily.

Your goal should be to reach the veteran camp as soon as possible. Sure, there is more laundry here, but the kids are having a blast at learning, living, and growing!

Home Is the Best School

It is true to say that the home is the basis of learning and education. Family members are the first school mates of children and parents are the real role models for them. It is well said "A young branch takes on all the bends that one gives it". Home is merely the school for giving moral education and parents are the first teachers. The maximum contribution in our achievement is from the home only. Prior to the preschool, the child's education starts in the family. The school teachers cannot be in such close touch with students, as can parents with their own children. The child learns from their family what is right and what is wrong. The behaviour of the family members towards the other have a great impact on children. It is the home where character of the child is build. Personality development, values and mannerism is taught to the child in family only. The values of life makes a person which teaches the young one to be loving, truthful, honest, caring, humble, courteous and responsible person. The curriculum of the home education is different from what has been written in the books.

Parents teach the child by warning, example and punishment. Our society is facing unnumbered problems. Parents need to spend a lot of time with children to develop overall personality in them. They have to be role models for them and must keep all them away from family problems. Even the family disparities and disputes influence the behaviour of the child. The restlessness in youth now a days and increase in the of crime is the result of lack of improper upbringing of children.Discussing household matters in front of the child, shouting with others can make the child more aggressive.

The security and the comfort which is available at the home are incomparable with the school. Along with the school subjects, it is the experience of the elders that shows us the right path of the success. Parents have more quality time to train and influence their children and there is opportunity for each child to develop individual attention and the instruction. Home provides a good environment for development of confidence and independent thinking and there is enhanced communication between all age groups due to diversified learning environment. This is the reason for "East or West Home is the Best". The home education can only help to bring peace in the world.