Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

By Sonya Shafer

Education Kids & Family

What's Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling about?

The weekly Simply Charlotte Mason homeschooling blog read by Sonya Shafer

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11.05.2019

Charlotte Mason is all about spreading a feast of ideas. How do you fit them all in? Sonya is joined by Laura Pitney to discuss this question. // MENTIONED Enrichment Studies lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/enrichment-studies-volume-1/ Simple Weekly Subjects video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UxYYaTbUtQ Shakespeare ...

Simply Charlotte Mason Homeschooling episodes:

11.05.2019 Your Questions Answered: Fitting in the Good Stuff Charlotte Mason is all about spreading a feast of ideas. How do you fit them all in? Sonya is joined by Laura Pitney to discuss this question. // MENTIONED Enrichment Studies lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/enrichment-studies-volume-1/ Simple Weekly Subjects video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UxYYaTbUtQ Shakespeare ...
10.29.2019 How to Choose and Use Field Guides Sonya is joined by her go-to nature study person, SCM co-founder Karen Smith, to discuss how to choose good field guides and how to use them for nature study. // MENTIONED Audubon Field Guides https://www.audubon.org/national-audubon-society-field-guides Princeton University Field Guides https://press.princeton.edu/series/princeton-field-guides ...
10.23.2019 Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 4–6 Here are some favorite early modern history books for your fourth through sixth graders. World History book recommendations start https://youtu.be/ex96LNkDuJY?t=414 // MENTIONED Favorite Early Modern Books series https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkD5hzLjrk0txv7NkJ-ztkdCi3VDf9TY Early Modern & Epistles lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/early-modern/ Books mentioned The Landing of ...
10.15.2019 Is Your Child Strong-Willed or Weak-Willed? What we often call a strong-willed child, Charlotte Mason would call a weak-willed child. // MENTIONED The Way of the Will episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrEdjNajHN0 Charlotte Mason and the Marshmallow Test article https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-marshmallow-test/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook ...
10.08.2019 Your Questions Answered: Favorite CM Moments Sonya Shafer and Laura Pitney share some of their favorite moments from homeschooling with the Charlotte Mason method. // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyCM SCM Forum: https://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Subscribe Listen to the ...
10.01.2019 How to Read History Two important things to remember when you're reading history. // RELATED Teaching History https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/teaching-history-subject-by-subject-part-3/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyCM SCM Forum: https://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/ Subscribe Listen to the audio version of the ...
09.24.2019 Favorite Early Modern Books for Grades 1–3 I'd like to share some of my favorite living books for early elementary students, those in grades 1–3, covering history during the years of 1550–1850 or so. // MENTIONED Favorite Early Modern Books for the Whole Family https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOIlINHMg-Q Early Modern ...
09.17.2019 Nature Walk or Nature Study? What's the difference between a nature walk and a nature study? Sonya is joined by Karen Smith to discuss this question. // MENTIONED Journaling a Year in Nature https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/journaling-a-year-in-nature/ Keeping a Nature Journal https://www.amazon.com/Keeping-Nature-Journal-Discover-Seeing/dp/1580174930/ The Naturalist's Notebook https://www.amazon.com/Naturalists-Notebook-Observation-Calendar-Journal-Tracking/dp/1612128890/ // RELATED ...
09.10.2019 Your Questions Answered: Not Repeating Yourself To build the habit of attention, Charlotte Mason told us not to repeat ourselves when giving instructions to children. But how do you make that work in practice? Sonya and Laura discuss this question in this episode. // FOLLOW Instagram: ...
09.03.2019 The Way of the Will A quick refresher on how the will shapes your child's character and how to strengthen the will. // FOR MORE Charlotte Mason and the Marshmallow Test https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-marshmallow-test/ The Way of the Will (free e-book) https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/the-way-of-the-will/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook ...
08.27.2019 Favorite Early Modern Books for the Whole Family Sharing some favorite American history and world history books for the whole family to enjoy. // MENTIONED Early Modern lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/early-modern/ Stories of America, Volume 1 https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/stories-america-volume-1/ Our Country's Presidents https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/87762 Time stamp for world history books https://youtu.be/iOIlINHMg-Q?t=381 Stories ...
08.20.2019 Your Questions Answered: Audiobooks in a Charlotte Mason Home School Sonya is joined by Laura Pitney to discuss the pros and cons of using audiobooks in a Charlotte Mason home school. // MENTIONED The Enchanted Hour https://www.amazon.com/Enchanted-Hour-Miraculous-Reading-Distraction/dp/0062562819/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ ...
08.13.2019 Using Subject Cards to Plan Your Homeschool Schedule Here's a quick and simple tip for laying out your weekly and daily homeschool schedules. // MENTIONED Blog post version of this episode with more examples xx Subject Cards download page xx 5 Steps to Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education ...
08.06.2019 5 Things to Remember When Planning Your Charlotte Mason Homeschool Five quick reminders as you plan your homeschool year. // MENTIONED 5 Steps to Planning Your CM Education video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_RB3FvA29c Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education book & DVD https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/planning-your-charlotte-mason-education/ SCM Curriculum Overview https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/overview-chart/ SCM Lesson Plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/product-category/product-lesson-plans/ // FOLLOW Instagram: ...
07.31.2019 Your Questions Answered: Narration with Multiple Children Sonya is joined by Laura Pitney for a discussion about narration with multiple children. // MENTIONED Your Questions Answered: Narration book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/questions-answered-narration Narration Notecards https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/narration-notecards // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyCM ...
07.22.2019 5 Steps to Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education How to create a custom homeschool plan for your family in five simple steps. // MENTIONED Ready-to-go lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/product-category/product-lesson-plans/ SCM Curriculum Overview with links to book lists https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/overview-chart/ Weekly DIY Chart https://simplycharlottemason.com/build-your-own-curriculum/ Build Your Own Curriculum page https://simplycharlottemason.com/build-your-own-curriculum/ Planning ...
07.15.2019 Using the 6-Year History Cycle Here's how to schedule the SCM 6-year history cycle to make sure you meet graduation requirements for your high school students. // MENTIONED Genesis through Deuteronomy & Ancient Egypt https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/genesis-deuteronomy-ancient-egypt/ Joshua through Malachi & Ancient Greece https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/joshua-malachi-ancient-greece/ Matthew through Acts ...
07.09.2019 Working On Best Effort During the Summer Practical tips for working on the habit of best effort during the summer months. // MENTIONED Working on Attention During the Summer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WCP7tcD44Y Laying Down the Rails for Children https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/laying-down-the-rails-for-children-a-habit-training-companion/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: ...
07.02.2019 Working On Attention During the Summer 10 ideas for how you can work on the habit of attention this summer. // FOR MORE Laying Down the Rails https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/laying-down-the-rails-resources/ Smooth and Easy Days -- FREE habits e-book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/smooth-easy-days-with-charlotte-mason/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook ...
06.26.2019 Your Questions Answered: Homeschooling with Preschoolers in the Mix Sonya is joined by Laura Pitney and Jenn Faas for a discussion about how to homeschool when you have preschoolers in the mix. How do you keep the preschoolers occupied during school time? How can you include them? // FOR ...
06.19.2019 Two New Music Studies Now Available We're excited to announce two new Music Study with the Masters portfolios: Handel and Liszt! // FOR MORE Music Study with the Masters https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/music-study-with-the-masters/ Handel https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/music-study-with-the-masters-handel/ Liszt https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/music-study-with-the-masters-liszt/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: ...
06.17.2019 Top 10 (or 20) Picture Books for Preschoolers Today I'm sharing my top ten (or twenty) picture books for preschoolers. // MENTIONED How to Choose a Good Picture Book https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwv1lVfZsTM Alfie Gets in First https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/115753 Alfie's Feet https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/115752 An Evening at Alfie's https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/188543 Chester the Worldly Pig https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/1349 ...
06.11.2019 How to Choose a Good Picture Book Libraries and bookstores have entire rooms full of picture books—thousands of them! Here's how to spot the good ones. // FOR MORE Our Preschool Life https://ourpreschool.life // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: ...
06.07.2019 New Preschool Resource: Our Preschool Life We are so excited to announce Our Preschool Life: a natural, play-based way to give your child a delightful growing time at home. // FOR MORE Our Preschool Life https://ourpreschool.life // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: ...
06.03.2019 Your Questions Answered: Preschool Activities If you're not supposed to do formal lessons, what should you do with preschool and kindergarten children? Sonya Shafer, Laura Pitney, and Jenn Faas discuss several ideas in this mega-episode of the Simply Charlotte Mason podcast. // FOR MORE Our ...
05.27.2019 Preschool Priorities What are your top two priorities for the preschool years? Hint: they are not reading and writing. // FOR MORE A Is for Art book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/a-is-for-art-fine-art-alphabet-book/ Video on Teaching Your Child to Read https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mBIlbcqkaA // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: ...
05.20.2019 Favorite Middle Ages and Renaissance Books for the Whole Family Great living books on the Middle Ages and the Renaissance that your whole family will enjoy! // MENTIONED https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhkD5hzLjrk2N343QayLuR0AQvCQZ70zq Middle Ages lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/middle-ages-renaissance-reformation-epistles/ A Castle with Many Rooms book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/castle-many-rooms/ A Castle with Many Rooms Narration Notecards https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/narration-notecards-for-a-castle-with-many-rooms/ Castle ...
05.14.2019 Let Us Not Grow Weary Some days it seems like you're not making any progress. Sonya shares some simple yet powerful encouragement from Charlotte Mason. // MENTIONED School Education book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/school-education-charlotte-masons-original-home-schooling-series-volume-3/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: ...
05.07.2019 What Exam Week Looks Like in a Charlotte Mason Home School Here's how to make exam week a time to celebrate your student's growth. // MENTIONED Part 1 of the series https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/what-exam-week-sounds-like-in-a-charlotte-mason-home-school/ Lessons Done by Lunch video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fd50LW3UGe0 Scripture Memory Box https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/scripture-memory-verse-cards/ Habit Reading https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/laying-down-the-rails-for-children-a-habit-training-companion/ SCM Prepared Lesson Plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/history-geography-bible-lesson-plans/ and ...
04.30.2019 What Exam Week Sounds Like in a Charlotte Mason Home School What do you mean "Charlotte Mason didn't do tests?" She did whole weeks of exams! I'll show you how. // MENTIONED Charlotte Mason-style Assessment https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/series/cm-style-assessment/ School Education book (with sample exam questions) https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/school-education-charlotte-masons-original-home-schooling-series-volume-3/ Prepared Lesson Plans with Exam Questions https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/history-geography-bible-lesson-plans/ ...
04.23.2019 Favorite Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation Books for Grades 10–12 Sonya shares her top books for high schoolers on the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation. // MENTIONED The Lantern Bearers https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/425 Men of Iron https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/1050 Men of Iron free online http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1557 The Black Arrow https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/1163 The Black Arrow free online ...
04.15.2019 The Heart of Education A Charlotte Mason education is all about growth, taking the next step. And that type of education is available to every child. // MENTIONED Charlotte Mason Reviewed by Jenny King https://www.amazon.com/Charlotte-Mason-Reviewed-Philosophy-Education/dp/0953807215 // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook ...
04.09.2019 Your Questions Answered: Children Who Won’t Sit Still What should you do when a child can't or won't sit still? Sonya Shafer and Laura Pitney share some thoughts and ideas. // RELATED Using different parts of the brain https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/sequence-your-day-simple-tips-for-a-smooth-year-part-3/ The Importance of Self-Control https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-marshmallow-test/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ ...
04.03.2019 5 Life Habits Built Into a Charlotte Mason Education Here are five habits included in the Charlotte Mason method that set your child up for success in life. // FOR MORE Keys to Developing Habits https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/series/good-habits/ Don't Repeat Yourself https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/attention-please-way-of-the-will-part-5/ Putting Something in Your Own Words https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/words-narration-qa-part-3/ Using Narration ...
03.26.2019 Favorite Middle Ages and Renaissance Books for Grades 7–9 Sonya shares some of her favorite books for the Middle Ages and Renaissance for grades 7–9. // MENTIONED In Freedom's Cause https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/21079 The Magna Charta https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/1241 The Prince and the Pauper https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/127 The Prince and the Pauper free online http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/1837 ...
03.19.2019 How Much Did a Charlotte Mason Education Cost? Ever wonder what a Charlotte Mason education cost back in Charlotte's day? I did some research that I'm excited to share with you. // MENTIONED Charlotte Mason Digital Archives https://archive.org/details/charlottemasondigitalcollection The books that we use https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/overview-chart/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ ...
03.13.2019 Your Questions Answered: A Smooth Morning of Lessons Field trips, doctor appointments, busy households, . . . how do you get lessons done in the morning? Here are some ideas. // FOR MORE Productive Afternoons free download https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/productive-afternoons/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: ...
03.05.2019 Signposts for Reading Lessons in the Charlotte Mason Method Sonya talks about how to tell when your child is ready to move on to the next stage in Charlotte Mason reading lessons. // MENTIONED Delightful Reading, Level 1: Playing with Letters and Sounds https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/delightful-reading-level-1-playing-letters-sounds/ Delightful Reading, Level 2: Words ...
02.26.2019 Favorite Middle Ages & Renaissance Books for Grades 4–6 Sonya shares some of her favorite living books for the Middle Ages and Renaissance for grades 4–6. // MENTIONED Study on Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, & Epistles https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/middle-ages-renaissance-reformation-epistles/ Daily lesson plans https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/middle-ages-renaissance-reformation-epistles/ Blog post with dates https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/favorite-middle-ages-renaissance-books-for-grades-4-6/ "The Pied Piper ...
02.19.2019 40 Ideas for Independent Work (Not Busywork!) You're working with this child, and that child has nothing to do. What do you do? Here are some ideas! // MENTIONED Blog post (for a printed copy) https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/40-ideas-for-independent-work-not-busywork/ Mason's Living Languages http://www.masonslivinglanguages.com Number Sentence Cards https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/the-charlotte-mason-elementary-arithmetic-series-book-2-number-sentence-cards/ Beginner's Guide to ...
02.19.2019 40 Ideas for Independent Work (Not Busywork!) You're working with this child, and that child has nothing to do. What do you do? Here are some ideas! // MENTIONED Blog post (for a printed copy) https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/40-ideas-for-independent-work-not-busywork/ Mason's Living Languages http://www.masonslivinglanguages.com Number Sentence Cards https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/the-charlotte-mason-elementary-arithmetic-series-book-2-number-sentence-cards/ Beginner's Guide to ...
02.12.2019 Your Questions Answered: Organizing Your Home School Sonya is joined this week by her friend Laura Pitney to talk about ideas for organizing your home school. // FOR MORE CM Organizer https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/cm-organizer/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyCM ...
02.12.2019 Your Questions Answered: Organizing Your Home School Sonya is joined this week by her friend Laura Pitney to talk about ideas for organizing your home school. // FOR MORE CM Organizer https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/cm-organizer/ // FOLLOW Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplycharlottemason/ Facebook News: https://www.facebook.com/SimplyCM SCM Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1445273695729787/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/simplycm/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimplyCM ...
02.06.2019 The Importance of Working with Your Hands Sonya just learned some great benefits to handicrafts that she hadn't thought of. Find out why it's so important to work with your hands. // MENTIONED Productive Afternoons video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlIAVyibO4Y Productive Afternoons download https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/productive-afternoons/ Book of Centuries https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/my-book-of-centuries/ Medical Students ...
01.31.2019 How to Finish Lessons by Lunch Can you really finish formal school lessons by lunch? Sonya shares some sample schedules to show how it's possible. // MENTIONED Productive Afternoons episode https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlIAVyibO4Y Link to blog post and sample schedules https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/how-to-finish-lessons-by-lunch/ Productive Afternoons free download https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/productive-afternoons/ Planning Your ...
01.28.2019 The Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic Series, Book 2 Is Here! We are excited to announce that The Charlotte Mason Elementary Arithmetic, Book 2, is now available! You are sure to enjoy these simple, lively lessons that will help your student gain a firm footing in addition, subtraction, and multiplication up ...
01.22.2019 7 Favorite Middle Ages & Renaissance Books for Grades 1–3 Sonya shares some of her favorite living books for the Middle Ages and Renaissance for grades 1–3. // MENTIONED Study on Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, & Epistles https://simplycharlottemason.com/planning/curriculum-guide/middle-ages-renaissance-reformation-epistles/ Brother Francis and the Friendly Beasts https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/587 Castle Diary https://apps.simplycharlottemason.com/resources/detail/172187 Marguerite Makes ...
01.16.2019 Q & A: Inside the Scripture Memory System Sonya answers some frequently asked question about our simple Scripture Memory System that takes just five minutes a day to work on new verses and review the ones you've already learned. // MENTIONED Scripture Memory System Instructions https://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/ Video Demonstration ...
01.09.2019 Behind the Scenes with A Delectable Education Sonya chats with the ladies from the A Delectable Education podcast about their work in the CM community. // MENTIONED A Delectable Education http://www.adelectableeducation.com Living Books Library http://www.livingbookslibrary.com Sabbath Mood Homeschool http://sabbathmoodhomeschool.com Charlotte Mason Digital Collection https://archive.org/details/charlottemasondigitalcollection For the Children's ...
01.02.2019 5 Ways NOT to Use a Living Book Living books must be used correctly to be most effective. Sonya explains how to avoid five common mistakes. // MENTIONED Five Steps to Successful Narration free e-book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/five-steps-to-successful-narration/ Your Questions Answered: Narration book https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/questions-answered-narration/ // FOR MORE Choosing Living Books ...

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