pMy husband and I used to ride tandem bicycles around Chicagoland. We would throw on our biking clothes and go for miles on the Rails to Trails paths. During our bicycling days, I learned two very important lessons. First, I’m most apt to lose my balance when I’m riding uphill. Those climbs can throw off my groove. If I don’t gear down far enough, I find myself stomping on the pedals and leaning from side to side. Since I’m headed uphill, I lose momentum quickly and soon the bike begins to wobble precariously. But if I have someone else on…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/2018-calendar-journal-now-available/2018 Calendar Journal Now Available/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pIt’s exciting to talk to more and more homeschoolers who are educating their children through high school. Those high school years can be very rewarding and challenging at the same time, and Charlotte Mason’s methods give a great balance between discipline and enjoyment in high school. But those same parents with older students often confide that their approach to the high school years is accompanied by a bit of anxiety, some second-guessing, and a lot of questions. For example, here are some questions we’ve been asked recently: Is narration enough for high school? How do you keep lessons short in…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/questions-high-school-charlotte-mason-way/Your Questions about High School the Charlotte Mason Way/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pMany homeschool moms, as they learn more about Charlotte Mason’s methods, get a funny look on their faces and say something like, “That’s what I’ve been trying to do all along, because . . . well, it just makes sense. You mean, that has a name?” It’s so rewarding to watch faces light up, burdens roll off shoulders, and joy blossom in schoolrooms as Charlotte’s methods are embraced! Here is one such story that spans two generations of homeschooling. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy Jill C.’s account of “My Heart’s Journey to Charlotte Mason.” Three years ago, I…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/happy-results-jill-cs-journey-charlotte-mason/Happy Results: Jill C’s Journey to Charlotte Mason/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pMy youngest has been traveling to conventions with us over the past few months. Amid the different locations and changing venues, she has held tightly to one constant: on every trip she brings a classic children’s literature book. These books are her old friends: Little House in the Big Woods; Charlotte’s Web; Winnie-the-Pooh; Farmer Boy; Black Beauty; Mr. Popper’s Penguins. They have given her much joy and lots to think about and grow on over the years. They are worthy companions to have along on the journey. So I’m always a bit saddened when a parent raises an objection to…/p

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pJoey sits in his room and plays video games hour after hour, sulking anytime he is asked to do anything else. Samantha pitches a fit when she is told she may not have a cookie right now. Alex stares out the window instead of doing his math lesson. Cassie quits halfway through washing the car, because her arms are tired. Each of these children is struggling with a weak will. They are being ruled by their impulses and desires. They lack the strength to make themselves do what they know they should. Making hard choices, and sticking with them even…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/5-ways-strengthen-childs-willpower/5 Ways to Strengthen Your Child’s Willpower/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pFour-year-old Susie sits at a little table in a plain room, listening intently. “Susie, which do you like better: one marshmallow or two marshmallows?” the nice lady asks as she points to the sweet treats sitting on paper plates on the tabletop. Susie’s face lights up. “Two marshmallows,” she confides with a smile, casting a glance at the plate that holds the double prize. The lady explains, “I have to go do some work now in the other room. If you wait until I come back, you may have the two marshmallows. But if you decide that you don’t want…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/charlotte-mason-marshmallow-test/Charlotte Mason and The Marshmallow Test/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pIt’s so much fun explaining the Scripture Memory System to people when I speak at conventions around the country. When they realize that their whole family can memorize new Bible passages plus review all the verses they have learned in just 5–10 minutes per day, it’s like a light comes on. They get it! But there is one question I often get asked: What do I do about the younger children? Do I have to start over for them so they will be able to catch up and know all the verses that my older children have memorized? The answer…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/happy-results-arline-e-s-scripture-memory-story/Happy Results: Arline E.’s Scripture Memory Story/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pFor many years we have encouraged families to memorize Scripture with a simple and effective system. In just five or ten minutes a day you can continually learn new passages plus review every verse you’ve learned. Many of you have let us know how much that system means to you and how the habit of memorizing Scripture has blessed your family. For one family, the Goods, that blessing prompted within them a desire to help other families get started with Scripture memory too. The free verse card downloads are helpful, but the Good family wanted to help us provide a…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/beautiful-scripture-memory-box/A Beautiful Scripture Memory Box/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pFor several months now we have been busily working behind the scenes on an update to the CM Organizer, and today we’re thrilled to announce the exciting news: the CM Organizer has an attractive new look! It’s still the same great online planner and record-keeper that helps you save time and stay organized; we’ve just reworked the design to give it a fresh new look and to make it even more useful for you. Probably the most exciting news about the redesign is that the CM Organizer has been optimized to work beautifully on smartphones and tablet devices. Now you…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/cm-organizer-fresh-new-look/The CM Organizer Has a Fresh New Look!/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p

pYou have, no doubt, heard of the 3 Rs when it comes to education: reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. (Why writing is considered an R, I don’t know, but let’s just keep going.) Those three Rs make it simple to summarize what the teacher is focused on giving the students. Well, we came up with 3 Gs that seem to neatly summarize a Charlotte Mason education: good habits, great books, and guided discovery. Those three phrases capture a handy snapshot of what a CM parent should be giving her students. Good HabitsGood habits are wonderful servants. Bad habits are tyrannical masters.…/p

pa rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.com/blog/good-habits-great-books-guided-discovery/Good Habits, Great Books, and Guided Discovery/a originally appeared on a rel=nofollow href=https://simplycharlottemason.comSimply Charlotte Mason/a./p