For my now 1st grade (will be 2nd grade), and I'm not sure how I want to do this.  I also will have an 8th grader and a 11th grader.  I still need to figure out their curriculum for next year as well.  I think my youngest would do well with something like this, and I probably should have done something like this for this year.  I am somewhat familiar with Charlotte Mason's teaching style, just not sure if I have it in me to do.  LOL.

Does anyone have any pointers?  I looked for Charlotte Mason teaching books on here, but there aren't any posted.  I guess people don't want to give them up easily.

Dawn

Hi Dawn,

What is AO ? Is that Alpha Omega or Ambleside Online ?

If you haven't heard of Ambleside Online (or is that what AO is ?) here is a link to it.

http://www.amblesideonline.org/

Sherry

Hi Dawn,

I read of the CM method for nearly 3 years, read the most popular books which others recommended to me, and still didn't 'get' how to do it on a practical daily basis. I then attended a seminar given by Catherine Levison (in 2003) which laid it all out. At that event I bought her 2nd book called "More Charlotte Mason Education". Come to find out that book was a written version of the 6 hour seminar I had just attended. The book is great and is different from all the other books as it is nitty-gritty focused. Her writing style is down to earth and she makes you feel like you can do the CM method with ease. The book doesn't tell you to use AO, it tells you how to use the CM method. If you then chose to use AO that would simplify matters for you regarding book selection and scheduling though.

As soon as I 'got it', I began doing the CM method with my first grader and that lasted for a year, pretty 'purely'. Over the years I've melded the CM method with classical and tweaking to fit the needs of my children and me.

I run a homeschool support group for people influenced by the CM method. This is our fourth year meeting and it is great to see how different families learn from the CM method and how they adapt it to their own family.

I can't recommend the book highly enough. I don't see it listed here on PBS. It is not an expensive book. It is worth the money, you can get a copy at discount from Amazon. Be sure to get the right book, it is her 2nd book called "MORE Charlotte Mason Education". Her first book "A Charlotte Mason Education" is a short book explaining the basic method. If you have read any other book on the basic method then that reads like a 'repeat'.

The books I loved and still recommend but left me feeling confused about 'exactly how to do it day to day' back then were:

A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer MaCaulay

Lastly there is a new Charlotte Mason method blog carnival that has blog posts on the CM method. YOu can read the current edition here.

http://blogcarnival.com/bc/cprof_2378.html

Hope this helps.

Over at Ambleside Online, Charlotte Mason's writings can be found for you to peruse. Some ladies have also graciously translated them into plain, modern English, for ease of use.

AO has several Yahoo groups that you can join. I am a mod on one of the lists.

Congratulations! I think you're going to love teaching this way! =)

Always feel free to PM me with any questions. I'll try to help!

Well, this is going to get interesting, as I have decided that I will probably teach my older son (8th grade) like this too.  He doesn't seem to do well with traditional school curriculum.  This is going to get interesting.

I've added a number of books to my wish list, but they don't seem too likely that I will be able to get them (long WL).  I almost dread the new WL coming in, because these are all equal in importance, and I don't want to have to rank them.

Thanks for all the ideas.  I am currently reading Charlotte Mason's first book in her set, so hopefully will be able to get my head screwed on straight.  I just feel like there are not enough hours in the day.

Dawn