Is Your Christmas Tethered & Anchored?

Written by Jessica.

Last year around this time, I purchased some Christmas songbooks so that our family would have the words to all our favorite Christmas carols and hymns. I knew the first verses to most of them, but my husband and children didn’t. Since it’s sometimes difficult to hear all of the words in songs just by listening, especially when the language is formal or old-fashioned, I thought it would help everyone to have the words in print to refer to. I didn’t realize that I was starting a new family Christmas tradition.

Finding Your Charlotte Mason Rhythm

Written by Talvi McCuskey.

Thinking about beginning any foreign feat can be a daunting task. When I first realized that I would soon have to begin formal schooling for my oldest child, I was quite scared. After all, I had never done this whole home education thing before.

The weight of my child’s education resting solely on my shoulders felt like a heavy burden. I had an idea of what method I wanted to pursue to teach her. But as with most things in life, there was a gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it.

What We're Reading in November 2019

The bad news: I fell down my basement stairs.

Actually, using the word fell is painting it gracefully. Plummeted is probably a more accurate description of my landing. Crashed would work too.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I accidentally flung my entire 40-year-old body down a half flight of stairs and smashed into a cold slab of concrete.

And now all I can do is feebly hobble around like an elderly cat.

The good news: Sitting sedately on a heating pad leaves me plenty of time to read a good book. (What can I say...I'm a "glass is half-full" kind of gal.)

For the next few days, I'll be reclining comfortably with a book in hand. Here's what I (and my small people) will be reading this month.

What is a Living Book Anyway?

Charlotte Mason called them living or full of life. Some have referred to them as whole or complete, lacking in nothing. Still, others describe them with words like imaginative, original, or full of human touch.

No matter what moniker you give them, one thing is clear, a living book is anything but average. Living books are the best. Those aren't my words, mind you. (Although, I don't disagree.) They are Miss Mason's. She writes,

"For the children? They must grow up upon the best . . . There is never a time when they are unequal to worthy thoughts, well put; inspiring tales, well told." (Charlotte Mason, Parents and Children, p. 263)

When to Switch and When to Keep Your Curriculum

Written by Jessica.

One of the amazing things about homeschooling today is the vast amount of teaching and learning resources within reach. The homeschool curricula market is a huge one, and the dizzying array of choices reflects that. No matter your teaching style, the needs and abilities of your children, your budget, or what your core values and beliefs are, there is - quite literally - something for everyone. I know that I have logged more hours than I could possibly count reading about and researching curriculum options for every subject, for each of my kids.