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I was immediately drawn to the idea of Charlotte Mason's ideas on educating children the minute I began reading of them. Mixing the reading of good books and ample time outside exploring God's beautiful creation, Ms. Mason's methods sounded like just the type of thing I wanted to engage my children in as I homeschooled them. I have spent probably the last year or so searching for more and more "Charlotte Mason." I have found ideas on how to implement her philosophies, ideas for lesson plans and book lists and nature projects, and encouragement as I began to use these ideas with my children. My search is far from over, but here is a list of my favorite online Charlotte Mason resources so far:
Ambleside Online
Probably the best know online Charlotte Mason cirriculum, Ambleside Online has it all. You can access not only Ms. Mason's original series, but also a modern-day english version of her works as well as hundreds of articles from the original Parents Review magazines. There is a book list and suggested cirriculum for each grade, a list of attainments for those children entering school, and several articles written by some of AO's advisory board members. You can also access on-line texts of some of the recommended reading as well as AO's quarterly artist, composer, and Shakespeare studies.
Mater Amabilis
A wonderful Charlotte Mason cirriculum specifically for Catholics, but adaptable to any denominational preference. I especially like the two-year cirriculla and the short but sweet suggestions for preschool.
Simply Charlotte Mason
This is my favorite Charlotte Mason site so far. I rediscovered it just recently and was thrilled with their simple but specific suggestions for preschoolers and kindergardeners. It also contains a lists of handicraft and life skills to teach your children as well as a "Charlotte Mason book finder."
Tanglewood Education
Another great Charlotte Mason cirriculum (who knew!?) that, unfortunately, only takes you through the 8th grade. Maybe they will expand later. My favorite features of this particular site are the way they suggest selecting your free-reads and their living history book recommendations.
Charlotte's Daughters -- Stories
A neatly outlined cirriculum taken from THE ORIGINAL Charlotte Mason school. Great if you want to be perfectly authentic.
Penny Gardner's Website
Penny Gardner does a wonderful job of explaining and illustrating every aspect of the Charlotte Mason method and how to apply the principles to each school subject. On her site you will find a list of both Old and New Testament Bible stories (listed under narration) as well as several living book lists, some of which are divied up by age.
NHCMSG Charlotte Mason Study Pages
These pages are just filled with information and links. Through this site I have come upon tons of little ideas and been directed to many other CM friendly websites. You'll find everything from other personal websites, character building Bible study sites, links to on-line texts and study questions for Ms. Mason's writings. It is one of those sites you just sit down with and click around in for a morning.
Backyard Nature
Naturalist Jim Conrad has a wealth of information on his website. There are helps and ideas and suggestions for nature study and notebooks; and, my favorite, he lists over 100 nature-related activities for each new season.
Macbeth's Opinion
Another site just full of valuable suggestions and ideas, especially in regards to nature study. Macbeth has a separate page for each season. All are loaded with nature study project ideas and suggestions for seasonal nature reading. She also makes some field guide recommendations and covers such fun topics as making a nature study corner in your own backyard and camping for nature study. There are also archives of her "Wild Monthly" online newsletter.
4 Real Learning
Includes several links to Catholic homeschool sites and some "suggestions at a cirriculum" or grade appropriate book lists.
Nature Study
This is a pretty little page I happened upon. It gives a few simple ideas for nature study through the seasons of the year and recommends some beautiful nature and animal themed literature.
Just Playing
This site was recommended through one of the yahoo groups I have joined. It has a midi for just about every nursery rhyme you can imagine as well as a few folk and other fun songs. My kids and I have enjoyed spending time singing along to the tunes.
Songlists from Children's Folk Song Study
Another site I got through yahoo groups, this one lists all the folk songs and children's songs that are "essential" to the education of every child.
The Common Room
This has to be my absolute favorite blog. The family of bloggers, lead primarily by their mother and teacher "The Deputy Headmistress" shares everything from beautiful photography, recipes, nature finds, poetry, and book recommendations to humorous posts on life, religion, and politics. But, most importantly, the DHM, an AO advisory board member, often shares her thoughts on raising and schooling your children (with a CM perspective, of course).
Also, be sure to check out yahoo groups for forums designed for those educating or interested in educating their children using the Charlotte Mason method.
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