Are you interested in homeschooling using Charlotte Mason’s methods and principles? Check out this huge list of resources to help you become acquainted with her ideas and how to implement them in your home!
In just a couple of months we will be finishing up our first homeschool year.
It has been a year of adjustments, trial and error, and introducing many new routines and disciplines in our home. And while I’m sure much of this was due to it being our first year doing school at home, I am equally as certain that every year we homeschool will have its share of adjustments, trial and error, and introductions to new things.
With each week that passes, I am more and more confident that Charlotte Mason’s principles and methods are the right fit for our family.
Her emphasis on spending time in nature, reading great books, and focusing on developing children’s habits in their early years is what first drew me in. Now, as I see how the central focuses on simplicity, beauty, and truth bring so much joy and richness to our lives, I am so thankful to have her wisdom and the wisdom of other CM families to draw from.
Bottom line: the more I learn about the CM method, the more I love it.
If you are reading this post, then chances are good that you are curious about Charlotte Mason, or are simply wanting to know more fully how to implement her ideas in your home.
Below, you can find a list of a variety of resources to help you become more acquainted with the CM method.
Most of them are resources which have been incredibly helpful to me in the past couple of years. A few of them are suggestions from others in my CM co-op who are further on in their homeschooling journey.
Be sure to pin this list for future reference! I know I will be referring back to it often!
Charlotte Mason Resources to Listen/Read/Follow:
Podcasts:
1. The Mason Jar :: The Circe Institute with Cindy Rollins
2. A Delectable Education :: a Charlotte Mason podcast
3. Your Morning Basket :: Pam Barnhill
4. Read-Aloud Revival :: Sarah Mackenzie
Books:
1. For the Children’s Sake
For the Children’s Sake is recommended by so many people because it is simply a treasure and a worthwhile read for any parent. It’s a short book, easy to read, and one you will find yourself rereading often.
2. Educating the WholeHearted Child
I have not read this book yet, but I hope to do so soon. I have not met a Sally Clarkson book I have not loved, though, and feel confident relying on others’ recommendations of this book for homeschooling parents.
3. Laying Down the Rails // A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook :: Sonya Shafer
Charlotte Mason emphasized the importance of learning good habits early on. This handbook tackles her list of habits– what each one is and how to teach them to your children.
4. A Charlotte Mason Companion
Reading Charlotte Mason’s personal writing is, of course, worthwhile. But it can also be daunting. (Especially to my tired mama brain). This book explains Charlotte Mason’s method in a clear and understandable way.
5. Honey for a Child’s Heart
This is an excellent resource to have on hand, whether you homeschool or not. It is full of book lists and suggestions on how to pick worthwhile (living) books for your children. I try to reference it before going to the library. There is also another book for older children that would be just as useful (Honey for a Teen’s Heart
Websites & Curriculum:
Ambleside offers a wealth of free resources about Charlotte Mason, as well as free curriculum for K-12.
This website has curriculum guides, a blog and forum, a huge online bookstore, and more.
A friend from my CM co-op recommended this website as an alternative free CM curriculum, similar to Ambleside Online.
I am the least familiar with this curriculum, but included it on the recommendation of others. This long-term homeschooling parent offers curriculum guides for all ages for a reasonable price. She also has other free resources available on her website and blog.
5. My Father’s World Curriculum
We used MFW for our kindergarten curriculum this year and really enjoyed it. I’m still deciding between using Ambleside or MFW for our first grade curriculum.
MFW’s website describes their curriculum this way: “Combines the best of Charlotte Mason’s ideas and classical education with a Biblical worldview, an international focus, and our own observations of how children learn.”
Blogs:
4. Joy in the Home // The Ultimate Charlotte Mason Resource Guide
6. Fisher Academy International
Instagram:
1. @CharlotteMasonLiving
2. @NaturePalExchange
3. @WildandFree.Co
4. @WildExplorersClub
5. @HomeschoolingByHeart
6. @TheQuickJourney
Also check out How to Start a Charlotte Mason Co-op:
EACH WEEK I LINK UP WITH MOTIVATION MONDAY, MODEST MAMA, MAMA MOMENTS, TUESDAY TALK, AND WORKS FOR ME WEDNESDAY. THE LINKS ABOVE MAY ALSO BE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I EARN A SMALL COMMISSION AT NO EXTRA COST TO YOU. I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS SITE!
Which did you end up using for first grade? Ambleside or MFW?
Where did you find the print with the “children are born with all the curiosity…”????
I just wrote it out. ?
What a great resource! I love Charlotte Mason and will be starting our homeschool journey in just a few days using MFW. I have or was aware of some of these resources but a few are new to me! Love finding new things! Thank you so much!
So glad it was helpful Laura! You might also find the posts I shared recently on morning time printables and our favorite morning time resources helpful too! Good luck on your new year! (I love MFW!)
Kind a new to all of this. Have only been reading about Charlotte Mason for a couple of weeks but already love what I’ve read. Had already ordered our whole year curriculum and already bought and changed math in an attempt to help teach our grandson math. My husband had even started reading on Charlotte Mason and he to is encouraged and excited. We are going to try to get totally changed over by next year for sure. Where do I find a CM co OP. And how do we do all that
Thanks so much for including Practical Pages in your list! I also love your homeschool wall,especially the Charlotte Mason quote! Wishing you every blessing!
Hi!! Where did you get these cute alphabet cards? Also, where did you get the clock/abacus/block hanging? Such a cute little wall you have!!! I’m excited to find you.
Thank you for your kind comment! The alphabet cards were a part of the kindergarten curriculum we ordered from My Father’s World. I found the abacus at the thrift store years ago. 🙂
Thank you! I have read and heard about most of these sites and am excited to read the ones I don’t know. I’m only at the research stage right now but I’m a late starter as my oldest in already in grade 4 and the public school system doesn’t seem to be working for him. Is there any resources for starting later as most sites I’ve read start at kindergarten with the habits and values? Again, thanks and continue the great work!
Naomi, I did not know how best to answer your question at first, but was able to ask it to some experts (the hosts of the Delectable Education podcast mentioned above) at a conference last weekend. Their encouragement is to begin with reading Charlotte Mason’s writings and developing an understanding of her philosophy as a whole before you focus on practical implications. Many of her writings are offered for free on Ambleside Online. If you start with understanding why and what she deemed as most important, the rest of the education will make sense, and you will be better able to apply her wisdom across the board. I hope this is helpful!
Thanks for the great list of resources!
Thank you thank you thank you! Great places to go to, Lisa! I had heard of some of these but many I have not. I’m very excited to check out more 🙂 Sounds like we’re on the same track as I’m also in the middle of my oldest’s kindergarten year.
I hope you enjoy checking these resources out Ashley! They have been very helpful to me.