"Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking - the strain would be too great - but, all living; that is to say, we sho

This is a FREE Updated Charlotte Mason Planner. This year it includes two files, one with all the subjects included and one you can fill in.

Teaching history classes at our local co-op has been eye-opening! I was blessed with a history teacher who brought the past to life, but have learned that so many adults did not have that experience, and have passed their 'history drudgery' onto their students. My goal as co-op teacher is to get these kids excited about history! Audio books are an excellent way to make historical fiction accessible. I hear parents talk about lacking confidence in their read-aloud ability, and that's ok! We all have different talents. Me...I do the voices. All of them! And my kids love being read to...even as teens (though they'd surely deny it if their friends ask). When we're travelling in the car, one of the boys is reading something he finds difficult, or we just want to break up the monotony, we turn to these historical audio books. The characters bring the stories to life...and these stories are our boys' favorites (so they're pretty light on the romance). The list below are our top ten favorite American history audio books - with the stamp of approval from a house full of boys! - but it is not exhaustive. Use these as a jumping off point for finding your family's next listen... You may also like Ten Best Vintage Novel Series for Boys. With Lee in Virginia The Civil War, as seen through the eyes of young Vincent Wingfield, a spirited teenager from the South and heir to a southern slave plantation, who staunchly supports the rights of slaves but, because of fidelity to the state of Virginia, joins Lee's cavalry and fights for the Confederacy. The Sign of the Beaver Twelve-year-old Matt is left on his own in the Maine wilderness while his father leaves to bring the rest of the family to their new settlement. When he befriends Attean, an Indian chief’s grandson, he is invited to join the Beaver tribe and move north. Should Matt abandon his hopes of ever seeing his family again and go on to a new life? Johnny Tremain Johnny Tremain is historical fiction at its best, portraying Revolutionary Boston as a living drama, through the shrewd eyes of an observant boy. -- A story filled with danger and excitement, Johnny Tremain tells of the turbulent, passionate times in Boston just before the Revolutionary War. -- Johnny, a young apprentice silversmith, is caught up with Otis, Hancock, and John and Samuel Adams in the exciting and dramatic operations and subterfuges leading up to the Boston Tea Party and the Battle of Lexington. As Johnny is forced into the role of a full-grown man in the face of his new country's independence, he finds that his relations with those he loves change for the better as well. Farmer Boy The Story of a boy named Almanzo Wilder...While Laura Ingalls grows up on the western prairie, a boy named Almanzo Wilder is living on a farm in New York State. Almanzo and his brother and sisters work at their chores from dawn until supper most days -- no matter what the weather. There is still time for fun, though, especially with the horses, which Almanzo loves more than anything. Under Drake's Flag Ned Hawkshaw is about to take the greatest adventure a boy could ever imagine… with one of the most celebrated heroes in history – Sir Francis Drake! Ned fights off a shark attack, survives a shipwreck, engages in fierce battles on sea and land, and comes face to face with the Spanish Inquisition. Experience the swashbuckling tale that pits faith against fear, and helps Ned grow from a boy into a man. Captain Bayley's Heir Frank Norris, accused of theft and unable to prove his innocence, leaves for excitement and adventure in the California Gold Fields of 1850s America. He sails the Atlantic, braves a storm while working as a barge man on the Mississippi, survives an Indian attack while crossing the plains with a caravan, strikes it rich in the California Gold Mines, and is finally able to clear his name and return to England to claim his rightful inheritance. A great adventure story that illuminates the trials and tribulations of many who traveled to California during the great Gold Rush! The Watsons Go to Birmingham Enter the hilarious world of ten-year-old Kenny and his family, the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. There's Momma, Dad, little sister Joetta, Kenny, and Byron, Kenny's older brother, who, at thirteen, is an "official juvenile delinquent." When Momma and Dad decide it's time for a visit to Grandma, Dad comes home with the amazing Ultra-Glide, and the Watsons set out on a trip like no other. Heading South, they're going to Birmingham, Alabama, and toward one of the darkest moments in America's history. Bud, Not Buddy It’s 1936, in Flint Michigan. Times may be hard, and ten-year-old Bud may be a motherless boy on the run, but Bud’s got a few things going for him: 1. He has his own suitcase full of special things. 2. He’s the author of Bud Caldwell’s Rules and Things for Having a Funner Life and Making a Better Liar Out of Yourself. 3. His momma never told him who his father was, but she left a clue: flyers advertising Herman E. Calloway and his famous band, the Dusky Devastators of the Depression!!!!!! Bud’s got an idea that those flyers will lead him to his father. Once he decides to hit the road to find this mystery man, nothing can stop him—not hunger, not fear, not vampires, not even Herman E. Calloway himself. Rush Revere & the American Revolution Be a part of Rush Revere’s crew as we rush, rush, rush into a time when British rule had become a royal pain, and rebellion was in the air. We’ll be on hand to see two lanterns hungin the Old North Church, prevent a British spy from capturing Paul Revere, and grapple with danger at the battles of Lexington, Concord, and Bunker Hill. The extra-special part of this trip is that right here in the twenty-first century, Cam’s dad is a soldier fighting in Afghanistan, and Cam has been pretty angry that he is away. Visiting with exceptional American heroes like Dr. Joseph Warren and George Washington, racing along after Paul Revere on his midnight ride, and seeing the Declaration of Independence signed make Cam see his own dad in a new and special way. Guts & Glory: World War II From massive aerial battles that clouded the skies with planes to deathly secret operations deep behind enemy lines, the events of World War II are some of the most awe-inspiring of all time. Discover legendary commanders, tremendous fights, elite soldiers, and courageous individuals whose deeds truly made the difference in this jaw-dropping guide to the biggest war the world has ever seen. History buff and popular blogger Ben Thompson's extensive research and irresistible storytelling puts readers right in the middle of the action in this third book in the unforgettable Guts & Glory series! One of the most beloved bestsellers in recent years, Rocket Boys is a uniquely American memoir. A powerful, luminous story of coming of age at the end of the 1950s, it is the story of a mother's love and a father's fears, of growing up and getting out. With the grace of a natural storyteller, Homer Hickam looks back after a distinguished NASA career to tell his own true story of growing up in a dying coal town and of how, against the odds, he made his dreams of launching rockets into outer space come true. This is one of our boys' favorite stories about space, rockets, and future dreams! Access all of our FREE Novel Studies for both modern and vintage literature here. This SchoolhouseTeachers American Revolution course introduces elementary and middle school students to the key battles and players of the Revolutionary War and incorporates history, geography, reading, critical thinking and analysis, and cursive writing throughout. From the discovery of the New World to the end of the American Revolution, let Dave Stotts take your family on a Drive Thru History. Join him as he takes you to the places where America was born, shares facts about history you have never heard, and has a great deal of fun along the way. Plus, enjoy a special set of worksheets only available here! Find out more about Drive Thru History... Trouble in Paradise When we got a new car, we had instant issues with our audiobooks! The problem? No cd player. It's a bit discriminatory of companies to just assume that everyone has a smartphone and streaming capabilities... Nevertheless, we wanted to continue listening to the books we owned while driving, so we searched and searched and finally found this integrated vehicle cd player. It can be mounted vertically or horizontally in your car. You have to get one that will work with your specific car, so be sure to check the chart online, but this one - in spite of the additional cost - worked well with our car and allowed us to still use the books we had, without having to repurchase them in a different format or subscribe to a cell service for same reason. If you're in the minority, like we are, I highly recommending checking it out, as it looks like cars aren't going to be going back to CD players, and our manufacturer insisted that they couldn't install one aftermarket....

Unit studies Charlotte Mason might like are literature based, short & avoid weak associations. Children make their own connections.

Do you know your homeschool style? Come take the free quiz and find out! Learn about the 6 styles and how your unique approach impacts your homeschool

List of 2022-23 curriculum and book list following the Charlotte Mason method in our homeschool. Some of these are common subjects and other

We recently wrapped up our nature study unit on wild mammals, and I realized that it may be useful to share some of the living books we used for it in our homeschool. We follow the nature study rotation set out by Ambleside Online and it is these books that make up the nature lore,

This will be our 19th year of homeschooling! Come see our homeschool curriculum plan for this coming school year, with a focus on Charlotte Mason and classical home education styles.

With living books, I find that thinking of people and places we've studied is like remembering an old friend or a family vacation.

The Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Methods and Best Homeschooling Approaches, Learn about different Homeschooling styles and best homeschooling approaches, including Montessori, Unschooling, Waldorf, Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Classical education & more.

Charlotte Mason 5th and 3rd Grade Homeschool Curriculum Picks

Discover the 5 homeschool styles and find the perfect fit for your family. Explore different homeschooling methods like Charlotte Mason and school-at-home.

Yes! FREE homeschool math curriculum for K-8th grade does exist and it's wonderfully Charlotte Mason. Click, print, and done! Watch the video

If you are exploring the Charlotte Mason method, then don't miss these free Charlotte mason homeschool curriculum & resources.

Combining Charlotte Mason and Classical education is possible! Here’s how we blend the Charlotte Mason and Classical homeschool styles.

Here's a round-up of our resources for our first year of homeschooling with a Kindergartener!

Ever wondered what copywork is for and why it's included in a Charlotte Mason homeschool? Or maybe you're familiar with it but not sure how often to do it, or what skills it's really working on. Copywork is an old tool that Charlotte Mason had her students use to work on penmanship, grammar, punctuation, and

Discover some amazing Charlotte Mason handicrafts for your homeschool. Train your children in these crafts and teach them to bless others for life!

Charlotte Mason Form 1b (grade 1) curriculum for secular or Muslim students

I recently did an article called Productive Afternoons, and in it I mentioned that in Charlotte Mason's schools formal lessons were done by lunch. Well, we

For me, one of the most important things I want to teach my children is history. Not just random facts, but the story of the past and how it applies to them

Engaging Charlotte Mason geography activities for your homeschool with map study, drawing, and discussion. All are vital to an understanding of history.

Ignite Wonder with an easy-to-use Charlotte Mason Inspired Geography Curriculum. Learning with living books is really the best way to learn.

I want to preface this by saying that I’m not a homeschool philosophy expert. I’m not someone who has pored over volumes of educational methods. I’m not someone who religiously fo…

Charlotte Mason classical homeschool curriculum ideas for middle school and high school, with a focus on living books!

Memory work in the Charlotte Mason homeschool isn't about rote learning or ticking a box. Instead, we help our children build a store of beautiful words.

Your spouse is almost home from work and you still have no idea what you’re cooking for dinner. You guess it’s spaghetti again, and hope the family doesn’t complain that it’s the second time this week. You’ve been running all day but can’t figure out what you’ve done, and you still haven’t gotten a full […]Continue Reading

I'm elbow-deep in planning next year, so I wanted to give you a walk-through of how I plan a Charlotte Mason homeschool year. Check it out!

Charlotte Mason knew that teaching was most effective when students could experience what was being taught, not simply memorize information. She created a method of teaching that employed living books, nature study, hands-on exploration, and more so that students truly absorbed, deep in their hearts, what was being communicated.

Enjoy this free guide to a Charlotte Mason homeschool. Learn about Ms. Mason and the best curricula, resources, podcasts & more.

We're wrapping up a wonderful year of 3rd grade and preparing for the next. Here are our Charlotte Mason-inspired 4th grade homeschool curriculum choices.

Our 3rd Grade Charlotte Mason Homeschool Curriculum REVEAL! See the full list of curricula and living books we'll be using this year!

Do you sometimes ask questions about a reading passage, and your kids just return a deer-in-headlights stare? Please tell me I am not the only one. That is what I get sometimes now, but when my son was little it was different. I would try to ask him about what I just had read him, and his answer was almost always… plainly… Jesus. It was adorable but I was like, “What else honey?”

A guest post with Cristina Ecklund It was just yesterday it seems that the words “high school” seemed to echo in some strange and distant future. Every year planning home education for my grade schoolers had been something to look forward to, even a creative outlet. For the most part I felt in control of their Charlo

Second Grade Charlotte Mason This year for second grade we've jumped full force into Charlotte Mason homeschooling. Prior to this, I considered us eclectic homeschoolers. I relied heavily upon homeschool curriculum. This year we're using what Charlotte Mason calls “living books”. About Charlotte Mason Homeschooling If you're unfamiliar with Charlotte Mason I encourage you

You’ve heard things about this Charlotte Mason method, and the more you read the more it sounds like exactly what your family is looking for. But there’s one problem: you keep seeing on blogs and Facebook groups that Charlotte Mason is for Christians only, and can’t be used by those who aren’t. But you’re not […]Continue Reading

We look to the old PNEU Programmes to see what a Charlotte Mason style education included term by term. These programmes were used by Parent Union Schools (PUS) across the country, and they were al…

Curious about using a literature-based science curriculum in your homeschool? I’ve got good news for you! Today I’m sharing our experience using BookShark Science and how it turned out to be the missing link in our Charlotte Mason homeschool.

Here's why and how to use narration in your homeschool to grow thinkers, better writers, and engaged learners. Plus, it's simple to do.

Learning through experience can be a very powerful thing. We can read about something and think about it in theory, but until we see it in action or try something for ourselves, it can feel like just distant ideas. Using our hands and experimenting leads us toward deeper understanding.

Here's a simple how-to guide for using Charlotte Mason narration effectively in your homeschool.

Inside: I thought my kids hated Charlotte Mason narration, so I quit using it. Two years later, my kids started narrating spontaneously and without prompting, but this kind of narration was different. I was introduced

Charlotte Mason (1989b) derides “nice little history books for children” that are mere outlines or childish retellings (p. 278). The formidable Plutarch’s Lives definitely does not fit into that category. This staple of Citizenship has been of particular interest to me and hearing others’ personal stories and experiences has been a delight! I want to share […]

The Book of Centuries isn't just a Charlotte Mason timeline. Learn exactly what it is, how to make one, and how to use one. (Includes FREE PRINTABLE copy)

Charlotte Mason (1989b) derides “nice little history books for children” that are mere outlines or childish retellings (p. 278). The formidable Plutarch’s Lives definitely does not fit into that category. This staple of Citizenship has been of particular interest to me and hearing others’ personal stories and experiences has been a delight! I want to share […]

Mathematics Enhancement Programme (MEP) offers a free full math curriculum for preschoolers up to 9th grade. MEP’s math curriculum is rather hands on, having children count real beads, for ex…