I blog to share one way to implement Miss Mason's ideas in the schoolroom. I don't think it is the only way. It is our way. My children are not perfect. I am not perfect, nor near it. My children DO love learning and they ARE receiving an exceptional education. I see such amazing results and passion in them that I am inspired to share with others that THIS CAN BE DONE and it is not difficult. It is not just for bright children. It is for every child. Any mother can do this--through prayer, trial and error, persistence and God-given passion.
Several years ago, I realized that hardly anyone was explaining how to apply Charlotte Mason's philosophy using plain language. Her lofty ideas were being discussed but what did they look like on a day to day basis in the home? I needed examples. I also desired examples that closely lined up with her ideas. I did not want 'CM light', but the real thing. When I began researching I wanted to see narration in practice; I needed to see CM daily schedules that fit it all in. And what about examinations?
This is why I blog. Not because my school and home are perfect or because we have found the only way to do things, but because I've been called to be an example- to give back. Take what you can use, discard the rest and as you learn please pass it on to others in your life. I hope you understand my heart a little bit more.
Several years ago, I realized that hardly anyone was explaining how to apply Charlotte Mason's philosophy using plain language. Her lofty ideas were being discussed but what did they look like on a day to day basis in the home? I needed examples. I also desired examples that closely lined up with her ideas. I did not want 'CM light', but the real thing. When I began researching I wanted to see narration in practice; I needed to see CM daily schedules that fit it all in. And what about examinations?
This is why I blog. Not because my school and home are perfect or because we have found the only way to do things, but because I've been called to be an example- to give back. Take what you can use, discard the rest and as you learn please pass it on to others in your life. I hope you understand my heart a little bit more.
one step at a time...
This is exactly what your blog is to me. When I don't know how to do something, I look it up on your blog first. This past year I've learned how to teach handwriting and spelling using dictation -- I have seen both my children go from hurried chicken scratch to neat, even italic, and my dd (who at age 8 still has some writing issues such as letter reversals that might indicate dysgraphia)has gone from most of her writing being spelled incorrectly to mostly correct. What you have compiled here is some of the most useful and practical CM material I've ever come across. So *thank you* for taking the time to maintain this blog and share what you know!
ReplyDeleteThat is what I get from your blog, too. I loved the "idea" of CM, but hesitated to use the methods because I couldn't vizualise how it would work in our life. Thanks to your blog, I have a plan how I want to teach my children and how to go about doing that! Thanks for sharing and keep blogging! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to do this for others! I love everything you write, not because I think you are perfect but because you inspire me to do better, to pray more and to love my children more joyfully.
ReplyDeleteThe "peek" in to your homeschool has been both inspiring and understandable, which is really hard to find! Thank you! :)
ReplyDeleteInitially, we thought we would homeschool through 2nd grade, then fifth. It has been your testimony that prompted me to think that this really is within my abilities to keep going through middle and high school. You are so right about the scarcity of practical application examples. This is where I have gleaned the most from your efforts; what actually works...and what doesn't.
ReplyDeleteI started last year with a 2,5,6yr olds. Your blog has been the backbone of our school. I use your curriculm. I have understood CM through your examples. Reading your nature journal/blog and the blogs of your daughters made me cry. I was so inspired and filled with such hope for my family and myself.
ReplyDeleteLyndafay I appreciate every little post. You are not perfect you are the real deal. I enjoy being a wife and mother and homeschooler so much more because of the treasures I have gleaned from you.
Keep at it...one step at a time.
May God Bless you as richly as I have been blessed through you.
Shelly
I am in COMPLETE agreement with that every one of these ladies wrote. You are such a dear woman, and I never feel belittled or made to feel like I can't do this. It is exactly the opposite. I am always so excited to see what I CAN do thanks to your blog. You are an inspiration to those "younger" moms who are coming up behind you. A true Titus 2 woman. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJulie in Michigan
You are a tremendous inspiration to me because I know you are an ordinary woman with an ordinary family and your homeschool isn't perfect. You show us what anyone can do using good resources and dedication to the purpose. As the other ladies said, you show the nuts and bolts of CM education which are hard to find described anywhere else. That is the most valuable thing of all. Thank you so much for taking the time to document what you do and provide such encouragement and wisdom for us all.
ReplyDeletePS, you know I meant ordinary in the nicest possible way, right? :-)
I only recently found your blog. I look forward to more peeks into your home school. This year is our first year with school (a 5 yr. old for K.) so it's all a little overwhelming without examples of how to put CM into practice. I can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteUntil I read this post, I really thought of you as perfect! Of course, not perfect like Jesus is perfect, but a wonderful example of the kind of mother I strive to be.
ReplyDeleteI checked out a book from the library the other day titled "A Time to Keep" by Tasha Tudor. Her lovely farm-life/family-life illustrations brought you and your family to my mind as I looked at them. Idyllic!
I've been so encouraged and inspired by your curriculum and your posts. Thank you for taking the time to give.
You truly inspire me. I am not homeschooling but learned so much from you. My son (age 7) is in public school in Singapore and he is having problems with spelling. I have read what you have done and would appreciate it if you can share more on this subject. He still has letter reversal....I'm praying this is nothing serious. He reads well for his age though!
ReplyDeleteAppreciate your advice
alice
I LOVE your blog, and it fulfills for me EXACTLY what you hoped it would! I pray this post isn't due to getting some flack in any way... You are a *BLESSING!* (((((HUGS))))) sandi
ReplyDeleteLindafay, your blog is one of only a couple of go-to blogs I use when I am wondering, "Well, what do I do now?" I recommend anything on it to folks both online and off who are looking for practical implementation of CM's method. I am so glad you blog the way you do.
ReplyDeleteI want to say thank you for sharing what you do in your homeschool. It has helped me so much to prepare for the upcoming school year. I also have four children, and am just learning about CM style education. Your blog has really helped me see how to implement that. Thanks again!:)
ReplyDeleteI'm so grateful to God for your blog. I just may be lost without it! I'm going to homeschool my 5 year old dd this year, and your ideas are an answer to my prayers.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry if you experienced negativity, but it just means that you are on the right path. In this life we WILL have trials and tribulations. Keep your sights on the kingdom,and the rest shall be added onto you.
Thank you for sharing your life with the whole world to see. I for one am most grateful. (I cried tears of joy when I learned that you moved back home. I'm so blessed by your blessings!) God is good.
Warmly,
Kenreanne
I am so inspired by your blog. I, for one, am glad you write what you do. I don't use CM but I will incorporate some of the aspects.
ReplyDeleteTHANK you for sharing so that we have the example and details! I have been so blessed by your blog and the practical advice given. I never once thought you were perfect or trying to portray yourself as that, lol! :) Your blog is one of the first ones I found when starting to implement more CM methods...I'm still so glad I found it!
ReplyDeleteCandace
Hi LindaFay,
ReplyDeleteI've homeschooled going on eight years now. I will graduate my first student this year. I have always been drawn to CM methods and have made some attempts to implement them, but never really got any where. I found your blog this past spring and am inspired to try again and feel sure that it will work using your ideas, especially the way you do your Fridays. Those are the things that I could never figure out how to fit in. Now it seems very doable. Thank you for sharing so much of what you do in your school and for the time it takes you to do this.
Lorri
Lindafay,
ReplyDeleteYour blog and story from Turkey to stateside has always encouraged me and given me a goal to shoot for.
I love how practical you make this method, and how real you are about it. I am most deeply inspired by your diligent care in your children's spiritual formation. For me, it is important that our children are well developed educationally which this method aptly provides for, but even more importantly well formed and whole disciples of Jesus.
Even now, as I use your BOC blog to replicate our own for our school this year, I pray many blessing on you and your brood.
Grace and Peace to you,
From one kindred spirit to another,
Amber (Homeschool Diva)
When I started reading about CM I was excited and inspired; but also frustrated because, as you say most of the conversation is heavy on theory and light on examples and discussion of practical everyday implementation. Thank you so much for opening your home and sharing these examples. I have learned so much here.
ReplyDeletethanks for sharing your heart and your weblog with us.
ReplyDeletelindafay,
ReplyDeleteI love your example. It always gives me something to either think about or to work on in my homeschool.
Thinking is good, aspiring to be better is the best.
Thanks,
Barb-Harmony Art Mom
I still love your blog even though my son has now "graduated" from homeschool into college.
ReplyDeleteLindafay, you are one of the finest examples I have ever "known" of graciousness and helpfulness...I am homeschooling my four youngest children now in large part due to your step-by-step blog posts and encouraging words.
ReplyDeleteAnd if anyone is giving you a hard time about something, they might just have to answer to me! :-)
I don't think I've ever posted a comment, but I read your blog all the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a mother, not even a wife yet, but I know that when and if the Lord should bless me with a husband and children, I want to use the CM method. The reason I decided this was your blog. You made it so real and practical and really make the CM method understandable.
Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Tiffany
I certainly hope no one has been critical of you! Your blog helps me so much - I need the day to day practical advice - thank you!! I wish there was something I could do back to help you! I try to pass on what I learn to others and provide other types of information that is helpful on my own blog. Thank you Linda!
ReplyDelete"I hope you understand my heart a little bit more." - I have never questioned your motivations. You offer so much helpful material yet with grace and humility that it is a pleasure to read your posts.
ReplyDelete"My children are not perfect. I am not perfect, nor near it." Of course you're not perfect, you're human. But you are thoughtful and prayerful about your flaws and failings and I learn so much about where I could be from your posts as you figure things out.
"My children DO love learning and they ARE receiving an exceptional education. I see such amazing results and passion in them..." I only hope that I can say the same when my children are as old as yours. If I do, you will have helped me get there.
Thank you.
Dear Lindafay,
ReplyDeleteWhen I had my first three children I spent a lot of time reading the Charlotte Mason material and principles. Now, four more children later, my life has picked up speed, and understanding how to practically apply this method is a challenge. There isn't anyone I know in real life applying this method longer than I, so your blog is an incredible help to me. I wish we were neighbors! But since I can't have that, I'm grateful to hear from a seasoned mom applying these methods by internet. I have a few blogs that I know God has brought along my way to be of help, and yours is certainly one of them.
Your site is the first one I found that actually made sense of all the information I had read. I enjoy your blog endeavors so much!! I will be using CM with my son next fall when he is 6, and I think by "studying" your examples I will have an excellent foundation going into it all :-) I am so thankful that you take such precious time out of your day to blog!! It is all so very very helpful!
ReplyDeleteI very much appreciate the example you are giving us. It really does help! I'm just barely started with schooling my little ones, but I know I will come back to your blog many times over the years for help.
ReplyDeleteThank you for all those words of appreciation. I haven't had any nasty comments but just felt that sometimes some folks may need to be reminded about these things. Since I post so many examples of what we are doing, I feel that I should state my intentions, especially to new readers.
ReplyDeleteYou all are wonderful,
lindafay
I am truly appreciative of you blog.
ReplyDeleteIt is a Jewel, a gem a wealth of information.... thank you for your passion... and for making things so clear.
Thank you so much for your blog! As a fellow overseas survivor/thriver, I can't tell you how much I appreciate your work here! I have learned so much and look forward to continuing to learn from your ideas and experience. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing! I am trying to apply the CM philosophy in our homeschool and our lives, and it helps to see practical, real life examples. It's been a slow transition for us and I am continuing to learn more and more about what works for our family. Your blog is truly an inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am going to start HS this fall with my 2 boys 6 and 13. I am so thrilled to have found you! I love your photos btw, what camera do you use?
ReplyDeleteWould it be possible to share for me to share some of your thoughts on Why to study Speakspeare in a document form to post on the official amblesideonline yahoo group... with, OF COURSE, a link back to your Shakespeare pages?
ReplyDeleteLindafay~! You're back! I don't know if you remember me but you SO encouraged me as a new homeschooler several years ago. I am finished homeschooling now (one in college, the other at a wonderful Christian high school) but I still look back on my epic journey with fondness (along other feelings like confusion, joy, frustration, elation, wonder......)
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are blogging inspiration. You were such a blessing to my homeschool life~
Blessings,
Janine
Your kind words are appreciated, Janine.
ReplyDeleteWarmly,
lindafay