Tuesday 11 August 2015

Shakespeare for a Charlotte Mason Education {Day 2/5 Back to School Blog Hop}

5 Days of Back to Homeschool Blog Hop Day 2 William Shakespeare Resource List
My very first encounter with Shakespeare was well over 20 years ago in high school.  Our assigned work was Macbeth.  I loved every minute of the class but the thought of teaching Shakespeare in our home left me quaking in my shoes!

Since reading A Charlotte Mason Companion chapter on teaching Shakespeare I've been inspired to start reading a simplified version of Shakespeare to Nathaniel and to my surprise he rather enjoys it.

A wonderful new book on How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare  by Ken Ludwig recently caught my eye. In this book you will understand the many reasons to read Shakespeare to your children as well as find the tools on just how to equip your children to appreciate all that Shakespeare is to our modern culture.

Many of the words we use in today's modern vernacular are created by Shakespeare himself.  Here is a sample: "You've got to be cruel to be kind" "If Truth were known"  "Love is blind"  "Seen better days" and many more.

Shakespeare Books

  • The Young Reader's Shakespeare books are one of my favourite resources.  They are well written and beautifully illustrated.  Available titles: Macbeth, Othello, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet   and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
  • The Usborne Young Reading William Shakespeare has been a delight.
  • Mr William Shakespeare's Plays by Marcia Williams presents seven classic Shakespeare plays. This title includes such novels as "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", "A Midsummer Night's Dream", "Macbeth", "Julius Caesar", "The Winter's Tale" and "The Tempest". 
  • Bravo, Mr. William Shakespeare! by Marcia Williams presents As You Like It, Antony and Cleopatra, Richard III, Twelfth Night, King Lear, The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing 
  • Open Source: Shakespeare 
  • For the Lego lovers in your family:  Brick Shakespeare: Four Tragedies & Four Comedies
  • Shakespeare Stories By (author) William Shakespeare, Edited by Leon Garfield Here are twelve of Shakespeare's most memorable plays, presented in a fresh narrative form to delight both those who know the plays well and those who are new to them. Dramatic color illustrations and varied black-and-white drawings perfectly capture the mood of each story.
  • Shakespeare Stories II "By skillfully weaving his own prose with Shakespeare's language, Garfield has refashioned nine of the Elizabethan playwright's dramas into stories, capturing all the richness of the characters, plot, mood, and setting. Foreman's dramatic illustrations are the perfect complement to this celebration of Shakespeare's genius." 
  •  The Shakespeare Stories is a box set of 16 shortened Shakespeare stories.  This is a good set for young readers. These books are available separately.
  • Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb
  • Illustrated Stories from Shakespeare "It is full of colourful illustrations from the Usborne Young Reading Programme. It contains the plays "A Midummer Night's Dream", "Hamlet", "Macbeth", "Romeo and Juliet", "The Tempest", and "Twelfth Night". It also includes a section at the back on the life and times of Shakespeare."
  • Shakespeare's Stories for Young Readers by E.Nesbit

Books on The Life of Shakespeare

Teaching Shakespeare

Notebook Pages and Unit Studies on Shakespeare



Follow my Pinterest Board for Shakespearean Resources


Other posts in the 5 Days of Charlotte Mason Resources Series


  1. Charlotte Mason Education Resource List
  2. Shakespeare for a Charlotte Mason Education
  3. Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool Bloggers
  4. Charles Dickens for a Charlotte Mason Education



The Schoolhouse Review Crew will be joining forces with Homeschool Blogging Connection to bring you a week full of back to school encouragement.

I encourage you to grab a cup of tea and take some time to take a look at what my fellow bloggers are sharing this week in the 2015 Back to Homeschool Blog Hop


Rebecca @ Raventhreads
Annette @ In All You Do

What are some of your favourite Shakespearean resources ?  I'd love to add them to my list.
Blessings
Chareen

PS The BBC produced this interesting song on the quotes of Shakespeare that we use today.



PPS: Win a Microscope {1894.99 value}

For your chance to win a Microscope and  microscope Camera be sure to enter the giveaway over at the Schoolhouse Review Crew.
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Monday 10 August 2015

Charlotte Mason {Day 1/5 Back to School Blog Hop}

5 Days of Back to Homeschool Blog Hop Day 1 Charlotte Mason Education Resource List
When you first start looking at home education one of the things you will notice is that there are a lot of terms and definitions that home educators use. People speak about the method or style of home schooling. They fling around words like: Twaddle Free, living books, delight directed education, trivium education, classical education and more.  Soon you start to hear the words: A Charlotte Mason Education.

Years ago I discovered Memories of a P.N.E.U. Education online and became inspired to search for a more practical application of using the Charlotte Mason approach to home education.

Today I would like to share with you a very brief overview of who Charlotte Mason was followed by a few resources to help you find out more about this educational philosophy and method.  

Who was Charlotte Mason?


She was born in Bangor and christened Charlotte Maria Shaw Mason (1 January 1842 – 16 January 1923). Miss Mason was a pioneering educator who developed a matchless approach to education. She believed that all children should have a wide-ranging, generous education and to be allowed to reach their full potential.
Charlotte Mason

During her life she taught school, was a lecturer at a Teacher Training College, wrote many books and pamphlets, started a training school for governess’ which became Charlotte Mason College, became a popular public lecturer, established the Parents National Education Union (PNEU), and was Editor of it’s magazine, “Parent’s Review”. Miss Mason’s philosophy of education is designed for homes, private schools, and homeschools.

Charlotte Mason had never claimed to have invented the methods that she put forth, rather she modified and combined them in a practical and intelligent way. Her methods include Narration and copywork, Nature Notebooks, Fine Arts, Languages, a Literature based curriculum instead of textbooks, and real-life applications.

My Journey to Charlotte Mason

The first book I ever read on the topic of Homeschooling was: For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay (first published in 1984).

This book I am pleased to say is back in print and available from
The Book Depository, Amazon and Christian Book.com For the Children's Sake has six chapters and is 158 pages.

Susan challenged some of the fundamental beliefs I had and the surprising thing is I was not even aware I had them until I read the book. I was introduced to Charlotte Mason in this book and really loved the idea of twaddle free books. 

The idea of real books as a basis of education really appealed and still appeals to me today, and thus began my search for a curriculum that contained 'living' books.  Books that would touch our lives for years to come, books that were not dead, books that were real and did not leave us treading water going nowhere.


A couple of years later Karen Andreola introduced me to the practical side of a Charlotte Mason education and A Charlotte Mason Companion soon become my favourite home schooling resource and is one that I recommend to any homeschool Mom who asks me which books I would recommend they read.

This beautifully illustrated book is full of encouragement and how to chapters. Karen covers practical topics like: The Art of Narration, Mother Culture, Shakespeare and Dickens. Topics of Art and Music appreciation along with Grammar, History, Nature Study and a few more kernels of wisdom.  A beautiful book full of gorgeous line illustrations.

Purchase this book from Book Depository, Amazon. For online encouragement meet Karen over at Moments with Mother Culture.


Books written by Charlotte Mason

The Original Home Schooling Series is available on Kindle  
FREE:  Charlotte Mason in Modern English

 Books on a Charlotte Mason Education

Online Resource for homeschooling with Charlotte Mason Methods

Connect with Charlotte Mason Home Educators on Facebook


Other posts in the 5 Days of Charlotte Mason Resources Series


  1. Charlotte Mason Education Resource List
  2. Shakespeare for a Charlotte Mason Education
  3. Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool Bloggers
  4. Charles Dickens for a Charlotte Mason Education


The Schoolhouse Review Crew will be joining forces with Homeschool Blogging Connection to bring you a week full of back to school encouragement.

I encourage you to grab a cup of tea and take some time to take a look at what my fellow bloggers are sharing this week in the 2015 Back to Homeschool Blog Hop

Marcy @ Ben and Me

Win a Microscope {1894.99 value}

For your chance to win a Microscope and  microscope Camera be sure to enter the giveaway over at the Schoolhouse Review Crew.

Blessings
Chareen
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Saturday 8 August 2015

A Difficult Week ... {HSMJ}


 In my life this week…
  • It's been an extremely intense week this week.  My daughter ran into some difficulties while traveling abroad.  Please pray with me as I would love for the Lord to open a door for me to go over and see her ...
  • Two friends sons are in need of your prayers for some serious life happenings today.  If you pray please intercede for young man A and young man B.  Their families have asked for prayer but would like to remain anonymous.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

In our home school this week…
  • We started back in but had to pause in order to deal with a major family emergency so we learned about flexibility and working through a crisis.
My favourite thing this week was…

 Things I’m working on…


 On the WWW I’m reading…
  A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart.                Helen Keller

Blessings
Chareen


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Join Lisa and I each week and share your week in review.  We look forward to reading about your

Week in Review
Field Trips
School Work&nbsp
Homeschool projects
And anything homeschool related.

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Friday 7 August 2015

Back to Homeschool Blog Hop coming soon ...

Much excitement is brewing in the homeschool community over the upcoming Back to Homeschool Blog hop.  Be sure to set aside some time next week to be encouraged and equipped in your homeschool journey.

I will be gathering some resources to help with your Charlotte Mason education starting on Monday 10 pm Australian EST (8 am USA EST).


Back to Homeschool Blog Hop

Mark your calendars - 10 to 14 August - it's time for this years Homeschool Blog Hop.  The Schoolhouse Review Crew will be joining forces with Homeschool Blogging Connection to bring you a week full of back to school encouragement.

We have 56 homeschool Mom's sharing their combined wisdom and insights covering everything Homeschool related. That's 280 posts of encouragement and information just for you!

Meet Your Back to Homeschool Blog Hop Hosts


Marcy @ Ben and Me

Rebecca @ Raventhreads
Annette @ In All You Do

Aurie @ Our Good Life
Jennifer @ A Peace of Mind
Katie @ DailyLife
Melissa @ Mom's Plans
Annette @ A Net In Time

Crystal @ Crystal Starr
Shawna @ Tenacity Divine
Jacquelin @ A Stable Beginning 
Leah Courtney @ As We Walk Along the Road

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Wednesday 5 August 2015

Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers {Review}

Hands on experiments have never been my thing.  I'm one of those students that is happy to sit at the back of the class and observe.  I don't need to touch to learn.  I'm happy to read about an experiment in a book and watch someone else do the practical. Nathaniel on the other hand loves to try new things and look and touch to learn.

Enter in Funtastic Unit Studies the creator of  Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers. This A4 size book is a treasure trove for homeschool mothers like me out there.  It's 200 pages of science from home goodness. Science is best learned with plenty of hands on application and in this book Susan Kilbride has provided 20 chapters of hands on learning and explanation set out in an easy to teach format. 


What we received
How we used it
This book is easy to use.  The table of contents is divided by topic followed by the recommended age for the topic and the page number.
A friend of mine has this neat molecule set that I've been itching to play with so when I discovered that Chapter 13 was all about Atoms and Molecules I decided we could jump in there.

You do NOT need a fancy molecule set to work on this unit.  Susan recommends marshmallows and toothpicks!  Shhh don't tell Nathaniel he missed out on consuming delicious marshmallows ...

After a one paragraph introduction on what molecules were we had a look at the supplied periodic table and then built some water molecules (one red and two white balls), Carbon Dioxide (One black and two red balls), Methane (One black and four white) and Carbon Tetrachloride (One Black and four Chlorine ball).  It was so much fun.


Next we explored microscopes and how they work in Chapter 14. This was so much fun rediscovering the world around us through magnification.  It's been a few years since we used this microscope so we've had to blow the dust off of it and find the slides but it's been so good to use again.

We also took a little detour in Chapter 15 Chemistry is Fun! and learned a little about polymers.  The instruction was to build a paperclip chain.  (I couldn't find the box of paper clips so we improvised with these clips).  Here Nathaniel is holding a chain of 10 clips.  Each clip represents a glucose molecule and the ten clipped together represent starch.


For the Parent
  • Each chapter begins with a materials needed for this unit list. 98% of the items were everyday items found in and around our home and the kitchen. 
  • If there were any items a little out of the norm Susan has noted where to purchase the items from.
  • If there is a form or pattern required for an activity these are supplied in the chapter for you to photocopy and use within your homeschool.
Cost of Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers
Recommended Age Range
  • 4 to 13

Over All I thought ...
This is one of those great resource books to have on hand. I love the simplicity and hands on uncomplicated experiments that are presented in the book.  I like the fact that Science Unit Studies For Homeschoolers and Teachers is written in easy to understand conversation with includes the use of the correct scientific jargon along with understandable definitions.  We're enjoying exploring the world around us through this short science unit studies.

Be sure to download Sue's Free Lessons and Activities

Blessings
Chareen


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Tuesday 4 August 2015

The Conversation, by Leigh A. Bortins {Review}

Homeschooling through the High School years has been the topic of conversation in our local homeschool group for the last couple of months.  Over the years I've heard a lot about Classical Conversations and have been researching this homeschooling method.  Classical Converstaions is built on the Trivium model of education with a Christian Focus.

With this years focus on long term planning for the High School years I was very excited to hear that Leigh A. Bortins had authored a new book covering this period of education titled The Conversation.

Leigh is a veteran home educating mom of 30 years and has written this marvelous book to equip, encourage and help you form a firm foundation for your children as they walk through the high school years together with you.

What we received
  • Paperback book 
  • 267 pages
  • Author: Leigh A. Bortins
  • ISBN: 978-0-9904720-2-5
  • Published: 2015

About the book

The Conversation is the third book in the Classical Conversations Trivium Trilogy.  The first two books are: The Core and The Question.

The grammar stage (The Core) allows children to learn and memorize facts. During the dialectic stage (The Question), students are encouraged to start asking questions and evaluate what they are learning. The rhetoric stage (The Conversation) allows teens to apply that knowledge practically. “Rhetoric is the use of knowledge and understanding to perceive wisdom, pursue virtue, and proclaim truth” (The Conversation, p. 38-39)

The book is broken down into three main parts:
Part One – High School at Home
  • Chapter 1 – Confidant Parents
  • Chapter 2 – Rhetoric Defined
Part Two – The Rhetorical Arts
  • Chapter 3 – Reading
  • Chapter 4 – Speech and Debate
  • Chapter 5 – Writing
  • Chapter 6 – Science
  • Chapter 7 – Math
  • Chapter 8 – Government and Economics
  • Chapter 9 – History
  • Chapter 10 – Latin and Foreign Language
  • Chapter 11 – Fine Arts
  • Chapter 12 – A Graduation Conversation
Epilogue
Part Three – Appendices
  • Appendix One – Conversation Games
  • Appendix Two – Common Rhetorical Devices
  • Appendix Three – Resources
  • Appendix Four – Real Parents Respond

"As classical parents and educators, we sometimes forget that we really only need four things in order to educate someone. We need pencil, paper, good books and time for great conversations."
In part one Leigh does a wonderful job of equipping and encouraging parents to home educate through the high school years.  She presents a good case explaining why home educating through the high school years is possible.

In Chapter two she takes the time to define rhetoric and what that means for you as an educator. In this chapter she introduces the five canons of the this educational model. "The word comes from the Greek Kanon, which refers to a measuring line or standard of excellence."(The Conversation page 42)
  1. Invention - coming up with and researching ideas
  2. Arrangement - organizing these ideas in a manner that makes sense
  3. Elocution - determining the style of presentation for the type of audience
  4. Memory - Memorizing the information and adding key points of remembrance
  5. Delivery - Presenting the ideas, in either a written or spoken format
Leigh takes the time to define each of these areas and why they are used in the classical model of education.

She uses these five canons to define how to teach each of the subjects outline in chapters 3 to 12 along with examples for each subject. She introduces the subject matter, breaks it down into each of the canons and finishes each chapter with a summary of the subject matter and canons. The examples are often presented in conversational format so you can clearly see how to have a conversation using this model of education with your high school student. These are all built around real life examples.
She provides great arguments for why all of this is important, how parents can integrate them, and what children gain from studying such subjects.

The final section of the book contains games, definitions, resources and further reading suggestions.
 
Cost of The Conversation
The Conversation is specifically written for parents who are approaching the high school years, considering homeschooling through these years or who are currently homeschooling through the high school years. 

I have already graduated two high schooler's and found that this is one of those wonderful resource books to have on your shelf to reference as you teach your children through all levels at home.  It's a great book to read even if you are not following the Classical Conversation method of educating at home.  In fact I've enjoyed reading it so much I am looking forward to purchasing the first two books in the series.

Blessings
Chareen



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Wednesday 29 July 2015

Electives in the High School Years {Homeschool High School}

Welcome to the second edition of Homeschooling in the High School Years Blog Hop.

Last month we shared some thoughts on Homeschooling High School Planning.  This month we would like to talk about Electives in the High School Years.

High School years are a wonderful time to explore the greater world around you and discover the more complex subjects.


During these years most subjects are compulsory and needed in order to gain credits and a pass depending on the Country/State you are in.  Be sure to examine the laws/requirements of your particular area when planning the non- negotiable subjects.  Before you start considering the electives you will be pursuing in the high school years it is important to decide which subjects are non-negotiable.

The electives serve your home school well during this time as they keep your students inspired to keep on keeping on with their studies. They provide a platform to exercise choice and a vehicle to explore their own passions and educational motivations.

I've been speaking to my nephews and nieces and discovered that electives abound. These days there are subjects that I've never even heard of presented as electives...

Electives serve as a wonderful tool for the non-traditional track learners in your home and will equip them in their chosen field of study.

Electives to Consider


  • Technology {Computing, Web Design, Virtual Assistant, Social Media Management}
  • Business {Accounting, Business Math, IT}
  • Foreign Language
  • Bible {Old/New Testament Survey, Doctrine, Apologetic s}
  • Fine Arts {Music, Drama, Dance, Theater, Art Appreciation}
  • Humanities {Literature, Psychology, Journalism, Sociology, Communication, etc}
  • Life Skills {Foundations for daily living, Consumer Math, Home Economics, Nutrition, Budgeting, Banking}
  • Logic 
  • Agriculture
This is in no way a definitive list but rather a list to get you thinking about the possibilities ...

Read more about Electives on the WWW 


On Pinterest

Life Skills

One of the areas most neglected in the high school years is in the area of life skills.  It is  important to make a list of life skills your student will need when they leave home to either attend tertiary studies, work full time or moving out to start living independently.

A life skill is defined as a skill that is necessary in order to fully participate in every day life. It is the ability to cope with the challenges of daily life. It covers the skill sets of communication, decision-making, occupational requirements, problem-solving, time management and planning.

Take some time to think of the things you encountered when you left home that were daunting and felt like curved balls.
  • Talk about these things with your children.  
  • Schedule time in for them to practice new skills such as meal planning, etc.  
  • Take them with you to the bank so they become familiar with the banking system. 
  • Change a tire on the car.  Check the oil/water on the car together.
  • Get them looking for a bargain. Price compare for an item the family are needing to purchase.
  • Teach them to iron their clothes. 
  • Simple clothe mending (sewing on a button) etc.
Information is NOT Knowledge



Read More on Electives in the High School Years


We hope that you have found the information you are looking for on home educating in the high school years and look forward to chatting about Math, Science, Biology, History next month.

Blessings
Chareen
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Monday 27 July 2015

Joseph Haydn {Composer Study - Poppins Book Nook}

This months theme for the Poppins Book Nook is Composer Study. There are so many wonderful resources available today to make studying the composers a pleasure and and an adventure.  Great Musicians Series from Zeezok Publishing is one of my all time favourite living history resources for introducing famous musicians to my students.

This books are 9 x 7 inches in size and have beautiful line drawings throughout.  They are biographical stories about composers. They share a little background about what's happening in the composers life and then insert the piano music for the piece of music being discussed along with a reference to the companion CD.

We use the companion CD's and it's Nathaniel's job to play the correct track at the moment the piece is introduced. The stories are well written and twaddle free.


Book we used

On YouTube

 On the WWW
On Pinterest

FREE for you
Jill from over at Enchanted Homeschooling Mom has made this FREE Poppins Book Nook pack for you.
  • An official interactive Poppins Book Nook bookmark for this month’s theme
  • This month’s Passport pages to add to your lap book
  • Several lap book elements centered around The Laboratory.
  • Reading response writing prompt

We've enjoyed getting back into Composer Study here and would like to encourage you to explore this wonderful genre of music.

What are your favourite composer study books ? Link up and share your resources with the Poppins Book Nook this month.

In August we will be exploring books that were made into movies.

Blessings
Chareen



Your Poppins Book Nook Co-hosts for 2015 are

#PoppinsBookNook #storybookactivitiesforkids #bookfunforkids #booksforkids
 
Connect with the Poppins Book Nook at
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