Charlotte Mason

How to Organise a Homeschool History Trip the Charlotte Mason Way

homeschool history

One of the bonus points of a homeschool life is being able to go on field trips during term time when it’s quiet! But what are you supposed to do on a homeschool history trip?

Do you have to take all your books with you?

Do your children have to complete a project?

Do you have to collect “evidence” to prove your visit?

This blog post offers advice for each age group when attending a homeschool history field trip

homeschool history

Why are homeschool history trips important? 

The first piece of advice is the most important – you don’t HAVE to do anything! If all you and your children do is attend a field trip, explore your surroundings, and have a great day, then class that as a successful field trip! 

However, as homeschool mothers, we carry a heavy pressure to squeeze every learning opportunity as much as possible. So, how can you make the most of a homeschool history trip?

First, understand why a homeschool history trip is important. The Charlotte Mason philosophy encourages our children to build relationships with the topics they are studying. What better way to build a relationship with the knights of medieval times than exploring the ruins of their once-glorious castle? How better to understand the struggles of Victorian life than to trail through the London dungeons? 

By exploring history through trips as well books, children benefit from seeing their studies come to life. It allows them to experience the information first hand!

What should you do before a homeschool history trip? 

How do you prepare for a homeschool history trip? This part can create an overwhelming to-do list, if you’re not careful. So, it’s important to remember that we cannot possibly teach our children every single piece of information available. The aim of our homeschool is to create a lifelong love of learning and an appreciation of the journey. We need to spark our children’s interest.

So, before a homeschool history field trip, that is your only goal – spark their interest. Teach them just enough to create a buzz of excitement about your upcoming trip.

  • Read impressive battle stories from Arthurian legend before visiting a castle.
  • Discuss the struggles of Abdullah Quilliam before he established the UK’s first mosque.
  • Try a day living like Tudors before visiting the Tudor houses and museums. 

By creating this sense of wonder in your children, you are prepping them to make way for any new experiences the field trip has to offer. 

For your older children, encourage them to think about other things they would like to know. If they have their own set of questions they want answering during the trip, they are taking charge of their own learning and being responsible for the satisfaction of having their questions answered. 

Maybe they can research the field trip destination beforehand, and they can be the tour guide. Allow them to research what is available, and they can oversee where you go and what you do on the day.

Homeschool History: Level 1 (Under 7s) 

If following a Charlotte Mason philosophy, you’ll know the “requirements” for under 7s are minimal. The focus should be on being outside as much as possible, maybe a little arithmetic, and plenty of snuggles with living books!

But this is when a field trip comes in handy. A child under 7 can enjoy a homeschool history trip for exactly what it is – an adventure and a chance for more exploration!

Encourage your child to collect souvenirs, and I don’t mean the expensive ones from the gift shops! Maybe your child finds an interestingly shaped rock or a flower? Maybe they find it thrilling to follow a map of your location in a brochure!

Tip: Remember anything collected can either be sketched or stuck into their Book of Centuries to commemorate their historical trip through time!

Muslim homeschool curriculum book of centuries

To find out more about How to Use a Book of Centuries – CLICK HERE

The idea for this age group is to keep stoking the fire of curiosity and wonder. Children under 7 have a natural inclination to explore and ask questions. Your only job is to not get in the way!

When travelling home, or even the following day, ask your child to orally narrate what they did on their trip. Let them tell you what they understood and the connections they made.

Homeschool History: Level 2 (Ages 7-11) 

Once your child hits this age bracket, the intensity of work steps up a little bit.

Please note: this is by no means a hard and fast rule for this age group. Judge your child’s ability based on their progress rather than their age. If your child is still at the freestyle-exploration stage, leave them there! Often, they’ll show YOU signs they are ready to upgrade their learning. 

So, what can a child do on their history trip? If their trip includes a destination linked to a current area of study, your child probably already has some questions they need answering. Find out beforehand what they will have access to on your trip and help them come up with a list of questions they’d like answering. 

Another hands-on idea for your child is for them to document their trip – whether a video or photo diary, keeping a written journal, or even just collecting memorabilia for a scrapbook!

Tip: Take your Book of Centuries with you! You will probably come across lots of new information and dates on your trip. Let your child check this information against things they have already recorded in their Book of Centuries! [Purchase yours here UK  USA ]

Charlotte mason history book of centuries

Homeschool History: Level 3 (Ages 12+) 

Now is when we must get serious… right? Well, not necessarily! Once your child hits this age range, a lot of his/her studies may start to take a “serious” turn. Whether you’re thinking about secondary school or GCSEs, children will notice the expectations for their work are increasing.

A history trip is not that time. See your history trip as a blessing and a chance for your pre/teen to get back to enjoying learning and seeing what they can soak up without an official plan. Children absorb a lot more information when they don’t think they HAVE to! 

However, if you or your child are eager for more, set a history trip as part of a greater research project.

  • They don’t just have to visit Stonehenge; they are researching the impact of religion and spirituality in pre-historic Britain! 
  • They’re not just visiting Gettysburg National Military Park; they are creating their own timeline and map of the civil war.
  • They’re not just visiting Titanic Belfast; they are putting together an engineering report of the safety requirements for a cruise ship.
  • They’re not just visiting Mesa Verde National Park; they are researching the Native American contribution to civilisation.

Helping your child build connections with what they are seeing on their trip with other areas of study is a guaranteed way to embrace the Charlotte Mason mentality during their older years. Education is a study of relationships, and a history trip is a fantastic way for older children to appreciate how their different areas of study are interconnected. 

Once you get home

The days after a homeschool trip are a great time to soak in what you have all experienced and learnt. Whether you have an informal discussion or even go as far as to put on a presentation for family members! Find a way to recap or narrate your experiences and spend time with what you have learnt before moving on to the next topic. And that means you too! Join in with the children and show them that learning truly is a lifelong pursuit.

Keep focused

As you can see, there is no right or wrong way to go on a homeschool history trip. But what is important is that you remember your focus as a Charlotte Mason homeschool:

  • Discuss how topics are related.
  • Facilitate your child building their own relationship with their topic.
  • Remind them of the disciplines and habits required when out of the house.
  • Narrate back what they have learnt in a range of creative ways. 

What do you do on your homeschool history trips? Leave a comment with your history trip recommendations!

[Don’t forget to order your Book of Centuries here UK  USA .

Related: Muslim Homeschool Curriculum: How to Use a Book of Centuries

Related: Charlotte Mason in Our Homeschool Centuries

How to Start Homeschooling

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

I teach you how to craft a curriculum for your homeschool, how to choose the right resources, and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family. Whether you are homeschooling in the UK, or elsewhere in the world, this programme will help you give your children an incredible education at home. 

how to start homeschooling

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to know to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Launch Your Homeschool enrolment is currently closed.

Doors open July 2022, insha’Allah. 

JOIN THE WAITING LIST HERE: 

Peace and love,

History of Islam

Memorisation in our Muslim Homeschool | Morning Basket Folders

Committing what is beautiful and true to memory, whether it is Quran, art or poetry; is a valuable part of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. Covering memorisation in your homeschool can be daunting at first; not knowing what to choose to memorise, when to slot it into your homeschooling day and essentially, how to memorise!

Memorisation Homeschool

In Episode 54 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share how we address memorisation in our homeschool.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

MEMORISATION IN OUR HOMESCHOOL | MORNING BASKET FOLDERS

Children have this most the most incredible ability when they’re young to memorise things and part of our homeschooling and a part of the Charlotte Mason philosophy is that we make the most of that while they’re young to have them memorise things that are important what we would consider valuable like Quran and duas.

Memorisation can be split between individual and group learning and you can use Morning time folders so everyone can see the material.

Related: Simply your Homeschool with a Morning Basket

Summer is the perfect chance to have more time outdoors. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy a good book!

You can help your children stay consistent with their reading habits and fall in love with reading with Our Summer Reading Challenge! It’ll get even the most reluctant readers excited to read and join in the fun!

To Find out more about the Summer Reading Challenge, CLICK HERE! https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/challenge

Peace and Love,

Memorisation Homeschool
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Is Homeschooling UNREALISTIC | The Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

Charlotte mason homeschooling unrealistic

Many believe that Charlotte Mason Homeschooling is not REALISTIC. That it is IDEALISTIC.

Maybe they’re right! But you started homeschooling because you were not happy with the status quo. You wanted something better for your children-something that many might feel is unrealistic.

When you consider Charlotte Mason Homeschooling first begin by realising we can not do it all from day one. Start with having lofty intentions, beginning small and doing something even if you can’t do it all.

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

In Episode 53 of the Raising Mums podcast, I share how we can all realistically implement the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

If implementing the Charlotte Mason philosophy feels idealistic, you’re probably doing something right! 🙌

You shouldn’t have to compromise your ideals when educating your children. In fact, use them as a vision of what is possible. Raise your goals, and elevate your intentions!

RELATED | Charlotte Mason in Our Homeschool

Summer is the perfect chance to have more time outdoors. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy a good book!

You can help your children stay consistent with their reading habits and fall in love with reading with Our Summer Reading Challenge! It’ll get even the most reluctant readers excited to read and join in the fun!

To Find out More about the Summer Reading Challenge, CLICK HERE! https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/challenge

Peace and Love,

Homeschool Planning
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Charlotte Mason in Our Muslim Homeschool

All education philosophies have the child as the focus but why has Charlotte Mason Homeschooling gained so much popularity, and what is it? Many muslim homeschoolers are also adopting Charlotte Mason for their Muslim Homeschool, so how can it positively impact your children and your family?

Charlotte Mason Muslim Homeschool

In Episode 44 of the Raising Mums podcast, I discuss Charlotte Mason for Muslim Homeschoolers.

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Charlotte Mason and Muslim Homeschool

  • The Charlotte Mason philosophy is god-centric.
  • Works with the innate nature of the child, and not against it
  • Provides a broad and thorough curriculum
  • It Prepares children well for further education

WATCH THIS VIDEO

Related: Homeschool History – Living Books and Curriculum

How to Start Homeschooling Course

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

launch your homeschool

I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Start Homeschooling with Launch Your Homeschool

Launch Your Homeschool is open for enrolment between 5th-11th July 2021.

 For More Information – CLICK HERE

https://ourmuslimhomeschool.com/courses

Peace and Love,

Charlotte Mason Muslim Homeschool
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Is Charlotte Mason suitable for a Muslim Homeschool?

Charlotte Mason for the Muslim Homeschool

Can the Charlotte Mason philosophy of education work for a Muslim homeschool? An increasing number of Muslim Homeschools are adopting and embracing the Charlotte Mason philosophy in their homeschools…but why?

In this episode of Raising Mums, I discuss why we use the Charlotte Mason philosophy in our Muslim homeschool and discuss if the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling is suitable for Muslims?

Charlotte Mason for the Muslim Homeschool

This blog-post contains affiliate links. For more information see Disclaimer.

In this this episode of Raising Mums I answer the following questions:

? What is the Charlotte Mason philosophy all about?

? Is a Charlotte Mason education suitable and for the Muslim homeschool? Is it relevant?

? Do I need to replace or miss any part of it out?

? What are the advantages of Charlotte Mason homeschooling compared to others?

? Will it prepare my children for higher education? For life?

? Why are so many Muslim homeschoolers switching to Charlotte Mason?

WATCH NOW!

FREE Muslim Homeschooling eBOOK:

My eBOOK outlines what we NEED to know before you start homeschooling your children.

Get your a FREE copy of my eBOOK:

Home Education – What you NEED to know” 
? CLICK HERE

How to Homeschool eBook

How to Start Homeschooling Course

Launch Your Homeschool is an online course that will you hold your hand and walk you through the beginning stages of homeschooling, built upon the framework of the Charlotte Mason philosophy.

I teach you how to choose the right subjects for your homeschool, how to chose the right resources and plan out your year to create a homeschool experience that aligns with the values and beliefs of your family.

I show you the essential teaching techniques that you’ll need to now to get started. There’s even an entire module on how to manage your time so you can still cook, keep the house tidy and take care of yourself, all whilst homeschooling your children!

Interested?

Launch your Homeschool - the Online course for Muslim Homeschools

Join the Wait List for the Online Course “Launch Your Homeschool” to get more information.
? CLICK HERE

Enrolment opens on SUNDAY 6th DECEMBER 2020, at 12pm GMT


Charlotte Mason Muslim Homeschool Resources

? Our Muslim Homeschool YouTube Channel

Our YouTube channel has a wealth of videos about Charlotte Mason curriculum choices, living book recommendations, day-in-the-life videos and more! Check it out!

More Charlotte Mason Resources

Although the following Charlotte Mason resources are not specifically for Muslims, I believe they have a lot of value. My recommendations for parents new to this philosophy, but wanting to learn more are:

? “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Shaeffer Macaulay UK USA

?”When Children Love to Learn”  by Elaine Cooper UK USA

? Podcast: A Delectable Education

? Podcast: Thinking Love

? Instagram: Modern Miss Mason

? Instagram: Charlotte Mason IRL

what is homeschooling

I’ll be back LIVE on Facebook and Instagram on

Sunday 22nd December 2020 at 9pm GMT

when I’ll be talking with you all about, 

How much does homeschooling cost?

I hope I’ll see you there!

Peace and love,

How to start homeschooling
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Homeschool Poetry | Why Should I Bother?

I know what you’re thinking…Homeschool poetry? Really?

Haven’t I got enough to think about in my homeschool already, without adding poetry into the mix too?!

I know! I get it!

Many of you may even be thinking, “What is poetry even for?”

Let me explain!

Homeschool Poetry - Why should I bother?

In episode 18 of Raising Mums, we tackle:

?? Why poetry should be a part of every child’s education!
?? Easy ways to make poetry a part of your homeschool.
?? Why you shouldn’t be intimidated by it!

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

homeschool poetry

The fact that I am asked these questions regularly reflects the way the modern world thinks today. Our utilitarian view of life believes that if something is valuable it must first be useful or practical, rather than beautiful. Basically, if something is beautiful… well, that’s nice, but its not important!

It supposes that if poetry doesn’t have a practical purpose, its not worthwhile. How wrong that is!

Will poetry increase you children’s vocabulary? Yes.

Will it help them with grammar and spelling? Probably.

Will it give them a greater mastery of the English language? Most certainly.

But that is not why we do it!

Poetry moves the heart. Words have the power to affect us deeply. That is the way we have been created. 

When the Quran was sent down, and the Quraysh heard it, what did they accuse the Prophet (saw) of? Of being a poet! 

That is because the Quran has the sound and feel of poetry.

That is how Allah (swt) chose to communicate with us; through poetry-like words.

Why? Because beautiful words touch our hearts. Because they can penetrate deep into our souls and have the ability to change the listener. 

It is through these words that we remember God. 

Poetry, has a similar effect. It can help you and your children remember God. In the same way that looking upon a flower blooming or spectactular sunset can remind us of our creator; so too can hearing beautiful words.

Poetry can also teach us great morals.

“Poetry is, perhaps, the most searching and intimate of our teachers…Poetry supplies us with tools for the modelling of our lives, and the use of these we must get at ourselves.”

Charlotte Mason (Vol. 4, p. 71)

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If, like me, your experience of poetry at school was next to none, starting poetry readings in your homeschool can be intimidating.

Here are a 4 Easy Ways you can Begin including poetry into your child’s education.

For further explanation, please watch the video or listen to the podcast above.

4 Ways to Begin with Poetry in Your Homeschool

❤ Start Collecting Poetry Books (see Book Recommendations below)

❤ Read a poem every day

❤ Give children a choice

❤ Encourage delight before ever beginning to analyse a poem (Remember the Cake analogy from the Video!)

homeschool poetry

Homeschool Poetry Recommendations:

Tomie’s Little Mother Goose – Lovely nursery rhyme collection
When We Were Very Young & Now We Are Six By A.A.Milne
All the Silver Pennies – Collection of children’s poetry
Illustrated Treasury of read-Aloud Poems by Glorya Hale
Read Me Out Loud: A Poem to To Rap, Chant, Whisper Or Shout For Every Day Of The Year: A Poem for Every Day of the Year!
Christina Rossetti – Classic children’s poetry. (Please note, some poems in this book my not be suitable for sensitive children. )
The Lost Words by Robert MacFarlane

So this week, dust off those old poetry books and start reading from them to your children. Just read one poem each day to begin with. There is no need to analyse or discuss them poems in any depth; rather allow the poem itself to be the teacher.

Delight in those carefully crafted words and enjoy these precious moments together.

homeschool poetry

Thank you to our Sponsor

A huge thank you to WordUnited for sponsoring today’s episode of Raising Mums!

Make sure you check out their Early Years learning resources, including sensory toys, wooden toys and eco toys that promote learning through play! Children from birth to 5 can develop skills including communication, pre-writing and fine motor skills, numeracy, imaginative play, sensory and messy play, construction and more!

While you’re there, visit their Free Resources Hub!

Home educators can receive 10% off every time they shop using the Discount Code wu4homeed.

homeschool poetry

I hope you’ll join me next week, Sunday 9th February 2020, at 10 am GMT, on Facebook and Instagram, for another LIVE episode of Raising Mums

I hope you have a beautiful week friends!

Peace and Love,

Homeschool poetry
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Simplify your Homeschool with a Morning Basket

Using a morning basket can simplify your homeschool, whilst at the same time adding an abundance of riches to your children’s education.

Morning baskets, filled with living books, add depth and meaning to your homeschool days in a way that is easy for you to implement. There are no faddish curriculum or clever gimmicks here! Just a basket filled with beautiful books to nourish your children.

Simplify your homeschool with a morning basket! Find out how here!

morning basket homeschool

This blog-post includes affiliate links. Please see the Disclaimer for more information.

Morning Basket in your Homeschool

In episode number 13 of the Raising Mums podcast, I explain:

  • What is a Morning Basket?
  • Why is it such an effective teaching method?
  • How do we use the morning basket?
  • What shall I put in mine?
  • How can a morning basket simplify our homeschool?

To find out more, WATCH THIS VIDEO!

LINKS MENTIONS

Raising Mums Podcast – Listen to these LIVE broadcasts when you’re on the go!

Run Your Home Like a BOSS! – Time Management For Mums

Quran (English Translation) – Read just a few ayah each day.

Primary Language Lessons – Used for poetry memorisation and English curriculum.

All the Silver Pennies – Collection of Children’s Poetry

Robin Hood – Our favourite book this year! For children aged 7+. (Disclaimer. Some scenes mention drinking and mild romance)

Little House – Wonderful picture book for all the family.

Read Aloud Revival – Book lists galore!

Ambleside Online – Extensive lists of living books, free Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum, teacher resources.

morning basket homeschool

I’ll be back again next Sunday, 5th January, at 10am GMT, LIVE on FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM, talking about:

Encouraging the Reluctant Reader!

I hope I’ll see you all there!

Thanks for stopping by.

Peace and Love,

morning basket homeschool

Muslim Homeschool Curriculum Choices | 1st & 3rd Grade

Muslim homeschool curriculum

As a Muslim homeschooling family, I wanted to create a curriculum that aligns with our values, and helps us to live a life together that we love and that I am passionate about..

Using the Charlotte Mason philosophy to guide my decisions, I have designed a homeschool curriculum that nurtures my children’s love for learning, ignites their innate curiosity, and empowers me as their teacher and mother to teach with confidence and joy.

Inspired by Charlotte Mason, I have tried to bring God to the heart of every subject, and connect everything with our creator.

This blog-post contains affiliate links. See Disclaimer for more information.

 

I needed a curriculum that made me excited to wake up in the morning! I needed a curriculum that would touch the hearts of my children! I needed a curriculum that I couldn’t wait to learn from myself!

But I couldn’t find one out there! So, with the help and inspiration of many other Charlotte Mason resources, I put a curriculum together myself.

And here it friends, for you all to enjoy and, I hope, benefit from! insha’Allah

My eldest son is 8 years-old, and my youngest son is 6 years-old. Please assume that the resources outlined below are used by both boys, unless indicated by a (8) or (6) in brackets. However, as the boys use most of the materials together, please consider this curriculum  suitable for children in 1st-3rd grade, year 2-4 in the UK.

And I’ve made a little video to go along with this blogpost too. ENJOY!


WATCH THIS VIDEO!

If you’d like to see the curriculum we used last year, when the boys were 7 and 5, CLICK HERE!


Language Arts / English

Our study of English is based around reading, copying and narrating back high-quality literature and poetry. We have chosen, as recommended by Charlotte Mason, to delay the study of grammar and spelling until our children are at least 9 years-old.

Handwriting

We make out own handwriting sheets on  Worksheet Works using excerpts from books we are reading, poetry or ahadith. It’s a wonderful free resource!

Literature

These are books that I plan to read-aloud to the children, in addition to other subjects. We may use Audible to listen to some of them in audiobook form.

Ayat Jamilah: Beautiful Signs by Conover

Aesop’s Fables for Children

Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder (8) – Note, there are some unacceptable racial terms used in these books. We use this as an opportunity for conversation and growth insha’Allah.

We use Audible A LOT! If you would like to try it out, they have a FREE TRIAL on at the moment, where you get your First Book Free, you can cancel anytime, and you’ll  still have access to that book!

CLICK HERE for your FREE TRIAL!
Reading

We do not follow a specific reading curriculum. The children are not forced to read any particular book, but rather are given a choice and then are required to read aloud to me 2-3 times a week. They also have 20 minutes free-reading in the afternoon, where they can read whatever they want…even car magazines! I hope that this relaxed approach will encourage them to develop a love of reading, rather than it becoming a chore and only a “school subject”.

The Boxcar Children (#1) by Gertrude C. Warner (8)

The Light of His Beauty by Maryam Qadri (8) – The birth of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

A Race to Prayer: Sulaiman’s rewarding Day by Aliya Vaughan (8)

The Hardy Boys – Treasure Tower (#1) by Franklin Dixon (8)

The Twenty-One Balloons by William Pene du Bois (8)

The Remarkable Journey of Prince Jen by Lloyd Alexander (8)

I Wonder – About the Prophet (#3) by Ozkan Oze (8)

Frindle by Andrew Clements (8)

 

Billy and Blaze Series by C. W. Anderson (6) – We LOVE this series!

Nate the Great series by Marjorie Sharmat (6)

Brambley Hedge Series by Jill Barklem (6)

Poetry

It is our aim to read poetry aloud everyday , even if only for a few minutes.

 Child’s Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

Sing Song – A Nursery Rhyme Book by Rossetti – Please note, some of these poems maybe unsuitable for sensitive children.

Now we are Six – A. A. Milne

Montmorency’s Book of Rhymes by T.J. Winter (Islamic Children’s rhymes)

Treasury of Read-Aloud Poems for Young People by G. Hale

Shakespeare

We will be looking at one play each term. I feel more comfortable presenting plays that have less romance in, as so we will be beginning with The Tempest.

Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare for Children by E.Nesbit (easier language)

Tales from Shakespeare by Charles and Mary Lamb

 

Maths

For Maths, we are using the wonderful Life of Fred Math Series. My 8 year-old are currently working on Kidneys and my 6 year-old on Butterflies.

Life of Fred Math bundle

If any concepts requires further reinforcement I will use other online resources. A favourite of mine is Math Mammoth.

Islam

My boys attend Arabic, Quran and Seerah classes outside of the home. However, we also do incorporate many Islamic sciences into out  homeschool schedule, as well as trying to refer back to our creator or deeper lessons whenever they arise in our school day.

Quran (Arabic)

Quran (English)

Qaidah (6) – ‘Uthamani Script or Indo-Pak Script

Islamic Studies – Year 3 (8) and Year 1 (6)

Safar Islamic Studies bundle

Arabic Handwriting (6)

We also look at Seerah, the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which I have included in our History curriculum. For seerah, we use Muhammad by Martin Lings

Nature Study

Nature study forms the foundation of our scientific learning. Through the study of nature I hope the children will learn to observe, records and question what they see around them. More formal science lessons will start when they are older insha’Allah.

Our focus this coming year will be Trees, and Star and Planets, although we will learn about other things things that interest them along the way too!

Nature Lore

Country Tales by Enid Blyton

Hedgerow Tales by Enid Blyton

Woodland Tales by Enid Blyton

James Herriot’s Treasury for Children

Star Stories for Little Folks by Gertrude Chandler

Find the Constellations by Rey

Trees and Shrubs by Arabella Buckley

Wild british mammals living books Charlotte Mason Homeschool

Nature Journaling

Usbourne Spotter’s guides

Nature Journals

Geography

This year, we are focusing on Physical geography,

Elementary Geography by Charlotte Mason

Home Geography for Primary Grades by C.C. Long

In addition to this, the boys often refer back to the atlas when a new place in mentioned in their history or literature books.

History

Our focus for history this coming year wil be the late medieval period, the Tudors and Stewarts. We will also focussing on Seerah, and studying the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

We have a HUGE selection of history books that we use to teach this subject. For more information, to see this extensive book list, please read the blog-post about it or watch this video.

islamic homeschool history

Modern Languages

My children are learning Arabic and French this year.

They attend Arabic classes outside of the home, and so my primary focus during school-hours is to teach them French.

Hachettes Illustrated French Primer

Un Deux Trois: First French Rhymes

La Chenille: qui fait des trous

Comptines a chanter

Artist Study

Every term, the children learn about a new artist and become familiar with there artwork.

If you’re not sure what Artist/ Picture study is, you should read this blog-post or watch this video!

FREE Picture Study Guides

Picture study charlotte mason how to guide

Drawing

We are taking a very relaxed stance on artwork this year, allowing the children more freedom to draw and create in ways that excite them. For this, we will use Pinterest or Youtube for ideas or tutorials.

Prang Water colour paints

Sketch pads

Interest-Led

Touch Typing

My eldest son has expressed an interest in learning to type. For that we are using TypeKids.com. You can read my review on this programme HERE.

homeschool touch typing

Lego Club

My younger son expressed an interest in joining a local Lego club this year.

If you’d like to know more about Lego clubs, Click HERE.

Muslim homeschool

I’m so excited for this coming year ahead and to use these fabulous resources with my children; resources that I believe truly reflect our values.

And, I’m looking forward to sharing that journey with you too!

If you have any questions, pop them for me in the comments below!

Peace and Love,

Living history curriculum islamic

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Homeschool History | Living Books and Curriculum Options

Homeschool history living curriclum

Are you struggling to choose a Homeschool History curriculum? There are so many different curricula and living books available, that choosing the right “fit” can become quickly overwhelming!

In this blog-post I’ll be reviewing three of the most popular Homeschool History curricula, that we have personal experience with, to help you decide what would be best for your children. I’ll also be discussing why the study of History is so important in a child’s education.

homeschool history living books curriculum

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Why Study History

In this modern educational culture, we have come to view History as a supplemental subject; a subject that is done merely to enrich the more “important” disciplines. However I would argue, as Charlotte Mason did over a hundred years ago, that history is “vital part of education.” (Vol. 6, p.169).

Understanding the events and people of the past, can help us to understand our own reality, and place in this world. The study of history exposes our children to worthy ideas, foreign worlds, people of noble character, and can act as an antithesis to the misguidance and trappings of modernity. It helps children to see what virtue looks like, through their imagination, and begins to train their powers of reasoning.

“…a subject which should be to the child an inexhaustible storehouse of ideas, should enrich the chambers of his House Beautiful with a thousand tableaux, pathetic and heroic, and should form in him, insensibly, principles where by he will hereafter judge of the behavior of nations, and will rule his own conduct as one of a nation.”

-Vol. 1 p.279

History, when taught by the principles set out by Charlotte Mason, enocurages children to relate to those unlike them; to humanize people from other nations and distant times.

“If he comes to think…that the people of some other land were, at one tome, at any rate, better than we, why, so much the better for him.”

-Vol.1, p.281

History has far more to offer our children that just the memorization of facts and dates. It can help to shape they character and guide the way they think.

Homeschool history living curriclum

Like many, I was taught history using a dry textbook followed by comprehension questions. These questions tested my ability to pick facts out of the text, but did not develop my person in any way. I consider the many years I spent sitting in those history lessons time wasted; little information was retained, no ideas imbued, and any interest I once had for history quashed. The great thoughts and personalities of history remained hidden from me until I began to learn alongside my children using the Charlotte Mason method.

Charlotte Mason History

Charlotte Mason advised us to take our time with history; to dwell on those time and people who inspire our children, instead of rushing through in the effrot to cover “everything”.

“Let him, on the contrary, linger pleasantly over the history of a single man, a short period, until he thinks the thoughts of that man, is at home in the ways of that period.” -Vol. 1, p.280

She also recommend the use of living books to teach history, specifically mentioning “Our Island Story” by H. E. Marshall  (Vol. 6, p.169) as the main text in the first two years (Form 1B and 1A), as well as reading well-written biographies of historical figures from Form 1A onwards.

Alternatively, many homeschooling families choose to use The Story of the World, by Susan Wise-Bauer as their main text or sole history curriculum. Another option is A Child’s History of the World by V. M. Hillyer.

Homeschool History Options

The Story of the World, Our Island Story and A Child’s History of the World are the three most popular choices of homeschool history curriculum.

This blog post aims to compare these three popular homeschool history texts, and highlight their strengths, weakness, and differences.

To help you further, I’ve made this Youtube video showing the books themselves, and discussing some of this details further. WATCH THIS VIDEO:

Story of the World

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

The Story of the World, by Susan Wise-Bauer is one of the most popular homeschool history curricula on the market. It was written to follow the classical educational model, however many CM families also use it.

The complete series consists of four volumes, which cover history chronologically from Ancient times through to the Modern age.

Story of the world review

In previous years we have  worked through Volume 1 (Ancient times), which covers world history from 7000B.C. to the Fall of Rome. However, for reasons I will explain later, we chose not to move onto Volume 2 – Medieval Times.

Each chapter is 3-4 pages long (A5), with plentiful black-and-white illusatrations and maps throughout. It is written in a conversational style, which appeals to many children, as it is easy to understand and is generally very entertaining.

The books do include Biblical stories and mythology. There has also been some concern voiced about the portrayal of Prophet Muhammad in Volume 2. I have not read this volume myself, so I cannot comment on the specifics.

Although the author makes a concerted effort to cover the history of many nations, it is still very much euro-centric world view, and so many families may feel the need to supplement this curriculum.

There are also optional Activity books available to go along with the main text. For every chapter in the main text, the activity book contains cross-references in encyclopedias, additional reading, extensive recommendations for audio-books and literature. The activity books also contain reproducible maps and coloring pages, as well as lists of crafts projects.

Our experience of using The Story of the World Vol. 1 was mixed. The children seemed to enjoy it, and found it fun and easy to understand, which was perfect for our first year homeschooling. It also gave me an idea of how to teach history in a home-setting, which was a very valuable lesson.

Unfortunately, the conversational, modern writing style did not encourage those “juicy” conversations that other living books can encourage.

I also found that the children had retained very little from the text a few days after the lesson. I also found the fast-paced nature of the book very frustrating, as the author has tried to cover so much history in just one book. Whilst I understand the thought-process behind that, I found that my children and I were not given the chance to form connections and relations with the material.

In hind-sight I could have slowed our progress down, and taken two years over the book, instead of one, adding in additional reading and other living books. However, as a new homeschool mum, I lacked the confidence to step away from the authors recommendations.

However, having spoken to many other homeschooling families, it seems that this is exactly what others have done; using The Story of the World as their “spine” and supplementing with their own resources and literature.

I feel that The Story of the World is a fantastic resource for teaching homeschool history. It is ideal for those who are uncomfortable teaching the subject and need some guidance, those new to home-education, or families who feel more confident reading modern English.

Personally, I would not class The Story of the World as a living book, as it did not inspire my children to great ideas, or spark interesting conversations. It is also not a book that I would pick up and read for fun, unlike other some other history books, that I will discuss later in this series.

The Story of the World is the perfect “middle-ground” for those interested in stepping away from the “textbook-workbook model” of teaching, but who are not yet comfortable or interested in using living books.

 

Our Island Story

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Amazon USA

Our Island Story the primary history text recommended by Charlotte Mason in Volume 1 for forms 1B and 1A (children under 9 years-old).

This beautifully written book tells the story of Britain in chronological order from pre-history through to Queen Victoria. Each chapter is approximately 3-4 pages long and focuses on a historical figure, their story, moral character and contribution to the history of Britain.

Our Island Story review

The book also contains some poetry and Shakespeare quotes which could be used for further study and memorisation. There are also a few beautifully hand-painted illustrations in some chapters for the reader to enjoy. There is also list of Kings ad Queens at the beginning of the book, which could be useful when constructing your timeline or Book of the Centuries.

Unlike The Story of the World, there are no maps, and no accompanying activity books. If your children enjoys crafts and hands-on activities, you may choose to find these activities yourself.

The book is written in an older English, with richer language than most modern history books. It may take some time for children to get used to this language if the are not already accustomed to it.

It is written from an English (not British) Christian world view,  and this should be born in mind when discussing the Crusades and other such conquests within and around the UK.

Due to its world-view, and the fact it only covers the history of Britain, you may wish to supplement this book with additional reading.

We stopped using this book after six months as my son was finding the language difficult to understand and narrate from. However, I feel this book has a lot to offer and I hope to re-introduce it into their homeschool history curriculum sometime in the future.

Overall, I found this book excited the children’s imagination and filled their young minds with worthy ideas and beautiful stories. I would happily read this book myself for enjoyment and my own self-education!

A Child’s History of the World

Amazon UK

Amazon USA

A Child’s History of the World was written by V. M. Hillyer, the late Head Master of the Calvert School, Baltimore. Focusing on the stories of historical figures, it covers World History from pre-history all the way through to the Cold War. Although written in conversational, modern English, the language is rich and engaging.

Homeschool history living curriculum

There are black-and-white illustrations and maps scattered throughout the book. The chapters are approximately 4-5 pages long. There is no accompanying activity book, and so parents may wish to supplement with other material.

We primarily used the Audiobook version from Audible. The narrator was very entertaining and read the book beautifully. I would highly recommend it!

Although the author writes from a Western worldview, I felt that he was respectful to other faiths and people, a fact that may have been noted by the people behind the Ambleside online and Bookshark curriculum who have included it in their elementary years history curricula.

Through his writing, the author also highlights and raising questions about good character and morals throughout.

Please note, this book does contain Biblical stories and mythology. Also, as it is attempting to cover a large period of time in one volume, many important historical events are not included or are skimmed over. As the parent, you may wish to add in additional reading.

The book itself is paperback, self-published and not as attractive as the other homeschool history curricula mentioned. Despite this, A Child’s History of the World is an engaging introduction to world history for children aged 5-9 years old and well worth your consideration.

homeschool history living curriculum

These are the main three homeschool history curricula that you will see mentioned in literature-based, Classical and Charlotte Mason homeschools.

However, as I have hinted towards, there are many more options! In the next blog post and Youtube video, I will be discussing some alternative books and methods that we use to teach history in our homeschool.

Thank you so much for stopping by. I hope you found these reviews helpful.

Don’t forget to WATCH THE VIDEO, and if you have any questions, please leave them for me in the comments below.

Peace and Love,

Charlotte Mason Picture study how to

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How to do Picture Study Lessons in your Homeschool

Picture study charlotte mason homeschool how to

Picture study is one of the easiest components of a Charlotte Mason education to incorporate into your homeschool curriculum. You do not need to know anything yourself about art, or art history. I repeat …You do NOT need to know ANYTHING about art or art history to begin. All you need is knowledge of the method and a few worthy resources.

Picture study charlotte mason homeschool how to

Why is Picture Study important?

In today’s society, the importance of the arts has been superseded by STEM and the other sciences. We have lost touch with the great artistic masters of past. Now, the masses only see fragments, distorted reproductions of the original genius of these men and women. For most of us, the only exposure we get to great art might be a coffee shop using the Mona Lisa in it’s logo, or a travel advert for Japan using a work of art by Hokusai.

Many of us will have heard of  Leonardo Da Vinci, or Claude Monet, and will have seen their art used in advertisements on billboards and the TV, but have little to draw upon from our own education.

Just as the great works of literature give us glimpses in the the mighty thoughts of the world’s great authors, so too picture study can give us insight into the ideas and minds of those artists. It puts children in touch with worthy ideas and inspires them with something more than modern life can offer.

” We cannot measure the influence that one or another artist has upon the child’s sense of beauty, upon his power of seeing, as in a picture, the common sights of life; he is enriched more than we know in having really looked at a single picture.” – Charlotte Mason

 

charlotte mason picture study

Picture study offers our children a store of images in their mind, to balance out the media’s influence and attempt to monopolize their senses.

Picture study also:

  • Improves a child’s power of observation
  • Develop a sense of beauty
  • Connects them with an artist of a piece of art
  • Helps them to form opinion about art and their own taste in it
  • Encourages them to draw and be creative themselves

How to do Picture Study

From the ages of 6 to 15 Charlotte Mason recommended that children become acquainted with at least thirty of the world’s most famous artists.

I have filmed a short video, showing glimpses into our own Picture study lesson, in the hope that it will make what is written here clearer.

WATCH THIS VIDEO!

First begin by choosing the artist you wish them to study. In our first year, we began with Leonardo Da Vinci as it was easy to find the resources we needed, and I was slightly familiar with his work.

However, please remember, you do not need to know ANYTHING about the artist before you begin. In fact, it will only add to your enjoyment of this subject, as you find yourself learning alongside the children.

Examples of artists to study include:

  • Van Gogh
  • Claude Monet
  • Hokusai
  • Leonardo Da Vinci
  • Cezanne
  • Georgia O’Keeffe

The next step is to find six works of art by that artist for that school term, and studying three different artists per year.

Display one of those pieces in front of your children, and ask them to look at it closely, in silence. Allow them plenty of time to, not only absorb it, but to think and ponder over it. Then, when they are finished, hide the art from them and ask them to describe it.

Try your best not to prompt them with leading questions, like “What colour was her dress?” or “What was the weather like?” Just simply say, ” Tell me about it.” They will almost certainly not remember everything, but they don’t need to. By narrating in this way, they are performing a much higher thought process; of observing, processing, recalling and articulating those thoughts in their own words.

Muslim homeschool circle time
Artwork on display during school day

If you prompt too much, you are in danger of having your children become dependent on your questions, like we often see in school comprehension worksheets and multiple choice questions. Allow your children to think for themselves.

If your child is not used to narration, and is struggling to recall it or articulate his thoughts, then let him see the painting as he narrates. It is difficult skill to develop, so take it slow and try to keep the atmosphere joyful.

For older children, you can allow them to sketch from memory what they saw if they would like to.

Charlotte Mason picture study

 

 

The next step is to display that piece of art somewhere in your home so that the children can see it frequently through out their day.

The following week, repeat the process with the SAME piece of art. You will hopefully find that your children have more to say!

It can be helpful to tell the children a little about the artist or the painting before you begin. If the painting is about a story, it can be helpful to tell your children this story before you begin the picture study. Likewise, knowing a little more about the artist they are studying, will help them to form connections with him/her. Knowing more about the mind behind the art will encourage your children to look more closely at the work itself.

After 2 weeks, switch to another piece art by that same artist. In so doing, your child will some to  know at least 6 of the artist’s works each term. That’s an incredible achievement!

Picture Study Resources

For the art prints themselves, I would always recommend getting the largest prints you can find and display easily.

Postcards and images in art textbooks are often too small for multiple children to see at once, and inevitably loose the finer details.

We personally use wall calendars of a specific artist. These tend to be much cheaper than books, the prints are a good size, and they are easy to display on our kitchen wall. Here are a few examples of some we have used:

Georgia O’Keeffe

Hokusai

Claude Monet

Another option, is to look for larger “coffee-table books” on a specific artist. You can usually find some in your local library or on Amazon.

We have also used “Print Packs” from the Great Artist Collection. These contain a selection of six beautiful colour prints along with extensive information about the artist and his/her work:

Paul Cezanne UK USA

Vincent Van Gogh UK USA

Renoir UK USA

Claude Monet UK USA

 

The organsiation Simply Charlotte Mason also produces lovely Picture Study Portfolios that contains eight prints and a handbook.We have not tried these ourselves, but I have heard they are a excellent.

Children’s artist biographies can also be found at the library, but I would strongly recommend pre-reading these so you can omit the less-wholesome parts of the artist’s lives that young children do not need to know about. However, it may be worthwhile older children knowing the full picture, as these parts of their lives will have inevitably influenced their art, and will make for meaningful discussions with you.

Here are a few artist biographies, in the form of living books, that we have enjoyed with our young children:

  • Linnea in Monet’s Garden  UK USA
  • My name is is Georgia (O’Keeffe)  UK USA
  • Camille and the Sunflowers (Van Gough) UK USA
  • Cezanne and the Apple Boy UK USA
  • Leonardo and the Flying Boy UK USA

During their lesson, we use a wooden cookbook stand to hold the calendar or book.

From the age of fourteen, art history is incorporated into the Charlotte Mason curriculum, where children learn how the artist worldview would have influenced their art.

homeschool how to

The picture study lessons will take no more that 10-15 minutes a week, but the influence that they have will be lifelong. To be able to store “a couple of hundred pictures by great masters hanging permanently in the halls of [their] imagination” is a worthy endeavor.

Other useful Picture Study links

It you have any questions about picture study please leave them for me in the comments below.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our blog and read my thoughts on this topic.

Peace and Love,

Charlotte Mason Picture study how to

 

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