A printable Jar template pattern is a handy tool for various DIY projects..

Een heerlijke tomatensoep met verse basilicum.

A Charlotte Mason Handicrafts Lesson Before we begin A Charlotte Mason Handicrafts Lesson … First, I explain why I’m focusing subject by subject. Also, I include Charlotte Mason quotes because I find her original lectures on education to be awe inspiring and helpful. Next, please keep reading to see the break down of implementing lessons, the schedule, […]

Learn how to make a working pumping heart model with kids. This pumping heart model demonstrates how a real heart pumps blood in and out of its chambers!

Everyday Scholé is back!!! We’ve taken quite a few months off as all of us were wrapping up blogging projects or writing projects, but this month we are beginning a yearlong series that is sure to inspire you and your homeschool. We are taking an in-depth, practical look at the eight essential principles of classical pedagogy (make haste slowly, much not many, repetition is the mother of memory, embodied learning, songs, chants, and jingles, wonder and curiosity, educational virtues, and scholé, contemplation, and leisure). Each month we will focus on a different principle and how to practically implement that principle in your homeschool. Can you tell I’m excited?!? I think what I’m most excited about is that I’m not a true classical homeschooler. I’m a Charlotte Mason homeschooler. It’s true that Ms. Mason had much in common with classical homeschoolers {some even consider her a classical homeschooler in her own right}, but on the surface a few of the eight essential principles seem to fly in the face of what Charlotte Mason homeschoolers promote as a “true” Charlotte Mason education. So for the each of these eight principles I’m going to be focusing on how to use classical pedagogy as outlined by Dr. Perrin in the link above, but in a Charlotte Mason way. Before we start this journey through classical and Charlotte Mason, I wanted to mention something that Dr. Perrin states at the beginning of his video. He says, “Principles should support our practices.” Basically the thrust of that statement is that the things you do in your homeschool should have a principle that supports them. For example, if you are a Charlotte Mason homeschooler why do you engage in nature study? Because you are supposed to do so if you ascribe to Ms. Mason’s philosophy? Because the curriculum you bought says to do it? Do you really even know why Charlotte Mason was such a huge proponent of nature study for all students throughout their school years? These are important questions to ask about any homeschooling philosophy whether it’s classical, unschooling, traditional, etc. If you don’t know what various educational practices are trying to accomplish in your homeschool, it is pointless to do them. While I’m focusing on these eight principles in a Charlotte Mason homeschool, I hope that you will look at them through whatever philosophy influences your homeschool because I truly believe these eight essential principles of classical pedagogy are fundamentally just really great educational practices in general that can be applied to whatever method you use. I can see how all methods of education can be tweaked and manipulated in such a way to benefit from the use of all eight principles. The hardest part, as Dr. Perrin states toward the end, is that changing our mindset about education to one that encompasses these ideals is work for us. It is not natural for those of us who are graduates of the public school system here in the United States. The most difficult challenge you will have is not the vision, but the implementation. You might have noticed that scholé is the last principle listed. I firmly believe this is because as you focus on the other seven, teaching from rest will become a natural byproduct of your endeavors. It doesn’t mean that it comes naturally, as I mentioned above, but it will be apparent that schooling your child with these principals in the forefront of your mind will reap a calmer, restful, leisurely approach to education in your home. I’ve seen this lived out in our homeschool and I’m excited to share some practical ways I’ve achieved this in the coming year. Be sure and check out my fellow Everyday Scholé bloggers and their thoughts about the principles of classical education. What educational philosophies influence your homeschool the most? Let me know in the comments. Chelli

Knowing that the Charlotte Mason, Montessori, & Waldorf methods all honor the individual child, I wanted to compare these 3 hands-on homeschooling methods.

My middle guy, my E, is three now. He is all energy and angst, moving from cheerful and smiling to angry and destructive faster than a political meme earns angry reactions on Facebook. I've realized that beyond a good night's sleep, keeping a regular schedule is so good for my toddler. We can curb meltdowns

A free kindergarten math packet for at home learning.

The original bad guy of far away galaxies, Darth Vader is one of the most frightening foes. At 6 foot 8, and with powers of the dark side to ‘Choke’ and ‘Crush’ his opponents, you’d be wise to steer clear of this Sith Lord. Back in the 70’s this masked demon was a mystery to […]

These exercises to Improve Handwriting as an Adult can help you have neater handwriting that you feel more confident about.

This moon phase board was fairly easy to make. After making a run to the Dollar Tree and rummaging through our science storeroom to collect the needed supplies to make this, it was pretty inexpensive and so worth every penny! Essentially, this Moon Phase board allows students to visualize and better understand the cause of moon phases and comprehend the 2 different views that are often given on a diagram (view from space and view from the Earth). Up to this point, I've done a Lunar Lollipop Investigation, which I thought was great, but this beats it by a long shot! A large majority of my students don't really understand why the lit part of the moon doesn't face the sun on part of the view as seen from Earth on every moon phase diagram (see below). Even though I give many different examples and explanations, I still see a puzzled look on several of the students' faces. I really think this method will clear it up for even those puzzled kiddos. From this angle (see below), students can quickly see that the lit part of the moon is always the side of the ball that is facing the sun. Pretty uneventful, but definitely clarifies this view. But as students take the Moon Board and place their head through the hole, they are immediately taken to the view from Earth (their head being Earth or it could be explained that we LOOK out from Earth and see the moon as it revolves around the Earth). In order to give you a clearer idea of what the students will see, I placed my camera in the hole and continually rotated the board around counterclockwise (direction of the moon's revolution around the Earth). Here, you can see the new moon. Followed by the waxing crescent. The first quarter. Then waxing gibbous. Full moon Waning gibbous Third/Last quarter (oopsy....this ball got a little tilted when I glued it down) And finally, waning crescent. I have chosen to leave each phase unlabeled for my 8th graders. I provide each group with 8 Post-It Notes and have them write each moon phase name on a Post-it. They simply stick the Post-It in the correct location and call me over to check it. I am thinking about making one Moon Board with labels for my SpEd and ELL students until they get more comfortable with the names. To make your own, you will need the following supplies: Black foam board (got mine at Dollar Tree for $1) Box cutter Circular shaped object to cut around (I just turned my office trashcan upside down and started cutting!) 8 ball shaped objects to represent moon (ideas: ping pong balls [use black sharpie], Styrofoam balls (paint with black acrylic paint and sponge brush, wooden balls, etc....) Hot glue gun 1 ball to represent the Sun (larger than moon ball) This is optional; you could always just write "Sun" on one side of the board with a paint pen, but I think the added visual is great! Since I didn't have these made when I taught moon phases earlier in the year, I am going to use them when we begin to review for the state assessment. I can't wait to hear the oohs and aahs and FINALLY see the looks of confusion go away. For more great lessons, labs, and activities that related to moon phases, check out these products in my Teachers Pay Teachers store: Space Science for Interactive Notebooks Moon Phases and Seasons Task Cards Daily Science Starters for Middle School - Earth and Space Predicting the Sequence of Events in the Lunar Cycle Activity That's a Fact, Jack! Fact or Fiction Science Sorting: Motions of Earth and Moon Day/Night, Seasons, Moon Phases, & Tides Review Circuit Predicting Moon Phases Color-by-Number 8th Grade Science STAAR Review- Reporting Category 3 (Earth & Space) Moon Phases Reciprocal Learning Activity

My Top 5 Board and Batten Wall Tips to give any room that extra detail. Wall treatments are a great way to add depth to any room. Click for tutorial.

Math shouldn't feel like a strange outlier in a beautiful, living education. Find out what Charlotte Mason says about keeping the life and love in math.

Apple science experiment to explore the effect of different liquids on apple slices. A fun, science experiment for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten

You asked and I listened! I got such wonderful feedback about my first set of vocabulary books with the 'Back to School' themes! I have a TON of plans about types of books to make

When your family isn't feeling well, mix this up to get them on the mend ASAP.

My favorite homemade enchilada sauce recipe is easy to make with pantry ingredients, it only requires about 5 minutes of prep time, and it tastes so flavorful and delicious.

A Charlotte Mason Picture Study Lesson Before we begin A Charlotte Mason Picture Study Lesson … First, I explain why I’m focusing subject by subject. Also, I include Charlotte Mason quotes because I find her original lectures on education to be SO inspiring and helpful. Next, please keep reading to see the break down of implementing lessons, […]

Leo Hoodie The hoodie from Growing Together is one of my favourite but I wanted it longer and with less bulky arms, especially arount the wrists, so here it the Leo Hoodie with my own recoloring. If…

It is the first week of kindergarten! What do I teach? I get this question all the time! I am so excited to put together this page together for you. I’m sharing our favorite first week of kindergarten read aloud stories and the free coordinating printables I made to go with them. Plus I will s

Other than living books, the number one resource for a Charlotte Mason homeschool is notebooks. Why? Because of the opportunities it provides

These Refrigerator Dill Pickles are fresh, crunchy, and loaded with dill and garlic flavor. Quick and easy to make with just a saucepan and a few glass jars, there is no special canning equipment required. Once you try these homemade dill pickles, you’ll never go back to store-bought!

I remember the moment I found the PERFECT curriculum. I knew we were going to use it long term. This is why we chose Heart of Dakota

Enhance your child's science education with an engaging, fun lapbook of plant and animal cells.

Charlotte Mason habit training is more than routines and manners. We also want our children to develop moral habits. Here's how to start.

Try my top 9 juicing recipes perfect for beginners! Explore easy, healthy, and nutritious options to kickstart your wellness journey.

Tips for Building Confidence in Boys #shopritesweepstakes and #axepressyourself