The core of our homeschool is centered around Charlotte Mason methods. As other homeschool  moms are starting out, they wonder what this might look like on a day to day basis. I am still finding my footing on the soft mud banks of our own eclectic Charlotte Mason homeschool but I am starting to find some firm ground that we can stand on. Well what does this look like in our home? I’ll show you…

Most days we all wake up once our bodies are fully rested, my oldest is usually the first to rise. Her and I try to squeeze in some quality time before her brother wakes. We dress, prepare our food together, pray, and eat. After we each put away our breakfast dishes, I focus on a task that needs done the most. Usually it is folding laundry or washing the dishes, then we tackle it together.

After that, we head up to the learning loft (what we call our classroom) and Averie completes a page of signapore math (sometimes more if she asks) and her A Reason For Writing lesson. This takes about 5-10 minutes each subject. If it isn’t thundering and lightening out, then I grab our read out louds, a blanket, the nature diary,snacks with drinks and we find somewhere nice to go.

I have three places that are very close to us that we like to frequent. One is within walking distance and the other two are a five minute drive away. I fan out my blanket, set our supplies and snacks down. The kids let loose, observe and explore.

They both really get involved with nature. They discover so many things and right now we just discuss them. I ask lots of why and how questions. At some point Averie feels inspired to draw something and Ryker usually mimics what she does.

On outings such as this I always bring our read out louds. It is very enjoyable to read while out in nature, for all of us. We read beside creeks, ponds, lakes, rivers, on logs-where ever we see fit.

Besides our living books, I’ve added in a little extra science.

I take a page from one of these books and I integrate it into our nature study.  When all that is done then we usually head for a nature walk or continue on one we had started. I like to start our nature walks with a poem from one of our living books. Right now Averie is learning, “Hurt No Living Thing” by Christina Rossetti.

When we end our nature walk, I like to end in a prayer, either from a living book of poetry or the Bible. We typically make it home before lunch. We have a little free time to do whatever we want. Then after lunch I put Ryker down for his nap. During this quiet time I like to do 5-10 minutes of the All About Reading program with Averie. When that is done, then she just plays.

My family and I really enjoy the whimsical Charlotte Mason style homeschool we are just beginning to create. It seems the muddy river banks of our home lessons can sometimes be slippery, but I always guide us back to firm ground. Do you ever feel inspired to sprinkle in a little Charlotte Mason into your own homeschool?