Homeschooling with Living Ideas
Whether you're a seasoned homeschooler or just starting your journey, I hope to be here to inspire and encourage you during this season of life, and walk alongside with you.
'You' can do all things through Christ, who gives you strength.
​-Philippians 4:8
"Children are born persons."
​-Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason Resources
now available in the STORE

A Charlotte Mason Recitation Resource Overview

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The Highlands of Galilee

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The Book of Genesis

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Poetry + Shakespeare Selections

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B L O G  P O S T S
3/31/21
BOOK OF CENTURIES -
One of my favorite things about a Charlotte Mason Education is notebook keeping. There is such a variety of notebooks that a Charlotte Mason student comes to know over the years from nature notebooks, to commonplace notebooks, science notebooks, and more. A favorite notebook of mine is the Book of Centuries (BOC). Here is a book, a museum collection, of all the historical treasures that a student has come to know from 4th grade until the end of their education, which for some could be a lifetime. Click HERE to continue.
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3/1/2020
BIBLE LESSONS WITH PICTURE STUDY -
Over the past year I was given the opportunity to teach Sunday School to From 1 children, ages 6-8. Given free reign to choose a curriculum, I knew that I was going to use J. Paterson Smyth's guides without hesitation. We have been using them in our home for 2 years now, and I haven't found a children's commentary that has so much depth and insight, not only into historical background, foreshadowing, and spiritual lessons, but also one that gives the teacher (You) examples of real life application. Charlotte Mason herself recommends them in volume 1 of Home Education. But we can go a step further to make Bible Lessons come alive for our children. When reading and teaching from the Bible, beautiful art work can peak a child's imagination and bring the story to life for them. Click HERE to continue. 
12/7/2020
HOW TO TEACH WRITING POETRY USING CHARLOTTE MASON PRINCIPLES -
So you've been reading poetry daily or maybe weekly with your children and you may be thinking, will they ever write poetry? Should I teach them to write poetry? Or maybe, how do I teach them to write poetry? I might not have all the answers, but I wanted to share with you how we approached this "creative writing" while trying to bear in mind Charlotte Mason's principles. Through my research of CM principles and her suggestions on teaching certain lessons, there isn't much I could find on teaching how to write poetry, but I believe that we can explore her principles and apply them to this lesson as well. Click HERE to continue.
8/27/2020
ELEMENTARY HOMESCHOOL FOR BEGINNERS -What curriculum do I buy? How do I begin? Where do I begin? What schedule do I follow? 
These questions have been asked over and over the last few weeks of August as families around America are scrambling to figure out how to homeschool their children this fall. After spending hours with several families discussing and answering questions, I decided to put it in a blog so that maybe other families can receive some guidance of where to begin as well. Click HERE to continue. ​
8/5/2020
BIBLE LESSONS IN OUR HOME -​
Last week on Instagram I shared different resources that our family uses to learn more about God, Church History, and instituting personal Bible time. In this post I will go into detail how we incorporate all of the resources into a homeschooling week. But before I begin, I want to remind you that it's always wise to start with one thing if this is new in your home. If you haven't been intentional about Bible Lessons, or personal Bible time, or even learning more about Christian History, it's ok to choose one thing to start with, and slowly, maybe every term or semester, adding more. Click HERE to continue.
7/8/2020
RECITATION NOTES FROM CM CONFERENCE-
Last month I had the privilege of speaking at the Charlotte Mason Inspired Online Homeschool Conference, and if you had the privilege attending, I'm sure you were beyond blessed by all the wonderful speakers that shared their homeschooling stories and resources.

I was invited to speak on recitation and I wanted to share here what I shared at the conference incase it might be helpful to families that were unable to attend. So below are my notes, resources, and helpful tips on planning for recitation this coming school year. Click HERE to continue.
6/4/2020 
​​A CHARLOTTE MASON EDUCATION - When we began our homeschooling journey four years ago, I had heard the mention of Charlotte Mason at our first homeschooling conference where I attended a workshop on different homeschooling philosophies. I remember very vaguely the speaker say, "Well you read lots of books and play in nature." Pulling my children out of a classical charter school at the time, this approach sounded anything but academic or rigorous. It sounded like some fairy tale education for moms that didn't want to put in the effort or sweat to bring up their children with real knowledge. As I've spoken with more and more moms throughout the years, I've realized that, unfortunately, many receive the same impression from those who truly do not understand the Charlotte Mason philosophy and attempt to speak on it.  Click HERE to continue.
5/29/2020
THE ART OF RECITATION - Recitation has been called the Children’s Art.  Arthur Burrell, author of Clear Speaking and Good Reading, called it so when he wrote an article, “Recitation: The Children’s Art”,  for The Parents’ Review magazine back in 1890. Recitation is a skill that used to be taught in schools many years ago, but thankfully, through our homeschooling opportunities, we can bring it back into the lives of our children, and maybe even ourselves. We can learn to speak beautifully, clearly, and share great ideas of authors that inspire and kindle our hearts.  Click HERE to continue.
WELCOME FRIEND!
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I'm Ella, homeschooling mama among many other titles, and I am so happy that I can walk with you as we answer our call to home educate our children. I am passionate about making Jesus the center of our homeschool, and this is where learning about Charlotte Mason's principles fit in so beautifully. She believed that the Holy Spirit is the ultimate teacher, and we are to provide the feast. So, friend, do you trust God helping you on this journey? Join me as I share our CM homeschooling journey and how teaching our children His wonders will be enough to help them answer their call in this world.

L E T ' S  C O N N E C T

Follow our journey on Instagram @schoolhousegrace

Looking for recommendations for homeschooling books or supplies on Amazon?
Check out my Amazon Store https://www.amazon.com/shop/schoolhousegrace ​