Charlotte Mason believed that education should “make our boys and girls rich towards God, rich towards society and rich towards themselves.”
Ambleside Online (discussed here) follows Charlotte Mason’s ideals by providing children with treasures that will give them this richness. Year 1 is my favorite Ambleside year, full of classics that appeal to all ages and that everyone should be familiar with. I’m so excited to be going through it one more time with Miss 8!
I’ve been planning our term this week (you should shouldn’t see the laundry piles!) and ran across a few nuggets from Year 1 that I just had to share with you.
Story Bibles are alright, but reading from the Bible itself is best of all. The trouble is, young children get bogged down in the ‘non-story’ parts when they try to read through it completely. Penny Gardner has a printable list of stories from the Old Testament and the New Testament to help out. This will be a wonderful resource for Miss 8 and Miss 11 will be using it as well.
Enjoy James Baldwin’s exciting Fifty Famous Stories Retold, downloadable chapter by chapter. These memorable stories contain some of the foundational hero tales of our civilization. Our oldest four have loved them as much as I do, and now it’s Miss 8’s turn.
We all know nature study is important, and to Charlotte Mason it was crucial. However, many of us could use a little help making it happen. The Outdoor Hour Challenge blog uses the Handbook of Nature Study and makes nature study accessible to anyone.
If you’re interested in learning about birds, who’s a better guide than Peter Rabbit? The Burgess Bird Book is a wonderful story, and one blogger has compiled audio links and pictures for each chapter.
Aesop’s Fables (especially the illustrated version by Milo Winter) is another wonderful resource that no one should miss.
And finally, for all of you who love Paddle to the Sea by Holling Clancy Hollings, here’s a docu-drama of the story in three parts (1 2 3).
Enjoy!
You can find more frugal tips, including the occasional homeschool idea, at Works for Me Wednesday, Thrifty Thursday, Finer Things Friday and Frugal Friday.
Disclosure As always, I am not compensated for my posts and have given my own honest opinions.
What great resources! I love Charlotte Mason’s theories. Such a great way to learn. Thanks for sharing.
I’ve always wanted to try Ambleside. Have you used it for your high schoolers? I am in thinking hard mode about high school. Any advice?
I used it for grade 9 with my oldest. She did year 7 and said that was the year she learned the most in her whole schooling career.
My next two children asked to do textbooks this year rather than Ambleside; they feel a bit worried about credits, I think, although it is not necessary. Besides, they like knowing exactly what to expect. That being said, they pounced on the booklists and really want to read a lot of the books. LOL
I suggest that you go through the site, thinking and pondering. I think it would work for your family since you are book lovers. In any case, look at Year 1 and enjoy much of it with all your children, because it’s for all ages.
I hope that helps a bit!
Annie Kate
Thank you, my dear friend! I shall take this to heart.
Thanks for sharing!!
Hi, just found your blog…Great info. Would you mind putting a “pin” button on your stuff so I could put it on my pinterest board?