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How to Homeschool Without a Homeschool Room
I grew up doing my schoolwork at the kitchen table, on my bed, and on the floor. Pretty much anywhere but a desk. We had a dedicated homeschool room when I was little with tiny little wooden desks and a chalkboard in the background. But eventually, I outgrew the desk and my mom needed her laundry room back. Even then my younger brother didn’t even sit in his desk chair. He’d kind of hang upside down and do his schoolwork on the underside of the desk. I realized early on with teaching my own kids, that a dedicated homeschool room wasn’t in the cards. We’ve always lived in smaller homes,…
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How to Homeschool: Getting Started With Charlotte Mason
Are you new to Charlotte Mason and not sure where to start? Or maybe you’re new to homeschooling in general. Either way, welcome to the club! I started Pine Cones and Primers as a way for busy moms to get encouragement, tips, and helpful info. In this quick start guide, you’ll find practical resources to get you started on your CM homeschool journey! Getting Started with Charlotte Mason Homeschooling The homeschool laws in your area will help form what your homeschool looks like, so it’s important to be familiar with them. Some states are stricter than others, but it’s always doable. I encourage you to connect with homeschool leaders in…
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Homeschool Planning for Your Best Year Yet
You’ve decided to homeschool, you may have even picked your curriculum, so what’s next? If you’re unsure about homeschool planning or want to try something different, then read on. Here’s how to plan your homeschool, Charlotte Mason style. Homeschool Planning the Charlotte Mason Way If you’re not already familiar with the Charlotte Mason method, you can read more about it here. There are plenty of good curriculum options out there, and many are open and go. Some allow for more customization and can be intimidating for beginners. Whichever curriculum you choose though, there will still be some planning involved. Start With the Big Picture In my journalism program at college,…
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A Charlotte Mason Summer Homeschool Schedule
Summer has always been my favorite season. The long days capped by fireflies and starry skies, bonfires, and days at the beach. As a homeschool mom, I need a break as much as the kids, but I don’t want to lose progress. Here’s how to create a summer homeschool schedule that works for your family. Can You Homeschool During the Summer? Anything is possible, but not everything is desirable. Our family has decided to homeschool year-round with a one month (ish) break in the summer because it’s what works for us. Growing up I was always finished by May and didn’t hit the books again until after Labor Day. Whatever…
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19 Places to Find Living Books (for Cheap or Free)
You probably know by now that Living Books are quality books that come to life on the page. They’re engaging, insightful, and worth reading. But what are the best places to find Living Books without going broke? The Best Places to Find Living Books for Cheap or Free Sadly many of the books on library and bookstore shelves aren’t the same quality they used to be. While I’ve heard passionate arguments advocating for Captain Underpants, it’s not a selection you’ll find in my home. So if the clearance rack at the children’s bookstore isn’t going to cut it, how do we find living books for our homeschool? There are some…
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What a Charlotte Mason Preschool and Kindergarten Looks Like
What does a Charlotte Mason preschool look like? Is it just nature walks and picture books? Here’s how your children can get the most out of their early years and be ready to tackle their elementary years. Charlotte Mason Preschool Mason called these early years a “quiet growing time.” If we look around at a lot of modern day preschools and kindergartens though, quiet is the last thing that comes to mind! Mason’s world of the 1800s is different in many ways from our own, but little minds and hearts still develop and learn with the same principles they did hundreds of years ago. Why Children Don’t Need Preschool Yes,…
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Old Fashioned Snow Cream Recipe
What do Alexander the Great and my Kids have in common? They both love desserts made with snow. This old-fashioned snow cream recipe uses simple, real food ingredients for a delicious snowy day treat! An Ice Cream History Cultures have eaten snowy treats since Ancient times. Supposedly Nero frequently sent runners into the mountains to gather snow and mixed it with fruit. Alexander the Great liked his snow mixed with honey. And a little bit later in history, Oyster ice cream debuted in the 1800s. I think I prefer the fruit and honey versions. Old Fashioned Snow Cream Recipe There are multiple versions of snow cream, but essentially it’s snow…
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Handicraft Gift Ideas Kids Can Make
When I first heard the word handicraft I felt like I was eavesdropping on a Little House on the Prairie episode. I’ve since fallen in love with how beautiful, fun, and practical they really are. Here are some handicraft Christmas gift ideas that are easy enough for kids to make. What Are Handicrafts? It’s not the same as the typical craft tutorials you’ll find online. There aren’t any pom poms, glitter everywhere, or unknown objects made out of old popsicle sticks. Handicrafts are practical and useful items that take skill to make. Crochet blankets, knit socks, or a wood burned box are all examples of handicrafts. Mason listed four qualifications…
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The Ultimate Charlotte Mason Gift Guide: 150+ Ideas
There’s something unique about that Christmas morning feeling as a child. The excitement, the presents, the bleary eyed parents. This Charlotte Mason gift guide can help take the guesswork out of how to find quality toys and more for your little ones. Charlotte Mason Gift Guide I only really remember having one thing on my Christmas list as a little girl. I desperately wanted an American Girl doll. Year after year I held out hope and year after year it wasn’t in the budget. Instead, my parents bought me an off-brand doll and my mom handmade a whole wardrobe of clothes. Even though it might not have been what I…
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How Hot Mess Mom Culture is Stealing your Joy
I’m not an Instagram mom. There are no airbrushed, #blurfilter images of me and my children in our perfect homeschool room. We’re not baking sourdough from scratch while we listen to Mozart. And I’m not up at 5 am working on school plans for the day. But the opposite mom stereotype can be just as harmful. A lot of us instead fall into the “hot mess mom” culture trap. If we can’t be perfect let’s embrace the mess and chaos, Right?! Just throw the towel in, forget about schedules, expectations, or putting pants on in the morning. The Harm of Hot Mess Mom There’s a big difference between realizing our…
