My Favorite Resources for Charlotte Mason Homeschooling
Over the years, I have been reading, learning, and implementing the Charlotte Mason philosophy in my early years homeschool. In that time I’ve gathered quite a few resources that have become my go-to for help, encouragement, and simplifying our home and homeschool. Use the table of contents to find what interests you.
Please know that many of the links below are affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you click through my link and make a purchase. This is at no extra cost to you.
Curricula We Use
Ambleside Online is our main curriculum. This free curriculum covers history, geography, biography, Bible reading, science/nature study, poetry, and literature.
Mathematics Enhancement Programme is our math curriculum. This is a free, spiral program.
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is the book I use to teach reading. As I write this, my third son is finishing up the book and taking off in his reading.
Rhythm of Handwriting (cursive) is our handwriting curriculum. We are slowly working through the book with my second now that my eldest has ‘graduated’.
Finding and Buying Homeschool Books
Abebooks is my first stop to shop for used books.
If I notice that a book is for sale from Better World Books, I purchase from them directly. They often have offers on purchasing used books which can sometimes get you 20% off! A great way to bag books for future years of homeschool.
TopCashback allows me to get cashback on purchases from Abebooks and other online booksellers. I use this sight for most of my online purchase (especially purchasing any sort of insurance or switching household provider) and average about $300/year in cashback. Click here if you are in the US and here if you are in the UK.
Living Books Press sells high quality reprints of many Ambleside Online selections.
Household Management
Organization: Google Keep and Google Calendar are how I keep organized. Google Keep is particularly helpful – I have the AO booklists uploaded and can search them on my phone when I’m out book shopping. I tick off the ones I own so I can avoid duplicates.
Tech Use: I imagine most of us are not in love with how we use technology. I use Freedom to limit my time on many websites and to restrict access during parts of the day when I know I need to be busy homeschooling or mother culturing.
Keeping people clothed: I don’t love fast fashion, but we also don’t have the budget to shop at high end stores. Most of our clothes, therefore, are second hand, and I love shops like Preworn where I can shop for the whole family.
Budgeting and Personal Finance: Homeschooling involves finances. We buy books, supplies, tuition, all sorts, and a lot more. YNAB (You Need a Budget) helps us keep our finances straight an spend our pounds in line with our priorities.
Charlotte Mason (Inspired) Podcasts
The Literary Life Podcast: Charlotte Mason says that ‘Education is a Life’. This podcast is an embodiment of that phrase as the hosts read through living books together and discuss them on the show.
Thinking Love. This is a bit of a cheat since I am a cohost, but recording this podcast is one of the most challenging, encouraging, and growing things that I do!
A letter from me to you, every week.
Join the Around the Thicket newsletter for ideas, encouragement, and inspiration for your Charlotte Mason journey.
