In this episode of “Journey Through Homeschooling” podcast, we delve into three popular homeschool philosophies: the Charlotte Mason method, Waldorf, and the classical model of education. 

Hosts Jami Thornsberry and Adonna Pryor discuss the key principles, advantages, and potential challenges of each philosophy, offering insights into how they can be tailored to suit different children and families. 

Whether you’re new to homeschooling or seeking to explore different educational approaches, this episode provides valuable information to help you navigate the world of homeschool philosophies. Tune in and join the conversation as we unravel the diverse paths of homeschooling.

Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason was a teacher, and educator in the 1800 in England. A lot of Charlotte Mason’s philosophy comes from the way that she viewed children and viewed life. Her beliefs and her views were very different from the cultural norm of the Victorian era, and her  PNEU Schools became very popular in that period.

The Charlotte Mason method is based on the idea that learning should be creative, meaningful, and enjoyable for children.

There’s an emphasis on 

• nature study
• living books
• engaging activities that draw out your children’s natural abilities. 

This method uses high-quality literature, which Charlotte Mason called living books.  She was against what a lot of people probably would be reading nowadays, which she would call twaddle. 

Her method involved the whole person. Charlotte Mason looked at children as whole persons. It is an education, not just of the mind, but of the heart.

She believed that education was an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.

Think of the picture Anne of Green Gables when Anne begins to flourish under her favorite teacher. You see the scenes when they’re out in the fields drawing pictures of what they see. They’re also learning about the different kinds of flowers that are there, the different kinds of trees that are there. But this teacher has them out of the classroom. She has pulled them out. She is taking them into nature, and they are learning by getting into the field.

The children in Charlotte Mason’s school would spend their morning time reading living books and doing narration. Then in the afternoon, they were set outdoors. One of Charlotte’s famous sayings is why be rightly indoors when you could be rightly out of doors.  She believed in children being in nature a lot, especially in the early years. 

Charlotte Mason Style Curriculum

• Homeschool Made Simple
• Simply Charlotte Mason
• Ambleside online
• My Father’s World
• A Gentle Feast
• A Humble Place
• Jeannie Fulbright Apologia Science Series

Advantages Of the Charlotte Mason Philosophy

• Keeps students engaged with learning
• Short lessons
• Manageable
• Instills a love for literature
• Eliminates busy work
• Children are active participants

Disadvantages of the Charlotte Mason Philosophy

• Lots of out of house which can be hard for large families with a varied age range
• Heavy reading focus can be a struggle for late, delayed readers or children with more severe disabilities

Waldorf

The Waldorf philosophy is a method that focuses on the developmental stages of the child, but it emphasizes touching things. It emphasizes creativity and imagination. 

The philosophy de-emphasizes academics and textbooks. This is one of those philosophies that is not going to cost your family much at all, unless, of course, you want to spend it on the creative aspects. 

One of the signature features of the Waldorf, homeschool is the emphasis on art, creation, the use of your hands, and all of which would be used to support what we would call academics.

Instead of having a math textbook, you’re going to maybe have a recipe book and a book on, weights and measurements on bridges and those kinds of things. So it is very, very hands-on. You are constantly focusing on the imagination, constantly focusing on what you can build, what you can create. You’re going outside, but it is also strongly attached to unit studies. 

Your days are structured.  Once you choose that subject, then you’re going to do it in a similar way to a unit study. 

For example, you may choose to do, a particular study on, building bridges or on the whole subject of bridges, You would focus on the subject that day or throughout out the week. You would answer questions such as;

• What is the history of bridges? 
• How do bridges support themselves? 
• What is the science behind that? 
• What are some songs about bridges? 
• Can we make a bridge? 
• What will we use to build a bridge? 
• Can we go outside, drive around, and find some bridges? 

It is it’s very much a unit study, but it is also structured.  

Curriculum and Unit Study Resources

• Christopher’s Homeschool
• Homeschool Share
• Knowledge Box Central

Advantages

• Meets the child’s needs at each developmental stage
• Delays electronics use in favor of handicraft skills
• Is tailored to your child’s interests
• Easily accommodates various age ranges

Disadvantages

• Can be parent intensive

Classical

Classical Philosophy provides a core knowledge of language arts, mathematics, science, and history. There is an emphasis on Latin, logic, and rhetoric. 

The classical method employs the trivium to explain the stages of childhood learning and development. 

The Upper Cumberland hosts at least 2 Classical Conversations Homeschool Groups that can be found on Facebook or on the website. Click the link below

Classical Curriculum Include

• Classical Conversation
• Memoria Press
• Veritas
• Classical Academic Press
• Tapestry of Grace

Advantages of the Classical Philosophy

• Comprehensive
• Cultured
• Emphasizes the development of character, a broad knowledge base, and critical thinking
• Often helps parents fill in the gap in their education
• Encourages an integrated view of life and the world

Disadvantages of this Philosophy

• Emphasis on memorization, narration, and dictation
• Can be too rigorous and repetitive
• Oftentimes intensive
• Can be weak in sciences if not intentionally taught

These are three Educational Philosophies that can help you navigate your homeschool journey.  Next week, we will be talking about the Montessori, Unschooling, and World Schooling Philosophies. 

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