Little House Learning Co. — homeschool

If you have been around the homeschooling community in the recent years, especially in the Charlotte Mason homeschool community,  you've probably heard someone refer to a book as a "living book". The first time I ever heard this phrase it really captured my attention. It resonated somewhere deep within me and I wanted to know more about what makes a book "living". Maybe you've also heard the opposite term--calling a book "twaddle". There is a lot wrapped up in each of these terms, so I wanted to share what they mean, how you can identify them and other factors you can...

Our first day of school is coming up, and if you know me, you know I love celebrating this day! When I was a child, I would lay out my new school clothes and pack my backpack WEEKS before school started. I loved the feeling of a brand new, clean notebook (still do)!  With homeschooling, I want to offer my children this experience too, even if its not quite the same. Here is how we celebrate! First Day of School Traditions First Day of School Gifts Since we don't buy back-to-school supplies in the same way (we usually get books,...

“To form in his child right habits of thinking and behaving is a parent’s chief duty… To nourish a child daily with loving, right, and noble ideas we believe to be the parent’s next duty.” Charlotte Mason, Vol. 2, p. 228 "In this time of extraordinary pressure, educational and social, perhaps a mother’s first duty to her children is to secure for them a quiet growing time, a full six years of passive receptive life, the waking part of it spent for the most part out in the fresh air." Charlotte Mason, Vol. 1, p. 4 Our Charlotte Mason Preschool Experience...

Is a designated homeschool space necessary for you to home educate your children? Absolutely not!  One of the biggest mistakes a new homeschooling family can make is being stressed about their homeschool space--either feeling like they need to clear a whole room for all the "school stuff" or running out and spending massive amount of money on setting up a classroom in their home.  So forget all of the pinterest shopping lists and beautiful images you've probably drooled over (or maybe that's just me). Here are the truly essential things you need to homeschool:  My Ultimate Homeschool Supply List: An Honest Top...

Here's something you should know about me--I love planning! I also consider homeschooling to be my job of sorts, so I spend a lot of time thinking about, prepping for and planning our homeschool, especially in the summer months when we're off.  Whether you're planning your first year, are already a planner like me or just you wish that you were, here is a step-by-step look at how I plan our homeschool year. Homeschool Planning 1. Decide on a Curriculum: First I assess what grades I'll be teaching and decide on what curriculum we will be using for the year. I call...