Popcorn & Peanuts

 Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."

This list cannot possibly contain every book that conforms to these criteria; but I try to ensure that every book on it does meet them. This list reflects my own shelves. There is nothing about it that is "authorized". I am not an expert, or a trained librarian. I post it only to join the great discussion. I pray you find it useful as you select good reading for your own children.

 Our favorites for Birth through age 5 ; grades K-3 ; grades 4 & 5.
Solid 6th Grade readers will find a long list here.
Or Go here for Junior High books,
Welcome to the High School reading list!

 PARENT'S BOOKSHELF

• Slow and Steady-Get Me Ready

by June R. Oberlander
Weekly activities for babies, birth to age 5; including games and simple toys to make. I like to give this one as a shower gift!
 
 

• When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today Edited by Elaine Cooper. Cooper directs the Child Light Educational Trust in England with Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. She has written articles for several volumes on Charlotte Mason's ideas. Other contributors to the volume are Macaulay, Jack Beckman (Ph.D.), Maryellen St. Cyr (M.Ed.), and Bobby Scott (two M.Ed.s)."

 

 

• For The Children's Sake: Foundations of Education for Home and School by Susan Schaeffer Macauley (Crossway Books) The "Primer" of how a CM life and education looks for beginning homeschooling.

 

 

• A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison. Subject by subject, how to implement the CM method. No "Twaddle" here - just quick information on HOW to do it! Many people like this one as a guide to changing their education one area at a time.
• MORE Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison. Essays on topics including "A Sample Term", and "Keeping a Century Book". Continues from her first book into High School.

 

 

• The Original Home Education Series by Charlotte Mason.

6 fat volumes forming a reference library on teaching and parenting.
 
 
• "The Charlotte Mason Study Guide" by Penny Gardner

A topical guide through the Series, organizing selected quotes and readings. Extremely helpful!
 
 
• Recently posthumously published is "Charlotte Mason: a pioneer of a sane education" by Marian Ney. It is a scholarly study of Volume 6. Order it HERE.


 "The Story of Charlotte Mason", by Essex Cholmondeley. This is the popular 1960 biography, recently republished. Order it HERE.

 Here are some titles of out-of-print CM books you may be able to find:

• "Charlotte Mason College " J. P. Inman. This is a history of the college from its inception to 1985, with many photographs.

 

 

• "Charlotte Mason Reviewed", by Jenny King, (1981, Arthur H. Stockwell, LTD.) An examination of the unique principles of education developed by Charlotte Mason.

 

 

• "The Ambleside Geography" by Charlotte Mason. A 5 volume Geography of England set, republished and used for many years by the PNEU. A few volumes are known to exist but I have not seen one.

 

 

• "The Saviour Of The World" A Gospel in Verse by Charlotte Mason, in 6 Volumes. These were written as, and used for, Meditations at the college. A few copies are in circulation, or you may read it online. Some of her other poems may also be found at this site.

 

 

• 100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum - Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style by Cathy Duffy.
• At Last- a Reading Method for Every Child

by Mary Pecci
Seven steps to teach ANY child to read, using ANY readers. It works- we used it with our severe dyslexic! Being reprinted now! OR find it at: The Online Reading Teacher
 
 
• Number Words (Super Seatwork Series) optional workbook by Mary Pecci

 

 

• Phonic Grab Bag (Super Seatwork Series) optional workbook by Mary Pecci

 

 

• Super Seatwork: Linguistic Exercises optional workbook by Mary Pecci

 

 

• Super Spelling: Book One optional workbook by Mary Pecci

 

 

• Simply Grammar by Karen Andreola, revising Charlotte Mason's original "First Grammar Lessons" for grades 4-8.

 

 

• CHE Curriculum Manual: Junior/Senior High

by Cathy Duffy
April, 2000 revision. This has everything you need to know about Highschool/Homeschool paperwork including getting started, choosing curriculum, credits, transcripts, and graduation (if you live in a State where you may issue a diploma.)
 
 
• Bear's Guide to Earning College Degrees Non-Traditionally by John Bear

 

 
 
 
 

• Teaching Children : A Curriculum Guide to What Children Need to Know At Each Level Through Sixth Grade

by Diane D. Lopez

 Very helpful, though I could not obtain many of her book suggestions. Many seem to be non-USA, available in England or Canada?
 
 

• You Can Teach Your Child Successfully (Grades 4-8)

By Ruth Beechick This upbeat guide includes Scope and Sequence, learning styles, teaching tips, suggested reading lists, and just about anything else you will need for this age.
 
 

• "Let the Authors Speak"

by Carolyn Hatcher This reading guide sorts titles by reading level, subject, geographical area- so you can find good literature for any age and topic!
 
 
• The Read Aloud Handbook

by Jim Trelease
 
 
• Honey for a Child's Heart

by Gladys Hunt
 
 
• Books Children Love

by Elizabeth Laraway Wilson
 
 

• A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison. HOW to teach, subject by subject. No "Twaddle" here - just quick information on HOW to do it!
• MORE Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison. Essays on topics including "A Sample Term", and "Keeping a Century Book". Continues from her first book into High School.

 

 

• Schoolproof

by Mary Pride
A synopsis of the 20 effective ways to teach anything!
 
 
• Wisdom's Way of Learning

by Marilyn Howshall
is a popular relaxed-education manual. Buy it from Elijah Company Catalog
 
 
• "Educating the Whole Hearted Child" By Clay and Sally Clarkson

Book from their popular seminar, compares many methods.

 You can order one from :
Whole Heart Ministries PO Box 228 Walnut Springs, TX 76690
1-254-797-2142. (M-TH, 10 AM-4 PM CST)
 
 

• A Biblical Psychology of Learning Should Christians look at learning from the heart?

by Ruth Beechick
 
 
• The Christian Home School

by Gregg Harris

"A Charlotte Mason Companion" by Karen Andreola.
This is a collection of many of her magazine articles, with new, never-published chapters. It includes several chapters which are abridged, rewritten, or adapted from original CM chapters and articles from the original "Parent's Review" magazine. There are also several chapters on useful concepts from other writers. Karen considers herself to be expanding on the original concepts of Charlotte Mason, using extensive quotations and applications from her own experiences.
 
 

• Encyclopedia of Bible Truths For School Subjects by Dr. Ruth C. Haycock

When you need to find where any school subject is mentioned in the Bible, look here! Science, government, and more. This is not exactly a concordance, it is a handbook for subject-by-subject study. I have the old, 4 volume edition, but the newer single volume has the same material.
 
 
• English From the Roots Up by Joegil Lundquist

Junior High Vocabulary and Spelling program based on Latin and Greek root words.
 
 
• Any Child Can Write

by Harvey S. Wiener, Ph.D.
 
 
• Simply Grammar by Karen Andreola, revising Charlotte Mason's original oral "First Grammar Lessons" for grade 4.

 

 

• "The Gift of Music: Great Composers and their Influence" by Jane Stuart Smith and Betty Carlson

 

 

I'm always looking for more good books! And if you think I picked a lemon, let me know why! I'm only human- maybe I read something without being spiritually discerning.

books chosen by friends Volume 6 booklist & links
 
 

Go to my Charlotte Mason Page

 Go To My Homepage

 OR Go To my Education Resources Page

 There are links to used book sites HERE.

I remain an Amazon affiliate because they make otherwise hard-to-find books available.