Reading hiSTORY

Well, I have spent more time on the Charlotte Mason Ambleside (here is another overview) website recently. Wow - they have a LOT of information there for people interested in this approach. I am really enjoying reading through the booklists - they actually have a 36 week curriculum for books you should read to your first, second, third grader, etc. The nice thing about the books she chooses is that they teach history (one of my favorite subjects) through short stories that show the drama and excitement of the subject. Many of the books she recommends can be found at Yesterday's Classics. The reviews for these books are EXCELLENT on Amazon. So, even if you are doing something like Hirsch's Core Curriculum you could easily incorporate some of these stories into your approach. One of the primary texts that they use is apparently online - Fifty Famous Stories Retold. One of the points that the CM approach highlights is storytelling - not just book reading - so that you encourage children to create their own images in their head. This might also be a good reason to get books on tape - then everyone can enjoy the listening experience. She also emphasizes reading poetry - which is not my strength - but it seems like a good idea. Viking Tales is also a work that is listed - so my husband will certainly approve of this approach. He might even be willing to read that one to the kiddos! Here is another link to learn more about living books - so much information out there!

Quite a few years ago they were selling the 6 book series of the Charlotte Mason approach at a local used bookstore. I got the series for a STEAL of a deal. I think I might actually try reading the first book in the series. The online forums at ambleside have a "book group" that reads a chunk of it a week and then talks about it. They also have much of the text and some overviews online.

My poor child may end up very confused as his mom tries to patchwork together a curriculum. I would think, if nothing else you could easily incorporate the readings suggested on the Ambleside website to add depth to your child's reading repretoire - regardless of where they are getting most of their schooling.