Rating: 
Summary: praise for Karen Andreola!
Review: A few years ago I read Karen's book and it has stuck with me since. It is without question, the BEST book to inspire the BEST homeschooling ever! When I felt most discouraged, I would pick up her book and get the encouragement I needed. Now, two college grads later (one Summa Cum Laude and one Magna!) and three kids that are younger, later, I am still holding onto the Charlotte Mason principles. Karen is like a cool breeze after a hot, humid day! Please get this book, some herbal tea, a relaxing chair and some time to yourself. It will be an investment in your family, I promise!
Rating:
Summary: praise for Karen Andreola!
Review: A few years ago I read Karen's book and it has stuck with me since. It is without question, the BEST book to inspire the BEST homeschooling ever! When I felt most discouraged, I would pick up her book and get the encouragement I needed. Now, two college grads later (one Summa Cum Laude and one Magna!) and three kids that are younger, later, I am still holding onto the Charlotte Mason principles. Karen is like a cool breeze after a hot, humid day! Please get this book, some herbal tea, a relaxing chair and some time to yourself. It will be an investment in your family, I promise!
Rating:
Summary: This has made me excited to keep homeschooling!
Review: After homeschooling for four years and hearing a lot about Charlotte Mason, I decided I probably should read something about her so I picked up this book. I can only wish I would have read this about four years ago! I have been loosely following the Well-Trained Mind (classical) method for educating my children, and while this is a great proven method, I have felt like it takes so much time and that something is missing. Charlotte Mason Companion has helped me more clearly define what it is that I've needed. First of all is the ultimate goal of Charlotte Mason education is self-education. We want our children to love learning, and Karen clearly describes how to accomplish this through reading many living books and having the children narrate back what they have heard. Well Trained Mind advocates both of these, but I didn't truly understand how and why narration works. Charlotte Mason also recommends narrating a lot (the method is described wonderfully in this book) between the ages of 6 and 10 and soon thereafter, the child will have the capabilities to start writing. I struggle with having my 9 year old son write and I've come to realize that he hasn't had enough narration practice. I've decided to make this a main focus of my homeschool and to really make it a habit. I can really see the value of him being able to orally re-tell a story well before requiring him to write a report. Another thing I have loved about this book is the description of nature study. When I'd heard about nature study, I always just thought, "oh yuck, who wants to do that." Well, after reading how it should be done and why, I want to! Another part of this book is all about discipline in the home. Charlotte Mason recommended your child have at least twenty good habits established before adulthood. I only wish I had that many, that's what makes my job so hard! Karen describes many ways to help accomplish this. The other thing I really love is the premise that children should have three things: Something to love, Something to do and Something to think about. For Something to do, I've realized we've been so busy running around the kids have no time to do anything creative or on their own. I like that Charlotte recommends finishing all schoolwork by 1p.m. and leaving the afternoon literally to the imagination. One glaring omission is that Karen doesn't talk about copywork or dictation at all. I think that two more chapters these subjects would have made this a complete book.
Rating:
Summary: This has made me excited to keep homeschooling!
Review: After homeschooling for four years and hearing a lot about Charlotte Mason, I decided I probably should read something about her so I picked up this book. I can only wish I would have read this about four years ago! I have been loosely following the Well-Trained Mind (classical) method for educating my children, and while this is a great proven method, I have felt like it takes so much time and that something is missing. Charlotte Mason Companion has helped me more clearly define what it is that I've needed. First of all is the ultimate goal of Charlotte Mason education is self-education. We want our children to love learning, and Karen clearly describes how to accomplish this through reading many living books and having the children narrate back what they have heard. Well Trained Mind advocates both of these, but I didn't truly understand how and why narration works. Charlotte Mason also recommends narrating a lot (the method is described wonderfully in this book) between the ages of 6 and 10 and soon thereafter, the child will have the capabilities to start writing. I struggle with having my 9 year old son write and I've come to realize that he hasn't had enough narration practice. I've decided to make this a main focus of my homeschool and to really make it a habit. I can really see the value of him being able to orally re-tell a story well before requiring him to write a report. Another thing I have loved about this book is the description of nature study. When I'd heard about nature study, I always just thought, "oh yuck, who wants to do that." Well, after reading how it should be done and why, I want to! Another part of this book is all about discipline in the home. Charlotte Mason recommended your child have at least twenty good habits established before adulthood. I only wish I had that many, that's what makes my job so hard! Karen describes many ways to help accomplish this. The other thing I really love is the premise that children should have three things: Something to love, Something to do and Something to think about. For Something to do, I've realized we've been so busy running around the kids have no time to do anything creative or on their own. I like that Charlotte recommends finishing all schoolwork by 1p.m. and leaving the afternoon literally to the imagination. One glaring omission is that Karen doesn't talk about copywork or dictation at all. I think that two more chapters these subjects would have made this a complete book.
Rating:
Summary: Rest for the Weary
Review: After reading dozens of books related to homeschooling, I discovered this oasis. It heads my list of Top Ten Books About Homeschooling. I refer to it often for encouragement and inspiration and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: Rest for the Weary
Review: After reading dozens of books related to homeschooling, I discovered this oasis. It heads my list of Top Ten Books About Homeschooling. I refer to it often for encouragement and inspiration and highly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: not just information but thoughtful and profound essays
Review: After reading some of this authors' magazine columns, I read this book as my introduction to the Charlotte Mason method of home education. Overall the tone of the book is very serious. This is not a fast read by any means. It is not difficult to understand but I found that I was savoring the words and reading it slowly. Some of Andreola's statements were so profound that they made me stop to ponder the ideas. At the end of each chapter is a listing of questions for further thought or discussion. These would be great to use for group discussion such as at a homeschooling support group meeting. Andreola is very interested in the Charlotte Mason method and her passion for the method comes through clearly. She is very thorough in her discussions about ways to put into practice Ms. Mason's theories. One of my favorite things about this book is that first and foremost it focuses on the importance of a happy and healthy home and family life for raising children. The backbone here is teaching the children respect, values, and virtues. Once those foundations are in place then it is time for introducing "school subjects". All the components of the over 100-year-old Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling is here: using living books instead of textbooks, using narration instead of testing, teaching reading, writing, music, nature study, poetry, history and music. This book is so well written. It is not a quick read manual of how to implement the Charlotte Mason method; it is a well-thought out series of essays and personal reflections. Many times while reading the book I wanted to highlight passages and makes notes in the borders. This is a book to buy and keep for future reference. Even if you are homeschooling with Charlotte Mason's method as an inspiration this book is useful. The book heavily refers to Christianity but if that is not your belief system I feel you can still apply everything to your homeschooling, just ignore the references to Christianity. Andreola repeatedly states that she didn't intend this book to be a replacement of Charlotte Mason's original books and she urges the reader to go on to read Mason's books as well. I think Andreola's book is a great introduction and if you want more then go on to read Mason's works. Addendum: This addendum is being written 18 months after my original review was posted. Even after reading this book I felt a little confused about the day to day planning of how to homeschool with this method. This missing link was bridged by attending a workshop given by another author/homeschooling parent named Catherine Levison, which was an oral presentation of the information presented her book called "More Charlotte Mason Education". If you want a quick read that focuses on the bare bones of how to do the Charlotte Mason method (not theory) then I suggest reading "More Charlotte Mason Education". If you are looking for a faster read about the theory of Charlotte Mason education then I'd recommend either Catherine Levison's "A Charlotte Mason Education" or Susan Schaeffer Macaulay's "For the Children's Sake". Andreola's book "A Charlotte Mason Companion" is wonderful reading when you have the time and desire to ponder over her thought-provoking passages. I am now in a book discussion group where we are reading Andreola's "A Charlotte Mason Companion" together and discussing it. We read the sections aloud and stop to discuss our thoughts, and when the chapter is finished, we discuss the questions that Andreola provides at the end of every chapter. This discussion group has been enjoyable and an invaluable source of support and fellowship between other mothers homeschooling using the Charlotte Mason method.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful reading---inspiring and practical!
Review: As a homeschooling family living on a single income, I'm very careful about what I buy---I can honestly say that this book of Karen Andreola's is by far the best money I've spent on homeschooling in years! When the book first arrived in the mail, I was thrilled with just the look and feel of it. But once I started reading, I thought I'd never stop! It was liking finding a cool, soothing drink of water in the middle of a parched and arid land.... I had to force myself to slow down so I could savor it and truly enjoy the book. Each chapter details another aspect of home life and educational ideas. Whether you're looking for practical ideas for teaching your children fine arts, or wondering about seasonal craft and nature activities for younger children, you'll find those treasures in this book. I was inspired to start studying Shakespeare with my eleven-year-old daughter after reading this book. My daughter loved our field trip to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and I don't think I ever would've thought of introducing my children to The Bard at such a young age. We're also listening to classical music more frequently, and I was so excited when my daughter told me one day, "Listen, Mom! It's Vivaldi's Four Seasons---it's the Autumn section... my favorite!" Wow... I don't think I had even heard of Vivaldi when I was eleven. A Charlotte Mason Companion is truly an inspiring book for the seasoned and experienced homeschooler or the new home educator trying to grasp an overview of what education should be.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle introduction to a gentle appoach
Review: As an high school teacher and a homeschooling mom, I cannot thank Karen enough for the wonderful book she has written. I have no time to go through Mason's voluminous writings and I felt a need to change my homeschooling approach. it did more than that...It changed my attitude towards my profession as well and I am incorporating more into my own dealings with students. This is a wonderful book, written from the heart...Practical and clear, it should inspire all....
Rating:
Summary: I was blessed by a friend recommending this book when I
Review: began our home education journey. I read it every year to keep help keep my focus. I truely believe we would not have productive home education if this book had not came into my hands. It is a wonderful resource for your library. I only wish it was available in hardback.
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