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Summary: Next to Charlotte's books, this is the best CM book !!!
Review: I can't say anything everyone else hasn't already said. Hands down this is the best Charlotte Mason book out there outside of actually reading Charlotte's books themselves. If you don't own it, get it...no matter what method you use (I am predominantly a classical education person, but use some Charlote Mason also.) you can make great use of this book and learn some things. Beg, borrow, steal (just kidding) to get this book...you won't regret it.
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Summary: Very enlightening look into Charlotte's wonderful philosophy
Review: I found Karen Andreola's book to be most inspiring. She captured magnificently the philosophy of Charlotte Mason's view of education for children. In her book, she also tells of her own experience with home-schooling and gives specific ideas for others to perhaps follow. I, too, now have adopted this philosophy as my own and and look forward with eager anticipation to new adventures in the "gentle art of learning" with our family of four children.
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Summary: HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS: Put This Book On Your Wish List!
Review: I have had the pleasure of hearing Karen Andreola speak in person. She is a lovely, energetic person whose words have the power to encourage the most downhearted homeschooling parent. This element of encouragement is strong throughout A Charlotte Mason Companion, and I highly recommend that any parent considering a literature-based approach to their children's education read this book as soon as possible. Those of you who have read -- or have attempted to read -- the original writings of Charlotte Mason can attest to the fact that her books are not an easy read! Mrs. Andreola has distilled the wisdom and direction of Charlotte Mason into an easily read and easily digested format. In short, the author has made Charlotte Mason much more accessible. Far from using a dry-bones, facts-only approach, the author has instead infused her writing with a sense of "you can do this." Indeed, the sensitive reader will most likely exclaim, "Why, yes, I CAN do this!" Karen Andreola MAKES SENSE of Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education. This book belongs on the libary shelves of all homeschooling families! ----
Jill Schafer Boehme, Author of MY LIMA BEANS ARE ALLERGIC TO MY SPOON and Editor of MOMMY! The Internet Lifeline for At-home Moms (a free Ezine)
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Summary: HOMESCHOOLING PARENTS: Put This Book On Your Wish List!
Review: I have had the pleasure of hearing Karen Andreola speak in person. She is a lovely, energetic person whose words have the power to encourage the most downhearted homeschooling parent. This element of encouragement is strong throughout A Charlotte Mason Companion, and I highly recommend that any parent considering a literature-based approach to their children's education read this book as soon as possible. Those of you who have read -- or have attempted to read -- the original writings of Charlotte Mason can attest to the fact that her books are not an easy read! Mrs. Andreola has distilled the wisdom and direction of Charlotte Mason into an easily read and easily digested format. In short, the author has made Charlotte Mason much more accessible. Far from using a dry-bones, facts-only approach, the author has instead infused her writing with a sense of "you can do this." Indeed, the sensitive reader will most likely exclaim, "Why, yes, I CAN do this!" Karen Andreola MAKES SENSE of Charlotte Mason's philosophy of education. This book belongs on the libary shelves of all homeschooling families! ----
Jill Schafer Boehme, Author of MY LIMA BEANS ARE ALLERGIC TO MY SPOON and Editor of MOMMY! The Internet Lifeline for At-home Moms (a free Ezine)
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Summary: Help when you need it!
Review: I love to read this book for a pick me up, when things get me down. Also, I love this narration philosophy. My daughter is not co-ordinated enough to write yet, but very intelligent. I use this narration technique to teach her difficult subjects. We love to cuddle up, read science books and I have her narrate back to me. She has learned a ton. Just a beautiful, stress free way to teach and learn.
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Summary: Encouragement for the Less Than Confident Mom
Review: I was homeschooled (1988 to graduation in 1992) with my brother. I always felt there was a better way than preparing seperate textbook lessons for each child. The Charlotte Mason Method IS that way!!! Karen's book is excellent. She takes your hand and leads you step by step, sharing examples of what SHE does with her children. Although the CMM is not at all complicated: reading good literature, giving narrations, spending time in nature, journaling, etc. it IS revolutionary for those used to classic schooling with textbooks and stuffy lecturing teachers. In turn, I found the 'change' a bit overwhelming. Karen's book provides DETAILS to help make you confident as you start into it. My friend found it too simple and gave too much detail, although she uses the CMM as well. Some with more confidence in homeschooling may find the same. In either case, it's worth reading.
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Summary: The Best Introduction to CM
Review: I've read every available book on implementing Charlotte Mason's method, and Mrs. Andreola's is by far the most comprehensive and inspiring. She covers all the essential topics--narration, living books--in detail and also includes chapters on how she has approached picture study, music appreciation, and Shakespeare with her children. Her personal stories and responses to readers' questions make the book, and Miss Mason's method, very "user-friendly" to the average busy home school parent. Readers should be aware of a number of biases in this book, however. Mrs. Andreola assumes that her audience is made up solely of Christian mothers. Being neither, I sometimes found this off-putting, but perhaps I am the exception that proves the rule. Also, please do not take all of her historical statements at face value, particularly those about ancient civilizations. She writes, for example, that "[t]he Golden Age of Greece was a time of peace"--except for those pesky Persian and Peloponnesian wars, of course. She also suggests that while the Greeks were a poetic people, the decadent Romans had no appreciation for poetry...Virgil? Ovid? But these are minor quibbles with an otherwise outstanding book. The writing is elegant (unlike some other introductions to CM), the tone uplifting, and the ideas true to Miss Mason's own writings. I applaud Mrs. Andreola's work on behalf of Miss Mason and heartily recommend _A Charlotte Mason Companion_ to anyone looking into this practical and sane home schooling method.
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Summary: Simple Living and Home Education
Review: If your instincts tell you that your children would learn a lot more if they read REAL books about REAL people and situations instead of textbooks and drill (worksheets, tests). Then this is the book for you! I have implemented the ideas given here in our homeschool and I can tell you the results are immediate. Happy children who are TRULY learning, and happy relaxed Mom too.
We actually have TIME together now to learn and explore...and enjoy being together. I would suggest looking over the "look inside". If you like it, buy it. You will use it over and over again.
Also, look over the table of contents. There are thoughts on character building, as well as teaching science through nature study (being outdoors and observing). Happy Homeschooling!
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Summary: A lovely guide to gentle learning.
Review: The gentle art of education has rarely been gentler than in _A Charlotte Mason Companion_. Andreola gives us a very personal and honest look into her homeschool. Here, children learn to love learning, and make learning a lifelong habit. Her "reflections" are, insightful, and her advice, thoughtful. Andreola's goal is to spread the word--you can educate your children without dull textbooks or dreary workbooks. Charlotte Mason was a 19th century British educator who believed that all children learned best when surrounded by the best books, art music, etc. If you are not familiar with her philosophy, Andreola will introduce you and show you how to make your home a gentler place to learn and grow. If you are already a Charlotte Mason fan, reading this book will be like reading a pile of letters from an old friend.
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Summary: Well -Written Introduction to the Charlotte Mason Philosophy
Review: This is a beautifully written and thorough introduction to the Charlotte Mason philosophy. What makes Karen Andreola's book so magnificent is that she not only tells you what to do and how to do it, she tells you WHY!!! That made all the difference to me. She also demonstrates a very strong command of the English language, writing with spectacular elegance and ease. Andreola has also taken a very personal approach in this book. You feel as if you are taking tea with a trusted friend as she reveals her personal testimonies, and narratives. I thought this was a crucial underlying strength in this work, because I found Charlotte Mason's philosophies to be complicated and arcane at first glance; whereas reading this book quiets your spirit and makes this an enjoyable journey. I also found tactful admonition for the preconceived notions I conjured up about Charlotte Mason and her so-called "gentle learning" approach. Take my advice, don't believe everything you hear on a chat board. Peruse this marvelous overview to get the facts, and then make up your mind as to whether this makes sense for your home school. Immensely enjoyable and valuable guide. Karen Andreola truly is the perfect Charlotte Mason "Companion"! 5 Stars.
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