Are you an educator who is just beginning your Charlotte Mason schooling this fall, but overwhelmed with all the options? Are you looking for an easy way to roll into CM, while keeping costs down, but maintaining excellence?
We’ve got you.
Truly, there are MANY wonderful curriculum guides, curriculum packages, and individual subject studies. But if you are starting out, you obviously don’t want to dump hundreds of dollars into something unknown to you, whether it’s a curriculum or a bookcase full of books you’ve never seen before. That’s smart, and perfectly fine. The great truth about a Charlotte Mason education is that the quality of the materials is so good, you really can’t make a mistake in that area. CM philosophy is founded on good books — because good books make a good education!
In this spirit, we’ve compiled a quick list of curriculum options that meet the trifecta of a CM education: excellence, affordability and easy (that is, simple to get started). Each company or organization offers options for various ages, so you don’t have to worry about that (though we stick with elementary/grammar and middle school, since high school is a different animal). Costs range from FREE to less than $100.
Please note, these are our personal picks, rather than a ranking so don’t see it as Gospel. Any one of these will get you going on a solid path. Once you are feeling familiar and comfortable with Charlotte Mason, you will have some background with which to investigate more (though you may decide to stay with these). The good news is that it’s hard to find a “bad” CM curriculum or resource, so go force with confidence!
Curriculum Guide
Teaching Children by Diane Lopez. Naturally we all head for the internet first, but … if you want everything in one straightforward book, this is it. Teaching Children covers all subjects for elementary and middle school, including book lists and full scope and sequences for math, science, history/geography, music, art and more. The book may be purchased used online for ONLY $5. You will need to use your local library to check-out the reading material and other resources, which you may just work through day-by-day, week-by-week. (Be sure to check-off what you covered, and keep a notebook to record additional lessons and activities.) This may seem WAY too easy to be “school,” particularly if you are accustomed to thick textbooks and dull workbooks, but it is exactly what a Charlotte Mason education is: a “joyful feast” and a “gentle art of learning.” But, we promise, it lacks nothing. For those who are interested in the religious component, Lopez does include a chapter with a Bible reading schedule, and she is a Christian. (Important note: near the end of the book Lopez says that the Calvert School curriculum is similar to what is in this book. Unfortunately, Calvert’s curriculum no longer resembles a Charlotte Mason education, so we do not recommend purchasing their expensive curriculum, even if it does seem the simplest option.)
Complete Curriculum (or Nearly So)
The Good and the Beautiful. The Good and the Beautiful offers FREE math and language arts downloads for all grades, as well as reading lists. Of the free resources, you may print out what you need or just read it online. This publisher is not precisely Charlotte Mason there are more worksheets — but is a similar style, and a quality start for a beginning home school family, if you are still learning about CM. They also offer many free science activities, but full curriculum must be purchased. Publisher is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS/Mormon), so occasionally LDS leaders are featured in stories.
Wittenberg Academy. Wittenberg Academy is an online Christian, classical school, but the elementary/grammar level is offline and Charlotte Mason compatible, using whole books. The entire K-6th grammar school curriculum — all subjects — is completely FREE with registration, including lesson plans, book lists (no books included) as well as maps, and more. It has been created by Lutheran Christians for Lutherans, however any specific denominational teaching is separate from daily Bible readings, memory verses, etc. Science is based on the Biblical days of creation. They also offer opportunities to connect with other families online, as well as attend events.
Living Books Curriculum. This is a “boxed” curriculum, created for you to have everything in one package, mailed to you. Because it includes printed materials, it is pricier up front than the free downloadable resources from the other companies listed above (which you may have to print yourself). However, it is still less expensive than many other complete curricula, starting at $97 for one year. Lesson plans for all subjects are included. As with all Charlotte Mason education, you will need to supplement with library books. Publishers are Christian.
If none of these strikes your fancy, be sure to visit the Curriculum page at Everything Charlotte Mason where you will find MANY more curriculum guides, full curricula and individual subject resources.
No matter what you choose, we wish you many blessing in your new venture into the life-affirming world of Charlotte Mason!
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Everything Charlotte Mason 