Building a DREAM Charlotte Mason Homeschool Room (In a SMALL House!!) | Common Mom | The Commonplace

Let's talk about building your dream homeschool room (particularly in a small house like mine!). There's something here for everyone!
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MORE CLASSICAL CHARLOTTE MASON HOMESCHOOLING:
Charlotte Mason's Principle #1: • Charlotte Mason Princi...
Charlotte Mason's Principle #2: • Charlotte Mason Princi...
Charlotte Mason's Principle #3: • Charlotte Mason Princi...
Charlotte Mason's Principle #4: • Charlotte Mason Princi...
Charlotte Mason's Principle #5: • Charlotte Mason Princi...
Charlotte Mason's Principle #6: • LITTLE KIDS & CHORES |...
Charlotte Mason’s Principles #7-8: • How do I "mother cultu...
Charlotte Mason’s Principles #9-10: • CHARLOTTE MASON & UNIT...
Charlotte Mason’s Principle #13: • WHY WE CHOSE THE CMEC!...
Charlotte Mason’s Principle #14: • How to Narrate MUSIC &...

[@PlasmaSpeedos]

You are well-spoken, so easy to listen to.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Oh, that's kind. Thank you for the encouragement!

[@sarahmarinkovich-durfee4509]

I cannot express how thankful I am for your videos and podcast. I’ve been listening with the intent of listening again to take notes. My son is 2 but I feel so many of Mason’s thoughts can be applied early and you make them so understandable.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Sarah, thank you! I’m grateful to have learned about the classical Mason world right as my oldest was born; it made our early years so sweet! If it helps with the note taking, you’ll find the podcast transcripts on the website!

[@hannahbaker2856]

Between the first and second times I watched this video, my husband and I (second-generation homeschooler with oldest not quite old enough to start CM) added ~3 5-tier bookshelves to our crammed main floor. Thanks for the helpful reminders!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I need you guys to swing by here and get some shelves up that speedily for me!

[@hannahbaker2856]

@@thecommonplacehomeschoolI can get one of those shelves up in under 2 hours!

[@CharlotteMasonTT]

I love the seamless home life of an academic … the ‘blurr ‘

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Yes! I'd be doing these same rhythms, practices, and habits without any formal students. This is the way of truly living!

[@MsEvReN81]

Okay, it is time for me to say a quick hello and extend some words of gratitude and encouragement. I have been binge listening to your podcast on Spotify and now moved on to your KZbin videos and I am feeling hopeful Cinderella vibes over here. My husband and myself both come from pretty low status social backgrounds and poor education yet we both have a love and a craving for the true the good and the beautiful (both also relatively new to following Christ, about 4\5 ish years). We both knew we want to give our child or children a classical education, yet we sometimes question our sanity for thinking we would be able to provide what we hope to. I mean, English is not even my native language! And WE LIVE IN A BOAT! Nonetheless I am determined to give it our best shot withing our means. Listening to your podcasts and videos, such as this one, I have never been more encouraged and excited. Sure it may not look anything like yours or most others journeys, but that is fine. I "AM" delighted at the thought of the adventure that awaits us as a family. Thank you for all your hard work and wonderfully accessible delivery. All Glory to our heavenly Father.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thank God! This is wonderful! Yes! Off to the adventure of truth, goodness, and beauty! Thank you for taking the time to say hello and offer encouragement. For it, I'm very grateful. I love that the Great Conversation continues to pull in people from all places and life experiences, giving us a shared hope and making us only like the One who is the Ideal. Peace to you!

[@danaparzych7414]

Carved from a tree in Narnia 😂 subbing now

[@heatherray2025]

Loving your videos, slowly working through podcast. As a mama of many (7, 4 of which are school age) I fully agree with no homeschool room...that is unless you can make yourself your own full on library with sliding ladder -then go for it. We love schooling at the table, does take some practice to get in habit to cleanup and planning to make sure its cleaned up before meals, but it is our preference. Even with the space, we choose to school at the table, the living room, or outside all together. My husband and extended family think I'm crazy but I like it this way.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

#willdoitfortheladder 100% to this. So glad you're here, Heather!

[@sandraherrera6703]

Ok... I love this video! Blurring the lines. Yes! This is encouraging and inspiring! Much love to you!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thanks so much! Blurring the lines really is my best tip!

[@simplykaley4540]

Our style is identical to yours! Small house, loaded down w books, black board and stuff ❤

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Books are one of the few things worth being loaded down with, ya know?!

[@sarahcann5811]

So good! Thanks for this.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I'm glad it was a help!

[@elizabethlelchuk1798]

Thank. You. I needed to hear this about my dining room. Who cares if dinner guests are surrounded by our learning space? :)

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I like to think it sparks fantastic conversations! And, admittedly, I'm a little partial to the too-many-people-convivially-smushed-together life, so it works.

[@mollyrose6684]

Wow! I love this content. Please keep it up.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So glad, Molly! Happy you're here!

[@LetsPlaySchool]

This is fantastic. Such a great reminder all around. Thank you!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You're so welcome!

[@jessica_wood]

I need a homeschool room just to hold my books… I’ve been wanting to create a homeschool room because I’ve probably been spending too much time on Instagram and we actually do have the space right now. My biggest fear is that we won’t actually use it!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You might not! But if you design it with *your* people in mind (as opposed to trendiest ideas), then I think you have a good chance of enjoying it together.

[@ari3lz3pp]

Our school room is the living room/dining area right next to the laundry and kitchen. It's tricky. But all the more important to tidy up the entire 250 ft²! 😅 Perfect timing as I was figuring out how to decorate in a way that isn't distracting to our schooling but aides it. ❤ How important it's is to not feel stressed, as a priority! Efficiency and focus. I want my space to also be a spot of creativity. We definitely spend time learning outside and in bed. Even if my ASD child needs to decompress in the bath; there are ways to have them learning. With Bluetooth math songs or whatever. In the kitchen we learn how to cook. So it's not just one room but we do spend MOST our time in the one space and I agree the vibe is more than just the things, it's the function! I wish we had a big bookcase! Idk how to do that in an apartment, and my 120 lb ASD kid has a habit of climbing things too. 🙈 But I do have a bookcase in our small loft and it's packed full. Just not convenient. For us having items right there ready to go is so vital. Definitely going to finally look into the basket/box method!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So many good nuggets in here!

[@toricole7212]

I love this. Thank you! I have a small corner. It is the homework space and homeschool space. And it is small. Luckily I can keep many books in my kids’ rooms, but I need a proper bookshelf for our supplies and go to books.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I love to think about what past generations have used to give amazing educations! It’s usually a small area with really good books. You’re right on track!

[@lilygavri]

Love your work! Thank you!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thanks so much!

[@jerilyn-ourhomeschooltable]

I did not know that about windows and closets. Our house has two closets…one in each bedroom, but they’re built-ins. Very helpful, thank you. 😊

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

It’s such a fun fact!

[@elisabethperez8954]

Love your content! Thanks for making these videos. So helpful and so relatable!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

So happy to hear it and have you here, Elisabeth!

[@ArtwithSabrina]

Love this, so much truth. So well said. Thank you 😊

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Thank you, Sabrina! Happy school year to you!

[@ourevergreenhome]

Ok, first of all, you are INCREDIBLE! I am SO glad that you have started KZbin and I found you and your channel! Secondly, YES to the “beauty and the beast” library 😂 👏🏻! I so agree with everything you say, I don’t even know how you speak so well and so eloquently but it’s a serious talent! I’m SO here for all of this! Steph🤎

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Steph! Welcome! If you’re not working on a Beauty and a Beast library, are you even living? 😉

[@ourevergreenhome]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool haha !! Well it’s more so working on the husband to agree to the point of having one in the first place 😂 ! I’ll prove my point one day, you wait !😝 Also, quick Q, could you suggest a slightly more to the point, easier to digest read for Charlotte Mason pedagogy other than the one I just got on Kindle app for $1 that is 2279 pages long ?😅 I mean, I like my books but ain’t got thattt much spare time with two young ones etc.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

@@ourevergreenhome hmm, I’m still going to argue you should be reading Vol. 6 when you can, but I understand: In Vital Harmony, Karen Glass A Thinking Love, Karen Glass

[@ourevergreenhome]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool ok! Thank you, so I’ll definitely read that volume 6 then, I will take my time then thereafter as I read through the rest, as I do find it all so interesting and good value (obviously 😅). Thanks for the other two recommendations!

[@ourevergreenhome]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool Ok so I just wanted to come back here and reply saying I actually started reading Home Education and it’s not as hard a read as I thought, I’m actually love it and I feel as though Mason’s philosophy naturally resonates with how I intrinsically feel education should be. She really was ahead of her times! Thanks for encouraging me to actually read it, haha! I’ll work my way onto Karen Glass books soon enough too, I’m sure 😂

[@hannahyggelighome2298]

Hi from Scotland! 👋😅 New subscriber. Love your space and wholeheartedly agree with CM and how you are applying the philosophy. Will be hanging around 🥰 ☕️ 📚 🎻 🍁

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Hi Hanna! Happy to have you here! (And how fun to be connecting with Scottish viewers!)

[@homegrownbynicole9964]

Carved from a tree in Narnia. 😂😂😂 I love your videos, thank you!!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ha! Gotta keep ourselves in check.

[@kristenbrett8103]

As soon as I saw this intro I knew I had to subscribe 😂 yasssss new to the channel!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Love a little snark to flip upside down what needs a good shake up. Welcome!

[@kristianaivanova1806]

Hi Autumn, do you have any thoughts on dealing with negative attitudes and disobedience? I can't help but think about the problem we have at home with those two that are so fundamental for our atmosphere. I find myself irritated more often than in the state of delight and enjoyment of the process, I would really appreciate any advice and thoughts. ❤

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Hey there! I do. You can find plenty of ideas in my podcast episodes (The Commonplace) and if you'd like to hear even more, there's Common House. I have an entire series on habits/habit training and we talk about things like atmosphere, 'tudes, and disobedience in almost every monthly Q&A call! Common House: commonhouse.mn.co

[@rebeccafalkner2876]

Loved this ❤️❤️

[@danaparzych7414]

Wow…you learn new things everyday…what a terrible way to tax (if there were a “good” way to tax😂😂). It DOES make sense though when buying an old house and finding zero closets. Love your videos.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Isn’t it ridiculous?! 😂🤣

[@lorrainecontreras9053]

Question about having instruments in the living room: what do you do when when small children come over and want to play your $600+ guitar? Do you run and hid them before the crazy 2 year old guests come over?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Absolutely. I've even put them back upstairs for my own young children's craziness. Instruments are not toys, so guests are not allowed to play them. If a child is genuinely interested in the instrument, I'll help them hold it/try it, but it's not allowed without my aid!

[@laceyherin6919]

😂carved from a tree in Narnia!!! Oh be still my heart, I have found my people!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

We Narnians always find each other, no?

[@elizabethlelchuk1798]

Hello! Could you please share the link to the video you did about laying the feast in the early years? Thank you!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Here you go! kzbin.info/www/bejne/pZ3FapqNiL6bpck&ab_channel=TheCommonplace%7CClassicalCMHomeEducation

[@elizabethlelchuk1798]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool Thank you so much!

[@mellibee100]

I love your content and am amazed how eloquently and fast you speak. Do Pennsylvania folk typically speak fast? I follow Megan Fox Unlocked and she is also from PA and talks very fast. Your manner of speaking slightly reminds me of Leah_Rudick!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Ha! I'm originally from NC so I don't know if it's a PA thing but it is certainly a me thing. I really do try to slow down (it's been 30 years!) but when I'm excited-or talking about something I love-it's impossible to slow down!

[@loricameron1009]

Commenting from the coast of Scotland! House is not an old or dreamy one though I'm afraid! But welcome anytime 😊 xx

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Lori! What a dream you live in! I imagine the surrounding beauty is a worthy view regardless of old library wishes.

[@stephaniesticka5556]

love this! but also where is your bookshelf wall from?!!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

It’s actually three CB2 bookshelves squished together!

[@alyciahelling7941]

I just recently came across your channel and just wanted to say how much I love it! I feel like we’re kindred spirits and I love your humor and content!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Well, thank you and welcome! I'm happy to have you here!

[@daniellemerrick6215]

I'm sitting here in my old house library/school room, with rows and rows of bookshelves in front of our fireplace and surrounded by large windows. I have an old work table for my kids so they can't ruin it. BUT I live in Ohio and my view is my neighborhood. So not quite the coast of Scotland. haha. But this was very helpful because the atmosphere is absolutely more important than our space. I assure you, our school days and my kids do not care that I have this perfect space.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You're living the dream homeschool room and, just like me, learning to love what's good and bring the kids along with you! It's always such an encouraging reminder of how much is wrapped up in the duty and gift of motherhood--no matter the material room involved.

[@Michelleh123321]

Wait…I can get hand carved letters from Narnia?! Love your humor!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

If you know the right fauns, yes, yes you can.

[@FamilyStyleLearning]

I loved this. Beautifully said! Great ideas shared. Thank you.

[@ginalustre1491]

Where in PA are you?! I’m from Pittsburgh 😃

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I went to school a little north of Pittsburgh! We're in south central PA!

[@ginalustre1491]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool too bad you’re not closer! thank you so much for your email response btw! ❤️

[@crazychicken4063]

We need more shelves! And more room for shelves! We recently put a shelf above each of our living room windows that are in a corner, just to help us out. It's a small help, but it is unused space! Obviously the books that we won't be needing often will go there. I'd love to have a solid wall for book shelves like you have. We don't have closets either, and thanks to you, now I know why! Or, at least it's the more sensible reason I've heard. I know the boy challenges. We have three, and all are graduated now.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I do love my wall. But we need more shelves! And in the city, I always think to go higher since we have such high ceilings! When I wonder if we're gathering too many books, I remember the family library is an inheritance, and I hope my kids keep adding to it long after I'm gone.

[@crazychicken4063]

I was contemplating getting rid of some of our books, I can't do it. But we're seriously needing more space. We have bookcases everywhere but they're the short ones because we don't have the height upstairs due to slanted ceilings and downstairs we don't have any available wall space. We have books stacked here and there and in boxes and totes besides. The sad thing is, the kids aren't reading anymore

[@juanav9200]

@@crazychicken4063 you and your kids should Declutter your books that they don't want anymore and make your own custom shelfs a lot cheaper too.

[@crazychicken4063]

@@juanav9200 lol We tried that once and not too many years ago. But I've been thinking of trying again, if I can catch them when they're not at work and not busy.

[@arachnid33]

Fantastic video. Subscribed.

[@trinityoflove21]

It’s funny to me, because I also live in a Pennsylvania city house with almost no closet space. I genuinely don’t know how my home is supposed to function. When it was built, the original owner… where did they put shoes? Coats? Linens? I honestly just struggle with the basics in that regard. I need different furniture or something so I can get things in order! How to find space for homeschooling seems simple on one hand and crazy on another.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

You totally get me! My guess is everyone had a wardrobe! Have you ever looked at the IKEA Pax closet system? You can basically make anything and really put your teeny closet to work. I'm mid-planning two "new" closets for our upstairs to up our game. I really can't keep stacking clean towels on a radiator, you know?

[@mjmc4me]

Thank you for this video. It is so timely for me. I've been struggling with my homeschool dining room space and this makes sense. I just yesterday said I was gonna add a library to my dining room 💖 I have a question about the feast..... how do you add it later in life, as my kids are older, 12 and 14?

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

I think it's best to do it slowly rather than overhaul your children (who've formed tastes and loves, whether good or bad). I'm going to point you to Cindy Rollins and Brandy Vencel (Google 'em!) who have graduated students in the Mason way and can speak to teens. My crew is young and I'm hesitant to theorize too much about the older ones.

[@rachelgriggs3869]

I’m really glad I found these videos! I have been on the coast of Scotland and just realized that is the aesthetic I go for in my house. Also - my piano is right next to my dining table with an easel chalkboard (we have curved walls and cannot distinguish a good line) tucked between it and the wall.

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Who doesn't want to live in the beauty that is Scotland?! It's a proper good home aesthetic, if you ask me!

[@avalle05]

Loved this video. Plan to binge some videos this weekend and start Monday with a great new view on homeschool! Thanks you from southern CA!!

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Happy almost Monday to you, Adriana!

[@desireewhittington9035]

I have found my people. I also demand to have a beauty and the beast library before I die. Even if I’m 90 years old climbing that ladder 😂. But on a serious note this is exactly what I needed to hear. And I can’t wait for June to roll around so I can enroll in the CMEC

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

Great news for you! Enrollment opens late winter/early spring! I believe it was March this past year?

[@desireewhittington9035]

@@thecommonplacehomeschool ah! Thank you For that! For some reason I thought it said June when I first started researching it! I’m so looking forward to that mothers education aspect!

[@cathrynjones3019]

I am dying at that being considered a small home 😂😂😂😂

[@thecommonplacehomeschool]

It’s definitely a relative term. 😂 There’s always something smaller or larger! *I did figure out the actual sq footage of the area we’re in most, and it’s closer to 500sq ft. (My area guesses have never been great.)

[@annacbrown1986]

I'm from Germany and think "small" American houses are mansion