Charlotte Mason First Grade! How to Ease into Formal Lessons

[@daniellebeck8322]

I feel the same as many others, this was so helpful and encouraging! I have a 1 month old right now and it's reassuring to know that it's okay to not finish a lesson with my children and that I don't have to do history, for example, every day. I can interspers it with other subjects throughout the week. Thank you Sonja and SCM team for empowering me to be a more confidant homeschool mom. I can do this. PS I have children in 6th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st grades with 3 preschoolers and one newborn this fall. It's always a full day at our house.

[@ashleypnw6922]

"The calendar and the clock have nothing to do with your child's growth as a person. Focus on your child not some random deadline. Teach the child and you'll do just fine." -Sonja Shafer We have ended up doing a year round homeschool with breaks as needed or wanted. But still feel that pressure inside, from growing up in public education k-college BS degree. We didn't finish our 1st grade year yet, and I feel this pressure to have it wrapped up by the beginning of fall, so they are on to second grade at the appropriate time. Still struggling to embrace this growing love of learning; which my children naturally have, over keeping these self-imposed deadlines based off a system we are not even using and haven't' used since our homeschool jounrey began in 2020.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience! I think a lot of the people in our community here can relate to you! You're on the right track though, while it is hard to break old habits and thoughts, teach the child and just keep going at their pace!

[@kristenheuer5676]

We just started formal lessons with my 6yo in July. I started out doing ALL the subjects because I was just so excited to do them. Quickly, I discovered it was too much, too quickly. Thank you for this video, I know I need adjust things and slow down with her. This is helpful to know how to do this.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're very welcome, so glad you found this episode helpful!

[@heidiandbretz9867]

I just finished the "Lessons From the Valley" that Sonya recorded I believe in 2011. I don't have a special needs child, but oh my the talk was so encouraging for any valley you may be going through. I found it so encouraging to hear as I await seeing a dr about a health issue. Thank you, Sonya....you have been such a tremendous blessing in our homeschool family. I will forever be a subscriber, and a purchaser of your content. I hope someday I can come to a conference and meet you in person to give you a hug! God bless you and your family!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you so much for your feedback and your kind words! So glad that this content has been a blessing to you and your family.

[@hannahhensley8497]

This was so encouraging. Thank you for breaking it down to make it attainable! ❤️

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You are so welcome!

[@victoria9663]

Thank you SO MUCH for this video. I've been waiting/learning/researching/planning for three years and now my child is finally 6 and we will be starting school in a matter of weeks. I am starting to feel nervous. This video helped so much

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad this video was timely for you, hope first grade was great!

[@estherwangler]

Sonya I love your videos so much. I can’t wait for the next one each week. In this video I especially appreciated what you said about keeping things enjoyable for the child being more important that checking off a box that I finished reading a passage. I always need that reminder to measure progress by their steady growth, not how much we accomplish each day or if we checked all the boxes. Also, Ive switched to doing shorter lessons this year with my 8, 7, and 6 year olds. It has drastically transformed their attitudes towards school and I feel like they are learning and retaining so well. Proving that more school for longer is just not better, especially in the early years. Thank you!

[@sylviaho6679]

A very very good reminder for homeschool moms that we should change our mind that the scheduled table works is a way to helps kids build confidence in long term instead of stress.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for joining us and sharing your thoughts to continue this conversation!

[@rachelkreamer5470]

This was so, so helpful! Thank you!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for your kind words, Rachel! We are so glad you found it to be helpful. Many blessings to you in your upcoming year.

[@Maria_O]

Thank you so much for the guidance and encouragement. First grade here we come!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're welcome! Have fun in first grade!

[@Scary_Sary]

love this thank you! homeschooling my oldest of 3 this year, he'll be 6 soon :)

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You are very welcome. Welcome to the world of homeschooling!

[@emilycosta9804]

Thanks for your amazing videos. You make it so gentle and easily attainable. So helpful!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you!

[@shielarosepadilla6582]

Thank you for this video. ❤ This is very helpful.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

We're so happy you were blessed by it!

[@sarahescobar4828]

This is so helpful and encouraging. Thank you!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're very welcome!

[@ewastafford9549]

This is so reassuring and helpful. Thank you for your amazing work here. You are an incredible guide. Love the clarity you present CM method. Thank you x live from England.

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for your feedback and kind words!

[@shaialguno9788]

Thanks alot for this one! This would help me alot with my son. He is prepping for preschool, but I go by his interests, yet even though, I need a guide and perhaps try to have a smooth transition once we really do proper "schooling".

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're very welcome! Here are some more resources for those preschool/kindergarten years: simplycharlottemason.com/planning/preschool-guide/

[@debbydoodler33]

Amazing! Exactly the guidance I needed!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Thank you for joining us!

[@kristinccha]

This is all so helpful

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad you found it helpful!

[@natashap8733]

Thank you so much for this video ❤

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're very welcome!

[@Beepbopboop19]

Perfect timing!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

So glad this video was timely for you!

[@sweetserrato]

thank you!!

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're welcome!

[@IndianaKristina]

What would you recommend using for first grade history and geography for the narration lessons?

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Hi Kristina! We are partial to our own history/geography/Bible curriculum. You could start anywhere- either in Early Modern if you want to cover American history first, or you could begin at the beginning with Ancient Egypt. You can see our guides here: simplycharlottemason.com/product-links-tips-info/history-handbook-series/

[@MommyBee1589]

Very encouraging thank you !

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

You're welcome!

[@MommyBee1589]

For those of us who are new, what is narration? Just reading?

[@SimplyCharlotteMason]

Narration is the act of telling back what was read. It can take several different forms (drawing, acting, oral, written, etc). It's a way to cement into a person's mind what was heard/learned and for the parent to assess what the student retained from a single reading. You can learn all about narration here: simplycharlottemason.com/blog/series/narration-qa/