How I Teach Language Arts Using Charlotte Mason’s Methods

Charlotte Mason’s approach to language arts is so unique compared to traditional methods, but I can say from experience that IT WORKS. My boys are all voracious readers, write well, and use correct grammar even though they’ve had little kr no direct instruction.
Exposure to quality writing - through reading it and copying it down - is the key to quality writing 💯 that is the key to Charlotte Mason’s method. Heres a summary of her method:
I start first grade with reading and spelling lessons. I use Words Their Way for spelling/phonics, but other than that I simply follow Charlotte’s method of reading lessons in her book “Home Education.”
Then I teach them handwriting. I use Beautiful Italics handwriting from Penny Gardner. It’s a digital PDF that takes kids from print to cursive. So I only spent $10 for handwriting for all my kids. I’ve tried a couple different programs and this is by far the best.
Copywork and oral narration is all the language arts kids need before age 10. While doing copywork kids are exposed to spelling, punctuation, capitalization, and grammar. When kids narrate they are learning how to think and organize their thoughts before they write them down on paper later.
After 10 years old kids begin grammar lessons and written narration. Copywork is exchanged for dictation. Charlotte Mason did not teach writing explicitly, but I use the Writing Revolution method which I think adheres to her principles on writing; which that writing shouldn’t be a subject on its own, but integrated into other subjects. It’s a tool/skill, not a subject.
You can find the books and supplies in my Amazon Storefront under “Language Arts” other downloads are listed below:
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PODCAST
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WEBSITE
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#homeschooling #homeeducation #homeschool #charlottemason #charlottemasonhomeschool #languagearts #teachingreading #teachinglanguagearts

[@ttsk]

Can't wait to watch this when all 3 are sleeping. Mama needs peace and quiet to focus ❤️

[@Ahomeontheprairies]

I would love to hear more about how you include the writing revolution on a weekly basis in your homeschool! We are beginning to use it also, and it would be very helpful to see how anothet family following CM principles incorporates TWR. :) Thank you for all you share here!

[@simplewondersacademy]

I'm working on a podcast and video on it! I've only used the sentence writing portion so far, as my son just started written narrations this year. We begin most lessons with a sentence exercise, like Because, But, So. This doubles as delayed narration!

[@ticiagorney8708]

Thank you for such an informative video. We are still in the stage of oral narration even though I have two children who I would like to introduce written narration to. I would love to hear more about how you go about doing that.

[@simplewondersacademy]

I start with sentence exercises from Writing Revolution. He was completing them orally, then I just had him write them down. It’s an easy stepping stone since it’s just one sentence. Then I had him dictate his narration to me while i typed it out. This helped him see what his thoughts looked like on paper, with punctuation and all. Then he started writing them himself. I don’t edit or correct them though. That can wait until high school.

[@nisakahar]

thanks.. My kid did not do well in school setting. I was looking for simple yet good tips to start homeschool and I found your channel.❤

[@shellemybelle1574]

Thank you for sharing and recommending your language arts curriculum. Since i am new to homeschooling we are using a traditional learning style. I use christian light education and do enjoy it very much. Im thinking incorporating Charlotte Mason into are homeschooling slowly. So i do appreciate it. I will be checking out writing revolution! Thank you!

[@simplewondersacademy]

I love Charlotte’s philosophy and I feel like it’s applicable to every family. I hope you find everything you need to get started 😊

[@Keeplifesimple0000]

Thank you for your videos! I enjoy learning from you!!! Would you be able to share how you use technology as rewards for your boys? How much of screen time do you allow them daily and when in your schedule they use this privilege. Also would love to hear how you guys to chore time ? ( before screen or after) do you reward them for doing chores? What do you do if they don't want to do chores? Any suggestions? Or video on these topics will be greatly appreciated 😊❤

[@simplewondersacademy]

Sure! My boys get 30 min of screen time each day. They need to get their schoolwork, outside time, and housework done before they can do any screens. They get 1 hour of video game time on Saturday after we’ve done all our weekly chores. Saturday is a catch up day for weekly chores, so it’s an incentive to get them all done on weekdays so they can play their 1 hour and then play with friends.

[@morgananderson4917]

Thank you for this! I would love to see more in depth of teaching those beginning steps to reading. My daughter is 4 and she’s super interested in learning to read and I feel overwhelmed with all the different methods out there, but love this approach. I’m just feeling a bit unsure of the step by step from the very beginning.

[@simplewondersacademy]

I’m working on a video right now. It is so hard to know what to do when there are so many programs and methods available. I’ll share how I taught my three kids and hopefully that will give you a place to start 👍🏼

[@amysearle4445]

Thank you for sharing this! My daughter who is 8 was stressing about writing and the other night I was pondering if it was just too early to require her to write. Watching your video gave me a different perspective. Love your videos!

[@simplewondersacademy]

It’s amazing how much easier and enjoyable writing is when it’s started later. I didn’t require writing for my oldest until he was 10, and there is hardly any complaining and he feels confident doing it! I’d definitely recommend stepping away from original/creative writing assignments and go to oral narration (tell back what you learned) and copywork.

[@simplewondersacademy]

Thanks for watching!

[@Momtoomany10]

Thank you for sharing! I am eager to learn more about how you incorporate The Writing Revolution into your teaching practices. Do you read the book independently and then teach the concepts to your students, or do you read it aloud with them and facilitate discussions?

[@simplewondersacademy]

A video is in the works! Short answer is that I read it beforehand and incorporate the methods/exercises into our subjects. It's a book to teach teachers how to teach haha! For example, one of the exercises is to give your children a simple sentence and ask them to expand and finish the sentence with because, but, and so. I use this for all our subjects, even math.

[@mountaincountrytraditions6292]

Thank you so much for all your videos! I find them super helpful. What do you foresee the language arts looking like more specifically in high school? My older two will be freshman next school year and I’m just coming to know about Charlotte Mason.

[@simplewondersacademy]

Once kids have a solid foundation from years of copywork, dictation, and 4 years of grammar (starting at 10) then language arts in high is applying all they’ve learned by writing; Writing research and persuasive essays, character sketches, poetry, written narration, as well as creative writing assignments. A Delectable Education has a few podcast episodes about what that looks like. I’d recommend listening to those!

[@schultesweeties]

New subscriber! I also have a homeschool channel! 😊

[@simplewondersacademy]

Welcome! I’ll check out your channel videos. Thanks for watching ❤️

[@cadykelly247]

I am also wondering which Words Their Way I need to start with for my 1st grader who isn’t who is 7. I noticed there were 3 books in your storefront so I wasn’t sure.

[@simplewondersacademy]

If your first grader doesn’t know the alphabet I’d start with letter names. If he/she knows the sounds and have to blend them together to make simple words (cat, mat, cup) then I’d start with the Within Words

[@cadykelly247]

He is a beginning reader and can read independently. Would you still recommend Within Words?

[@meganhopkins8304]

For “Words Their Way” I’m curious if there is a way to tell easier which volume I need? Is there a way to “test” my son? He’s 10 and struggles with spelling. He is a good reader and can narrate back well but we are stuck with spelling and loving to write. We do copy work. I’m wondering if this is where I should begin with “starting over” on spelling.

[@simplewondersacademy]

Have you seen the chart in my curriculum guides? It’s also in the main teaching manual for words their way. If not, I’ll make a video showing what it looks like and how to tell which book to start in 👍🏼

[@meganhopkins8304]

I do have your guides so I will double check that. Should I look at form one for his age to “start over” or should I look at form two?

[@meganhopkins8304]

@@simplewondersacademy I always love a good video showing stuff. Also, see my other comment I made below. Actually commented to myself vs you 😆

[@simplewondersacademy]

I would check the “rubric” in the form 1 guide. There should be ages as well as words that you can ask him to spell and see what he is able to spell and how he spells them. That will help you determine which book to get. The books in the series are on the left-hand side of the rubric 🙂

[@capricebachor7632]

Hi :) At what age do you start writing revolution?

[@simplewondersacademy]

You can start as early as first grade! I just don’t require my form one kids (6-9 years old) to write down their responses. The first exercises are sentences so it’s easy to incorporate into oral narration.

[@capricebachor7632]

Thank you :)

[@capricebachor7632]

Thank you :)