Thursday, February 25, 2010

Charlotte Mason On the Farm...


I love Charlotte Mason. She has been my inspiration for a lifestyle of learning since the beginning of our journey. This week was no exception! When I am not PMS'ing, I can enjoy the flexibility of our life here on the farm. Activities are educational. Projects provide great lessons.




Take this seed starter shelf made by Josh and Caleb. I tend to be a procrastinator due primarily to paralysis of indecision, but when Josh got excited reading the gardening book that included the plans~


...all it took was a trip to the local Home Depot (the guys equivalent of a fabric store?) and the two of them spent the day measuring, cutting, assembling and having great brotherly male-bonding time together. What classroom could best that?

And then there is kidding season, which, if you read Josh or Jenna's blog, you can get up-to-the-moment videos and pictures on all the farm births. Goat births are the big farm news right now and I'm doing my best to be the cool farm mom who not only takes care of the house, the education and the children, but also helps in the barn. I don't know if it's working, but I hope overall, that there are more good memories than bad!

11 comments:

Catherine Anne said...

I love the blog photo! Its great:)

Cinnamon said...

ONE~ That picture is too CUTE!

TWO - I love your children's blogs!!

THREE _ I'm jealous of your seed starting racks~ JEALOUS, JEALOUS, JEALOUS!!

FOUR~ Can I borrow JOSH to come build one for me and teach my boys? hee hee

FIVE- love your family~

~Cinnamon

Unknown said...

I had a shelf system JUST LIKE THAT! My hubby built one for me before we moved here and let me tell ya, it worked BEAUTIFULLY!!!! I had so much fun. Your picture brought back some really neat memories for me. My friend, Sue, and I were becoming gardeners for the first time when I did that. We ordered a bunch of seeds and shared them.

That's awesome! Have fun!
Lynnette :)

Kelsianne said...

Our family loves the Charlotte Mason method as well.
I am so greatful to God, as well as Mom and Dad, to be homeschooled! What an amazing blessing!
Kelsey

Anonymous said...

Nice work Josh/Caleb!!! =)

Anonymous said...

Oh Kathy, you are creating the most amazing memories for your children.

Not only are you allowing them to try their hands at a project, but they are also learning at their own pace in subjects they excel at.

It is exciting to have new babies in the barn. A friend of mine from church, that also raises goats, just enjoys sharing with everyone, everytime she has a "kid" :)

I am glad you are feeling better.

Here in the cottage, we also teach with the Charlotte Mason curriculum. I was going back forth purchasing expensive books for this subject and the next...then I came accross this style of teaching, and my children are just enjoying themselves with it.

They are becoming quite the responsible young men reading and doing their reports without me "nagging" them to their work.

Thank you for sharing...the header is just adorable :)

Blessings to you and your dear family,

Maria

Beautifully Veiled said...

What a blessing to have such an education! Your growing shelves look great. And I can so relate to the "paralysis of indecision". I thought I was the only one! Thanks for sharing. I'm really enjoying this insight into your journey. (and yes, i'm jealous of your shelves....)sigh....

Jaimi_C said...

How fun to have a seed rack! Your boys did a great job! We won't be starting seeds up north until late April or early May.

My Mother-in-law used Charlotte Mason as her base for homeschooling my husband and his siblings and they really enjoyed it. I hope to use her methods and ideas when my own children start school.

Anonymous said...

I've suffered from "paralysis of indecision," the past few years too. lol I'm Kristy, a new follower, nice to meet you :) I homeschool as well but had never heard of Charlotte Mason. I just googled her and am excited to learn more! :) I saw your daughters Blog through yours and am following her too now. I also told my 16 yr old daughter, Skye about y'all as well. I look forward to getting to know you better :)Oh and your Blog pic is priceless! lol

Sherry in MI said...

Awesome shelves!!! What an accomplishment Josh & Caleb! And I love the new profile pic. What a hoot!

Amy Q said...

Oh my how I miss you! how you have time to do all this ~and you DO a great job~ always inspires me :) hugs too everyone -- we WILL stop and see you this summer -- August sometime which seems so far away.... Blessings on another week of learning!