Begin Again

 
(Young female Anna's Hummingbird, she's our most frequent visitor) 

Okay, we're ready to roll for our first week back after Summertide. Everyone is looking forward to digging in, and what a relief to know that all the planning and organizing will now go in to effect. (The waiting part is hardest pour moi, I'm afraid ;-)

Our first term will be a little over 6 weeks and we're hoping for many Indian Summer days to take advantage of outdoor activities (especially the pool) while we can.

(View from the schoolroom)

There seems to be a strong pull towards a return to a more pure Charlotte Mason method in the blogshpere this year, and since it has always been our method of choice (with occaisional segueys into Montessori for the littler ones) I hope you'll follow along with our doings especially as this will be our first foray into the high school years using Charlotte's wisdom and philosophy. We can't wait!!

I'm so glad to to see that Jen and Theresa and Barb are all keeping such lovely documentation of their CM high school. It's nice to be in such good company on this endeavor :) I have truly enjoyed reading about how things are playing out in their families and after our first few days/weeks, I'll be able to give you a little better snapshot of how it works for us, especially with the multiple ages. You can find our plans by clicking each link: Kindergarten, 3rd Grade, 7th Grade and Highschool Freshman. (Keeping in mind these are just a framework for us, not a ball and chain  ;-)

 

(View of our school room area looking from the kitchen)

I am so thankful for the Simply Charlotte Mason site, it is truly a gold mine of resources and inspiration. I also enjoy visiting the other usual places for Charlotte Mason, like Ambleside, Mater Amabilis (Catholic Charlotte Mason), Penny Gardner, and Charlotte Mason Help.

 

(Straight on from the kitchen. I am looking forward to having my comfy couch avaible for narration time and read-alouds)

As a refresher and for some inspiring reading, I meandered through Simply CM's "Smooth and Easy Days". It's always good to put things into perspective at the beginning of a new term :) Violet helped me put the school room shelves in order this past week and we're happy with how things look. We're also thankful that our learning area is a central hub to the goings on in the house as it is adjacent to our kitchen and deck right off both rooms. Looking forward to more frequent visitors to watch and sketch :)

(And finally the view from the couch)

Allrighty then, deep breath, here we go again!! Hope your new school year preparations are coming along nicely, or that maybe you're already back at it and enjoying some great Charlotte Mason days together with your sweeties! Many blessings, and we'll see you soon...
 

Comments

[Jennifer]

Such a beautiful schoolroom!

[Sarah N.]

You're school room is gorgeous!! I've been inspired by all the Charlotte Mason posts I've been reading around the blogosphere. I tossed my original LA plans and we're going to try concentrating on copywork, dictation and narration this term and see where that leads us. I'm excited about our new year which officially starts tomorrow.

[Theresa]

Oh, your schoolroom is so beautiful! I LOVE the comfy couch. It's the one thing I really want to improve in our school area. Our couch is just awful--not cozy at all. Love the big windows, also!
Can't wait to read about how your first week goes!!

[meredith]

Thank you Jenn, it was fun to get *set* :) Hugs to you in your first weeks too!!

[meredith]

Thank you Sarah, and Im excited for you to start tomorrow too! Cant wait to hear how the new LA work goes for you and the girls, I think you will really appreciate its simplicity and effectiveness!! So glad you stopped by!
 

[meredith]

Oh thanks T, the whole world will truly be our classroom. If you can do it in AK, I can do it in rainy WA ;-) looking forward to comparing *notes* :)))

 

[Betty]

What an awesomely beautiful learning room! Is your kitchen upstairs as well? I, too, love the comfy, cozy couch in the same area...how perfect! Wishing you and yours a beautiful and fun school year!

[Julia S.]

Your school room in your new home is lovely. I like all the uncluttered floor space. I'm going to have to think about that here. The view out of the schoolroom and I imagine kitchen is beautiful. God makes the best pictures to contemplate.

We'll be starting on the 28th. Next year will be my first with a highschooler so I'll be keeping watch on all of you who go before using the CM methods.

Have a great beginning to your year.

[Plain and Joyful Living]

We also started up this week. Your classroom must be such a blessing...
We are also using many CM methods and have 1st, 5th, 7th, 9th and 11t this year. Thank you for sharing your plans and the links to others that are using CM for highschool
Warm wishes, Tonya

[Genevieve]

Oh my! Oh my! A school room with big windows, walls to spare for bookcases and maps AND a kitchen table!!??? It's like a dream come true. I hear you about the constant move. We can both pray for each other that our present locations will last just a tiny bit longer. :)