Starting a Book Study
One of the quickest and easiest ways to build a CM community is to host a book study. There's no need for you to have read the book prior to beginning the study. You can read along with your group, as you will all take turns narrating and discussing the reading selection. We held our book study at a local Panera Bread. We began at 7:30, which gave moms time to have dinner and put the kids to bath/bed before coming to the meeting. We often had 15-20 moms at each meeting. I thought the length of the study and or its frequency may be a detriment, but I was pleasantly surprised at the number of moms who really enjoyed coming for a cup of coffee, new friendships, and good discussion over a great book. Start with a sample invitation you can send to your friends or homeschool community. Then use one of the reading schedules below for Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3 or Volume 6.
Sample Book Study Invitation
Copy/Paste the following. All you need to do is edit the day/time and select the book:
Dear Friends,
Parents interested in learning more about Charlotte Mason's philosophy and methods are welcome to join a Book Study group that will be meeting at location on day of the week evenings, beginning month/day. Meetings will be held from time begin/end.
You can choose to read either the original version of Charlotte's book or the modern paraphrase. It is preferable to read the original version and look at the modern (free online) if one gets stuck on the Victorian English! Here are links to several versions, both hard back and electronic. Please purchase authorized books. There are many books on Amazon or on other sites that are photocopies or plagiarized copies from authorized online/print editions. The only authorized books at this time are the original pink gingham series made available by Dean and Karen Andreola (out of print but available on used book sites), the volumes published by Simply Charlotte Mason and available on their website, and the volumes published by Living Books Press, which are linked below.
Volume 1: Home Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 2: Parents and Children
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 3: School Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 4: Ourselves
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 5: Formation of Character
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 6: Towards a Philosophy of Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Dear Friends,
Parents interested in learning more about Charlotte Mason's philosophy and methods are welcome to join a Book Study group that will be meeting at location on day of the week evenings, beginning month/day. Meetings will be held from time begin/end.
You can choose to read either the original version of Charlotte's book or the modern paraphrase. It is preferable to read the original version and look at the modern (free online) if one gets stuck on the Victorian English! Here are links to several versions, both hard back and electronic. Please purchase authorized books. There are many books on Amazon or on other sites that are photocopies or plagiarized copies from authorized online/print editions. The only authorized books at this time are the original pink gingham series made available by Dean and Karen Andreola (out of print but available on used book sites), the volumes published by Simply Charlotte Mason and available on their website, and the volumes published by Living Books Press, which are linked below.
Volume 1: Home Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 2: Parents and Children
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 3: School Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 4: Ourselves
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 5: Formation of Character
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Volume 6: Towards a Philosophy of Education
Hard Copy of Authorized Original Edition
Hard Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Kindle Copy of Modern Paraphrase
Free Online
Free on Kindle
Sample Reading Schedule for Volume 1, Home Education
Session 1
Preface and Part I Section I through Part I Section VI (pp. 1-36)
Session 2
Part I Section VII through Part II Section VII (pp. 37-68)
Session 3
Part II Section VIII through Part II Section XIV (pp.69-95)
Session 4
Part III Section I through Part III Section IX (pp. 96-134)
Session 5
Part IV Section I through Part IV Section VIII (pp. 135-168)
Session 6
Part V Section I through Part V Section VI (pp. 169-221)
Session 7
Part V Section VII through Part V Section XV (pp. 222-263)
Session 8
Part V Section XVI through Part V Section XXI (pp. 264-316)
Session 9
Part VI Section I through Part VI Section III (pp. 317-352)
Preface and Part I Section I through Part I Section VI (pp. 1-36)
Session 2
Part I Section VII through Part II Section VII (pp. 37-68)
Session 3
Part II Section VIII through Part II Section XIV (pp.69-95)
Session 4
Part III Section I through Part III Section IX (pp. 96-134)
Session 5
Part IV Section I through Part IV Section VIII (pp. 135-168)
Session 6
Part V Section I through Part V Section VI (pp. 169-221)
Session 7
Part V Section VII through Part V Section XV (pp. 222-263)
Session 8
Part V Section XVI through Part V Section XXI (pp. 264-316)
Session 9
Part VI Section I through Part VI Section III (pp. 317-352)
Sample Reading Schedule for Volume 2, Parents and Children
The following suggested reading order would give your group time (approx. 1 hour 30 min) to narrate the selection and discuss, provided that they have pre-read the selection. We suggest that parents read a hard copy of Volume 2, but a Kindle copy is available at Fisher Academy. There are questions in the Appendix of Volume 2 that can be used to guide discussion. Special thanks to Brittney McGann for creating this reading schedule!
Session 1
Chapter 1: The Family
Chapter 2: Parents as Rulers
Session 2
Chapter 3: Parents as Inspirers, Children Must be Born Again into the Life of Intelligence
Chapter 4: Parents as Inspirers, The Life of the Mind Grows Upon Ideas
Session 3
Chapter 5: Parents as Inspirers, The Things of the Spirit
Chapter 6: Parents as Inspirers, Primal Ideas derived from Parents
Session 4
Chapter 7: The Parent as School Master
Chapter 8: The Culture of Character, Parents as Trainers
Chapter 9: The Culture of Character, The Treatment of Defects
Session 5
Chapter 10: Bible Lessons, Parents as Instructors in Religion
Chapter 11: Faith and Duty, Parents as Teachers of Morals
Session 6
Chapter 12: Faith and Duty, Claims of Philosophy as an Instrument of Education
Chapter 13: Faith and Duty, Man lives by Faith, Godward and Manward
Session 7
Chapter 14: Parents are Concerned to Give the Heroic Impulse
Chapter 15: Is it Possible? The Attitude of Parents towards Social Questions
Session 8
Chapter 16: Discipline, A Serious Study for Parents
Chapter 17: Sensations and Feelings, Sensations Educable by Parents
Chapter 18: Sensations and Feelings, Feelings Educable by Parents
Session 9
Chapter 19: ‘What is Truth,’ Moral Discrimination required by Parents
Chapter 20: Show Cause Why, Parents Responsible for Competitive Examinations
Session 10
Chapter 21: A Scheme of Educational Theory Proposed to Parents
Chapter 22: A Catechism of Educational Theory
Session 11
Chapter 23: Whence and Whither, A Question for Parents, 1. Whence?
Chapter 24: Whence and Whither, 2. Whither?
Session 12
Chapter 25: The Great Recognition Required of Parents
Chapter 26: The Eternal Child
Session 1
Chapter 1: The Family
Chapter 2: Parents as Rulers
Session 2
Chapter 3: Parents as Inspirers, Children Must be Born Again into the Life of Intelligence
Chapter 4: Parents as Inspirers, The Life of the Mind Grows Upon Ideas
Session 3
Chapter 5: Parents as Inspirers, The Things of the Spirit
Chapter 6: Parents as Inspirers, Primal Ideas derived from Parents
Session 4
Chapter 7: The Parent as School Master
Chapter 8: The Culture of Character, Parents as Trainers
Chapter 9: The Culture of Character, The Treatment of Defects
Session 5
Chapter 10: Bible Lessons, Parents as Instructors in Religion
Chapter 11: Faith and Duty, Parents as Teachers of Morals
Session 6
Chapter 12: Faith and Duty, Claims of Philosophy as an Instrument of Education
Chapter 13: Faith and Duty, Man lives by Faith, Godward and Manward
Session 7
Chapter 14: Parents are Concerned to Give the Heroic Impulse
Chapter 15: Is it Possible? The Attitude of Parents towards Social Questions
Session 8
Chapter 16: Discipline, A Serious Study for Parents
Chapter 17: Sensations and Feelings, Sensations Educable by Parents
Chapter 18: Sensations and Feelings, Feelings Educable by Parents
Session 9
Chapter 19: ‘What is Truth,’ Moral Discrimination required by Parents
Chapter 20: Show Cause Why, Parents Responsible for Competitive Examinations
Session 10
Chapter 21: A Scheme of Educational Theory Proposed to Parents
Chapter 22: A Catechism of Educational Theory
Session 11
Chapter 23: Whence and Whither, A Question for Parents, 1. Whence?
Chapter 24: Whence and Whither, 2. Whither?
Session 12
Chapter 25: The Great Recognition Required of Parents
Chapter 26: The Eternal Child
Sample Reading Schedule for Volume 3, School Education
The following suggested reading order would give your group time (approx. 1 hour 30 min) to narrate the selection and discuss, provided that they have pre-read the selection. We suggest that parents read a hard copy of Volume 3, but a Kindle copy is available at Fisher Academy. There are questions in the Appendix of Volume 3 that can be used to guide discussion.
Session 1
Preface
Chapter 1: Docility And Authority In The Home And The School
Chapter 2: Docility And Authority In The Home And The School Pt II How Authority Behaves
Session 2
Chapter 3: 'Masterly Inactivity'
Chapter 4: Some Of The Rights Of Children As Persons
Session 3
Chapter 5: Psychology In Relation To Current Thought
Chapter 6: Some Educational Theories Examined
Session 4
Chapter 7: An Adequate Theory Of Education
Chapter 8: Certain Relations Proper To A Child
Session 5
Chapter 9: A Great Educationalist (A Review)
Chapter 10: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Physical Training
Session 6
Chapter 11: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Intellectual Training
Chapter 12: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Moral Training
Session 7
Chapter 13: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Religious Training
Chapter 14: A Master-Thought
Session 8
Chapter 15: School-Books And How They Make For Education
Chapter 16: How To Use School-Books
Session 9
Chapter 17: Education, The Science Of Relations: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: The Prelude And Praeterita
Chapter 18: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: Part II, Further Affinities
Session 10
Chapter 19: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: Part III, Vocation, An Educational Manifesto
Chapter 20: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part I
Session 11
Chapter 21: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part II - School-Books
Chapter 22: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part III The Love of Knowledge
Session 1
Preface
Chapter 1: Docility And Authority In The Home And The School
Chapter 2: Docility And Authority In The Home And The School Pt II How Authority Behaves
Session 2
Chapter 3: 'Masterly Inactivity'
Chapter 4: Some Of The Rights Of Children As Persons
Session 3
Chapter 5: Psychology In Relation To Current Thought
Chapter 6: Some Educational Theories Examined
Session 4
Chapter 7: An Adequate Theory Of Education
Chapter 8: Certain Relations Proper To A Child
Session 5
Chapter 9: A Great Educationalist (A Review)
Chapter 10: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Physical Training
Session 6
Chapter 11: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Intellectual Training
Chapter 12: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Moral Training
Session 7
Chapter 13: Some Unconsidered Aspects Of Religious Training
Chapter 14: A Master-Thought
Session 8
Chapter 15: School-Books And How They Make For Education
Chapter 16: How To Use School-Books
Session 9
Chapter 17: Education, The Science Of Relations: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: The Prelude And Praeterita
Chapter 18: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: Part II, Further Affinities
Session 10
Chapter 19: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: We Are Educated By Our Intimacies: Part III, Vocation, An Educational Manifesto
Chapter 20: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part I
Session 11
Chapter 21: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part II - School-Books
Chapter 22: Suggestions Toward A Curriculum: Part III The Love of Knowledge
Sample Reading Schedule Volume 6, amzn.to/2VaIm1hTowards a Philosophy of Education
The following suggested reading order would give your group time to narrate the selection and discuss. We suggest that parents read a hard copy of Volume 6, but a Kindle copy is available at Fisher Academy.
Session 1
Preface and Introduction
Session 2
Chapter 1: Self Education
Session 3
Chapter 2: Children Are Born Persons
Session 4
Chapter 3: The Good and Evil Nature of a Child, first 10 pages
Session 5
Chapter 3: The Good and Evil Nature of a Child, last 10 pages
Session 6
Chapter 4: Authority and Docility
Session 7
Chapter 5: The Sacredness of Personality
Session 8
Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (first half)
Session 9
Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (last half)
Session 10
Chapter 7: How We Make Use of the Mind
Session 11
Chapter 8: The Way of the Will
Session 12
Chapter 9: The Way of the Reason
Session 13
Chapter 10: The Curriculum and Section I: Knowledge of God
Session 14
Chapter 10: Section II: Knowledge of Man (History, Literature, Morals, Economics, Composition, Languages, Art)
Session 15
Chapter 10: Section III: Knowledge of the Universe (Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physical Development, Handicrafts)
Session 16
Chapter 11: A Liberal Education in Elementary Schools, A Liberal Education in Secondary Schools
Session 1
Preface and Introduction
Session 2
Chapter 1: Self Education
Session 3
Chapter 2: Children Are Born Persons
Session 4
Chapter 3: The Good and Evil Nature of a Child, first 10 pages
Session 5
Chapter 3: The Good and Evil Nature of a Child, last 10 pages
Session 6
Chapter 4: Authority and Docility
Session 7
Chapter 5: The Sacredness of Personality
Session 8
Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (first half)
Session 9
Chapter 6: Three Instruments of Education (last half)
Session 10
Chapter 7: How We Make Use of the Mind
Session 11
Chapter 8: The Way of the Will
Session 12
Chapter 9: The Way of the Reason
Session 13
Chapter 10: The Curriculum and Section I: Knowledge of God
Session 14
Chapter 10: Section II: Knowledge of Man (History, Literature, Morals, Economics, Composition, Languages, Art)
Session 15
Chapter 10: Section III: Knowledge of the Universe (Science, Geography, Mathematics, Physical Development, Handicrafts)
Session 16
Chapter 11: A Liberal Education in Elementary Schools, A Liberal Education in Secondary Schools