Good Morning!

We have some lovely entries to this edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival!  Because so many of the entries relate to nature and the outdoors, we are dedicating this edition to Nature Study.

“We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.”

We are fortunate enough to live near the Atlantic Ocean - so of course we had to study Marine Biology! Studying the tides, netting and studying various creatures and their habitats first hand has been a marvelous experience.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom and family give us a insightful example of studying cattails through the fall, winter, spring and summer as suggested in the classic Handbook of Nature Study in her post  The End of Our Year-Long Cattail Study posted at her gorgeous blog,     Handbook of Nature Study.

Barb-Harmony Art Mom presents a second article recounting her trials and insights in Planning Astronomy Gives Me a Good Thump on the Head posted at her second blog, Harmony Art Mom.

Tricia Hodges exhorts us to enjoy learning with our children her post Deliberate Delight – Nature Study about their summer natures studies posted at Habits for a Happy Home.

Horseshoe crab washing up in the surf.

Tricia also shares with us a second article this edition called Butterfly – A Pastels Tutorial posted at her other blog Hodgepodge.

(I don’t know about the rest of you all, but I am impressed and a little intimidated by people who can keep up with more than one blog.)

Taking a closer look.

Pamela presents a photo essay of her family’s trip to  Mission San Miguel as they study California history, posted at Blah, Blah, Blog.

Charlotte Mason Discussion

Jennifer Lavender welcomes the Charlotte Mason community to take part in discussing her writings in her article How to Use This Blog posted at Charlotte Mason Series.

Nancy presents Enigmas on the Prairie, her reflections after attending the recent Living Education Weekend retreat, posted at Sage Parnassus.

a horseshoe crab from the inside

Books and Tea Time

Melissa presents a book list…decisions, decisions! posted at Bugs, Knights, and Turkeys in the Yard.

Chi-ann Rajah offers an inside look into one of her family’s  favorite habits in her article Teatime Tuesday posted at A Pilgrim’s Heart.

Amy in Peru lets us take a peek at her Book of Centuries and Timelines Galore posted at Fisher Academy International ~ Teaching Home.

our backyard hydrangeas

A Call for Creativity

Jamie offers this insightful post Creative Capacity at her blog See Jamie Blog.  Allow some time to watch the video – the insights it offers to our current educational system will give you plenty to think about!

Thank you for visiting this edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival!  Come again!

Greetings!

So have you had slow summer days at the beach or the lake sipping iced tea, or sweet tea, if you are in my part of the country, and watching the kids splash?

Thanks for giving us a chance to do this as well.  You may have noticed that the blog has been…uh…. a little neglected… this summer.  I plan to pick up the pace on that in about mid-August!  (You know what they say about ‘all work and no play…’.)

Although we have had a chance for some sweet family time and a couple of short (and one very long) trips, as August approaches we are now in gear and working full throttle on some new projects.

South Carolina Tax Free Weekend Aug 6-8

But before I spill the beans on those, I want to remind our South Carolina friends that TAX FREE WEEKEND begins at 12:01 on Friday night, August 6^th and ends at midnight Sunday night, August 8^th!  Anything you buy directly from me (contact me at dana@epikardia.com) during that time period will be tax free. This does not apply to online orders.

Additional Ways to Save and Win a Chance for a Year’s Worth of Daily Lesson Plans!

More good news! And this applies to everyone, not just South Carolina residents: If you are on our mailing list and you have NOT yet used your 25% discount coupon, you no longer need to use it within 30 days of receiving it. So, if you have last minute purchases to make before you start your school year, and you have not yet used your coupon, please feel free to do so and save 25% on your entire order.    And even better than 25% off, attend the Heart of the Matter Virtual Homeschooling Conference August 9 -13 with Susan Wise Bauer, Sally Clarkson, Jeannie Fulbright and more and be entered to win your choice of a year of Epi Kardia’s Daily Lesson Plans! Read more here.

New Products Coming Soon!

For High School

World Literature: a Study of International Writers and World History I: Ancients through the Renaissance & Reformation are coming along well and will be ready just in time for this fall.  As our other high school courses, these are written to the student but include teacher’s keys and evaluation notes for the parent, allowing your student to work independently but giving you, the teacher, the tools you need to easily evaluate your student’s work.

For Elementary

Our 2^nd Grade Daily Lesson Plans are well underway!  Look for Set I to be available for pre-order in September! Click here to read more about our Daily Lesson Plans and see samples near the bottom of the page.   

One Last Thing

Read my just published article today in The Homeschooler’s Notebook on Reflections on Priorities. This is an update of an article I wrote when my oldest was in her first semester of college. (She is now busily applying for graduate schools!)

Thanks for letting me update you on our doings – let us know how we can help you prepare to teach school in the fall!

If you are a reader and especially if you use literature-based curricula (like Epi Kardia!) you might be thrilled to hear that as of yesterday, Amazon has lowered the price of Kindles (Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6″ Display, U.S. Wireless) to $189!

I will be the  first to admit that it is still a lot of money, but it is actually a pretty good investment if you read and purchase a lot of books.

Why is it a good investment, you ask?

The Savings

As I have priced books that I have been using this summer for future high school curricula I’ve been working on, I have been amazed to find out how much cheaper the editions have been on Kindle.  In some cases I mean like instead of paying $14 – $18, Kindle editions have been free, $.99 or $4.99!  That means being able to buy more books! 

The Convenience

Like many homeschool moms, I usually carry around a bag with a bunch of books in it – after all, you never know when you are going to have a minute to read or work on a project while waiting in the grocery line, at the doctor’s office, for the piano lesson to end – well, you get the picture. Those books get heavy! Whereas the Kindle weighs merely ounces yet stores 1500 books!

Additionally, if you finish your beach novel and you still have vacation left, with a Kindle you are never left book-less (perish the thought). You can immediately download another book selection from where ever you are without the use of a computer Internet connection.  Handy!

An added bonus for those of us who are over 40 – ditch the reading glasses – you can easily make the type on your Kindle as big as you want.

For a more detailed review of the Kindle’s features, please check out our prior post about the Kindle here.

To go right to Amazon, click here: Kindle Wireless Reading Device (6″ Display, U.S. Wireless).

Although a little more costly than most of our homeschooling resources, this is one tool that will pay for itself pretty quickly and can be used by teacher and multiple students alike!

Happy Reading!

P.S. Some of Epi Kardia’s product/book review posts contain affiliate links. All of the products and books we recommend are things we have owned personally, have used and have read.

Welcome and thanks to Beth Hempton who is ‘guest’ posting on the Epi Kardia blog today! Beth is a co-author of Epi Kardia curricula and uses Epi Kardia curricula in the local and online classes she teaches.

Quick note to our APO/FPO and Alaskan clients – if you have recently had difficulty placing an online order of Epi Kardia curricula, please try again.  The shopping cart is fixed!  Thanks to Lorna for bringing this to our attention!

Now here is Beth’s informative post:

Happy end of the school year! Well, at least for some families, the school year concludes in the next few weeks. What better time to consider curriculum and classes for next year?

Today, home school parents are offered a plethora of options for educating their children compared to even a decade ago. Discovering what’s important for your home school takes time and energy, but it’s absolutely worth the effort! Consider the following questions as you’re making important curriculum and class decisions:

• Would your children benefit from excellent books that have been pre-read by Christian home school moms with particular standards?
• How much easier would it be if you had writing, hands-on and other activity ideas included in your curriculum?
• Do you long for curriculum presented from a Christian worldview, thus supporting your family’s values while meeting educational needs?
• Are you totally confident in evaluating your children’s work or would rubrics and other pre-designed evaluation tools save you time and stress?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, then Epi Kardia curriculum might be the perfect fit for your family. From detailed daily lesson plans for the elementary and middle school grades to multi-faceted unit studies to specifically designed high school courses, Epi Kardia homeschool curricula provides various options fitting many families’ educational lifestyles.

Maybe you’d love to utilize Epi Kardia, seeing its tremendous value and depth, but would prefer to have an experienced Christian teacher instruct your children and evaluate their written work for English, history or literature. In that case, please consider Classes by Beth for online and local courses in Charleston, SC. Taught by me, one of the authors of Epi Kardia, you can choose from middle school writing and many different high school history, writing and literature courses. Letting me teach some of your children’s classes can help eliminate pressure, allowing you to concentrate on other subjects or younger children.

Have you ever wondered how online classes operate? With CBB classes, we use a number of components to allow your children to not only complete the course requirements, but also to provide interaction and discussion at the same time! All CBB courses incorporate the following:

1. The CBB blog serves as a portal for communication and discussion between registered students and the instructor. This blog contains pages. designated for specific courses so that students don’t have to wade through material that isn’t relevant to their class. As well, a special parents’ page provides important information and FAQ to assist parents in managing the online class experience.

2.  The secure CBB forum lists all course assignments arranged by class. It also includes a helpful section with study skills and tools to assist students with assignments. Only registered students and the instructor have access to the forum. The main screen, after signing in, provides a list of the courses, again allowing a student to access his assignments without having to be distracted by other class materials. At any time, a student can ascertain who else is on the forum with him.

3. Once a student clicks on the appropriate class assignments, the forum provides a detailed listing of work to be completed. Students can easily print out the assignments in a simple user friendly style, providing a working checklist and eliminating the need to return to the forum repeatedly.

4. Weekly, students participate in a chat session on the forum. Again, this chat contains safety and security measures allowing only registered students and the instructor to interact. Students may select any one of a number of chat styles.

5. All work is emailed to the instructor once a week and once evaluated, it is returned in the same manner. Students and parents may utilize email as another form of communication with the instructor when there are questions or concerns about assignments or class.

Most students find the process fairly simple once they’ve established a routine. Online courses do require some oversight from parents, particularly in the beginning, to insure that students understand the system and complete their work in a timely and thorough manner. However, with consistent communication, these same courses often promote learning independence in middle and high school students.

Currently, the best CBB tuition rates are available by registering and paying by June 22^nd. Students registered for CBB courses receive their Epi Kardia curriculum at a 15% discount. However, an even better, one-time use discount of 25% off your total order is currently available if you sign up on the Epi Kardia email list!

Epi Kardia materials and CBB instruction offer the perfect combination for parents who want excellent curriculum and solid teaching from a Christian worldview. Class space is limited, so check into CBB for class registration information soon! Please don’t hesitate to email me if you have any questions.

Many thanks to Dana for allowing me to ‘guest’ blog! God bless your family as you prepare for the upcoming year!

In Christ,

In the first place, grammar, being a study of words and not of things, is by no means attractive to the child, nor should he be hurried into it.        –Charlotte Mason

Most kids would certainly agree.

Charlotte Mason strongly opposed teaching grammar to children under ten.  She felt that children were ready at that age to begin only short, gentle, grammar lessons. In the beginning, oral lessons of about 10-15 minutes were sufficient.

So how do I teach a ‘gentle’ grammar lesson?

Easily!

Charlotte Mason felt that rather than memorizing the parts of speech, grammar studies should begin with the ‘whole  concept’ of a  of a sentence.  Understanding the ‘whole’ first makes it easier to understand the ‘parts.’  So you can see just how easy this method is to use, here  is a short reprint of a first grammar lesson from Volume 1 of Charlotte Mason’s Original Home Schooling Series:

Words put together so as to make sense form what is called a sentence.

‘Barley oats chair really good and cherry’ is not a sentence, because it makes no(n)sense.

‘Tom has said his lesson’ is a sentence.

It is a sentence because it tells us something about Tom.

Every sentence speaks of someone or of something, and tells us something about that of which it speaks.

So a sentence has two parts:
(1) The thing we speak of;
(2) What we say about it.

In our sentence we speak of ‘Tom.’

We say about him that he ‘has learned his lesson.’

The thing we speak of is often called the SUBJECT, which just means that which we talk about.

People sometimes say ‘the subject of conversation was so and so,’ which is another way of saying ‘the thing we were speaking about was so and so.’

To be learnt––

Words put together so as to make sense form a sentence.
A sentence has two parts: that which we speak of, and what we say about it.
That which we speak of is the SUBJECT.

Lesson I Exercises

1. Put the first part to these examples:

—has a long mane.
—is broken.
—cannot do his math.
—played for an hour;
etc., etc.

2. Put the second part to—

That poor boy—.
My brother Tyler—.
The broken flowerpot—.
Bread and jelly—.
Mr. Brown’s tool-box—.

Following these exercises, Ms. Mason suggests that the student create new sentences by again replacing what has been left out.  Then she reminds us to remember to call the first part of the sentence – what the sentence is about – the SUBJECT.  After the student has finished creating all of his sentences, he is to go back and draw a line under the part of the sentence that is the subject.

It seems too easy, doesn’t it?  But this method of learning is surprisingly effective, especially when a new skill is reviewed for the next few consecutive days.

Once children have had a chance to hear the lesson, short passages of copy work were often used to reinforce what was discussed.  The perfect copy work for this lesson would be the “To be Learnt” section above:

Words put together so as to make sense form a sentence.
A sentence has two parts: that which we speak of, and what we say about it.
That which we speak of is the SUBJECT.

Using Startwrite for copy work

We recommend using  the Startwrite Program software for copy work, especially if your student is a new writer or just learning cursive.  Using Startwrite would allow you to give your child a perfect example to follow, in the type of handwriting you would like him to learn.  Here is an example of something typed into Startwrite in the Manuscript handwriting style.  When it is printed you see what is below along with blank guidelines underneath upon which your student will write.

This example would be good for a child just learning to write because she could use the dots to write the letters.  In the program you could lighten the dots as your child learns her letters, add arrows to guide her in learning how to make the letters, choose another type of writing style (or even use cursive), or you could type the copy work in normally and have your student copy it on lines printed below.

If you would like to see more information about Startwrite you can check out a past post here or go directly to the Startwrite website here.

So does this sound as if it would be more palatable to you than all those grammar worksheets, perhaps?

Reinforcing the lesson

We recommend each child have a place in a notebook for grammar rules.  Each time a new grammar rule is learned, it should be recorded as copy work and added to the notebook.

Not surprisingly, Ms. Mason advocated the copy work be chosen from superior literature such as the Bible or other living books.  In the Epi Kardia Daily Lesson Plans we choose copy work from our history and science selections, allowing the activity to  serve multiple functions. For example, in addition to grammar study, copy work can be used for handwriting  and spelling practice, memorization, and to review history and science concepts.

So for the next day’s practice on this grammar concept, a history or a science book would be utilized.

If you think this would be an easier and more engaging way to learn grammar for your student you might want to give the Charlotte Mason method a try!

Coming up — we will post a week of grammar lessons using this methodology!  To make sure you don’t miss it, subscribe to our mailing list on the top left of this page.

May is here! I know many of you are longingly gazing out the window at the sunshine and flowers while trying to crank out the last few school days!  You can do it!! 

I also know that while you are working to finish this year’s school you are day-dreaming of ripping open your boxes of new curriculum and books for next year. (We are all alike.)

In thinking about next year, have you checked out NotebookingPages.com?  Starting TODAY, my sweet friend Debra is offering a HUGE sale on all of her materials for the next three days – and if you spend $40 or more, you receive nine other products free. And one of them is one of Epi Kardia’s e-books, Designing a High School Class Using Real Books!

Have a blessed Mother’s Day!

Where can I go to read reviews of Epi Kardia?

If you have asked yourself the question – Where can I find online reviews of Epi Kardia curriculum? Look no further; I am going to give you the answer.

Recently, two of our products have had marvelous reviews so I thought I would pass these on to you as a few of you had asked about this in our recent survey.

The first review is for British Literature: a Study of American Writers, one of our high school courses.  This review is from Cindy Prechtel, who reviews for Heather Idoni’s The Homeschoolers’ Notebook. If you are looking for high school courses for the fall of 2010, you will want to read this review!  Here is part of it:

This course from  Epi Kardia is a welcome addition to the curriculum market….This well-written, affordable
course is definitely worthy of your consideration as you make curriculum  choices for the high school years.

–Cindy Prechtel

If you are in a quandary about what to do about high school curricula for history or literature, or you would like to look at a few useful electives such as public speaking, writing –the dreaded — research paper, or a great high school composition course, take a look at this or contact us at info@epikardia.com

If you have been wondering about our Daily Lesson Plans, read our second review by Diana Sullivan, who writes for The Curriculum Choice blog.  Diana is currently using and recently reviewed our First Grade Lesson Plans. Here is a snippet of Diana’s review:

In my humble opinion, Epi Kardia compares nicely with other, more known curriculum such as Sonlight, My Father’s World, or Tapestry of Grace. Of course, each of these curriculum offer their own perspective, features and lesson plans, which makes each one unique and tailored to each families personal needs. However, I think the Sullivan family has joyfully found our core curricula of choice!

–Diana Sullivan

Want to give us a piece of your mind?

I know, by late April there are not many pieces left, yuk, yuk.

Seriously, though,  if you already use or have used Epi Kardia curriculum, I would LOVE you  to take just a few minutes to complete a survey found right here (as well as on the left sidebar of the Epi Kardia blog).  There are less than ten questions so it won’t take very long and your input is invaluable to us.  Thank you in advance for your time!

Have a great week!

Although Epi Kardia doesn’t sell  math curricula, we have taught a lot of math over the years! Someone recently asked me what math curriculum I would recommend, and I hesitated answering because it seems as though there is a new program out every week! Whichever program you choose to use, here are a few ideas about  teaching math effectively, some living book recommendations on mathematical topics, as well as a few fantastic free resources you will not want to miss!

Charlotte Mason on Math

The practical value of arithmetic to persons in every class of life goes without remark. But the use of the study in practical life is the least of its uses. The chief value of arithmetic, like that of the higher mathematics, lies in the training it affords the reasoning powers, and in the habits of insight, readiness, accuracy, intellectual truthfulness it engenders.

Charlotte Mason advocated lots more talking about how we use arithmetic and math in our daily lives, rather than just making our students work endless problems. (Our modern equivalent to her slate is our worksheet.)  We must help our children connect arithmetic with real life situations. Cooking, measuring, telling time, traveling, buying groceries and even just cutting pizza are all routine activities perfect for incorporating ‘math’ conversations – and don’t forget to combine living books with your math study!

(Incidentally, my children have always had a miraculous ability with math when it comes to figuring out how to divide any dessert into an equal number of pieces so no one receives more than anyone else.)

Help Your Students See Math

We recommend a program that emphasizes mastery of concepts, beginning with manipulative use in the primary years for hands-on learning. It takes children a while to connect numbers with concepts. We know that the number 3 stands for three items, but young children need to learn this, and they aren’t all ready to grasp this concept at the same age.  Using buttons, toothpicks (be careful if you have littler ones around!), soup cans, M&Ms, blocks, or any other smaller objects can be extremely helpful in helping your child understand what numbers mean.  Especially as your child begins to learn arithmetic operations, it is very helpful to use manipulatives to illustrate problems. Continuing the use of manipulatives past the primary years is helpful for many students.

Another way to help your students see math is through making mini-books.  If you are not familiar with those, reading this post might help.  This photo on the right is a math fact mini-book we made.  These are ‘mini matchbooks’  in Dinah Zike-speak.    The math fact questions are on the outside and you lift the flap and look inside for the answer.

Making mini-books helps children with different learning styles as they are colorful, kinesthetic and provide a fun way to review.  My sweet friend Jimmie found this fantastic free resource: Dinah Zike’s Teaching Mathematics with Foldables. All of you Epi Kardia users have at least one Dinah Zike title in your library, I am sure, so you will be as delighted as I was to be able to download this 102 page tool for free!  Thank you, Jimmie!

One of the best things you can do for your children, especially if they tend to be more spatial in the way they learn, is to help them see the patterns in arithmetic.  One way to do this is encourage them to frequently count by twos, threes, fives, etc.  Additionally, using a one hundred number chart is very useful to help them identify number patterns.

As we approach the end of the school year and move into the summer, it is a beneficial time to review your math facts to get ready for next year.  Memorization of addition and subtraction facts by the end of 2nd grade promotes ease in dealing with 3rd grade concepts.  The same is true for memorization of multiplication and division facts by the end of 3rd grade in preparation for 4th – if your children are ready, of course. Gently practicing math facts throughout the summer is a helpful strategy for most elementary aged students!

Study Math through Living Books

Don’t forget to incorporate living books into your study of arithmetic and mathematics!  Reading about the real people behind the math helps bring it alive, as Charlotte Mason relates:

How interesting Arithmetic and Geometry might be if we gave a short history of their principal theorems, if the child were meant to be present at the labours of a Pythagoras, a Plato, a Euclid, or in modern times, of a Descartes, a Pascal, or a Leibnitz. Great theories instead of being lifeless and anonymous abstractions would become living human truths each with its own history like a statue by Michael Angelo or like a painting by Raphael.”

For the child that thinks she ‘hates’ math, letting her read as part of the math lesson might really help her learn to enjoy it more.  Here are some of our favorite living books with mathematical themes – check them out by clicking on the images.

Do you have any particular books that you would like to add that helped your students with understanding mathematical concepts?  If so, please leave the title(s) in our comments section below!  Thanks!

Blessings on your math studies!

OK, I am going to be transparent here.  In spite of  just last week’s celebration of Resurrection Day, this time of year I am dragging.  These last few months of the school year always seem interminable to me;  I tend to be focused on all there is to do, instead of all that has been accomplished.  I become frustrated with myself and my student(s) for not following my plans to the letter.

Did you happen to notice all of the “I’s” and “my’s” in these sentences?  That is part of the problem.  Too much focus on ME.  MY plans.

From the phone calls and notes I get this time of year, I know this discouragement is not only a problem for me.  As I have been looking for words of encouragement for you, I came across this video. If you watch it, you will be inspired.

Let’s remember all that we have and not focus so much on the way we want things to be.  Let’s put our noses to the grindstone and be faithful in the small things, day by day, so that we may finish this school year well.

He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.   Luke 16:10

His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’  Matthew 25:23

May we all be faithful,

In remembrance of Easter, I am posting a prayer from the Valley of Vision: a Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions.  These uplifting and theologically sound selections were gathered  from among the works of John Bunyan, Isaac Watts, David Brainerd, Charles Haddon Spurgeon and many others.  They never cease to move and inspire me.  I recommend this book for individual and corporate worship! Additionally, it would also be a wonderful primary source addition to your studies of the Puritans during the Colonial period, especially for high school students.

THOU GOD OF ALL GRACE,

Thou hast given me a Saviour,

produce in me a faith to live by Him,

to make Him all my desire,

all my hope,

all my glory.

May I enter Him as my refuge,

build on Him as my foundation,

walk in Him as my way,

follow Him as my guide,

conform to Him as my example,

receive His instructions as my prophet,

rely on His intercession as my high priest,

obey Him as my king.

May I never be ashamed of Him or His words,

but joyfully bear His reproach,

never displease Him by unholy or imprudent conduct,

never count it a glory if I take it patiently when buffeted for a fault,

never make the multitude my model,

never delay when Thy Word invites me to advance.

May Thy dear Son preserve me from this present evil world,

so that its smiles never allure,

nor its frowns terrify,

nor its vices defile,

nor its errors delude me.

May I feel that I am a stranger and a pilgrim on earth,

declaring plainly that I seek a country,

my title to it becoming daily more clear,

my meetness for it more perfect,

my foretastes of it more abundant;

and whatsoever I do may it be done in the Saviour’s name.

AMEN!

He has risen indeed!