Last week, I introduced you to ”Living books” as part of a Charlotte Mason education. These are the basic building blocks of the CM method and one of the main reasons we love using Ambleside Online as part of our curriculum. Another great reason we follow this style of homeschooling is the “extras” which I recently heard them referred to as ”riches” and I love that!

The “riches” of a CM education include: artist study, composer study, nature study, hymns, and folk songs. Each of these add a uniqueness to the Charlotte Mason method. Each teacher will add her own creative way of teaching these “riches.”

Artist Study

Each term (3 month period) of the year, we have a different artist we study. There are 6 pieces that are chosen by the advisory team of Ambleside Online to be the ones that are focused on. One way that we study the artist and their art is by printing it out, hanging it on the wall or fridge and just looking at it throughout the day. At other times, we will try to draw some aspect of the painting or just talk about it in general. Maybe we will even come up with a story about the painting. This is a pretty fun way to add classics to the homeschool day.

Composer Study

This is very similar to the artist study in that each term, there is one composer with six of their compositions. The selections are usually available on YouTube, so we just play them from there in the background while we do our day. Sometimes I play the songs for the kids at lunch or we listen to the Podcast “Classics for Kids.” They really love this! There is no formal study, but just introducing them to good, classical music and seeing if they can find some characteristic of each composer.

Nature Study

This is usually the one that most of us moms have a problem with in the AO community. I guess we try to make it more than it is. The point is to get the kids out into nature and have them make some observations. They should sketch something into a nature journal such as a bird, insect or plant they see. Just keeping a record of what is around them during each season is an interesting activity. The AO group has a suggested rotation to help you get through the Handbook of Nature Study but we don’t really stick with is. I honestly have a hard time getting this one done most weeks!

Hymns

Each month, there is a selected hymn that the students can learn. Charlotte Mason had her students learn and recite hymns as a regular part of their education. I love getting to sing along to some of the hymns I know and seeing my kids start to learn them. I usually just play these in the background while we are getting ready in the morning or getting some housework done. These can be found on YouTube as well.

Folk Songs

This is the area where I probably fail the most! Each month, there is a different selected folk song for the students to learn. I am sure my kids would love it and I could play it in the background like I do with the others, but it just hasn’t really happened yet. Some of the songs I have never heard before! Maybe we will start playing them and see if the kids can act them out or draw a picture of what they hear.

As you can see, there are many parts to a Charlotte Mason education that make it unique and fun for the child. Which would be your favorite of the “riches” that are described above as a student? What about as a teacher? ** Can you think of a creative way to teach any of them?

<><><><><><><><><><><><>**
Schoolhouse Saturday will be brought to you here every Saturday by A Panama Mama.
Check back each week for updates on school life, curriculum, our lending library and more.
If you have something you’d like to hear about, feel free to let me know in the comments.
Thanks for visiting!