it, be it insect, wildflower, bird, etc., and keep a field guide
handy to identify it. The find might be as common as a
dandelion, ant, pinecone, or robin. “Look, Ma, a butterfly
landed on my sweater.” Nature poems abound. The time
taken to choose a relevant nature poem to be copied into a
Nature Diary is time well spent for English.
Tip #4: Cultivate an appreciation for art and music.
I home-educated my three children through high school.
These now-adult children meet with friends who were not
home-educated and are sometimes struck with how words
call to mind different associations. In conversation, the
name Leonardo was brought up in reference to a painting on
a Christmas card. A friend blurted out, “Oh, I didn’t know
Leonardo could paint.” She was referring to an American
actor. My children thought this was funny. The sad part is
that the friend knew nothing whatsoever about the Italian
Renaissance artist, Leonardo Da Vinci.
A simple way to become familiar with some of the world’s
greatest works of art is to open the pages of an art print
book. Art appreciation provides children a storehouse of
beautiful or thought-provoking images. Charlotte Mason
recommends we display six pictures of one artist’s works
throughout a semester. Let the children look and look and
then describe what they see. No fancy or expensive curricu-
lum is needed.
Music appreciation is just as simple. Pop in a CD of great-
est hits of Bach, Vivaldi, Scott Joplin, or Gershwin. Play a
composer’s music while you wash dishes, travel in the car,
draw, or give the little ones a bath. Classical pieces and folk
tunes are part of our cultural heritage. Art and music appre-
ciation will inoculate your students against grotesque noise
and images they are sure to stumble upon in their lifetime.
Tip #5: Read history that has muscle.
In the homeschool, we are free to look for heroes in history.
History has much to teach us about the choices of mankind
and the consequences that result. The sacrifices made, the
human struggle for discovery, the perseverance of invention,
etc. give us hope that there are people who care to make
a contribution to the world, care about future generations.
Who are these people? What did they believe? To keep
history from being dull or flabby, its pages need to be
inspiring. History with the muscle of right versus wrong
will help children develop their own willpower to do what
is right, to choose to follow God and to do it with all their
20
might. We can highlight our history curriculum with “hero
admiration.” The Bible, biography, and historical fiction can
supply inspiring heroes whose virtues children may choose
to emulate. “Character is king,” said Ronald Reagan. It was a
priority with Charlotte Mason as well.
Tip #6: Instill good habits of quiet discipline.
The homeschool is an ideal place for instilling “habits of
the good life.” Charlotte Mason tells us we can instill one
habit in children at a time, keeping watch over those already
formed. It is remarkable what routine and good manners
will do for the atmosphere of the home. Saying “thank you”
and “please,” sharing, taking turns, and waiting patiently can
all become habit. Speaking the truth in love, using deter-
mination, counting our blessings, and remembering others
in prayer are virtuous actions that do not need strenuous
moral effort once they have become habit.
A mother strives to be consistent. She knows a habit needs
her watchful eye until it is formed. The greatest care will be
at the onset. But once formed, the quiet discipline it brings
is worth all the effort.
Tip #7: Keep growing, Mom.
To keep from feeling weary or overwhelmed, the home
teacher can take part in what I call “Mother Culture.”®
Homeschooling is a parent’s responsibility and noble
pursuit, but children need to see that there is life outside of
homeschooling. To dabble in an interest brings refreshment
to a mother’s soul. How about rummaging in your closet for
the red wool you purchased three years ago to knit that hat?
Let the children see that Mom can take her own nature walk,
sew a curtain, memorize a Psalm for Thanksgiving Day, go
on a “field trip” with Dad, or enjoy any number of recre-
ations of her choice that demonstrate to her children that
life does not so completely revolve around them. Delicately
pour into your cup diversions of the enriching kind—small
portions yet regular servings. Keep growing into the person
God is creating you to be. Your cup will overflow into the
family circle.
This article was originally published in The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.
Reprinted with permission.
Karen Andreola is known by home educators by her groundbreaking book A Charlotte
Mason Companion. Karen taught her three children through high school; studying
with them all the many wonderful things her own education was missing. The entire
Andreola family writes product reviews for Rainbow Resource Center. For encouraging
ideas, visit her blog: momentswithmotherculture.blogspot.com.