Complexity ... needs to be countered by simplicity.- Nassim Nicholas TalebLike many business-type books, The Black Swan can be helpful to a homeschool mom if she couples her reading with imagination and a generous dose of extrapolation. One particularly helpful concept in the book is that of a "complex domain." Homeschooling clearly fits his definition:A complex domain is characterized by the following: there is a great degree of interdependence between its elements, both temporal Continue Reading
What Worked for 11th Grade: College Prep Genius (Homeschooling High School)
When a Charlotte Mason mama meets the "real world" of SATs, ACTs, and college applications, it can be a pain. Maintaining our principles means not teaching to the test, but not teaching to the test can mean lower test scores, which can have undesirable ramifications.One of my goals has been to keep as many doors open for my students as possible. Some students will naturally have more open doors than others — some will care about open doors more than others. And some will slam doors Continue Reading
Welcome to the Classical Grind
On a bright July morning in 2008, I was 8.5-months pregnant and very nauseous (always nauseous). We had also just moved, proving that difficult situations can always be made worse. But no matter. Our new house was perfect for us and today was designated the First Day of School. I was determined, because I needed a month off post-partum. I gave the girls (aged 18 months and 3 years) something to distract them, and pulled out my then-shiny copy of Aesop's Fables illustrated by Milo Winter.It Continue Reading
(IN 01) Let’s Talk About … Charlotte Mason History (with Karen Glass!)
received a couple questions recently regarding AmblesideOnline, Charlotte Mason, and the teaching of history that made me think of conversations I've had in the past with Karen Glass. I decided to use them as an excuse to have a conversation with her and record it for AfterCast. That's what I'm presenting to you today.Karen is the author of Consider This: Charlotte Mason and the Classical Tradition, and also the brain behind Mind to Mind, an abridgment of Charlotte Mason’s sixth volume. Continue Reading