Last Saturday, I introduced you to our homeschool briefly. You were able to read that we use Ambleside Online as our curriculum, and today I’d like to talk a little bit more about the type of books we use with this curriculum.

If you have never looked into homeschooling, there are many methods. A few homeschooling methods include unschooling, classical education, and the one we have chosen, the Charlotte Mason method. In the CM method, “living books” are encouraged as the reading material to do as much of the teaching as possible.

What exactly are living books?

These are books written in a conversation or narrative style. The books involve your emotions, drag you into the story and get you involved in a personal way. It is easier to remember the information and details of the story this way. They appear to make the subject “come alive” to the learner. Who wouldn’t want that?

On the contrary, think of the last thing you read about in an encyclopedia or textbook. Did you feel connected to the information and easily recall details? These are not considered living books and are dry and just present the information with nothing to really draw the reader in. In a CM education, these, as well as many other books, are referred to as "twaddle."

Have you read any of these “living books”?

Lord of the Rings, Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, The Boxcar Children, and many more. If you have read them, I’m sure you have fond memories and can remember some details, even years later. On Amy Lynn Andrews's website, you can find a list she made with many living books, their summary and more information about them. These are great books to read, or to read to your kids! Many of the "classics" are on this list.

My children enjoy this way of learning because it creates a conversation. Part of the CM method is using something called “narrating,” which just means telling back what you have heard. After I read a short bit of the book, I ask the kids what they have heard and they tell me what happened in the story. They are then creating a memory of what we are learning that will last far into the future. I can ask them about stories we have read in the last few years and they are usually able to tell me at least something about it. Ask them about Robin Hood, Damocles and his sword, Burgess Animal Book, Joseph and his brothers, or Paddle to the Sea. They love the books we use with this curriculum because they are great, living books.

Tell me in the comments which is the last living book you have read or one that sounds interesting to you!

Next week, check back to find out about what the “riches” of a CM education include.

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