The ABCs of Homeschooling - Letter Q

     As I thought about the letter Q, a couple of thoughts came to mind.  Quiet?  The only time that I could even remember that mildly resembled quiet was the time all of the kids had the chicken pox. Hardly a subject for a blog post in which I am going through the alphabet and talking about homeschool topics.  Hmm.  Maybe, I should save that for the letter S, and write about sick days.
     Quest?  Perhaps.  Quest for what?  Some peace and quiet?  A day to myself?  Nah.  That wasn't going to work, either.  Q. Q. Q.  What begins with the letter Q? Aha, I know - Queen Homeschool Supplies.
     I'm sure I've mentioned in one of my other posts that textbooks don't really float my boat, for the most part.  Enter Queen Homeschool Supplies.  The Queens champion the Charlotte Mason method of education.  They report that this method is more natural and enjoyable. I can agree with natural.  Enjoyable?  Maybe for me.  Hey, I have fun just looking at their supplies. Suffice it to say that my kids never shared my enthusiasm for things of that nature. Oh, they were happy to attend the annual curriculum fair with me - to hang out with their friends!
     I digress.  Back to the letter Q and Queens Homeschool Supplies.  Many of their materials are designed to be used for multiple ages - something quite handy for large families or even smaller families who want to save money.
     What I particularly like about the Charlotte Mason method is that copywork and dictation are part of language arts. When you think about it, we learn to talk by copying those who have mastered a language.  Why not do the same with writing?  That is the basis for copywork. I once went to church with a woman whose very young daughter, prior to starting school, made a habit of copying stories and such.  Would to God I had had a student like that!  My children did not enjoy copywork.  They did it anyway.
       Some of the topics for copywork which are available are: manners, pleasant verses, hymns, and lessons from leaders. When we studied US History, we did copywork that corresponded.  One book is actually math facts to copy, noting that copying the math facts with the correct answer reinforces the right answer whereas flashcards may actually reinforce the wrong answer, if, in fact, the child gives the wrong answer before revealing the correct one.
      For parents who want to explore the Charlotte Mason Method, the Queens have resources available to introduce and guide.  There are other parent resources too, such as, Homeschooling Through Adversity and one publication on learning styles. Nervous about "the talk"?  Check out the God's Plan for Growing Up series.
     If you are a nature lover, you will adore the hands on, research, read alouds, writing, coloring, and nature sketching that are a part of their books, covering such topics as forest plants and animals, insects, birds, human anatomy, gardening, volcanoes, weather, and creation.
     One idea I have incorporated into our homeschool has been studying the boyhood or girlhood of famous people. The Boy and the Man Series does this with former presidents of the United States.  Observing  History through Picture Study uses quality period paintings depicting everyday life, and is suitable as a compliment to the use of living books for history.
     If you have been having "school at home" and are ready to make the change to a lifestyle of learning, Queens is a good resource.  If you are just beginning to homeschool, again, it is a good place to start.  Remember, Q is for Queens.