Welcome to the March edition of the Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival covering (among other topics) Education is a Discipline!

The pics in this post are for those in the North with no flowers yet!

If you are new here, you’ll want to carve a little time out of your day to read these inspirational posts!

But first, grab a cup of coffee or tea. Then, spend some time reading these blog posts from homeschooling moms like you who use Charlotte Mason’s methodology in their home schools.

Expect to learn, be inspired and encouraged!

Although this edition’s theme is Education is a Discipline, there are posts on other Charlotte Mason topics as well.

Parenting = Teaching and Training

The parent who believes that the possibilities of virtuous training are unlimited will set to work with cheerful confidence, will forego the twaddle about ‘Nature,’ whether as lovely in itself or as an irresistible force, and will perceive that the first function of the parent is that function of discipline … — Volume 2, p. 65

Nancy, from Sage Parnassus, posts Parents as Rulers, Inspirers, and Revealers – Charlotte Mason on Thoughtful Parenting. In her post she suggests that Miss Mason had much to offer not only the educator, but also the parent.

Melissa also shares her thoughts on our topic from her blog, Educating Mother: Education is a Discipline {chewing on a couple of things}.

Barb at Harmony Art Mom offers food for thought with her post entitled Homeschooling for Life and Not a Lifestyle. I agree that Charlotte would have wanted to see her charges develop a lifelong love for learning!

Here is Erin’s post, Education is a Discipline, from her blog, Seven Little Australians and Counting.

Habit Training

A very clear presentation of how Sarah instills morning habits in her children, Discipline and the Two R’s,  is posted on her blog, All That’s Good. I love these concrete examples, don’t you?

Another beneficial post along these lines is by Tammy, who chronicles her experience Curing the Habit of Frustration, presented on her blog, Aut-2B-Homeincarolina.

Why Homeschool? Retaining Sibling Relationships, is a thoughtful post by Kelly at The Homeschool Co-op. You will not only enjoy the post – the photos of her kids are too cute!

Nadene also talks about her children, and transparently shares a current struggle  implementing the ‘perfect’ Charlotte Mason home school.  Read her post, Stresses and Struggles, on her blog, Practical Pages.

Poetry Study

Here are a few posts that either didn’t make it into the last edition of the carnival or were included after it was initially published:

Laura shares her first experiences sharing poetry with her son at her blog, Windy Hill Home School in her post entitled Poetry.

At the other end of the homeschooling spectrum, here is an inspiring poem with suggestions for middle and high school lesson plans included on the Train up a Child Publishing blog,  Anne Bradstreet: Puritan Poet.

Additionally, Amy from Fisher Academy International shares her very useful post on how to analyze poetry For Novel Poetry Analysts…Like Me!.

Nature Study & the Arts

The Charlotte Mason Blog Carnival would not be complete without celebrating nature. Especially during the delightful Spring season!

Barb at her Handbook of Nature Study blog shares her informative and visually cheerful post, Early Spring Flowers – Nature Study and Art Project.

After Barb’s post, head over to Hodgepodge where Trish offers us 10 Easter and Spring Arts and Crafts activities to enjoy.

Jimmie at Jimmies Collage then features her Georgia O’Keeffe  Artist Study (along with the display of her daughter’s beautiful work!)

Thanks to all three ladies for the lesson plans and photos of gorgeous art work to inspire us.

Even if you are not quite ready for the art studies, Melissa’s post Snippets from Charlotte on Being Outdoors will encourage you to carve out the time to regularly leave your four walls and go outside (with your children!) on her blog, Bugs, Knights, and Turkeys in the Yard.

Living Math

In her post at Jimmie’s Collage, Jimmie describes how she incorporates principles of “living” math along with a textbook curriculum in Using Teaching Textbooks in a Living Math Approach.

Scripture Prayer Calendar

And, finally, a lovely gift to us of a downloadable Scripture Prayer Calendar from Nadene of Practical Pages. Thank you, Nadene for the helpful photos and clear directions for creating our own calendars.  As well as for the reminder of the need to be lifting up our children in prayer.

Thank you to the authors and our readers for taking the time to read and comment on our posts!