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 What Makes a Charlotte Mason Education So Life-Giving?

When I first stepped into the classroom as a new public school teacher, I had stars in my eyes and Anne of Green Gables-level idealism in my heart. I was going to make a difference. I had cozy reading nooks set up, a basket full of classic literature, and dreams of sparking deep conversations with my students.

But reality hit hard.

Most of my students were far behind in reading. The system was focused on test prep and textbooks, not curiosity or creativity. My days became less about joyful discovery and more about checking boxes. And honestly? My heart broke a little.

Then one day, I wandered through my church’s library and spotted a book called For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay. I stayed up until 3 AM reading it, tears streaming down my face. This. This was what education could be. What it should be. And that night, I was introduced to the revolutionary ideas of Charlotte Mason.

A Different Way to Learn

Charlotte Mason was a British educator in the late 1800s who believed education should respect the whole child. She saw firsthand the flaws in the traditional, industrialized system and offered something radically different: an approach rooted in living ideas, rich literature, nature, and meaningful relationships.

Mason believed that:

• Children are born persons – fully capable of thought, creativity, and spiritual life.
  
  
• Living books—not dry textbooks—nourish the mind and inspire real thinking.
  
  
• Narration, or retelling what one has learned, develops comprehension and critical thinking.
  
  
• Hands-on, real-world experiences matter more than worksheets.
  
  
• Beauty, truth, and goodness should be part of every child’s daily learning.
  
  

These ideas weren’t just theories—Charlotte Mason developed real-life programs, exams, and teacher training. Her philosophy wasn’t meant to stay in dusty books; it was designed to be lived.

My Own Homeschool Journey

When I began homeschooling my kids, I went back to what I knew: school-at-home. Textbooks, workbooks, a flag for the pledge. I was exhausted and burned out within two years.

But I remembered that book. I pulled it off the shelf, reread it, and started exploring Mason’s original writings. I joined online groups (hello, Yahoo Groups!) and began building a rhythm of learning that felt like… life.

We ditched the busywork and filled our days with living books, nature walks, picture study, poetry, and real conversations. Our homeschool wasn’t perfect (I had three kids under three at the time!), but it was rich. Meaningful. Gentle. And yes, effective.

Is It Too Gentle?

Sometimes people hear the word “gentle” and think “easy.” But a Charlotte Mason education is anything but shallow. It’s rigorous—but not rushed. It’s structured—but not stressful. Her students studied Shakespeare, Latin, Plutarch, science, nature, art, and more—and they loved learning.

That’s what I want for families. That’s why I created A Gentle Feast—to help modern homeschool moms make this beautiful philosophy doable in real life. Because I know how overwhelming it can feel to start from scratch. And I also know the joy that comes from finally finding your rhythm.

Start with Your Why

If you’re just beginning your homeschool journey, or if you’re craving a fresh start, here’s my biggest advice: Start with your why. What do you want your homeschool to feel like? What kind of learners—and people—do you want your kids to become?

When you’re clear on your purpose, you’ll make decisions that align with your values. You won’t get pulled in a million directions by every shiny new curriculum. You’ll remember what matters.

And if your why includes things like connection, joy, curiosity, beauty, and lifelong learning—Charlotte Mason just might be your kindred spirit.

Want to Learn More?

If you're curious about Charlotte Mason but feeling a little unsure where to start, I have a free resource for you! It’s called Beyond the Textbook, and it walks you through the basics of this approach—plus gives you a chance to experience it as a student yourself.

➡️ Click here to access the free course

Let’s savor this Feast of Life together, friend. You were made for this.

With grace,
Julie