My Homeschool AU: Charlotte Mason Homeschool Curriculum Review
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Of the many homeschooling styles, the Charlotte Mason method seems to be increasingly popular. Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculums are not short on supply these days. However, finding one that is the best option for your child and your family can prove to be a challenge.
When given the opportunity to work with My Homeschool, I was hesitant at first. You see, I’ve looked over several Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculums and very few have proven to be a good fit for our family.
This curriculum, however, is different…and I mean that in a good way.
I’m going to share with you my thoughts on this Christian, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum and why I think it’s pretty exciting.
What is My Homeschool?
Before we jump into all the details and nitty-gritty features, I want to give you a broad overview of what My Homeschool is.
Created by several experienced homeschool moms with their own academic qualifications, this is a Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculum.
Originally created for the Australian market, My Homeschool has now expanded to the international market as well.
This curriculum is completely digital but includes PDFs that can be printed at home.
They offer courses for Kindergarten-Year 10 (you can find their grade level placement guide here) and prices range from $330AUD-$550AUD per course which covers an entire year.
Key Features of My Homeschool
As I stated before, I’ve used and looked over several Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculums. I love the concepts and principles found in them but there are some things that really stood out about this one.
It’s Extremely Organized
The creators of this homeschool curriculum seem to have thought of everything when it comes to how families are going to use their recourses.
It is very organized and simple to navigate.
There are easy steps to follow when you’re getting started and checklists and detailed information for everything you might possibly need.
I was particularly impressed by the necessary resources checklist and the suggested schedule.
So often we fall in love with a certain homeschool style but freeze because we don’t know how to actually implement it.
My Homeschool takes all that stress away by doing the hard work for you. It has you covered when it comes to lesson plans, daily schedules, learning resources, and your resource checklist for the few things you’ll need to purchase.
It’s Australasian
I’m a second-generation homeschooler and am very used to using American homeschool curriculums. I’ve spent my fair share of time converting measurements, switching around seasons, and substituting currencies.
Honestly, those things are that big of a deal at the end of the day. However, it is really refreshing to have a curriculum that focuses on the Southern Hemisphere when it comes to nature study and science.
Not only that but to have a curriculum produced in my own region of the world that is also Charlotte Mason-inspired is quite special.
It’s Easy to Navigate
Sometimes, digital curriculums can be a great idea in theory but when it comes down to using them, they’re glitchy or difficult to navigate.
This is definitely not the case for My Homeschool. I was really impressed by how well thought out their whole website is.
You can very easily switch between screens and navigate to where you need to be. There’s no lagging or glitchiness.
They Have Excellent Customer Service
As wonderful as a curriculum can be there’s always going to be a need for good support and customer service.
This is something My Homeschool offers for sure! They are happy to help and answer any questions you might have.
I was also pleased to see that they have an online forum where you can get great tips from fellow homeschooling parents. I think this is wonderful, especially for new homeschoolers.
The Scope and Sequence is Clear
For those of us who are required to meet certain standards when applying to homeschool our children, it is incredibly helpful to have access to the scope and sequence of a curriculum.
This curriculum has that and if you’re in Australia, there are even more helpful resources to make the process easier for you. The homeschooling parent feeling overwhelmed is sure to receive lots of help and advice.
It’s Created By Experts
The women who have created this curriculum are backed by their own homeschooling experience as well as qualifications.
You can rest easy in knowing that the materials are proven and will equip your children with the knowledge and tools that they need to succeed.
You can get additional information here.
High School Students Are Included
There is an abundance of Charlotte Mason curriculums for the younger years but precious few run through from homeschool high school students.
I was really encouraged to see that this curriculum offers high school courses as well.
Things to Be Aware of
I want to be clear that these are not negative features. I personally don’t love a pros and cons list when it comes to a homeschool curriculum. The reason for this is that one family’s pro might be another’s con.
Instead, it’s better to just know the features so that you can decide for yourself if this is a curriculum that will work for you.
With that said, here are some important things you need to know about.
Not Family Style
While many Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculums are created to be used as a family as much as possible, this is not the case with My Homeschool.
However, they do offer tips on how to combine grades and subjects. It is, therefore, able to be used family-style.
I wouldn’t let the fact that it’s not primarily designed to be used with a group deter you from using it.
Printing is Required
From what I have seen of the PDFs which require printing, there is very little color printing included. Therefore, while the resources do require printing, it won’t cost the earth to do so.
I also like that my kids can have tangible workbooks to use.
Screentime is Necessary
As this is a digital curriculum that links out to other digital resources, screentime is a part of the curriculum.
I personally like the idea of my children knowing how to use technology to access information in a wise way. However, if you’re not wanting any screentime included in your school, this is something to be aware of.
It’s Not Free
This homeschool curriculum is not free. However, I think it is very fairly priced for the quality of the product that you receive.
Other homeschool curriculums may be free or priced low. However, they still require many outside resources to be purchased and aren’t organized at all.
With this curriculum, you will have someone to hold your hand and support you whenever you need it. All the hard work has been done for you.
For mamas with lots of homeschool students or very limited time, this is incredibly appealing.
With that said, they also offer a free trial. You can get a good feel for the curriculum before making any financial commitment.
Our Experience
I’m an eclectic homeschooler for sure. I pick and choose curriculum for each subject based on what my children need at the time.
For that reason, we haven’t used this curriculum in its entirety. However, I have been using their kindergarten language arts with my 5-year old daughter.
The lessons are gentle and short, which is pleasing. It’s been a beautiful supplement to her reading program and has only reinforced what she’s currently learning.
She loves the picture study and poetry which is included.
I enjoy the fact that it’s only done a few days per week. It doesn’t at all feel like I’m overloading my student with unnecessary busywork.
As a homeschool parent, I also appreciate that the lessons aren’t super long as I try to spread my time and attention between all of my children.
Who Is This For?
If you’re looking for a done-for-you curriculum then this is worth looking into.
If you are home schooling already but wish to move more towards the Charlotte Mason method then I would recommend My Homeschool.
It’s also a great option for anyone wanting to avoid expensive shipping costs. You can print and re-print the PDFs whenever you need to.
Those of us in the Southern Hemisphere will be excited about what this offers for sure!
Conclusion
I’m excited about what this Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum offers. Its lessons are gentle, short, and effective.
All the hard work of scheduling and listing resources has been done for you. This takes a huge amount off your mental load.
If you’re on the lookout for a curriculum that offers support and guidance then I strongly suggest checking out My Homeschool.
