Simply Charlotte Mason (SCM) is a Christian homeschool curriculum provider offering Charlotte Mason-style lesson plans, living books lists, and educational resources designed to make the Charlotte Mason method practical and accessible for busy families.
What is Simply Charlotte Mason?
Simply Charlotte Mason is a curriculum company founded by Sonya Shafer and Karen Smith, both veteran homeschool mothers who used Charlotte Mason methods with their own children. The company creates ready-to-use lesson plans and resources based on Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy, emphasizing living books, narration, short lessons, habit training, and nature study. Their goal is making the Charlotte Mason approach accessible without requiring parents to spend hours researching and planning independently.
Key Takeaways
- Offers complete curriculum packages with daily lesson plans
- Uses a six-year history cycle integrating Bible and world history
- Emphasizes family-style learning where most subjects are taught together
- Extensive free resources including 450+ podcast episodes
- Christian worldview integrated throughout the curriculum
The Six-Year History Cycle
SCM's curriculum is organized around a six-year history rotation that weaves Bible history with world history. Year 1 covers Genesis through Deuteronomy alongside Ancient Egypt. Year 2 covers Joshua through Malachi with Ancient Greece. Year 3 pairs the Gospels and Acts with Ancient Rome. Years 4-6 continue through the Epistles and Revelation while covering the Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, and modern times. Students complete this cycle twice over 12 years, using age-appropriate books each rotation. This integrated approach means most history and Bible study happens together as a family, saving significant time.
What SCM Offers
What SCM Offers
- History/Geography/Bible modules
Integrated lesson plans with living book lists
- Enrichment Studies
Picture study, poetry, Shakespeare, composer study, nature study, hymns, scripture memory, handicrafts
- Charlotte Mason Mathematics
Math curriculum for elementary grades (Books 1-6)
- Beautiful Handwriting courses
$27.95-$39.95 per level
- Character study resources
Conversations on Character and Plutarch studies
- Free Learning Library
Hundreds of articles, podcasts, and videos
SCM vs. Ambleside Online
Pricing and Getting Started
Individual SCM products range from about $9 to $40, with most curriculum modules in the $20-35 range. A full year of new curriculum materials runs approximately $380 before shipping, though costs decrease significantly when using library books or purchasing used materials. SCM offers free shipping on U.S. orders over $129 and a 60-day return guarantee. For new families, their website includes a free "Build Your Own Curriculum" section with printable forms, sample schedules, and book lists to help you get started.
The Simply Charlotte Mason Approach
SCM emphasizes making Charlotte Mason practical for real families. Their lesson plans are designed as "open-and-go" resources requiring minimal preparation. The family-style learning approach keeps everyone on the same history and enrichment topics, with multi-level book lists accommodating different ages. Sonya Shafer's podcast (450+ episodes) provides ongoing education and encouragement. The company's philosophy is that Charlotte Mason's methods shouldn't feel overwhelming; when properly implemented, they actually simplify homeschooling by providing a clear, consistent approach.
The Bottom Line
Simply Charlotte Mason fills a specific niche for families who are drawn to Charlotte Mason's philosophy but don't have time to create their own curriculum from scratch. The ready-to-use lesson plans and integrated family approach can significantly reduce planning time. The tradeoff is cost and less rigorous book selections compared to free options like Ambleside Online. For families wanting structured Charlotte Mason with Christian integration and strong support resources, SCM delivers.
