I was introduced to Milestones Academy (M.A.) at the end of 2008 which was mid-year for our home school. For some reason, I felt so prompted to implement Charlotte Mason into my home and M.A. was the way I could do it! I was so excited! I started with poetry, reading a little every day during our devotional. Then I vamped up the morning devotional and included the Primary scripture of the month and song of the month. I also added some foreign language study (singing some songs in French or Spanish or reading a Spanish picture book). All of these little changes were accepted immediately by my children. By the way, I have a 7 year old son and then daughters: ages 4, 3 and 1. They loved to sing and learn new words. My 4 year old daughter especially loved the poetry. We began memorizing poetry and she enjoyed it immensely! To hear her recite a poem is true beauty. It melts my heart to hear her darling voice speak the words so clearly.
We also included in our morning devotional an article from the Friend each day and a story from the New Testament using Penny Gardner's scripture story list. We spent a couple of months reading a page on manners every day, then shifted to reading a couple of Just So Stories each week. All of these activities the children enjoyed. And I have enjoyed them too!
We have kept our history and science study on the same path that we started with this year (not M.A.) but have complemented history with some interesting living books that the kids just love to hear, including "Fifty Famous Stories Retold". Then the kids narrate them and I write them down. Implementing narration has been the most difficult thing for me so far but persistence is the key with this one, I think. My 4 year old can do it easily but my 7 year old resists (I think because it is unnatural for him). With consistency, there will be improvement. Their narrations are going to be real treasures, especially to see their progress.
The books that are included in the curriculum for Milestones Academy are all WONDERFUL! We've read "Peter Cottontail" for nature study, "A Bear Called Paddington" just for fun, a beautifully illustrated book of fairy tales, a children's book of stories by James Herriot, "The Boxcar Children" and "Pinocchio." The children LOVE these books. They pique their imagination, they are funny, and they are wholesome.
I've tried to get myself and the kids outside a lot, but with the winter weather that just doesn't seem to happen. Thankfully, my older kids will play outdoors on their own and with friends. Now that spring is coming, we've already spent many hours outside tending to the yard and flowers and gardens. Playing outside for a few hours every day will be no problem in spring, summer and fall. In fact, it will be hard for us to stay inside and attend to academics!
We also study a composer each month and listen to his music. My 3 year old recently commented when she heard classical music on the radio, "I love Bach!" We study an artist each month and study his art. My son has also had the chance to begin violin with a Suzuki instructor. This fine arts education is what public education is really lacking. My kids just soak it up!
I have also begun introducing daily lessons for reading, writing and math whereas before M.A. we did it when we got around to it. This requirement has been good for my 7 year old who has really blossomed in reading. He reads everything he can now that he feels confident in it. And my 4 year old is begging me for reading lessons too and sounding out small words and writing letters constantly.
Overall, my experience with Milestones Academy has been enriching and joyful! I have even increased my personal study time tremendously, including starting a book group to study Charlotte Mason's original words. Our home school has been full of wholesome and beautiful things to study and I no longer feel confused as to what to do today because there are so many things to choose from and I've spent time planning it out already. Thanks, Kate, for your encouragement and support and your time devoted to developing this wonderful curriculum! Next year we plan to jump into Year 2 and do it all!
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