Sonya Shafer is a popular homeschool speaker and writer, specializing in the Charlotte Mason Method. She has been on a fifteen-year adventure studying, researching, practicing, and teaching Charlotte's gentle and effective methods of education. Her passion for homeschooling her own four daughters grew into helping others and then into Simply Charlotte Mason, which publishes her many books and hosts the simplycharlottemason.com website—a place of practical encouragement to homeschoolers.

To minister to younger mothers and those dealing with special needs, Sonya shares her heart through IntentionalParents.com and her book This Anguishing Blessed Journey: A Mother's Faith Journal through Autism. 

2-Day SCM Conference

Put the two seminars together for a great weekend of refreshing and practical help. Enjoy the All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar (with Laying Down the Rails) on Friday and the Books & Things Seminar on Saturday.

A Charlotte Mason All-Day Seminar

Includes an introduction to Charlotte Mason and a detailed look at her methods, plus the Laying Down the Rails workshop on habits described below. Hours of encouragement and practical how-to’s with a 60-page seminar notebook provided.

Books & Things All-Day Seminar

Charlotte Mason taught that children can be most fitly educated on books and things. Includes how to select good living books, how to use living books in a CM way, which “things” Charlotte recommended we use and how to use them, plus Four Ways to Destroy Your Child’s Love for Knowledge. Sixty-page seminar notebook provided.

Charlotte Mason and Her Methods

A practical and encouraging overview of the methods used in the Charlotte Mason approach, including living books, short lessons, fine arts, history, geography, dictation, narration, copywork, poetry, and more.

Discipleship Is . . .

Learn how to implement the three essential elements of discipleship in your home: (1) the atmosphere of your own relationship with the Lord; (2) intentional teaching through spiritual disciplines; (3) pointing out God’s work in everyday life. Plus, get all the details on a simple Scripture Memory System that really works!

Fine Arts the Charlotte Mason Way

You don’t have to be a music major or an art aficionado to teach fine arts to your children. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll discover an easy yet effective way to give your children music appreciation and art appreciation that will enrich their lives and yours!

Language Arts the Charlotte Mason Way

Teaching language arts doesn’t have to be complicated. Charlotte Mason taught all the skills with just a few power-packed methods. Discover what exactly is included in language arts and how to teach it in an enjoyable and simple way—the Charlotte Mason way.

Laying Down the Rails

The importance of training our children in good habits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives. Includes the sixty habits found in Charlotte Mason’s writings, and focuses specifically on the top three she mentioned most. Very practical and encouraging.

Learning with Living Books

Good living books help our children form personal relations and emotional bonds. And those bonds are what make learning stick. Join Sonya for a look at this simple, yet effective, approach to homeschooling. Learn what makes living books “living”, and practice using them in a way that makes learning stick.

Looking Past the Fear

An encouraging look at God’s response to five fears that homeschooling moms face: fear of what God is calling you to do, fear of being inadequate for the job, fear of what might happen in the future, fear of ridicule or rejection, fear of our weak areas ruining our children.

Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education

Sonya will walk you through a simple five-step process for creating a plan that fits your unique family. Learn how to schedule based on Charlotte Mason principles with a healthy dose of homeschooling reality.

Reaching Your Child’s Heart

A mommy-to-mommy challenge about priorities in your home school. Looks at six ways to reach the heart—taken from Elizabeth’s example in Luke 1—and three obstacles that can keep us from reaching the heart.

The Early Years: Homeschooling Your Preschooler

Give your child what is most important. Instead of academic or social pressures, Charlotte Mason encouraged mothers to give their little ones a full six years of developing good habits, getting acquainted with nature, exploring with the five senses, growing in their spiritual lives, and more. Learn how to give your child a quiet growing time.

The Quiet Schooling of Nature

We all have a fascinating science resource right outside our doors, but we often overlook it because it is so quiet. Come learn how nature study lays the foundation for science lessons, how to get started, and how to keep a nature notebook, plus fun and simple nature study ideas for the whole family.

Wisdom for Moms with Charlotte Mason, School Year 2012–2013

Have you ever wished you could sit down with Charlotte over a cup of tea and absorb some of her wisdom? Nothing heavy or drawn out; just a few well-chosen, concise words that will help you navigate through life as a mother and a homeschool teacher. This year’s personal calendar journal presents twelve favorite gems from Charlotte about everyday life—gentle reminders about keeping perspective, giving ourselves grace, growing as a person, and even scheduling our days.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2012

Discipleship Is (CD)

This live workshop will help you take a fresh look at what Biblical discipleship really is. Sonya explains the three facets of Biblical discipleship and how you can weave them into your home life.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Early Modern & Epistles: A Family Study Handbook

This fifth handbook in the series gives you daily lesson plans covering the famous men and events of the Early Modern times, including both American History and World History. It covers the geography of South America, Central America, and Australia, as well as several Epistles.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Stories of America, Volume 1

with Charles Morris

This collection of stories from American history will make the era from Columbus to the Alamo come alive for your child. Includes corresponding poetry and helpful maps of the era.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Stories of the Nations, Volume 1

with Charles Morris, Lorene Lambert

A delightful feast of stories relating famous people and events in world history from 1550 to 1850. The conversational tone and flowing narrative makes this book a joy to narrate.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Jesus Is Better: Lessons from Hebrews

A study of the book of Hebrews that is designed for the whole family. Additional in-depth studies are included for older students and adults.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

The Outdoor Secrets Companion

with Karen Smith

Additional learning ideas that correspond with the stories in Outdoor Secrets. Includes nature study, additional living science books, beautiful poetry, and nature notebook suggestions.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

I Am, I Can, I Ought, I Will

Charlotte Mason’s motto for students, “I am, I can, I ought, I will,” is quite different from the mentality of most students, who think in terms of “I read, I write, I calculate, I test.” Those four simple, yet powerful, phrases are a radical departure from common, mundane educational thinking. Join Sonya as she explores Charlotte’s wisdom, insight, and practical tips for helping us discover our children’s full potential, all contained within a beautiful personal calendar journal.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

My Book of Centuries

with Christie Groff

With My Book of Centuries you will create your own personal record of the discoveries, inventions, people, places, and events throughout history that grab your interest and pique your curiosity. It is like a timeline in a book, but so much more.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Lesson from the Valley (CD)

A workshop of encouragement as Sonya shares lessons she has learned in a spiritual valley after diagnosing her youngest daughter with autism.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Spelling and Handwriting Wisdom (CD)

Explains how to teach handwriting and spelling the Charlotte Mason way.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Language Arts the Charlotte Mason Way (CD)

Explains how to make language arts enjoyable with the Charlotte Mason method.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2011

Getting Started in Homeschooling

A free e-book that helps you determine which approach to homeschooling will fit you and your family best, plus lots of practical tips for fostering a love of learning in your home.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Books & Things Seminar on DVD

A close look at how good living books and the things around us help our children form personal relations and emotional bonds. And those bonds are what makes learning stick. A 4-DVD set with a 60-page seminar notebook that digs deeper into living books and narration.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Smooth and Easy Days

A free e-book that looks at Charlotte Mason’s common-sense ideas and practical tips for cultivating good habits in your child’s life. A great introduction to the concepts in Laying Down the Rails.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Genesis through Deuteronomy & Ancient Egypt: A Family Study Handbook

This handbook walks you through the accounts of Adam to Moses, including a study of Ancient Egypt. It details Scripture passages, living books, Book of Centuries entries, narration ideas, geography ideas, additional assignments for older students, and optional hands-on activities for the whole family.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation & Epistles: A Family Study Handbook

This handbook walks you through the famous men of the Middle Ages, Renaissance, and Reformation, including the geography of Europe and Asia, as well as several Epistles. Its daily lesson plans are Charlotte Mason in style.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

GOAL Bible Study Journal

Walks your family through many of the epistles of the Bible with an emphasis on application.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Life in the Word

Teaches your older students the principles of inductive Bible study and how to accurately and effectively do a word study, a topical study, a book study, a character study, a narrative study, and more.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

Hearing and Reading, Telling and Writing: A Charlotte Mason Language Arts Handbook

Tells you exactly what Charlotte said about good literature, vocabulary, teaching your child how to read, narration, composition, English grammar, and more.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2010

The Early Years: A Charlotte Mason Preschool Handbook

with Karen Smith

Charlotte’s sensible, gentle, and practical counsel to mothers of preschool children, presented in bite-size chunks with modern-day examples.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

Looking Past the Fear (CD)

Discusses five fears that most homeschooling moms face and gives practical, encouraging ideas to help them look past the fear and look to the Lord.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

Masterly Inactivity

A free e-book that explores the freedom that can be found when we set boundaries and then allow our children to discover and learn within those boundaries. Discusses the Charlotte Mason principle of “wise and purposeful letting alone.”

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

A Thinking Love

A free e-book that explores what mothers should carefully weigh and consider if they are to give their children what Charlotte Mason called “a thinking love.”

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

Matthew through Acts & Ancient Rome: A Family Study Handbook

The third module in our popular Family Study Handbook series, this handbook walks your family (grades 1-12) through the accounts of the Life of Christ and the Early Church, including a study of Ancient Rome and the geography of the Mediterranean region.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

Foundations in Romans: A Romans Bible Study

Teaches your 7–12 grade student how to do an inductive study of a Bible book. Your child will read through the book of Romans chapter by chapter, identifying main ideas, defining key words, looking for comparison and contrast, narrating each paragraph, and more.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2009

The All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar on DVD

Learn how to teach each school subject using Charlotte Mason methods. A 4-DVD set with a 64-page seminar notebook designed to give you the confidence and encouragement you need.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2008

Planning Your Charlotte Mason Education

Takes the guesswork out of planning for your Charlotte Mason homeschool. In this book and DVD you’ll find clear instructions and examples that walk you through 5 simple steps, from determining the Big Picture all the way down to planning your day.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2008

Laying Down the Rails Workshop (DVD or CD)

The quick-start, how-to habits workshop that gives you the basic principles and quick overview of instilling good habits. Available with the Laying Down the Rails complete reference book or sold separately.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2008

Reaching Your Child's Heart (CD)

A mommy-to-mommy challenge about priorities in your homeschool. Draws six principles from Luke 1 that we can use to help us reach our children’s hearts.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2008

Joshua through Malachi & Ancient Greece: A Family Study Handbook

Another helpful resource in our popular Family Study Handbook series, this handbook walks your family (grades 1-12) through the accounts of Joshua to the end of the Old Testament events, including a study of Ancient Greece and the geography of the Middle East.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2008

Education Is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life

A free e-book that explains the basics of a Charlotte Mason education, one that includes the atmosphere of your home, the discipline of good habits, and the life-giving ideas that come from great books and methods.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2007

Laying Down the Rails: A Charlotte Mason Habits Handbook

Here, compiled into one volume, are all the habits Charlotte mentioned in her writings with her thoughts and suggestions for cultivating each one. This work also includes Charlotte’s help for breaking bad habits, hundreds of inspiring quotes, and lots of practical tips.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2007

Discovering Doctrine: A Personal Bible Study

A Charlotte Mason-style study that helps students (grades 7–12) discover what the Bible says about ten major doctrines.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2007

Hours in the Out-of-Doors: A Charlotte Mason Nature Study Handbook

with Karen Smith

Explains all about nature study in Charlotte’s own words. Full of inspiring quotes and lots of practical tips!

Simply Charlotte Mason 2007

Wisdom for Life: A Proverbs Bible Study

A Charlotte Mason-style Bible study that walks your student (grades 7-12) through discovering the wisdom in Proverbs about eight important topics.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2006

Jashub’s Journal: An Old Testament Law Story

with Rebekah Shafer, Ruth Shafer

A living Old Testament law story combined with a Charlotte Mason-style Bible study. Both designed to highlight God’s wisdom in the laws He made.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2006

106 Days of Creation Studies

All the details of the living books, nature study, science experiments, Bible verses, and additional assignments that one family used to study creation with all their children (grades 1-6) together.

Simply Charlotte Mason 2006

Your Business Math Series

Children practice their math skills while running a pretend pet store, book store, or sports store. Great “living math”!

Simply Charlotte Mason 2006

Spelling Wisdom

A Charlotte Mason-style spelling curriculum that teaches today’s 6,000 most frequently used words presented in the writings of great men and women of history. Available in both American and British spelling versions!

Simply Charlotte Mason 2006

This Anguishing Blessed Journey: A Mother's Faith Journal through Autism

Sonya’s spiritual journal recording how the Lord walked with her through the first year after diagnosing her daughter with autism. Filled with encouragement for anyone walking through a valley in life.

Xulon Press 2003