The field of available curricula is ever-expanding so once again we find ourselves with a new edition of “Is It CM?”, the game where we look at products marketed to homeschoolers as Mason-esque and ask “Really?”
Today’s curriculum reviews will be added to my master Is It CM? page as well as to my Google docs chart of CM and CM-inspired curricula. For a look at how I evaluate these curricula, please see my Is It CM page where I discuss methodology and criteria.
Here then is today’s game of: Is it CM?
Tapestry of Grace is not a new curriculum but I have been asked to add it to the list. It is a Christian, classical curriculum which claims to also use many of Mason’s methods. It includes many of the humanities — history, geography, literature and government — but not math or science.
What’s CM about it?
In general, the books used seem to be good, living books. It includes study of the art, music, and geography.
What isn’t CM?
I don’t seem any mention of CM-style narration. It does not use copywork/dictation as far as I can see. There is a lot of busywork and added projects, including for grammar and vocabulary which in a CM curriculum would be covered through copywork/dictation (at least until middle school). The emphasis on Sayers’ three stages of classical ed (grammar, dialectic, rhetoric) is not CM. It also lays out specific (and very detailed) learning goals for each level and says things like “the most crucial facts are…” In a CM education we place the materials before the child but recognize that each one will get something different from what we give them and that it may not be what we want or expect them to get.
Quick Take Summary:
ToG is very much classical and not CM. The points of contact with Mason’s approach are really those where classical and CM meet anyway (i.e. an emphasis on history and the use of living books).
A free history curriculum. The materials for the teacher are all online. URead uses books you can get from your local library (hopefully) as well as some online resources. It claims to be a “Charlotte Mason style (Literature-Based) approach to learning history.” (The creator seems to also make a science curriculum, Glory of Kings, but I cannot access its materials in any way; it may still be “in progress.”)
What’s CM about it?
The books used seem to be good, living ones.
What isn’t CM?
While the books used are good, there is no mention of narration. Instead lists of discussion questions and writing assignments are given. There is some busywork — activities and printable worksheets are suggested but could easily be skipped. It also seems like the books are to be read fairly quickly and one at a time whereas a CM approach would keep multiple books going at once and read them more slowly so that connections can be made.
Quick Take Summary:
URead’s approach is fairly simple and family-friendly. The books used are good as is the emphasis on history and literature. However the omissions rob this approach of some of the key elements of CM’s approach, especially those that allow children to make connections and form relationships with the material. The lists of books and general break down of history subjects could be quite useful but as a whole I would not say URead is CM.
Letters from Nebby 
Posted by Heather on July 3, 2023 at 9:30 am
This is very helpful for new parents. If you ever need someone to weigh in on MFW, SCM or AO let me know…we used all before just doing our own thing. Also, tried a Gather Round unit once….unit should have been the key to knowing that was not CM.