Why is this curriculum named Without Doors?
It is named after Charlotte Mason’s famous quote, “Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.”

Why Charlotte Mason?
Charlotte Mason was a British educational reformer at the turn of the 20th century. She wrote volumes of material and trained educators in her unique educational philosophy. Her philosophy is so rich that it is still used in schools and homes around the world today. She emphasized providing a living education for students by focusing on short lessons, including living books and narration, and serving a full educational feast, including special studies such as nature study, poet study, recitation, copywork, narration, artist study, composer study, hymn study, etc.

Do I need to be familiar with Charlotte Mason to use this curriculum?
You do not need to be proficient in Charlotte Mason’s principles to use Without Doors. Each book includes a simple parent guide that provides step-by-step guidance and valuable resources equipping you for success.

However, we recommend that you read Charlotte Mason’s volumes, beginning with Home Education, Volume 1. Her books are rich and timeless, and reading them will allow you to learn the Charlotte Mason method directly from the source.

Experienced Charlotte Mason families will appreciate the simplicity and authenticity of Without Doors.

Is Without Doors an all-inclusive curriculum?
Without Doors Family-Style books include 28 weeks of Bible, History, Geography, Literature, Nature Study, and Enrichment lessons for students ages 6-14. (Details such as copywork, paintings for artist study, links to music, recitations, Book of Centuries prompts, etc. are all included in each book.) There is an Exam Week included at the end of each 14 week term, extending this curriculum to 30 weeks.

Why 28 weeks of lessons? 
Charlotte Mason's school year was divided into three 12-week terms. Without Doors lessons are divided into two 14-week terms to simplify family-style learning. However, be inspired to add your own resources and go deeper into each topic using additional resources, living books, hands-on learning, and field trips. Families that prefer a 36 week plan can continue to the next book, covering more than one book per year. Another option to extend your year is to add a Without Doors Bible Study. There are several to choose from including: Life of Jesus, Esther, Ruth, Daniel, and Jonah.

Why are math, reading/phonics, grammar, and science not included in Without Doors?
Without Doors includes subjects best suited for family-style learning. We recommend choosing math, reading/phonics, grammar, and science curriculum that meet the unique needs of your individual student and family.

What is included in Enrichment?
Enrichment includes Artist Study, Hymn Study, Composer Study, and Handicrafts.

How much time will it take to homeschool each week using Without Doors?
The time it takes to implement Without Doors each week will vary depending on your family size and unique lifestyle. Without Doors is designed to simplify your homeschool experience by coordinating multiple ages for family-style learning. The minimalist approach to this curriculum delivers the rich rewards of a Charlotte Mason education without the overwhelm.

Does Without Doors provide daily lesson plans?
Without Doors provides provides weekly lesson plans. Each week is laid out on a simple two-page spread. Families can decide how many days per week to incorporate the lessons into their schedule.

I'm new to Without Doors. Which book should I start with?
Charlotte Mason recommends that elementary students begin studying the history of their native country, so Early or Modern America are a great place for American families to start. (United Kingdom and Canada are also available.) However, if that doesn't work for your family, or if you prefer to begin with a different book, each book includes a full feast of appropriate content for students in 1st-8th grade.

After beginning the history of their native country, Charlotte Mason adds more streams of history including the study of a neighboring country and the world. United Kingdom and Canada can be used to study the history of a neighboring country. Ancient World, Middle Ages & Renaissance, and Modern World are world history resources.

How is Without Doors different from other homeschool curriculum?
Without Doors was created using the valuable principles of minimalism. The result is a curriculum that eliminates clutter in weekly lessons, sparks joy in learning, and provides the rich foundation of a Charlotte Mason education with the simplicity of one bound book. All the content is coordinated around a time and place, creating a rich, immersive experience and a harmony of lessons. The family-style books available are: Early America, Modern America, Ancient World, Middle Ages & Renaissance, Modern World, United Kingdom, and Canada. The high school books available are: America, Ancient World, Middle Ages & Renaissance (available by spring 2027, and Modern World (available by spring 2028).

Does Without Doors categorize students using Forms?
Charlotte Mason used "Forms" to group students. American schools typically group students by grade level. To keep the curriculum simple and to facilitate family-style learning, Without Doors uses broader categories to group students. Elementary is recommended for students in 1st-4th grade. Middle is recommended for students in 5th-8th grade. Challenge options are available for the mature reader. However, feel free to adapt the suggested categories to meet the unique needs of your individual student and family.

If you prefer using Forms, you can translate the Without Doors literature selections to Forms as follows:

Form 1- 1st-3rd grade = Elementary
Form 2- 4th-6th grade = Middle
Form 3- 7th-9th grade = Challenge

Does Without Doors include tests? How do I know if my child is learning?
Charlotte Mason encouraged home educators to use narration as a tool to determine whether or not students are comprehending literature and content, in real time. Narration replaces the need for regular quizzes and tests by providing oral and written communication between student and parent. Narration prompts are included on each weekly plan.

Charlotte Mason also emphasized the importance of exams at the end of each term. Without Doors includes a week of exam narration questions after each 14 week term.

What are living books and why do you recommend reading them?
Charlotte Mason encourages, “Children must have books, living books; the best are not too good for them; anything less than the best is not good enough.”

Living literature is the foundation of a Charlotte Mason education and can include fiction, biography, nature lore, historical fiction, and even non-fiction. Living books are written in narrative form, using rich language that ignites the imagination and transports the reader into a character’s experience. Consuming quality literature directly improves writing, grammar and spelling skills.