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In Vital Harmony: Charlotte Mason and the Natural Laws of Education
Charlotte Mason looked at the world and saw that it was governed by universal laws, such as the law of gravity. Then she wondered. What if there were similar laws that governed the way people learn? If we knew what those laws were, we’d be able to pursue education along the most promising lines .
She devoted her life to finding the key principles of education and then developing methods to make the most of them. The result is a comprehensive picture of living and learning that breathes life into education at every level—from babyhood to the adult years. It’s not a rote system, but a flexible set of ideas that keep education in focus.
These principles are for everyone concerned with teaching and learning. They are no more difficult to implement than the principle of gravity which allows you to walk, run, and even--when you know what you are doing--to soar.
She devoted her life to finding the key principles of education and then developing methods to make the most of them. The result is a comprehensive picture of living and learning that breathes life into education at every level—from babyhood to the adult years. It’s not a rote system, but a flexible set of ideas that keep education in focus.
These principles are for everyone concerned with teaching and learning. They are no more difficult to implement than the principle of gravity which allows you to walk, run, and even--when you know what you are doing--to soar.
186 pages, Paperback
Published November 11, 2019
329 people are currently reading
1903 people want to read
About the author
Karen Glass
49 books57 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
July 4, 2020
2020 Update: I used this book for my summer class and all I can say is that it is even better on the second read. It really is vital to read this book if you love Charlotte Mason's ideas on education. I have 94 highlights which might be a record for me.
What can I say, I wrote the foreword! I loved this book and everything it stands for. We can approach a Charlotte Mason education with joy and freedom through the 20 principles.
What can I say, I wrote the foreword! I loved this book and everything it stands for. We can approach a Charlotte Mason education with joy and freedom through the 20 principles.
January 30, 2024
I started in February with reading and I restarted via Audible on May 1 and finished today. I do plan to finish reading the print book as well.
I've come, this year, to appreciate audiobooks that just keep me going through the book. When reading print, I often get bogged down in wanting to understand all of the nuances and details that it can take a long time - if ever, before I finish. With audio ... I can just keep going. Knowing that I plan to go back and read the text helps me. I like the global picture that audio forms and filling in the details with text. Whole to parts.
Glass pulls together Charlotte Mason's educational principles in a multi-faceted whole. As she puts together the jigsaw puzzle of Mason's principles, Glass argues - thoughtfully and persuasively - that two principles are the border and the others relate to those as they fill in the picture.
But she doesn't stop there, Glass takes that framework and helps the reader know how the principles work out in the day to day, in the individual studies and practices of a CM education.
Glass's writing is clear and makes deep ideas understandable, graspable.
Donna-Jean Breckinridge can read me anything she wants to. While there are places where editing is obvious, they are not bothersome and her generally smooth reading adds both enjoyment and understanding. She not only reads the words, but clearly agrees with them.
Highly recommended to the new and the experienced CM educator alike.
2024: I listened to this on a drive from Atlanta coming home with my friend Ashley. It was still fantastic! A wonderful refresher for sure.
I've come, this year, to appreciate audiobooks that just keep me going through the book. When reading print, I often get bogged down in wanting to understand all of the nuances and details that it can take a long time - if ever, before I finish. With audio ... I can just keep going. Knowing that I plan to go back and read the text helps me. I like the global picture that audio forms and filling in the details with text. Whole to parts.
Glass pulls together Charlotte Mason's educational principles in a multi-faceted whole. As she puts together the jigsaw puzzle of Mason's principles, Glass argues - thoughtfully and persuasively - that two principles are the border and the others relate to those as they fill in the picture.
But she doesn't stop there, Glass takes that framework and helps the reader know how the principles work out in the day to day, in the individual studies and practices of a CM education.
Glass's writing is clear and makes deep ideas understandable, graspable.
Donna-Jean Breckinridge can read me anything she wants to. While there are places where editing is obvious, they are not bothersome and her generally smooth reading adds both enjoyment and understanding. She not only reads the words, but clearly agrees with them.
Highly recommended to the new and the experienced CM educator alike.
2024: I listened to this on a drive from Atlanta coming home with my friend Ashley. It was still fantastic! A wonderful refresher for sure.
October 19, 2021
Loved this book! I’ve read most of Charlotte Mason’s volumes (some more than once) and Karen Glass’ book was still a great refresher. It’s also a great introduction if you’re new to the Charlotte Mason philosophy. I found myself highlighting sections and texting them to my 13 and 15 year olds says, “this! This is why we ‘school’ the way we do! This is what I’m hoping for you!” Lots of great notes and highlights if I can figure out how to share them from the kindle edition I read.
October 8, 2020
This is the perfect book for parent educators who are looking to find out what Charlotte Mason homeschooling is before diving in to Ms. Mason’s 6 volumes of educational philosophy.
June 22, 2022
After spending so much time surrounded by Charlotte Mason discussion, I finally dipped my toes into the world of this genius. Reading in order to teach myself how to learn again, I picked up some incredibly potent passages on the philosophy of education I know will come back to me in other seasons of my life. This book reads like a guide to living a life dedicated to learning as much as teaching.
In Vital Harmony was so excellent! I think an accurate comparison would be like reading a Lamb's Shakespeare before tackling the actual play itself. Before taking on Charlotte Mason, you can introduce yourself to her principles through Karen Glass.
"She was speaking to her country, her culture, and her time. We can still understand what she said, but it requires extra effort, similar to conversing with someone who speaks our language with an accent much different from our own. We use the same words, but subtle differences make communication a little harder. Everything from tempo to the emphasis on certain syllables to unfamiliar enunciation makes the effort to understand more difficult than it would be if we were speaking to someone who talks exactly like we do. So it is with Miss Mason."
In Vital Harmony was so excellent! I think an accurate comparison would be like reading a Lamb's Shakespeare before tackling the actual play itself. Before taking on Charlotte Mason, you can introduce yourself to her principles through Karen Glass.
"She was speaking to her country, her culture, and her time. We can still understand what she said, but it requires extra effort, similar to conversing with someone who speaks our language with an accent much different from our own. We use the same words, but subtle differences make communication a little harder. Everything from tempo to the emphasis on certain syllables to unfamiliar enunciation makes the effort to understand more difficult than it would be if we were speaking to someone who talks exactly like we do. So it is with Miss Mason."
November 24, 2025
At the risk of sounding like a Mason/Glass groupie: I can't find any fault with what she said. This is a great book for homeschooling families both old and new. Excellent, clear, passionate, logical description of a true education.
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February 24, 2024The first time I read this I thought it might be the best book about homeschooling. The second time through I’m certain it’s the best book about homeschooling. Maybe actually reading Charlotte Mason’s volumes would be better - I don’t know because I haven’t tried. But I have heard Charlotte Mason’s principles quoted and discussed frequently during my ten years of homeschooling my children. I knew all about them, but I had never truly digested them nor seen them as they fit into Mason’s whole philosophy of eduction. This has been added to my annual reading list.
September 23, 2025
I don’t know what I could say here better than to point to my extensive highlighting of this book. I’d hand this to anyone who is brand new to Charlotte Mason’s philosophy, as well as those who (like myself) have been familiar with her for years. After reading this book, I feel motivated and inspired to get back to our school year, feeling more confident than ever in trusting the path Charlotte Mason laid.
October 12, 2024
Just wonderful! Karen Glass is so good with analogies that are so clear and helpful. This is a great read for further exploring CM ideas and philosophy, so that the practical will come naturally!
July 18, 2024
Reread in 2024: my former review still stands. This is a great book.
Probably one of the best homeschooling books I've ever read. I don't usually mark up my books, but I was constantly underlining sections as I read. I find the language of Charlotte Mason's 6 volumes to be hard to follow and grasp, and Karen has done a great job communicating Mason's principles of education in relevant impactful terms. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the CM principles, and will definitely reference this book again in the future.
Probably one of the best homeschooling books I've ever read. I don't usually mark up my books, but I was constantly underlining sections as I read. I find the language of Charlotte Mason's 6 volumes to be hard to follow and grasp, and Karen has done a great job communicating Mason's principles of education in relevant impactful terms. I feel like I have a much better understanding of the CM principles, and will definitely reference this book again in the future.
March 4, 2020
This is a brief but thorough overview of Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy, written simply enough, I believe, for someone’s first exposure to her ideas. Having read all 6 of CM’s volumes before reading this- but that being a few years ago- I found this a great refresher course and reminder of what is most important in our home education.
December 30, 2019
Inspiring read!
For home educators, for teachers, for parents, for human beings...this book is a concise and inspirational explanation of what education is and the universal laws that govern it. If you’re curious about Charlotte Mason’s ideas on education but are reluctant to wade through her original volumes, this book will bring those ideas and principles to you in a quick and powerful way! So much goodness here...not just for education but for life, the abundant life the Creator desires for each of us.
For home educators, for teachers, for parents, for human beings...this book is a concise and inspirational explanation of what education is and the universal laws that govern it. If you’re curious about Charlotte Mason’s ideas on education but are reluctant to wade through her original volumes, this book will bring those ideas and principles to you in a quick and powerful way! So much goodness here...not just for education but for life, the abundant life the Creator desires for each of us.
March 6, 2020
Excellent book. I especially enjoyed the first 2/3 of the book. I would highly recommend not only to Charlotte Mason homeschooling moms, but to anyone who is a parent or educator.
When people ask about books to learn about Mason I always tell them about or have them borrow For The Children’s Sake. Now I have two books on this subject that I will be telling people to read.
When people ask about books to learn about Mason I always tell them about or have them borrow For The Children’s Sake. Now I have two books on this subject that I will be telling people to read.
December 15, 2024
Re-read for a writing project I am working on and it was even better for me the second time around! I remember this being such an influential book for me when I was first trying to understand CM's method a few years ago and it is even more of a treasure to me now as my understanding has grown.
August 21, 2025
“Thou hast set my feet in a large room; should be the glad cry of every intelligent soul. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking—the strain would be too great—but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest. We cannot give the children these interests; we prefer that they should never say they have learned botany or conchology, geology or astronomy. The question is not,—how much does the youth know? when he has finished his education—but how much does he care? and about how many orders of things does he care? In fact, how large is the room in which he finds his feet set? and, therefore, how full is the life he has before him?”
April 30, 2025
It look me longer to read this book than it should have but I’m so glad I persevered. I think I should re-read it often to refresh and inspire me.
March 30, 2024
This is a great summary of Charlotte Mason, and I finally think I understand what people generally mean when they talk about a “Charlotte Mason education”. There were also some methods that struck me as excellent, and I fully intend to utilize in educating my own kids.
All this said, I don’t think I’ll every be a huge Charlotte Mason fan. While her philosophy is obviously heavily influenced by Christianity, there was was enough syncretism going on to make me question the foundations of her system.
All this said, I don’t think I’ll every be a huge Charlotte Mason fan. While her philosophy is obviously heavily influenced by Christianity, there was was enough syncretism going on to make me question the foundations of her system.
March 9, 2020
I’m glad for this book at this point because I’ve only read 1.5 of Charlotte Mason’s original volumes & I fear it will take me a long time to get through the rest. Now I feel like I have a birds-eye view of the whole method & can continue with confidence. It was enriching, inspiring, thought-provoking, and sometimes convicting. The lofty philosophical ideas flow into the practical application, just as CM intends. So helpful!
November 2, 2023
This is a lovely book, perfect for anyone looking for an introduction to Charlotte Mason. It is both inspiring and practical, with lots of CM quotes interspersed with dialogue bringing her philosophy into a clearer, more modern light.
Glass delves into the inspiring philosophy first, establishing why it is so beautiful.
She explains the two foundational principles: "children are born persons" and "education is the science of relations," detailing how these two come together to form the foundation of CM's philosophy.
Then Glass gets a bit more practical, delving into the basics of teaching each subject while keeping in mind the foundational philosophy.
Glass delves into the inspiring philosophy first, establishing why it is so beautiful.
She explains the two foundational principles: "children are born persons" and "education is the science of relations," detailing how these two come together to form the foundation of CM's philosophy.
Then Glass gets a bit more practical, delving into the basics of teaching each subject while keeping in mind the foundational philosophy.
July 31, 2025
Wow what can I say about this book, besides the fact that Charlotte Mason and her 20 principles have shaped so much of my life as I have pursued home educating my children, this book is such a beautiful compliment to Mason’s own work and does an incredible job of giving an overview and deep dive into the 20 principles. This book has been a fresh air that I so desperately needed. A reminder of all of the “whys” to choosing this method of education and that it is so worth it!!! PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!
October 14, 2022
What a great book to explain how beautifully Mason’s principles work together. So helpful for thinking through practical everyday homeschool tasks while showing a vision for what a life of homeschooling children looks like. I will be rereading this again!
October 23, 2022
I wish I could homeschool all over again with a clearer understanding of what a Charlotte Mason education really means. If you want to understand her principles better before rereading or deep diving into Mason’s original series, this is the finest place to begin! I’ve listened to Karen Glass on several podcasts, and she has really helped me understand how Charlotte Mason is working within the Classical education tradition. Many of the neoclassical methods I used are actually more modern.
July 8, 2020
Extremely helpful and also pretty dry.
August 10, 2020
All of Karen's books are well done. This one is my favorite though. It was a beautiful fleshing out of the Charlotte Mason philosophy. She wrote it in a way that included plenty of Charlotte's original writing but also fleshed it out for us. I love the practical section at the back where she breaks down the curriculum. Highly recommend to anyone interested in home education and especially the Charlotte Mason method.
July 9, 2020
This is my third of Karen Glass's books on education, and I will admit to not having an unqualified love for the first two. I felt she had really great things to say, but didn't say them in a particularly engaging manner. So I went into In Vital Harmony with some reluctance, worried that I would have to slog my way through.
But I loved it. It's a wonderful look at Charlotte Mason's guiding principles. For those already educating their children in Charlotte Mason style, it's encouragement and inspiration. For those interested in "this Charlotte Mason thing", it's a reassurance that they're on the right path, and for those who who know nothing or aren't convinced, it's a fabulous introduction and defense of the educational philosophies that Mason espoused.
Highly recommended for all homeschoolers, particularly those who are figuring out what they want their children's education to look like.
But I loved it. It's a wonderful look at Charlotte Mason's guiding principles. For those already educating their children in Charlotte Mason style, it's encouragement and inspiration. For those interested in "this Charlotte Mason thing", it's a reassurance that they're on the right path, and for those who who know nothing or aren't convinced, it's a fabulous introduction and defense of the educational philosophies that Mason espoused.
Highly recommended for all homeschoolers, particularly those who are figuring out what they want their children's education to look like.
July 15, 2023
This is such an excellent book, a life-changing book that any and all educators ought to read. I started it years ago, but never had the fortitude or “will“ to finish it until now. Now I want to read it with my husband and children, because the sections on human nature, how all education is related, how the will and reason work, are so important for all of us to understand about ourselves. I highlighted so much in this book that I might as well have highlighted the entire thing. Highly recommend to anyone, but especially to educators and parents. I offer a huge thanks to Karen Glass for explaining Charlotte Mason’s 20 principles of education in such a helpful, organized manner, in modern English. Now I feel equipped to read Mason herself, which I have tried before, but I think I will have a much better understanding now of what she was trying to say. So, so good!!!
January 1, 2021
There were some definitions that I think were off, and some biblical contradictions. But this book was a good discussion starter. It made me think on principles, order, and the good, true, and beautiful even more than I currently do. Relational knowledge has been a term I've been diving into, and I love that she calls it a poetic knowledge. The "Daily Bread" chapters were a fun refresher before planning a new school term. Somewhere in the middle I lost interest in what she was talking about which is why it took over two months to read through this.
January 1, 2020
"Education is not simply a matter of acquiring information but of encountering knowledge and allowing it to change us. As we learn to care about various things -things of the natural world or personal virtues such as honesty -our feelings will motivate us to act because of what we know. In this way, knowledge becomes virtue in a person's life."
May 16, 2022
This is an excellent book about Charlotte Mason's philosphy of education. I love that she spent her life searching for and finding laws of nature that govern how humans learn best, and then putting them into practice and witnessing their power. What a gift she gave the world. I keep wanting to start over with my own kids now that I understand so much more about how true education is achieved!
June 4, 2022
I love Charlotte Mason’s twenty principles- this was a wonderful review of them. The first half of this book explained the 20 principles and showed how they all relate- I loved that part. The second half dealt with Mason’s application of the principles in the various subjects, and since I don’t use every one of Mason’s methods in our homeschool, that part I rushed through 😂.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews