How to Use McGuffey Readers: A Charlotte Mason Approach
When I first discovered the McGuffey Readers for our homeschool journey, I had no idea how perfectly they would align with Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy. These classic readers, first published in the 19th century by educator William Holmes McGuffey, whose work revolutionized education in the United States. First published for use in public schools, these readers have become treasured resources for homeschoolers today. The best part? They embody so many of Charlotte Mason’s principles: living books, natural progression, short lessons, and the development of good habits.
This post contains carefully chosen affiliate links to help support our homeschooling journey. Thank you for supporting our family through your purchases! You can read my full affiliate disclosure policy here.
Why the McGuffey Readers Are Perfect for Charlotte Mason Homeschools
McGuffey’s Readers and the Charlotte Mason method complement each other beautifully. At their core, the McGuffey Eclectic Readers contain what Miss Mason would call “living thoughts” – rich literary selections that engage both mind and heart. These readers can also form the foundation of a complete Charlotte Mason language arts program (you can learn all about that here). Each carefully chosen piece draws from classic literature, poetry, and character-building stories that naturally progress from simple one-syllable words to complex literature.
What particularly drew me to these readers, initially, was their emphasis on oral reading excellence. Mason strongly believed in the power of reading aloud, and McGuffey’s detailed elocution guidance helps children develop proper expression and understanding. Both Mason and McGuffey shared a vision of education that nurtures not just the mind, but the whole child’s character.
Getting Started: Where Do We Begin?
One of the most common questions I hear is, “Where do we begin?” Before diving into levels, let me share which versions have worked best in my homeschool. Personally, I am a big fan of the the original 1857 editions of McGuffey’s Readers and I’ve found them to be the most effective. These editions progress from the Pictorial Primer through the Fourth Reader, providing a comprehensive journey from basic reading to advanced literary study. You can find these high-quality reprints here– they’re the versions I’ve used successfully in my homeschool for years.
The original versions maintain the rich vocabulary and moral content that aligns so beautifully with Charlotte Mason’s principles, while being more advanced than some of the revised editions. You can find these as reprints from Mott Media.
While I prefer the original collection to the revised editions, I will say that in my homeschool, we made one adaptation that has worked perfectly for us: we use the Charlotte Mason versions of the Third and Fourth Reader in place of of the original Third Reader. While these contain some stories that overlap with the original McGuffey’s Second Reader and aren’t quite as advanced as the original series, we found this switch provided a gentler progression that better suited our needs.
Choosing the Right Level
When choosing the perfect level for your child, rather than focusing solely on age, I’ve found it’s best to consider your child’s current reading level and confidence. Here’s my tried-and-true approach:
- For early readers (ages 5-6), start with McGuffey’s Eclectic Primer. Its pictorial approach, combined with sight reading and blend phonics, creates a gentle introduction to reading. My youngest particularly enjoyed using the illustrations for narration practice before tackling the short stories and moral tales within.
- For developing readers (ages 7-8), you have options. The First Reader works well for those just starting to read simple words, while confident readers might begin with the Second Reader. I’ve even had some advanced young readers thrive with the Third Reader.
- For older students (ages 9+), don’t feel bound by grade levels. I’ve found success by having them read sample passages aloud and observing their comfort level. Sometimes, starting with a lower reader builds the confidence needed for rapid progression through the series.
Ready to Take Your McGuffey Reader Journey Further?
Once you’re comfortable with the basics, see how I use McGuffey Readers to create a complete Charlotte Mason language arts program. You’ll learn exactly how these readers can naturally develop all your language arts needs while staying true to Charlotte Mason’s principles.
Our Daily McGuffey’s Lessons
Let me share exactly how we use McGuffey Readers in our homeschool. We dedicate four days each week to our readings, with different approaches for different ages. Here’s our tried-and-true routine:
For Younger Children (Ages 5-8)
Day 1: Reading and Word Discovery
- Read the passage together, I encourage my child to do the majority of the reading.
- Select 3-4 new words for copying
- Create simple drawings for these words
Day 2: Gentle Copywork
- Select a meaningful passage from the story
- We keep it short (usually I will choose 2-3 lines for my young ones)
- Focus on proper letter formation and spacing between words
Day 3: Beginning Dictation
- Dictate it slowly. I will give my younger children one word at a time
- Encourage careful listening
- We’ll use the same sentences from copy work the day before, building confidence through familiarity
Day 4: Narrative Drawing
- Create an illustration that represents the story
- Have your child tell you about their drawing, encouraging them to relate it to the story
For Older Students (Ages 9+)
For my older children, we follow a similar four-day pattern but with more advanced activities:
Day 1: Reading and Vocabulary
- Have your child read the story aloud
- List unfamiliar words
- Look up meanings (reading and discussing definitions rather than copying them)
- Use words in conversation
Day 2: Transcription
- Choose 2-3 meaningful passages from the week’s story
- Focus on spelling patterns
- Work on specific grammar rules
- My older children select their own passages most weeks, though occasionally I will choose specific ones to reinforce specific spelling patterns or certain grammar concepts.
Day 3: Dictation Practice
- Most of the time I will allow my older children to take turns dictating each other’s passages to one another
- This encourages them to practice proper pacing of the passage and focusing on clear pronunciation
Day 4: Written Narration
We conclude the week with written narrations. Through written narrations they naturally develop their ability to:
- Start with the main idea
- Include important details that support the story
- Use some of the new vocabulary we learned
- Share their own thoughts about the message or moral
The Length varies by age and skill level:
- Older Elementary: One to two paragraphs
- Middle School: Several paragraphs
- High School: Full page with grammar and spelling review
Common Challenges and Solutions
Throughout my years using McGuffey Readers, I have encountered various challenges that you might face as well. Let me share some tried-and-true solutions that have worked well in my own homeschool.
When Stories Feel Challenging: A Step-by-Step Approach
One of the most common hurdles is when your child struggles understanding a passage. Here’s my step-by-step approach:
Before Reading:
- Break the passage into smaller, manageable sections
- Create a pre-reading vocabulary list for unfamiliar words
- Set the background and historical context (especially helpful with McGuffey’s period language)
During Reading:
- Read together, breaking the story up into shorter portions
- Pause frequently with questions like “What do you think is happening?”
- Encourage narration after each main event
- Connect events to your child’s experiences
Supporting Activities:
- Use simple illustrations to map out the story’s progression
- Act out scenes (especially effective with younger children)
If Additional Support Is Needed:
- Move temporarily to an easier passage
- Read the story multiple times over several days
- Take a fresh look at the story the next day after a break
Understanding the Period Language
The historical language in McGuffey Readers can be challenging but offers unique learning opportunities. We handle this by:
- Keeping a good period dictionary nearby (we love this dictionary* because it includes many of the original 19th-century definitions)
- Creating a “translation journal” where we write modern equivalents for older phrases
- Discussing historical context as it relates to the language
- Making connections between old and new expressions
The Lasting Impact of McGuffey Readers
What I love most about McGuffey Readers is their adaptability to each family’s needs. As you implement these solutions, remember to focus on:
- Developing a genuine love for quality literature
- Building reading confidence steadily
- Expanding vocabulary naturally through context
- Developing deeper thinking skills through careful reading and discussion
The beauty of these readers lies in their ability to grow with your child while maintaining high educational standards. Every challenge overcome becomes a stepping stone to stronger reading skills and deeper understanding.
Ready to Begin?
To help organize our McGuffey Reader lessons, I’ve created a Charlotte Mason-style notebook that has been an invaluable addition in our homeschool. This comprehensive PDF includes dedicated spaces for:
- New vocabulary and word studies
- Copywork/Transcription sections
- Narration exercises (both written and illustrated)
You can find this Charlotte-Mason style notebook PDF here*, where I’ve included additional guidance on how to make the most of these pages with both younger and older students.
Practical Tips for Success
Through our journey with McGuffey Readers, I’ve discovered several strategies that make implementation smoother:
- Keep a simple notebook for your student’s work (I highly recommend my Charlotte Mason style notebook )
- Encourage regular use of a dictionary as an opportunity to expand vocabulary and explore word origins
- Connect stories to other subjects when possible
- Trust the natural progression of both the readers and your child’s understanding
Most importantly, success with McGuffey Readers isn’t about perfect execution but rather nurturing a love for learning while building strong reading skills. The combination of McGuffey’s systematic approach and Charlotte Mason’s gentle learning philosophy creates an environment where children can thrive.
