Psyched about Charlotte!

In the past several months of research about homeschooling, I've come across a variety of methods... from the extremes of unschooling to a rigidly curriculum-packed agenda. As I've gone along, I've been attracted to certain things about certain methods. I like the idea of unit studies. I like the pre-packaged ready-to-go curriculum because there is little prep time required on my part. I like literature-rich methods. I like Bible-based programs... But I have been overwhelmed by the sheer volume of options to choose from! During my research and reading, several times I breezed by what is known as the Charlotte Mason Method. I dismissed it after glancing at a brief summary of it due to the fact that it seemed antiquated and Victorian. So I continued reviewing other methods; however, after weeks of more study, I came back across Charlotte Mason and figured I'd best give it at least a thorough investigation in order to make a well-informed decision as to the education of my children. I had to search a few days to actually get a good grasp of what is involved. (By the way, she wrote volumes of books about her ideas!) Charlotte, born in 1842, was an English woman, a classroom & Sunday school teacher, devoted to children's education. She transformed the face of the English educational system in her day, saying that a liberal (or generous) education for ALL was her goal, no matter if they were impoverished, young, male or female. In an era when not all were considered equal, this was quite a claim!

After reading through a general description of her educational approach, I wanted a clearer understanding of what a modern-day, real-life picture of this method looked like. After a few more days of looking I came across a wonderful resource: http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/. I spent the next several days reading through this amazingly in-depth description of how Linda Fay, the blog author, implemented the CM Method in her family. I couldn't get enough of it and had to finish it all. I am now a whole-hearted fan of the Charlotte Mason way of education!  Here's a basic list of methods, each of which focuses on communicating ideas... not just facts (taken from Education Is, a free e-book downloaded from http://www.simplycharlottemason.com/):

• Living Books - reading a book written by one author with a passion for the subject and written in narrative or story form.
• Narration - asking the child to tell back in his own words what he just saw, read, or heard.
• Book of Centuries - each student adds information, sketches, and reminders into his timeline-in-a-book as he reads about historical events and people.
• Hands-on Math - an emphasis on understanding the concepts, using manipulatives, before working with the symbols on paper.
• Nature Study - spending time outside looking at God's creation, sketching and describing in a nature notebook any item of interest, then identifying and labeling it with the help of field guides.
• Copywork - practicing handwriting by carefully copying passages from living sources, like Scripture, poetry, or living books.
• Dictation - learning spelling (and reinforcing punctuation and grammar) by studying a selected sentence or passage from a living book rather than just alist of words.
• Picture Study - looking at an artist's work until you can close your eyes and see it clearly in your mind, then hiding the original work and narrating what it looks like.
• Music Study - listening to a composer's work unti lyou become familiar with his music and style of composition.

Now here is a list of subjects to be covered in a Charlotte Mason education, keeping in mind that the basic principles for ALL subjects are short lessons (10-15 minutes), habits of attention & perfect execution, and a varied order of subjects:

• History

• Geography
• Bible
• Math
• Science
• Foreign Languages
• Writing
• Spelling
• Grammar
• Art
• Music
• Literature
• Poetry

Now I have to say that what I was looking for in a homeschooling method, I have found described in Charlotte Mason, a truly generous education: unit studies, relatively little prep time required on my part (due to the use of living books), lots of good literature, child-centered, the use of the Bible and Scripture memory, nature study, cultivating good habits, plus the really wonderful incorporation of art and music studies (both of which I believe my 2 little ones have a knack for). And I can cover all this wonderful material in a handful of hours a day by doing short lessons, which will help the kids always do their best work and will keep them motivated to learn. Want to get psyched about Charlotte too? Spend some time in research starting with the Educational Aids posted on my blog!