Based on Miss Mason's writings, a CM education would include:
1.Narration, which consists of the child telling back a story.This takes the place
of composition in the early years.
2. Copywork, or the transcribing of a
well-written piece of literature as handwriting practice.
3. Nature
study with an emphasis on close, focused observation of creation as a means to
knowledge of God.
4. Outdoor life is necessary to teach nature
first-hand, which means plenty of time spent out of doors each day in all
weather and in different environments for students of all ages. "School" for
children younger than six consisted almost entirely of time spent outdoors.
5. Habit training as a discipline of the child's will and behavior.
Children are trained to develop the will, which is manifested in a strong
resolve to act in a right manner.
6. Living Books rather than textbooks
to convey ideas. Living books, whether fiction or non-fiction, are more than
just interesting books that make a topic come alive. A true Living Book has the
best material, from the best minds, or at least the real story from someone who
was there or has a real interest in their subject. There is a high standard in
literary excellence and, while she advocated the use of many books, quality is
to be preferred over quantity.
7. First-hand exposure to great and noble
ideas through books in each school subject, rather than rote memorization of dry
facts. Besides books, children are exposed to great minds through art, music and
poetry, which was read to the child daily.
8. Memorization was used, not
to assimilate facts, but as a means to have material to meditate on, so her
students memorized scripture and poetry.
9. History is taught with
primary sources and well-written history books.
10. Literature is taught along with history. For example, if one is studying the Civil War, one would at the same time read works of American literature written at that time.
11. Once children are able to read fluently, they read the lessons
themselves, except for books that need editing like Plutarch's Lives.
12. Reading instruction was primarily based on sight vocabulary, but did
include use and teaching of phonics. Even beginning readers, she thought, one
ought to have something interesting to read, like nursery rhymes, rather than
dull first readers, so she taught the sight words necessary to allow them to
read real books.
13. Schooling is teacher-directed, not child-led,
though the child can pursue any number of personal interests during their free
time (and her students had all afternoon free).
14. Short lessons with
an emphasis on excellent execution and focused attention and variation in the
day's scheduled activities so as not to over-stress the brain on one task.
15. In the teaching of mathematics, the ability to reason is emphasized
over "working sums", so emphasis is placed on story problems and working with
numbers that are within the child's comprehension, therefore, a
manipulative-based instruction is desirable.
16. CM encouraged
proficiency in at least one other language, specifically French, as well as
study in Latin.
17. Charlotte Mason set aside time each day for some
form of physical fitness routine which included daily walks and a "drill" which
included stretching, breathing exercises, calisthenics, dancing, singing, and
games.
18. The knowledge of God, as found in the Bible, is the primary
knowledge and the most important.
I have spend the last week ordering materials and setting up our classroom area. Our school is going to coincide with the Charter School calendar. I know it will be easier if Maddie and Chandler have the same days off. Our first day of school is August 15th, only four weeks to go!
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