Homeschool Using the Charlotte Mason Method
Our image of homeschooling has changes drastically in the last century. When we hear the word homeschooling, we no longer see a picture of five or six children sitting a round a table scribbling away as a stern mother watches over them and lectures. Today, we have a variety of different ways to practice homeschooling that include outdoor activities, arts and crafts, sports and the use of advanced technology. The Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling certainly is not the most modern of homeschooling philosophies but it remains to be one of the most popular. In this article, I will guide you through some of milestones of the Charlotte Mason Method.
Charlotte Mason was a passionate and innovative homeschooling mother who founded the homeschooling movement in the early 1900’s (1842-1923). She invested her life in the pursuit of improving the quality of children’s education. Her enthusiasm and commitment to homeschooling led her to lay the foundations for an effective, complete and adaptable homeschooling program that provided children with a comprehensive education while keeping it interesting. The Charlotte Mason method focuses on core subjects and places an emphasis on literature, classical music, and fine arts. Many homeschooling parents today are using her approach to teach their kids.
One of the corner stones of the Charlotte Mason method is the use of what she calls “living books.” These types of books are to replace dry factual textbooks that school children often dread. A “living book” must be authored by someone not only knowledgeable but passionate about a subject. The author’s enthusiasm must shine through the language of the text. Mason believes this enthusiasm would then be mirrored by the students. “Living books” must also be written in conversational or narrative style. Mason looks down upon “twaddle” which she defines as books that are dumbed down for children. These types of books, she argues, not only insult a child’s intelligence but put out any passion the child may have felt for the subject.
When it comes to reading, Mason believes that children must not only read a wide variety of literature but also learn to narrate what they have read in their own words. Children may narrate orally, in written form or even express the ideas they have read through art projects or drawings. This type of post reading narration ensures comprehension and digestion of the large amounts of information children are exposed to. Mason states that younger children may begin with drawings and oral narration but by the age of ten children should be able to incorporate some written narration into the program.
Charlotte Mason believes that children should spend a large amount of time outdoors to help them develop a relationship with nature and a love for the environement. After observing nature, children should write in nature diaries everything they perceive about nature. Nature dairies can also be used to draw pictures of or write poetry about nature. One of the objectives of this nature study is to lead the way for meaningful instruction of scientific subjects. Homeschooling parents who want to implement some of the Charlotte Mason philosophy, should get their children started on nature dairies and ensure that their children get plenty of opportunities to spend time outdoors and develop a love and appreciation for nature.
Mason held strongly to her belief that the development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of a child’s personality. Children must learn how to govern and discipline themselves. Mason encouraged parents and teachers to instill good habit such as respect, punctuality, cleanliness and patience in their children. Children should spend four to six weeks working on a new trait or skill until it becomes a habit. These are the cornerstones of the Charlotte Mason method. Homeschooling parents can find many ways to incorporate these practices into their homeschooling routines.