Need straight forward opinions. Homeschool moms, teachers...about Charlotte Mason

[milivica]

I read some tonight, about this Charlotte Mason woman, and her ideas about teaching. I really really liked what I read - though didn't read tons. Will read more tomorrow. Though it seemed to include a lot of 'God' and spirituality it didn't seem to include man-made religion, know what I mean?

Check this out:
http://www.livingbookscurriculum.com/20principles.htm

And actually check out your own resources cause that site was my first and only search (cause it's late).

[The Pogue]

Sounds very rigid to me: all children learn the same way. No accommodation, no tailoring to learning style or individual needs.

[milivica]

Ok I better read it more carefully, I took it the opposite of what you'd said.

[matika]

Mili....
my honest opinion, is,, look into something else.
I tried understanding the program or phylosophy, and honest, I could not really get it,, maybe it was just me but,, I do not think AT ALL, this is for a kid in the spectrum.
my honest opinion ;)

matika

[peglem]

I'd not heard of Charlotte Mason...I had trouble with the way the list of principles is written- seemed murky to me and didn't really understand what was meant by a lot of it. On the other hand, when i looked at the newsletter archives- the lessons and ideas looked pretty decent to me- a kind of hands-on, whole language approach. Seemed like it was more about guiding the child to learn through exploration rather than cramming it down their throats. I didn't see everything on the whole sight- but didn't see anything terribly objectionable or revolutionary.

[tgrimes]

You mean as her influence on school reform, or as it applies to homeschool? I never heard of this before today. I use book-store workbooks and discovery channel. :)

[milivica]

Ack sorry, still didn't look deeper into this.

I read only a bit, did like the idea of kids 'living' the lessons, knowing me I automatically adapted anything I read, for autism - much easier to do with RDI of course. (Grimey clenches her chair, grits her teeth, "Oh, of course" booM booM booM booM booM booM)

I have to read more, catch up with you guys. I was hoping to snag some ideas that work within my ethics, like when I saw the stuff about nature I got hopeful. I did read this other site that was more brief, it had crucifixes on it, I kind of weeded out some of the religious tones, however, I really did like the 'spiritual' aspect, just not the preachy aspect. Hope that makes sense.

[Zonulin]

I have the book, "A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on the Gentle Art of Learning" by Karen Andreola, as well as Volumes 4 and 5 of Mason's own work (Volume 4 = "Ourselves: Improving Character and Conscience" and Volume 5 = "Formation of Character: Shaping the Child's Personality"). All found in used bookshops! And I've taken what I've wanted from these books - in a nutshell, Mason believed in spending a lot of time outside, not only running off some steam, but also actively observing nature, learning the names of the plants, birds and animals, watching the clouds, etc. She believed that children should read great books, and then talk about them to their parents/teachers. Instead of answering deadly dull questions about what they've read, the children would actively recount the parts THEY found most interesting (proactive learning versus reactive). So Mason's catchwords are: Read. Discuss. Observe. Play. It's really more of a philosophy than anything - you will not find "20 tips for teaching geometry" or anything like that!

Andreola quotes Mason on Page 45 of her book: "In urging a method of self-education for children in lieu of the vicarious education which prevails, I should like to dwell on the enormous relief to teachers...the difference is just that between a horse that is light and a horse that is heavy in hand; the former covers the ground of his own happy will and the driver goes merrily. The teacher who allows his scholars the freedom of the city of books is at liberty to be their guide, philosopher and friend; and is no longer the mere instrument of forcible intellectual learning. "

I've always thought that Mason was a bit of an unschooler - she advocated discovering your child's interests, and "allowing" them to discover the joy of further pursuing those interests. And guiding them very minimally. You might be able to find Andreola's book at your local library - it's worth a skim!!

Karen

[milivica]

"Mason believed in spending a lot of time outside, not only running off some steam, but also actively observing nature, learning the names of the plants, birds and animals, watching the clouds, etc. She believed that children should read great books, and then talk about them to their parents/teachers. Instead of answering deadly dull questions about what they've read, the children would actively recount the parts THEY found most interesting (proactive learning versus reactive)."

Yeah that sounds great - I'd like to snip a few ideas from her. I'm a huge nature fan, so I suppose when I saw quotes like you gave, I was like, "Wow, cool, who is this lady." I also liked this sort of strong spiritual nature to what little I looked up, cause it wasn't preachy or religious, it was guidance but not pushy. At least from the little I read. Thank you for posting! I'm way too big a procrastinator to actually fully follow any teaching technique or philosophy, but like you'd mentioned about sort of taking the parts you like and using them, that'd be something I'd like to do. Thank you Karen!

[Mother's Heart]

MILI:
have you heard of "unschooling"?

[milivica]

No, I haven't. Only the uncola (7-Up)

[Mother's Heart]

maybe you would enjoy reading about it. Calling Google! calling Google!

http://www.naturalchild.org/guest/earl_stevens.html

http://www.holtgws.com/whatisunschoolin.html

http://unschoolers.com/methods.html

http://home-educate.com/unschooling/

http://sandradodd.com/unschooling

[milivica]

Holy Cow woman...atsa lotsa out of the boxa methods! I like teh way unschool 'sounds'. This is going to be fun looking into!

Thanks!

[Mother's Heart]

:) I first heard of it through a friend with a DD on the spectrum. They unschooled her. I was envious.

[milivica]

Girl, you are putting me in Google 'limbo' lol, what a great concept, unschool. I'm going to dig into your links, if I'm not back in 3 days send a cyber-search party in for me!

[Mother's Heart]

:D :D
will do!