|
|
The
Charlotte Mason Method |
Ask Catherine
Levison |
|
|
Catherine Levison, mother of
five, began homeschooling in the 1980's. Home education had only recently been legalized
in her state and she found herself in need both of materials and a philosophy in a
relatively new field. Catherine thoroughly researched various educational methods looking
for the best possible choice for her family. Concerned for the quality of education for
her children, she also needed a method that could keep her interest as she anticipated
over twenty years of home schooling before her. English educationalist Charlotte Mason
proved to be the answer. Her family flourished due to creative and effective techniques
such as using poetry, masterpiece artwork, nature sketching--all combined with consistent
attention to the academics.
Frequently
Asked Questions
Q: I've heard about the Charlotte Mason method. What exactly is
it?
A: In a nutshell, this method is a very broad education. Art
appreciation, literature, foreign languages, etc. are introduced early to the child.
Parents allow and encourage the child to relate in their own words what they are learning
in all subjects. The school days are balanced by spending adequate time with the core
subjects while providing plenty of free time to enjoy life. Many parents are drawn by the
emphasis on the arts either because they already see the value of it or because their
education was lacking in the classics such as books and music and they are happy to have a
chance to learn along with their child.
Q: Is this method complete and does it cover all the grade
levels?
A: It is an extremely thorough and complete education and it is
applicable to all grade levels. In fact, I think of it as a superior education. There are
many aspects to Mason's approach and it seems that early in its popularity people tended
to latch on to only one or two of the concepts resulting in some misconceptions.
Occasionally the method has been referred to as a literature based method which is true
but that's not all that it is. Another aspect it became known for was the emphasis on
nature study, again resulting in people imagining an incomplete education. While it's a
good idea to take from Mason's methods what you like and apply it in anyway (even in
combination with other methods) it's also important to realize that it covers all the
academic subjects and broadly exposes the child to all the humanities.
Q: Will you explain how to add "nature sketching" to
our homeschooling?
A: One of the first benefits of nature sketching is that you and your
child will be outdoors a lot more often. There was a time when children spent considerable
time outdoors observing animals and their habits, plant life and the sky. Charlotte was a
big believer in having children outside everyday.
The objective of nature sketching is to help the
child learn to be observant. Keeping a nature sketch book or diary is voluntary. Please do
not force anyone to start one. If you have a reluctant child, the more they can trust that
their book will not be looked at or compared with others, the more willing they may become
to attempt one.
Nature sketchbooks can be begun as soon as the
child is old enough to write or draw. Outdoor sketching is very enjoyable and the hope is
that the child will continue to keep one the rest of her life. You'll find most Charlotte
Mason moms keep their own because they like it.
Basically you will want to buy a blank sketch
book for each child (and yourself) that opens flat and looks sturdy enough to go outside.
Buy some sketch pencils, colored pencils, brushes and watercolor paints and you're all
set. Take your equipment on a nature walk and sketch specimens that you really see while
you're out, if the weather does not cooperate collect things to bring home and sketch
later.
Do not worry about artistic talent, everyone
will find out that it's much easier to sketch when you really look at what you're drawing.
Some people label their entries either in English or Latin or both. Add some poetry or
song lyrics for variety. Make sure you don't correct or look for spelling errors or any of
that.
Q: I've heard great things about keeping a "Century
Book." Will you please
explain how to make and use one?
A: Keep in mind there is no one "right" way to construct a
century book. When these books were used by students in Charlotte Mason's schools they
originally called them a museum sketch book. That's why I like to make them using sketch
paper. You could buy a blank sketch book or fill a three-ring binder with sketch paper,
regular blank paper or lined paper. The type of paper isn't the crucial aspect, it's how
you label the top of each sheet that matters and it isn't hard to do. Perhaps the easiest
way is to begin at the back of your book and label the top of the page "21st
Century" or "2000" or both. Proceeding backwards allow one or two pages per
century going into the B.C. centuries as far back as you care to.
The purpose of the book is to have a place to
make notations or illustrations of an historical event on the correct page. Museum visits
provide a chance to sketch artifacts, weapons or anything on display. It is not all
sketching by any means, however, as children can make entries from books they have read.
Pages will eventually fill in with unrelated events and that is the whole point. Children
learn a lot from watching this occur.
It's such a tangible way for children to store
the information they receive and serves as a portable timeline. When families stop relying
solely on textbooks and begin to branch out and use well-written books they often ask,
"Where will the children put all this information, how will they hang on to it?"
This provides the answer. By the way, I recommend that Mom start one of her own as soon as
possible. One of my biggest regrets is not starting mine in the '80's. If I had it
to do againk, I'd have a rather filled in book by now.
Advisor's
Suggested
Resources
 Charlotte Mason developed an educational philosophy that entails countless
techniques and ideas. One of her beliefs is that we are to help the child develop a love
of learning. She believed that this was best achieved by providing the child with a
liberal (generous) education. This includes bringing the best literature, art, music, and
poetry directly to the child as early in life as possible. This approach leads children to
self education and involves the use of "real" books, nature studies, and
"narration."
Available for purchase at: www.championpress.com/book/books.html
 Both "A Charlotte Mason Education: A Homeschooling
How-to-Manual" (Book 1), and "More Charlotte Mason
Education" (Book 2) can help you give your child the kind of education where they
find knowledge so delightful that it becomes a pursuit and source of happiness for a
lifetime.
Available for purchase at:
www.championpress.com/book/books.html
Ask
Catherine Levison
Do You Still Have Questions About The Charlotte Mason Method?
Then contact Catherine
Levison: CatherineLevison@homeschool.com.
| 
