The Charlotte Mason Method is a philosophy of education that focuses on nurturing the whole child. It was developed by Charlotte Mason, an English educator who lived from 1842 to 1923. The method is based on the idea that children are born persons and should be treated as such in their education.
In this post, we will provide answers to some commonly asked questions about the Charlotte Mason Method.
What is the Charlotte Mason Method?
The Charlotte Mason Method is a holistic approach to education that emphasizes living books, nature study, art and music appreciation, narration, copywork, and habit training. The goal of this method is to help children develop good habits of mind and character so they can become independent learners and responsible citizens.
Living books are books that engage the reader’s imagination through vivid language and storytelling. They are often written by authors who have a passion for their subject matter or who have experienced what they write about firsthand.
Nature study involves spending time outdoors observing plants, animals, rocks, clouds — anything in nature really — while making connections between what one sees in nature with other subjects studied indoors like science or literature.
Art and music appreciation involve studying great works of art or listening to classical music while learning about its history/culture/meaning behind it all
Narration involves retelling stories or ideas orally after reading them aloud (or having someone else read them aloud) which helps students internalize information better than simply memorizing facts from textbooks
Copywork refers to copying short passages from quality literature onto paper as practice for handwriting skills (and also serves as an opportunity for students to absorb vocabulary words).
Habit training focuses on developing positive routines that support academic success such as punctuality cleanliness attentiveness etc., all designed towards cultivating good character traits over time by instilling discipline into daily life activities
Who can benefit from using the Charlotte Mason Method?
The Charlotte Mason Method can benefit anyone interested in providing their child with a rich educational experience that emphasizes the development of good habits and character. It is suitable for families who homeschool or those who are looking to supplement their child’s education with a more holistic approach.
The method can be adapted to suit the needs of children of all ages, from preschoolers to high school students. Parents can choose which elements of the method they want to incorporate into their child’s education based on their individual interests and goals.
How does the Charlotte Mason Method differ from traditional education?
The Charlotte Mason Method differs from traditional education in several ways:
– Focus on living books: In traditional education, textbooks are often used as the primary source material. In contrast, the Charlotte Mason Method emphasizes using “living” books written by authors who have a passion for their subject matter or who have experienced what they write about firsthand.
– Emphasis on nature study: The Charlotte Mason Method places great importance on spending time outdoors observing nature and making connections between what one sees in nature with other subjects studied indoors like science or literature. Traditional education tends not to place such an emphasis on this aspect of learning.
– Narration instead of testing: Instead of relying on quizzes and tests, narration is used in the Charlotte Mason Method as a way for students to demonstrate their understanding of what they’ve read or learned. This helps students internalize information better than simply memorizing facts from textbooks.
– Copywork instead of handwriting worksheets: Rather than using pre-printed handwriting worksheets, copywork is used in the Charlotte Mason Method as a way for students to practice writing while also absorbing vocabulary words and sentence structure from quality literature
Overall, the focus is less results-driven compared to typical schools where standardized tests often dictate teaching objectives over nurturing personal growth through varied educational experiences
What resources are available for parents interested in implementing this philosophy?
There are many resources available online and off-line that provide guidance and support for parents interested in implementing this philosophy including:
Curriculum providers – Ambleside Online, A Delectable Education, Simply Charlotte Mason all offer resources and curriculum suggestions for parents at different grade levels to help them implement the Charlotte Mason Method
Books – Parents can read “For the Children’s Sake” by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay or “A Charlotte Mason Companion” by Karen Andreola to gain a deeper understanding of this philosophy.
Online support groups – There are several online forums and Facebook groups where parents can connect with other families who use the Charlotte Mason Method and share experiences tips etc.
In-person workshops/seminars – Several organizations conduct workshops/seminars periodically across various states that provide hands-on training on how to implement this teaching style in real life classrooms/home schools.
Conclusion
The Charlotte Mason Method is an educational philosophy that emphasizes nurturing the whole child through living books, nature study, art and music appreciation, narration, copywork, and habit training. The method provides a holistic approach to education that focuses on developing good habits of mind and character so students can become independent learners. It is suitable for children of all ages and backgrounds. Parents interested in implementing this philosophy can take advantage of numerous resources available both online as well as offline including curriculum providers books online support groups or attending seminars/workshops conducted periodically across various states.
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