As parents and educators, many of my peers and I are continually striving to better understand the ideas and principles which facilitate a healthy learning environment for our children and ourselves. Those atmospheres which throw wide the doors for excellence, without cleanly sweeping out the innate curiosity and passion for learning, which is our greatest asset for gaining knowledge, and insight.
About five years ago, when my oldest was about 7 years old, my experience was limited to the traditional textbooks I had grown up with, and then a traditional home-school curriculum, which killed a lot of my son's joy in learning. I decided to de-school, to take away the constraints of textbooks, and allow him to explore his academic interests in a less-traditional way. That year was a first step on a valuable journey of discovery for me, and my son. We saw that we did need some structure, but what kind, and how to implement it, we were not sure. I began to slowly familiarize myself with different educational models, by discussing ideas with other home-educators, and reading a lot on the subject.
One day, I was visiting a new friend's school room in her home, where she was describing to me her history-based curriculum, and how she applied it in her home-school. I began to share with her some of my ideas and desires for my children's education, and she brought up the name "Charlotte Mason", saying that my ideas had a lot in common with hers.
It was the first time I had ever heard of the 1800's educator, and was curious, but I did not immediately go and read her book, although, I wish I had! I actually read about her on the internet, and found some meaty quotes of hers. I learned that her approach is very classical(something that was very new to me, and daunting at that point in my life)compared to today's standards, but that she was more sensitive to the human needs of a child than were educators of her day(who would force hours of uninterrupted indoor study, even at very early ages, with little time for nature and discovery). Her method was a reaction to the harsh standards of the day, and was actually a predecessor for today's lax practices, which many criticize. But, her method, in it's purity, seems to me quite effective, and beautiful in action...a good balance between the strict, intense classical approach, and the often ineffectual traditional approach found in modern American Public schools.
I began to slowly apply her methods over the next several years, and eventually found a free, online Charlotte Mason based, Literature-based curriculum, several years later. Which taught me a great deal about how to organize and use a schedule, as well as how to better implement Charlotte Mason's techniques. Understanding CM's methods and history, has given me a deep love for Classical Education in general. I am able to reach out to other Classical materials offered, and apply what I know from CM.
This month, as the next school year is fast approaching, I will be opening Susan MacCauley's, For the Children's Sake:Foundations of Education for Home and School(in which she discusses Charlotte Mason's ideas, in depth) I will be posting my narrations, and reactions here!
About five years ago, when my oldest was about 7 years old, my experience was limited to the traditional textbooks I had grown up with, and then a traditional home-school curriculum, which killed a lot of my son's joy in learning. I decided to de-school, to take away the constraints of textbooks, and allow him to explore his academic interests in a less-traditional way. That year was a first step on a valuable journey of discovery for me, and my son. We saw that we did need some structure, but what kind, and how to implement it, we were not sure. I began to slowly familiarize myself with different educational models, by discussing ideas with other home-educators, and reading a lot on the subject.
One day, I was visiting a new friend's school room in her home, where she was describing to me her history-based curriculum, and how she applied it in her home-school. I began to share with her some of my ideas and desires for my children's education, and she brought up the name "Charlotte Mason", saying that my ideas had a lot in common with hers.
It was the first time I had ever heard of the 1800's educator, and was curious, but I did not immediately go and read her book, although, I wish I had! I actually read about her on the internet, and found some meaty quotes of hers. I learned that her approach is very classical(something that was very new to me, and daunting at that point in my life)compared to today's standards, but that she was more sensitive to the human needs of a child than were educators of her day(who would force hours of uninterrupted indoor study, even at very early ages, with little time for nature and discovery). Her method was a reaction to the harsh standards of the day, and was actually a predecessor for today's lax practices, which many criticize. But, her method, in it's purity, seems to me quite effective, and beautiful in action...a good balance between the strict, intense classical approach, and the often ineffectual traditional approach found in modern American Public schools.
I began to slowly apply her methods over the next several years, and eventually found a free, online Charlotte Mason based, Literature-based curriculum, several years later. Which taught me a great deal about how to organize and use a schedule, as well as how to better implement Charlotte Mason's techniques. Understanding CM's methods and history, has given me a deep love for Classical Education in general. I am able to reach out to other Classical materials offered, and apply what I know from CM.
This month, as the next school year is fast approaching, I will be opening Susan MacCauley's, For the Children's Sake:Foundations of Education for Home and School(in which she discusses Charlotte Mason's ideas, in depth) I will be posting my narrations, and reactions here!
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