What I've Learned From Charlotte Mason (and Sonya Schafer)

Two weekends ago, Rachel and I got to drive 2 hours to Des Moines to spend Friday and Saturday at a homeschool conference put on by the NICHE group. WOW, I had such a good time! I'm not sure if it was 4 hours to talk to Rachel in the car, the info on CM (Charlotte Mason) or the very thought provoking keynote speaker, Voddie Baucham (more on him in another post). But I need to type my learning points so we'll just put it in the blog.

CM was a late 19th and early 20th century educator in England. What draws me to her method of teaching children is her amazing ability to integrate faith into everything, her ability to teach kids to love to learn and inspire their minds, and the simplicity of it all. That and it's a good match for a lot of what I'm already doing and addresses some of the problems areas (writing) well.

CM had a couple great mottos. First for the students: I am (a child of God). I can (do all things through Christ). I ought (to obey my parents and my Lord). I will (be all God has made me to be). And for parents: Education is an atmosphere (everything around us provides learning), a discipline (teaching habits and character), and a life (living ideas that continue to inspire throughout our days).

CM believed in well written "living books". We're not talking the "twaddle" that is published in this day and age (mostly). We're talking books that told first hand accounts of real heroes, narrative stories of important concepts and ideas in rich vocabulary and flowing style. (The kind where you can find a quote nearly anywhere.) She has a list at amblesideonline.org for a start.

These living books were to be used for history and science, literature and even for art appreciation, music appreciation and poetry. Children were to listen to (or read themselves when older) short lessons (10-20 min for younger, up to 30-45 for high school) where the teacher simply read ONCE and asked for a narration (oral or written for older students). A mother/teacher lets the students draw their own connections but helps them by employing a "Book of Centuries" where they record, by century, important events and people (from whatever area they were studying) and a regiment of copywork and later, prepared dication that came directly from passages the students were studying.

For young students, an interesting phrase or sentence (Bible verse, poetry line, quote) was used, and they were to copy with complete attention and perfect execution. This was their handwriting but also helped them see good spelling, grammar and English and filled their storehouses of words and enlightening ideas to meditate. Then older children were to look at a similar passage (eventually several paragraphs) study the words (no more than a few) they didn't know and look carefully at punctuation and capitalization. Then they were to complete a prepared dictation given by the teacher and supervised very carefully. Later, students would begin to find their own inspiring passages and would carefully copy them into their own Book of Mottos.

Reading is taught in a similar way. Very gently. Lots of good books. Looking for phonics application and sight words in the text as mother reads and eventually sharing the reading, and then reading alone with a narration always at the end to check for comprehension. The goal of language arts was accurate communication since CM was right to point out that a deception is not just an out and out lie but also comes when someone communicates inaccurately either on purpose or not.

Math was to be full of hands on lessons and problem solving. Less on the 'rules' and memorizing algorithms and more on figuring out how to work the numbers. A focus on accuracy also was employed. Why? So a child would be honest in all business dealings and not make mistakes.

Nature study was employed. At least one afternoon a week, children were to be "turned loose" outside (rain or shine) and a good sketch book and quality art supplies made available as mother (or teacher) participated but didn't lead the discoveries. A few field guides and specimen jars with maybe a microscope or at least a magnifying glass would be very helpful. Children should learn at preschool age to identify everything in their yards or parks nearby-- from plants to birds to insects and animals. They should be taught to worship their Creator who made such a wonderous world for them to enjoy.

Foreign language and Latin/Greek would be taught in a small amount (a few words at a time) and first by listening and speaking (to a native speaker) before they read and write. Latin and Greek are to promote vocabulary in all languages with those roots.

Art and music appreciation was to be employed as follows. Choose one artist and one composer about every 6 weeks. For art, show the children a print by the artist. Let them study it hard and get it all in their mind's eye. (Always focus on attention and remembering--huge life skills.) Then shut the book and have the children narrate what they saw. Open it and have them check. Then if they are able, have them draw the "chief lines" of the work on paper from memory. Also, have a narrative biography available to read a little here and there so they get an idea about the history of the person's life (add to book of centuries). Do one print study each week and at the end the child will know the artists' style and something about him/her. The same thing goes for the composer...but listening to a work of his/hers throughout the week instead.

The thing I love most about Charlotte Mason---though all the aforementioned ideas and methods are wonderful--is her understanding that children need to be taught good habits, intentionally and consistently. If they don't have habits such as paying attention, obeying immediately, listening respectfully, persevering/fortitude, and 60 more lovely characteristics (simplycharlottemason.com), it doesn't matter how wonderful an education they are exposed to...they will not be "all God has created them to be". Habits are little roads in their minds that make it easy to do the right thing in hard situations because they have been practiced in not-so- hard situations. For a Christian child (or mother) these habits turn to areas of discipleship such as Bible reading and study, memorizing and meditating on Scripture, praying, serving, etc. These are the disciplines that, if trained in childhood..."when he is old, he will not depart from it." This is what I pray for my children...that they will come to faith and then grow to be more like Jesus every day. More than anything I want myself and my children to show his glory to others in what we say and do and be willing to give our lives, no matter what the cost, for the sake of Him who has saved us and given us eternal life.

A Charlotte Mason education...I want that for my kids. I want that for myself.

A Day in the Life...

Today was what I would term a near perfect day. We got up, but didn't have to be out until 9:30 so we could get breakfast, have our devotions and get our morning chores done without looking at the clock much. Gabe and Elly finished early and were playing nicely in the front room, some combination of trucks/tractors and little animals. Isaiah took a little longer but had time to head outside to check on his bugs and feed his spider.

We headed off to swim lessons. Got there early enough to chat with Joya for a few minutes. Isaiah decided to read Gabe his books for the library summer reading club (Go Isaiah!) and Elly was only too happy to play with Baby Braelyn. Then the two older kids headed off to their classes where they 'did their best' and 'paid focused attention' (my admonition each day). Gabe and I reread his books and then played little tractors, The Itsy, Bitsy Spider and chatted.

We headed home where again, we could really just not have to deal with the clock. Elly and Gabe played playdough (making pies with duplo blocks) while Isaiah tried out a new website recommended by Aunt Sam (questforcompassion.org) with four countries to fly to and learn about through a "mission"...all this connected to their real missions that provide kids with basic needs (including Jesus, which Isaiah says is the fourth and most important basic need).

We had a little lunch somewhere in that. I got some phone calling and emailing done. The kids all headed up for a little quiet time and I read them enough books to "get their library prizes tomorrow". Then the friends popped over for a movie and a romp in the baby pool and sprinkler. I spent some time outside watching and some time inside working at the kitchen table so I could watch. And then a delightful thing happened....Gabe fell asleep 2 minutes in Bob the Builder. Isaiah asked to play with a buddy (but stay on the street) and Elly and Katie headed down to the basement to set up camp. I was a free bird for a little while and in the middle of the day too. That gave me time to contemplate the $950 AC repair Kev said the mechanic thought we needed on the truck. We very quickly and in total agreement decided that we would try a sealant and 3 cans of coolant for $24 instead. And God knows whether that will work or not and I can say, I'm not stressing about it. What will be, will be another day. This one is good and I'm not borrowing any trouble. It also helped that I had that to think about while I was cleaning bathrooms and folding laundry...it goes by fast that way.

Kevin came home to our dinner of beans and ham, cornbread and applesauce. (Yes they at the main dish but the other two dishes were the incentive.) Everyone ate without too much commotion, took turns talking and cleaned up without much reminding. We headed out to the tramp for a little game of "Mummy, Mummy Come Alive" and I puttered in the garden and flower beds while the kids finished playing.

We came in and did the quick bed routine since the stories and baths (via sprinkler) had been taken and they all opted for 1 room for the night with a few books to attend to before they sleep. Here I am typing this blog and I'm headed up to start another great Lamplighter book for myself.

No the day was not perfect. I read that Mr. Obama has decided he can just grant federal employees' same sex partners benefits which makes me wonder how the man figures he can just get around DOMA. But hey, I'm praying and letting it go...and writing him tomorrow. And Kev isn't here tonight, but he's at Bible Study and I'm glad he has that men's group so I can be happy to have an evening to putter.

That's it, my near perfect day. Thanks, Lord for it. I know not to expect a lot of these, but I'll treasure this one...and remember it everytime I read my blog. Thanks for that too. It gives little glimpses of life.

Elly's Prayers

Ellyanna has been given an gift for interceding for others. If she hears in church or I tell her about a prayer request that's come on the etree, she's always quick to remember those people and "check in" on them. What has been a big blessing is that many of those she's prayed for have seen God's work in their lives--though she and I are learning that it's not always in the time frame we have in mind. I hope she learns this early and can have absolute faith that God hears and answers later on.

She prays for our special friends in Ukraine who are orphans--specifically Kristina and Pasha. And she prays for our Compassion kid, Jesus. She loves to pray for a man who has terminal cancer from church. And he is off treatment and getting better! She also prays for his wife and little boy, even making him cards and having me send them for her. She also prays for anyone she knows is sick--from having lice, or a cold, to an aunt with cancer. Recently she prayed for her aunt and uncle who's mother passed away suddenly. She regularly prays for her family...even that "Isaiah would be nicer to me."

Isaiah's Latest Musings

I was sitting here thinking of all the funny things recently around here. It's never too long between laughs. I thought of three different great "processing" moments for Isaiah. They are a comfort and a blessing--to see the conviction of the Holy Spirit alive and well.

So, probably a month ago, Isaiah had invited one of the new neighbor girls to play in our backyard. This was unusual since he's usually so focused on boys. What was even more unusual for Isaiah, and I believe evidence of the Holy Spirit at work, was the fact that he noticed that she was sad and asked her about it. She told him that she was sad because "her Grandpa was in a box". After a little more discussion, Isaiah figured out that her Grandpa had passed away and was cremated and in a "box". So he was trying to comfort her and said, "Did he believe in Jesus?" "Yes," she said. "Well, he's in heaven, not in that box!" he told her. She still looked sad. "Are you a Christian?" he asked. "Yes, well, no, I'm nothing, "was her reply. This was VERY disturbing to him.

I found Isaiah outside with his buddy Connor planning and plotting and spying on this little girl later. I asked them what they were doing and got the story above. And Isaiah says, "We are waiting for her to come out of her yard and we're going to take her my Bible and show her how to be a Christian." (That AWANA training is coming in handy.) We did have a little discussion about being friends with her first and then being ready to give an answer if she asked about it rather than hit her over the head with the Bible. :) I think I would call that "zealous".


Second scenario was a week or so ago at the park. Isaiah came up and ate an ant right in front of me and some friends. I was so proud that I didn't freak out--hoping that less attention would make this new bug eating thing a non-repeat event. Later, I asked him why he thought he would like to eat bugs. "Well," he said, "I want to be a missionary in Africa someday and I want to help with the animals there too. I know they have to eat bugs over there so I figured I better try them out. They aren't so bad." I decided not to tell him about the chocolate covered insects over in the Orient!

And last came an "ah ha" moment in the car the other day. We have been studying Greeks and with that, we've read some tamed down Greek myths which Isaiah found interesting. But he wasn't saying much about them. That day we were listening to KLOVE in the car and the song "God of This City" started. The part of the song Isaiah was singing was "There is none like our God. There is none like You, Lord." And he pipes up, "There IS no God like our God! Those Greeks had so many gods, but they weren't like Ours. They were more like people. Our God was never created, but if He wanted to, he could create other gods...but He won't, because He's the only One." I just about bawled right then and there, so thankful that this belief is rock solid for him. I told him, "You are very wise, Isaiah. Many people don't understand that idea at all and they waste their lives looking to all those other gods who will never save them."

I've typed these up, because I'm sure there will be many hard days when it will seem like our parenting and discipleship is not getting through. But God does amazing things in His time, not in mine.

Pasto' Micah

Gabe and I were folding washcloths upstairs last night. He was jabbering away a mile a minute so happy to have Mommy's undivided attention. Unfortunately, Mommy's "Gabe-ese" was failing so he was having to repeat himself two and three times for me to get it all deciphered.

He started talking about "Micah with blue eyes not like my brown ones." (He's big into eye color these days and would really like blue eyes if he had a choice.) I'm thinking, 'He doesn't have a friend names Micah with blue eyes...who is he talking about?'. So I questioned him trying to get him to say the name more clearly or get more info to figure out who he was talking about. Finally (three repeats later) I heard "Pasto' Micah". Ah ha, light bulb! "Gabe are you talking about Pastor Mike?" I asked. "Yeah, I want hair like his!" he replied with a big grin. "I want my hair shorter." We'd buzzed his hair that morning to 1/4 inch. You don't go much shorter--unless you want hair like Pastor Mike, who is...you guessed it...bald on top.

Oh the things we wish for...I didn't give into the Mommy tape number 321 about being thankful for how God made each of us, but I did giggle for awhile.