I was just turned onto this website: http://www.amblesideonline.org/ I've heard of Montessori, but not really much about Charlotte Mason. I'm reading more from the website, but I'm wondering if anyone here has used this method of teaching and what your general thoughts are.
We use some of Charlotte Mason ideas, but not as much as I'd like. I don't follow Ambleside because the amount of books to buy/borrow/keep track of is overwhelming for me. CM is based on consistent discipline, simple routine, short lessons, and living texts. So instead of textbooks, you read a lot of more interesting books and stories. She encourages going out and exploring nature and getting plenty of exercise and outdoor play. I would call her style about an equal cross between traditional school and unschooling. I really think CM was a woman ahead of her time. I have a book based on her writings, Laying Down the Rails. It is a great parenting resource! I only wish I had followed her ideas when my kids were younger.
Check out this website: www.simplycharlottemason.com I have looked into this style or approach. One thing that I do remember when I was comparing it to the classical style of schooling is that Charlotte Mason has a more gentle approach to most of the subjects and that classical tends to be more rigorous academically . I am experimenting with mixing both of the schooling styles. I am using Math and Science that would be considered Charlotte Mason and the classical approach in Language Arts . In the Simply Charlotte Mason website they recommended either Math U See or Right Start math as being "Charlotte Mason" and for science either Apologia or a nature study . Hope this helps in any way !
I use My Father's World, which is a Charlotte Mason approach. We love it. I will say my public school mentality creeps in sometimes, and I find myself supplementing with extra things.
We unschooled the last 2 years. We slowly found ourselves becoming very CMish so this year, when my kids wanted more structure, so we started doing AO but I didn't like some of the content in the books so we picked our own living books. I like a lot of her ideas. We do a lot of nature study, keep lessons short, allow them lots of free time, I much prefer living books over dry, boring text books, I think it's important for them to study classical music and artist. I just agree with so much of her theory and methods (and her 20 principles) I don't follow her ideas to the letter-we don't do much copywork right now, but that's a customization for my child, we do a lot of work orally and he's just not going to do pointless writing, there has to be a purpose.
Some of what I was reading on the site seemed to discourage a pick and choose approach when itc omes to this style of teaching/learning, but it seems to be what lots of you are doing. Do you think there's any basis in their claim that you should follow all the precepts instead of taking a "more or less" way of going about it?
If I wanted an education like that for my kids they'd be in public school. The whole point of homeschool is to customize the education, learning, curriculum, approach and experience to your family and your children. So, if not using a book that doesn't line up with our religious beliefs means I'm doing it wrong, than I don't wanna do it right!
I wasn't referring so much to that, per se. They go into detail that book substitutions are fine. I meant more like taking the educational philosophy as a whole, not just parts of it, they claim has the biggest benefit to the child. I'm wondering about that.
So far, I have yet to hear of anyone who is pure CM. I'm sure there are people who have adopted the complete philosophy, and I would be interested to hear how it worked. It could make sense to adopt a consistent method, but I tend to agree with Josie. Homeschool is about being able to customize what works for your children. Believing that there is a one-sized-fits-all approach that works for all children is almost like falling into the same trap that public schools share. Like I mentioned before, I really wish I had started with many of her philosophies when my children were younger, but I guess we live and learn. My opinion is that it is difficult to use a complete CM approach when you haven't done it from the start, but we modify what makes sense and works for us right now
Still applies... if not following the "CM rules" to the letter means I'm doing it wrong, than I don't wanna do it right! Same thing, if I wanted to follow one-size-fits-all rules for education that really DON'T fit all, my kids would be in public school. The biggest benefit to the child is going to do what is best for THAT child, and no two children are the same.
I sooo agree with JosieB, no two kids are the same for sure! DS10 and Autistic can read forever where as DD9 can't really stand to read (although she will when she feels like it). You just need to take the time (even if it takes 2 years, or more!) To figure out what is going to work for each child. One may like the CM way and another may like something totally opposite. So for DS we are using the CM way as for DD we are still searching, though she does like doing worksheets and workbooks Good Luck in your adventure!
If my son was younger, I would have definitely done things more CMish. If you don't do everything the exact way it is outlined, it is OK. Don't feel guilty. Homeschooling is educational freedom. How far you go with that freedom depends on you and what state you live in. Of course, even in some rigid states you can cover their requirements (or some of them) in nontraditional ways. In states that allow a lot of freedom (like the great state of Texas) you can really help your kids learn without forcing them to jump through arbitrary hoops. The same can be said about any method/philosophy of homeschooling. You have the freedom to borrow ideas from many different styles and blend them into a masterpiece that works for you family. I think that we tend to want to stick with one philosophy, one curriculum publisher, or one method because it feels more comfortable. The trouble with that is that many times that ONE thing doesn't work for your child.
Yeah, like I'm not a fan of worksheets and worksheets aren't very CMish either but you know what...both my kids LOVE doing worksheets, so guess what they both get to do for some of their school? Worksheets! I homeschool so I can break the rules that don't benefit my unique child.
I have always been interested in the CM approach, and I agree with Josie B. We homeschool for customization. I have wanted to be very CM oriented, however Paddy is autistic and has CP which makes it difficult for daily writing, and those sort of things. He needs a more rigid schedule and seat work. My oldest on the other hand it works really well with! It just depends. My favorite CM website is www.charlottemasonhelp.com
I do the same thing! It's just so much easier to see what each child likes to do and go from there, If they only grasp onto a few things for the "school year" then IMO they are learning something You'd be amazed at what they can learn on their own through books alone! Mine always surprise me, just when I think they aren't paying attention, they ask me a question or tell me something from whatever they have been doing or reading. Proud mommy here when it comes to those times! With DS10 Autistic and DD9 (propb. ADHD) It has been a blessing to be able to teach them ourselves how to grow into a respectable young lady and gentleman Which ever route you and your child decide to take, have fun with it!
We just started a more CM approach this year and we absolutely love it! Don't get me wrong, there are still days my kids whine and don't want anything to do with "school" but for the most part this is our best year yet (3rd). I don't follow it exactly either but I would like to continue to strive to do more things CM style. We are using Beatiful Feet for history and really enjoy it. We are using Outdoor Secrets from SCM along with a mixture of our own nature study and love that too. The kids really love their history and nature journals. My oldest is doing copywork and that is going fine. The biggest thing I think with CM is narration. We are slowly working more into our days but that has been a challenge. We are not using the math recommended on SCM either. Math is a tough one here and I'm leaning toward going with TT our second semester if I can afford it. Anyway, we don't follow precisely either, but love what we do!
