Charlotte Mason Companion
Wednesday, February 4th, 2009
A thorough chapter-by-chapter overview of the inspiring teaching principles of Christian educator Charlotte Mason, this book reveals the practical day by day method of how to teach “the Charlotte Mason way”. The author offers friendly advice, and humor, along with the joys and struggles of real homeschool life. The book covers education, parenting, homeschooling and lots of encouraging advice for mothers. (From Amazon)
Why are the time-tested principles of respected 19th-century British educator Charlotte Mason so popular with homeschoolers? Because they work! Andreola shares her experiences in homeschooling the “Charlotte Mason way.” Discover how to teach children to think independently, retain what they learn, and communicate clearly by narrating what they read in “living books.” 384 pages, softcover from Charlotte Mason Research.
Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) was an innovative educator who developed a unique approach to education. During her lifetime she developed a Philosophy of Education designed for homes, private schools, and homeschools. Her blend of practices (she never claimed to have invented these, only to having adapted and combined them) includes Narration and copywork, Nature Notebooks, Fine Arts, Languages, a Literature based curriculum instead of textbooks, and real-life applicationsTwo key mottos taken from her principles are “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life” and “Education is the science of relations.” She believed that children were born persons and should be respected as such; they should also be taught the Way of the Will and the Way of Reason. Her motto for students was “I am, I can, I ought, I will.”
I had a long list of things I wanted to find in a first grammar/composition text: I wanted to apply what Charlotte Mason called “narration,” material concentrating on the writing process that would not burden the young child. I wanted a text that would draw the child into writing, and lay the foundation for good composition skills that could be applied in all learning situations. I wanted something simple and fun to work with.
