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JennGM
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I was reading through some of the threads I have saved my Favorites.
Have you read this discussion? Topic: Is it best to follow CM's advice fully?
Lots of food for thought. As I try to discern how to incorporate CM in our home, I find this whole thread helpful, but this quote by KathrynUK especially useful:
KathrynUK wrote:
| A CM education as CM herself intended it - broad, structured and in line with her philosophy of education - is one way of providing an excellent education. IMO, a CM influenced education can also be excellent. I think Richelle is right to say that the absolute essential is CM's philosophy, not any particular aspect of her method. I'd go further and say that CM's philosophy can be reduced to one phrase: "For the children's sake". Her idea of an excellent education was not one in which children learn a fixed body of knowledge, or learn to jump through particular educational hoops, but one in which children are given the skills and knowledge to become fully the people that God wants them to be. This is why CM fits so beautifully with a Catholic education. |
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Nique
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Good timing on this one ~ thanks for sharing Jennifer!
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TracyFD
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Thanks you for bringing this up - I will be taking the time to read that past discussion. It will help my perspective as I begin to read Mason's series - I just began Vol. 1 and am sort of surprised to learn that she had such specific recommendations with regard to diet and dressing in woolens and having a French lesson every day. There is so much more in her original writing than one typically comes across in books that digest her philosophy.
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Mackfam
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Me too, Tracy!!!!
I was at my mom's a few weeks ago and she offered a lot of great books from her shelves and the CM volumes were there! I snatched them up as well as all of her old copies of The Parents Review. I had wanted to go back and review my own philosophies...back to the beginning to refresh my own views because sometimes things get so familiar over the years we sort of look past them and we just start doing them because we're doing them. I decided to devote my reading time this year to rediscovering and refreshing my own philosophies - not looking for anything new...just reviewing those philosophies that echo my own thoughts. I thought I'd try to do some of this reading over the summer, but then I thought why rush this?!! I'll just consider my entire year one of relaxed re-dedication. So, I'm headed to the volumes with you! 
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TracyFD
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Wow! Where did your mother get these volumes? Were you homeschooled? Maybe you have shared this before and I missed the thread?
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Tracy
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I'm finally starting volume 1 too!!
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Mackfam
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Oh goodness...I don't remember where mom got them...she got them a long time ago!!! That was back when the volumes were the ONLY thing out there for CM...mom homeschooled my brother and sister. They're both a good bit younger than me by 7 and 9 years. I benefited by just being around them and seeing all the lovely things they were doing.
Mom was very, very influenced by Charlotte Masons's writings. She was an extraordinary example for me to watch. There was no extra money, so they made their way by making use of the library, a great used book store, and the beautiful forests and fields around our farmhouse. Both mom and I remember those days as magical. I have very wonderful memories of those times - I was influenced more than I realized at the time by just being on the periphery. I was in a private school at the time (the reason there was no extra money). I say this because I know many homeschool and have children in school and wonder if they catch anything...they do!!! I attribute much of what influenced me to that idea of Charlotte Mason's, "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." My mom lived that, and it had a powerful effect on me. I'm so grateful, as you can imagine, for the example and for the groundwork my mom and others like her laid for me...for all of us...in terms of implementing a Charlotte Mason education and philosophy in a Catholic home.
Yay Mom! 
Those initial pioneers in homeschooling, and Catholic homeschooling in particular, have so much to teach me...lessons in simplicity, making do and being frugal with resources, taking time to enjoy the right now with fresh eyes, allowing the beauty of the outdoors to open up worlds of learning, allowing great books with noble thoughts speak to our children, allowing the children to direct their learning by giving them a voice in their education - following their interests. I don't remember mom overcomplicating her choices and their lives with thoughts of **which curriculum do I choose** because there wasn't much to choose from...you used books...living books. This allowed for a freedom to enjoy the little you found. You found something worthy, something noble and dug into it and explored every niche, every crevice, every thought of it. It was simple out of necessity - from budget, or lack thereof, and from choices, or lack thereof. But there is a lot of freedom in that thought and in that lifestyle!
Anyway, clearly I'm getting nostalgic just thinking of it! And, I don't know if these thoughts really fit here or not...they just came spilling out because this is what has been on my mind.  And, this thread of Jenn's is perfect timing for me, because I've been going back in the archives and re-reading some of those great conversations from the lovely ladies here as well!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Mackfam wrote:
| Those initial pioneers in homeschooling, and Catholic homeschooling in particular, have so much to teach me...lessons in simplicity, making do and being frugal with resources, taking time to enjoy the right now with fresh eyes, allowing the beauty of the outdoors to open up worlds of learning, allowing great books with noble thoughts speak to our children, allowing the children to direct their learning by giving them a voice in their education - following their interests. I don't remember mom overcomplicating her choices and their lives with thoughts of **which curriculum do I choose** because there wasn't much to choose from...you used books...living books. This allowed for a freedom to enjoy the little you found. You found something worthy, something noble and dug into it and explored every niche, every crevice, every thought of it. It was simple out of necessity - from budget, or lack thereof, and from choices, or lack thereof. But there is a lot of freedom in that thought and in that lifestyle! |
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Thank you for these words. I am going to have less money than I hoped for homeschooling books this year, and have been struggling with not having "enough." But I do have some living books here at home, and we have a good library. I have enough, I have plenty, and I will be able to find something noble and worthy from these materials.
Andie, homeschooling mom to dd9, dd7, and ds4 and Christopher, in His Arms (03/28/08)
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JennGM
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That is so interesting, Jen. My mother homeschooled us, but we used a program. I kept thinking there had to be more.
This original thread helped me in my questioning of some books that Charlotte Mason highly endorsed, although I am not finding them a great fit. And while she advocates "living books" we enjoy reading a few of those "true books" or other ones that aren't necessarily "living". So I'm back at "for the children's sake".
I'm going to tackle the Original books, too. Maria R highly recommends When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper when she needs a shot in the arm to remind herself about CM approach, so that's what I'm reading right now first.
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I really like this book. It's very fun to read.
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JennGM wrote:
That is so interesting, Jen. My mother homeschooled us, but we used a program. I kept thinking there had to be more.
This original thread helped me in my questioning of some books that Charlotte Mason highly endorsed, although I am not finding them a great fit. And while she advocates "living books" we enjoy reading a few of those "true books" or other ones that aren't necessarily "living". So I'm back at "for the children's sake".
I'm going to tackle the Original books, too. Maria R highly recommends When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper when she needs a shot in the arm to remind herself about CM approach, so that's what I'm reading right now first. |
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Michele Quigley said somewhere (her blog?) that was her favorite Charlotte Mason book, and I bought it. I really do like it a lot!
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Lindsay
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JennGM
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CrunchyMom wrote:
JennGM wrote:
That is so interesting, Jen. My mother homeschooled us, but we used a program. I kept thinking there had to be more.
This original thread helped me in my questioning of some books that Charlotte Mason highly endorsed, although I am not finding them a great fit. And while she advocates "living books" we enjoy reading a few of those "true books" or other ones that aren't necessarily "living". So I'm back at "for the children's sake".
I'm going to tackle the Original books, too. Maria R highly recommends When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper when she needs a shot in the arm to remind herself about CM approach, so that's what I'm reading right now first. |
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Michele Quigley said somewhere (her blog?) that was her favorite Charlotte Mason book, and I bought it. I really do like it a lot! |
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She does recommend it in her wonderful CM Handbook.
She also has a nice article at Catholic Exchange which
Michele Quigley wrote:
| Charlotte Mason believed that children should have an intimate relationship with creation. “Let them once get touch with Nature, and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight through life.” Regular nature walks, a notebook where observations are recorded and variety of specimens and findings (leaves, flowers, insects) are kept, all serve to bring the child into close contact with nature. “We were all meant to be naturalists” Charlotte writes. “…each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things.” |
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“We were all meant to be naturalists” answers my question I had pondered here, Purpose of Nature Study?
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DominaCaeli
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CrunchyMom wrote:
JennGM wrote:
That is so interesting, Jen. My mother homeschooled us, but we used a program. I kept thinking there had to be more.
This original thread helped me in my questioning of some books that Charlotte Mason highly endorsed, although I am not finding them a great fit. And while she advocates "living books" we enjoy reading a few of those "true books" or other ones that aren't necessarily "living". So I'm back at "for the children's sake".
I'm going to tackle the Original books, too. Maria R highly recommends When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper when she needs a shot in the arm to remind herself about CM approach, so that's what I'm reading right now first. |
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Michele Quigley said somewhere (her blog?) that was her favorite Charlotte Mason book, and I bought it. I really do like it a lot! |
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Thanks for linking to that discussion, Jenn--really good food for thought there.
I'm going to try and work through some of the original writings as well this year. How precise an application of Charlotte Mason's principles is Cooper's book? I'm trying to find something on the more "purist" end of the spectrum to read alongside the originals...
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Mackfam wrote:
I benefited by just being around them and seeing all the lovely things they were doing.
Mom was very, very influenced by Charlotte Masons's writings. She was an extraordinary example for me to watch. There was no extra money, so they made their way by making use of the library, a great used book store, and the beautiful forests and fields around our farmhouse. Both mom and I remember those days as magical. I have very wonderful memories of those times - I was influenced more than I realized at the time by just being on the periphery. I was in a private school at the time (the reason there was no extra money). I say this because I know many homeschool and have children in school and wonder if they catch anything...they do!!! I attribute much of what influenced me to that idea of Charlotte Mason's, "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life." My mom lived that, and it had a powerful effect on me. I'm so grateful, as you can imagine, for the example and for the groundwork my mom and others like her laid for me...for all of us...in terms of implementing a Charlotte Mason education and philosophy in a Catholic home.
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Jennifer,
Reading your words was so encouraging to me! A little quiet tear surfaced as I thought of how true it really is that the children can and do 'catch it'. Sometimes we wait a little longer to see the fruit, but God is faithful and it is so beautiful to watch God work in our lives and our childrens' lives. Thank you for posting your memories and thoughts. I am very encouraged and look forward to continuing to learn more of this CM philosophy.
God bless you,
Jill
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MicheleQ
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CrunchyMom wrote:
| Michele Quigley said somewhere (her blog?) that was her favorite Charlotte Mason book, and I bought it. I really do like it a lot! |
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It is! That is it's my favorite CM book not written by Charlotte Mason herself. I think "When Children Love to Learn" is a good book for seeing clearly what a CM education looks like in practice and I think it does a really good job of making certain aspects of a CM education really clear. I'm re-reading it myself as we move towards the new "school year".
Oh my I didn't realize that article was still there! Jenn you are too kind because I think it's horribly written, though I am glad you could find something useful in it.
DominaCaeli wrote:
| I'm going to try and work through some of the original writings as well this year. How precise an application of Charlotte Mason's principles is Cooper's book? I'm trying to find something on the more "purist" end of the spectrum to read alongside the originals... |
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Very precise I'd say. I am a bit of a CM purist myself. OK not just a bit. ;-)
If you're going to read CM's writing I'd actually recommend starting on volume 6 "Towards A Philosophy of Education". It was the last one she wrote, after many years of practically applying her philosophy and changing and adapting some things. DO read her other works because there's a lot of good in them but start at 6.
God bless!
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CrunchyMom
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MicheleQ wrote:
| Very precise I'd say. I am a bit of a CM purist myself. OK not just a bit. ;-) |
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Would you say you've become more of a purist in recent years? In the link that Jen bumped to start this thread, you seem a bit less of a purist, but I seem to recall your saying that you've gone back and forth in how precisely you follow her method and that you feel things are better when you are.
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MicheleQ
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CrunchyMom wrote:
MicheleQ wrote:
| Very precise I'd say. I am a bit of a CM purist myself. OK not just a bit. ;-) |
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Would you say you've become more of a purist in recent years? In the link that Jen bumped to start this thread, you seem a bit less of a purist, but I seem to recall your saying that you've gone back and forth in how precisely you follow her method and that you feel things are better when you are. |
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I should have been more clear. We have gone back and forth based on what works for the child and I do think it's OK to adapt and tweak.
What I insist on though is a clear representation of a CM's philosophy and I like to clarify that there really is a difference between a CM structured education and a CM influenced education. Neither is necessarily better and I've had success with both but I do find it frustrating when something is presented as a CM education that really only has some CM elements.
I guess that sounds kind of picky but I have seen people throw out the whole idea of CM because they thought it was something it wasn't. I am sure this would make more sense if I could give you an example but my mind is going in a thousand different directions at the moment and I am drawing a blank.
Anyway, my recommendation of When Children Love to Learn has more to do with it being what I think is a solid presentation of the practical application of CM's philosophy.
It's what we've tried to do with Mater Amabilis too but we make it clear that you need to make it work for your child and not to be a slave to the program. Does that make sense?
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JennGM
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MicheleQ wrote:
What I insist on though is a clear representation of a CM's philosophy and I like to clarify that there really is a difference between a CM structured education and a CM influenced education. Neither is necessarily better and I've had success with both but I do find it frustrating when something is presented as a CM education that really only has some CM elements.
I guess that sounds kind of picky but I have seen people throw out the whole idea of CM because they thought it was something it wasn't. I am sure this would make more sense if I could give you an example but my mind is going in a thousand different directions at the moment and I am drawing a blank. |
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Makes sense, Michele, and I've read a similar viewpoint in other philosophies, like Montessori. I wish there was a clearer way to state that we are just using "Montessori elements" or we are "CM inspired".
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JennGM wrote:
| Makes sense, Michele, and I've read a similar viewpoint in other philosophies, like Montessori. I wish there was a clearer way to state that we are just using "Montessori elements" or we are "CM inspired". |
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I would imagine they overlap a bit. Certainly some things Montessori could also be CM? And it's not like I want to be the CM police (like I don't have enough to do) but rather it's when someone asks me how we homeschool and when I say we use the Charlotte Mason method they respond with "Oh we prefer more structure and academics!" Happened to me just recently in fact and she really wasn't interested in hearing how a CM education is really quite excellent. I thought that was a shame because I really do think there's a lot of value in it.
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TracyFD
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MicheleQ wrote:
| when someone asks me how we homeschool and when I say we use the Charlotte Mason method they respond with "Oh we prefer more structure and academics!" |
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I wonder how common this misconception is? I will admit that was my first impression of the Charlotte Mason method after hearing that the emphasis was on "short lessons and 4-6 hours a day spent out of doors". It didn't sound like "enough" at the time. Several years passed before I knew anything about Mater Amabilis, Elizabeth's book, Karen Andreola or the Schaeffer Macaully books.
About overlap in methods (I am just starting Mason's Vol. 1) I found her recommendation of dressing children in wool rather fascinating because the Waldorf philosophy recommends the same. Not that it has much to do with academics - it's rather peripheral, but my understanding is that the Waldorf belief in wearing wool has to do with the child's body being the right temperature for the soul to incarnate and Mason's recommendation is based more on general health practices.
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Tracy
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Charlotte Mason: Remember This One?
