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amyable
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| Posted: April 27 2007 at 3:43pm | IP Logged
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I'm going to admit my total ignorance here. Despite reading Elizabeth's Real Learning, skimming several of Charlotte Mason's original homeschooling series, and reading Andreola's CM Companion, I *still* don't understand exactly what IS a "noble idea."
I see many people talking about it in general, but I'm not understanding the specifics. I would love to talk about a great/beautiful/noble idea every day with my children (is this even feasible at the under 8 age?) but I don't know what to say! 
Is there a nice list somewhere? A definition at least? Some examples of things you talk about with your children that fit into this? And just like there are many ways to make narration interesting and fun, are there ways to make the discussion of living ideas "different"?
I have a feeling I'm doing this somewhat already, but I just don't know it.  There, true confessions for a Friday afternoon. 
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Amy
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missionfamily
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 8:45am | IP Logged
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In my experience with little ones, picture books make the best starting point for discussing noble ideas...try some of the ones included in the suggested list in Real Learning or at Catholic Mosaic. These books assuredly will provide ou with great starting points for discussing things noble, beautiful, and lovely. We read the story book The Weight of the MAss the other day, which we have read many times. THe ineviable discussion of Mass and the Eucharist is a bit worn out after so many readings, but somehow from something oe of the kids said, we entered a beautiful discussion of elderly people and how they are viewed and treated and how we should regard them in our community. Our weekly trip to mass at the nursing home had a new significance after that!
Colleen
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Cay Gibson
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 9:16am | IP Logged
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Amy,
My suggestion would be to focus on the virtues. You can't go wrong with virtues because they pertain to everything that is noble.
Colleen's suggestions of using picture books as a starting point is excellent! 
Watch "Faith and Family Magazine" for an upcoming issue concerning virtues with a full listings of books.
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Cay Gibson
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Leonie
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I think Cay's idea of looking at virtues is excellent - noble ideas indeed.
Years ago we used William Bennett's "Book of Virtues" and read a story each week, looking at a particular virtue. We also used the picture book version for young children.
Hmm. Might have to get back into this one...
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Helen
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| Posted: April 28 2007 at 7:39pm | IP Logged
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Thanks to Cay, I've been realizing how important poetry is for the communication of "ideas" to children.
We've recently also been using the Book of Proverbs for pithy sayings full of wisdom.
I've been wondering if listening to classical music would qualify for "noble" ideas according to Charlotte Mason. It certainly is the expression of original thought. Does it communicate ideas?
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aussieannie
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I am doing up handwriting sheets for the children - some of them I have been using Lord of the Rings quotes, there is alot of nobility in this book!
I have just bought Literary Lessons from The Lord of the Rings and so when I start this with my oldest child, I'd like to think we will be immersed in nobility Tolkein-stlye for a whole year. 
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amyable
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| Posted: April 30 2007 at 7:25am | IP Logged
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Thank you everyone! I guess I'm not as far off as I thought. We do talk about virtues ... I still think I'm missing something though.
So after you have read a book or a passage - do you just casually bring up the virtues involved? The courage a boy showed, or the selflessness, etc. Maybe my kids are too young, or maybe I'm just bad at sparking conversation, but I always feel like I say something, and they all just stare at me or give me a short answer, and then it's over. Not enough back and forth... I guess I can still be planting a seed, but I feel like I'm just talking to myself! 
I did bump into two good links in the days since writing my original post. This one at Higher Up and Further In, and this at Ambleside Online. Looks like I'm not the only one who "doesn't get it," which at least makes me feel not so dumb .
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Amy
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missionfamily
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Amy--My kids are pretty little too and discussing literature quite an adult task, but I find that if you remember when they're young that it's all about the training, I just see those fairly uneventful discussions as part of the process of trainng them to think about and discuss ideas. I find with mine that I can lengthen the discussion by presenting some type of activity that gets them thinking. Say someone in a story models honesty. The "discussion" may go no further than a few questions and short answers, but if I ask the kids to think of a time when they were honest or dishonest and how it made them feel, we have a real session going. Or if they can think of someone they know who isa good example of honesty...then we color a picture for that person and write a little thank you. For the little ones, this helps them think a bit longer and gives them time to process ideas in a way that is relevant to them. I also find that often the first time we read a story is not the best time to try to have a big discussion of its ideas. After two or three days in a row, the children are much more apt to notice and understand the ideas presented. For the first few reads we narrate, look at pictures, explain new words, talk about characters and setting and those types of things. Hope this helps, sorry it's so lengthy.
Colleen
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Charlotte Mason's idea of "noble ideas"
