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Syncletica
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| Posted: Jan 31 2011 at 8:57am | IP Logged
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I remember reading in the first of Charlotte Mason's books, I think, that children should have something to think about everyday. Great idea! But, what do you get them to think about? I need some help coming up with ideas. Thanks in advance for any and all ideas! 
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JennGM
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Starting the day with the calendar -- liturgical year, weather, events of the day -- gives a good start. Read from a saint of the day, have art displayed, perhaps an almanac or daily reading or poem for the week?
Then the daily assignments of reading, themed baskets of picture books, pleasure reading will be giving plenty of food for thought.
I don't think you need to spoon feed the ideas.
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Mackfam
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I provide a wide and varied selection of books full of ideas and thoughts - the children think about that.
I provide a reasonable selection of tools for the children to express themselves creatively. Often, their projects and workings spring from an idea they read about during the day or week. More thinking goes on here.
The children run and play in the great outdoors, we walk in nature and observe and ask questions. More thinking.
I don't seem myself as providing *thoughts*. I do see myself as introducing beautiful and lovely vehicles like living books, creative materials, God's creation that inspire thoughts....and questions.
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Jen Mackintosh
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margot helene
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Yes, I agree, I don't think she meant, assign a topic each day, like on a calendar, "think about this today," but more a general "provide them good fodder for thinking every day." Don't give them twaddley things to just fill up the school time; give them meaty things to gnaw on.
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guitarnan
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Art materials (newsprint, crayons, pencils, watercolors) often give children time and space to think about things and express their feelings. I know that sometimes my son, in particular, used/uses art to "say" what words can't express. Both of my children have always enjoyed expressing their love of nature (God's creatures in particular) through art.
Music and poetry are rich with meaning, too - CDs of great composers' works (in the car, borrowed from the library) and child-appropriate poems teach children to listen for and appreciate sounds, melodies, rhymes and rhythms.
Practicalities: I buy newsprint by the ream from www.dickblick.com. I get CDs and books of poetry from the library whenever possible, although I own a couple of anthologies, including the long out of print The Brimful Book which features illustrations by Tasha Tudor...My brother and I wore out one copy of this book as children, and my mom gave me the replacement copy when my son was born. It's priceless to me! Children enjoy longer poems, too ("The Owl and the Pussycat" leaps to mind for the youngers, while "Jabberwocky" and "Paul Revere's Ride" are great for grades 5-8).
Rhyme, meter, melody, color and composition give rise to many wonderful thoughts...and they bear fruit for many, many years...
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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SeaStar
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The CHC lesson plans have Memory Gems for the children to memorize- one per week. They are a good spring board for thinking about something worthwhile.
In the Rebecca Caudill Happy Little Family series, the children memorize a "Great Thought" during school each week, and then they have a contest at the end of the year to see who can say the most from memory.
My dc like the idea that they are learning "Great Thoughts" like Debbie and Althy. The Great Thoughts also make good copy work.
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Erin
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Syncletica
You may enjoy some of these links; How to Feed a Brain Everyday
Sometimes I email different links to my children to expand their horizons.
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Erin
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leanne maree
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I love this idea Erin.
We do a reading from the Gospel daily.
We will change things around from time to time, to give freshness to the school week
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Leanne
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4Real Forums : Living Learning
Topic: Things to Think About
