4Real Forums: Charlotte Mason vs Classical Learning

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Philosophy of Education
4Real Forums : Philosophy of Education

Topic: Charlotte Mason vs Classical Learning

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VanessaVH
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Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 2:29pm \| IP Logged

I am reading Laura Berquest's book "Designing your own Classical Curriculum" and wondering what the main differences between the CM method and the Classical method.

As far as I can tell, in the Classical method there is a lot more emphasis on structure and memorizing than CM, but similar views on narration and such. Is this a correct comparison?

Also, since I haven't read all of the CM stuff yet, (just finished Elizabeth's book though!!!) Does she recomend memorizing anything? Poems, multiplication etc?

Thanks to all you more learned moms!!

JuliaT
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Posted: Aug 11 2008 at 10:12pm \| IP Logged

Vanessa, I think the main difference between CM and CE is that CM wants the children to think things through on their own and make their own connections whereas with CE there is more of a mentoring relationship between teacher and student. The CE teacher leads the student to make those connections.

I believe CM advocates poetry recitation but not memorizing of facts and dates.

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vmalott
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Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 7:25am \| IP Logged

As you read more about Classical Education and Charlotte Mason, you'll see that Berquist's approach is kind of a blend of the two. In other words, she uses the trivium as a guide and, at least in the earlier years, implements many methods from a Charlotte Mason education to help with learning.

Just take a look at what's suggested for learning in the early years in the book The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer, and you'll see how different Berquist's approach to Classical Ed. is.

Valerie

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Willa
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Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 10:54am \| IP Logged

Some other threads that discuss this:

Classical and CM
Is Mother of Divine Grace "Neo Classical"?

Questions about Classical Education

Classical criticism, please

These are not meant to stop conversation here, but just to give extra resources if you want them

I know that CM did have a place for memorization in her schools, but it was more to do with memorizing beautiful language (poetry and scripture) and foreign language vocabulary (she recommended that the children learn 6 new French words per day) and less to do with dates and factoids.

Narrating was an ancient classical tradition -- Charlotte Mason points that out in one of her books where she says that students were trained to tell a good story readily and gives examples of past classically educated people who were famous for their ability to do this.

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Willa
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VanessaVH
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Posted: Aug 12 2008 at 11:34am \| IP Logged

Thanks for all the imput. And for the related threads Willa, I will check them out as well. I am still finding my way around here and getting to read some of the back posts

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