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Charlotte Mason, in the nineteenth century, developed much of the
Living Books approach in response to the direction modern education
was moving. She was appalled by the way modern education viewed
children as objects (not human beings), modern education chose to
break down knowledge into pieces in order to fill the child with those
pieces, and modern education developed artificial learning
experiences. Miss Mason believed children should be taught good
habits, be involved in real-life situations and be given plenty of
time to play, reflect & create.
As she developed her approach to education, Miss Mason used the best
texts of knowledge and required oral narration to develop attention,
concentration, and understanding. Children were given experiences like
nature walks, observing/collecting wildlife, visiting art museums and
especially, reading real books with "living ideas". "Living books"
make a subject come alive, unlike textbooks which tend to be dry and
assume the reader can't think for himself. The living books approach
encourages a love of learning which should lead to self-education.
Yesterday at Sunday School we were discussing the Word of God as
"living and powerful". It reminded me that the Bible is THE LIVING
BOOK we should be using with our children. The Bible has living ideas
that are always applicable, regardless of our situation or culture. As
Hebrews 4:12 says, For the word of God is living and powerful and
sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of
soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart. The Bible is the supreme living
book! I encourage you to use it as the basis for all your studies. It
always has the answer.
A final thought about the Charlotte Mason approach is that it is
gentle. I was quite attracted to a "gentle" approach after seeing my
children do many, many workbook pages and have "knowledge" pushed upon
them. A gentle approach to school can be excellent as children begin
their schooling experience or transition away from public or private
school.
SOURCES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LIVING BOOKS:
For the Children's Sake, by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
This book is a definite keeper. Of all the books I read the summer
before I started homeschooling, this one had the most impact on me and
I decided to read it each summer before I started school again. Susan
Schaefer Macaulay, daughter of Francis Schaefer, gives an uplifting
view of Charlotte Mason's approach. Education can be "the diet that
opens doors for each child to build a relationship with God, other
persons, and the universe" according to Mrs. Macaulay.
Educating the Whole Hearted Child, by Clay & Sally Clarkson
Each chapter focuses on a facet of home centered education as the
Clarksons provide a guide to using whole books and real life to teach
& train children. Great reference for "discipling" your children in
the Lord.
Charlotte Mason Companion, by Karen Andreola
Karen Andreola and her husband run the Charlotte Mason Research
Institute and are responsible for many of Miss Mason's ideas being
introduced to homeschoolers. Andreola masterfully explains how to
adapt Charlotte Mason's ideas to the homeschool.
Original Homeschooling Series
Series of books that explains Charlotte Mason's approach in detail
Charlotte Mason Education
More Charlotte Mason Education
Literary Education
The above 3 books are by Catherine Levison, who conveys Charlotte
Mason's ideas in a user-friendly format...offers broad advice about
scheduling, selecting materials, teaching methods, and philosophy of
education. The first one listed deals more with elementary students,
while More Charlotte Mason discusses secondary education from a
Charlotte Mason approach. Literary Education is Levison's list
of living books.
Charlotte Mason Primer, by Cindy Rushton
Want a great basic book to help you jump right into homeschooling
OR into implementing the Charlotte Mason Approach? This is it! Whether
you need help learning how to teach the various subjects…you are
encountering a rough spot in homeschooling…or you would like to learn
how to use the time tested ideas of Charlotte Mason, this book will be
one of your favorites.
Books Children Love
Honey for a Child's Heart
The Book Tree
CURRICULUM that can be used with
LIVING BOOKS APPROACH (just a sampling)
Cindy Rushton Books.........
Notebooking, You Can Be a Binder Queen
Nature Study the Easy Way
Language Arts the Easy Way
Grammar/Language Arts.........
Language Arts the Easy Way
Simply Grammar
English for Thoughtful Child
Serl's Primary/Intermediate Grammar
Learning Language Arts through Literature
History.........
Beautiful Feet Literature Guides
Greenleaf History
Gift of Music
Nature Studies.........
Pocketful of Pinecones
Handbook of Nature Study
Keeping a Nature Journal
Nature Study the Easy Way
Christian Liberty Nature Readers
Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady
Making Math Meaningful - gentle approach to math
Greathall Storytelling Tapes (Jim Weiss)
Classical Kids Cassettes
...and ALL the good books you and your child will read
LIVING BOOKS/CHARLOTTE MASON WEBSITES:
Rushton Ministries
http://www.cindyrushton.com/
Encouragement for ALL homeschool MOMS
Twaddle free literature
http://members.aol.com/BeeME1/bookstore.html
Literature supplements
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/history.htm
Karen Andreola's site
http://www.charlottemason.com/
Curriculum Guide
http://amblesideonline.homestead.com/
CM Study Loop
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/CharlotteMason/
about Charlotte Mason herself
http://fp.armitt.plus.com/charlotte_mason.htm
Living Science Books
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/4329/CM_LivingScienceBooksPage2.html
Narration Tips
http://home.att.net/~bandcparker/narration.html
Nature
http://members.truepath.com/Jody/nature.htm
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