What kind of homeschoolers are we? Answer...I don't know

[mommydama]

I've become very enamored of Charlotte Mason. I've been reading about her and her methods of teaching for YEARS, so this is not new to me, but lately, watching how my children learn, especially Zoe, I'm feeling myself lean more and more toward her philosophies. I, so far, see no real problem with combining my somewhat classical approach to WHAT I teach with Charlotte Mason's approach to HOW to teach. We already use narration almost intuitively with a lot of what we read, mostly because I was just curious about how much my kids were actually internalizing of what I read to them. We've been doing copywork since Maria was four and wanted to write letters to her grandmas. She would dictate to me, and then copy what I wrote for her. I think a lot of the "interpretation" of Charlotte Mason by other writers leans toward an almost unschooling approach and I don't think that is fair to Mason actually. She was, after all, a classical educater herself who definately believed in an orderly, disciplined learning environment with clear goals. She just felt strongly about not killing a child's natural love of learning with dry and boring drills and seatwork. I could be misunderstanding her myself though.

I don't really know if what we are doing could be call a Charlotte Mason education. However, I have a feeling if the Bluedorns or Wise-Bauers saw our homeschool in action they wouldn't exactly call it strictly Classical either.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

So what?

You're doing what all homeschoolers do best: adapting methods and subjects to the specific needs and interests of your family/students.

I think you're doing great.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

I'm just musing.

[emchelle.livejournal.com]

Ditto! We gave up on labelling awhile back. If we don't expect kids to fit into the public-school mold, then why would they all fit into a few, pre-defined homeschooling molds? Keep up the good work!

[jeffholton.livejournal.com]

I've been reading one of her books SINCE college (yeah, I'm slow) and I just love it.

I think the intro was written by Franky Schaeffer's sister, actually.

[mommydama.livejournal.com]

Which one?

[jeffholton.livejournal.com]

I *think* it's Volume 6 of her homeschooling series, but I'm not positive as it's in a box in the garage somewhere at the moment. Fascinating research, though.

I've also owned this book for about 15 years but haven't read it yet.

[moobabe.livejournal.com]

Eclectic? That's what I call myself, at least. It sounds a little better than "hodgepodge". ;)

[altarflame.livejournal.com]

lol