tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post9135559680536125053..comments2024-01-10T05:26:18.695-05:00Comments on Moments With Mother Culture®: Another Cadillac Course?Karen Andreolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-44871603106941085612017-10-23T23:35:30.224-04:002017-10-23T23:35:30.224-04:00As a Homeschool Oldie, I have somehow gotten mysel...As a Homeschool Oldie, I have somehow gotten myself in a Cadillac Class. I needed to read this today. It is robbing us a joy. Trying to figure out how to get off this train.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-5358040176206547082017-10-23T07:59:55.440-04:002017-10-23T07:59:55.440-04:00Thanks for sharing so much and keep up the good wo...Thanks for sharing so much and keep up the good work! And that's a very lovely quilt ^^Sean Mahanhttps://www.homeyou.com/authors/sean-mahannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-8724883517800440012017-10-11T11:43:58.972-04:002017-10-11T11:43:58.972-04:00If the link doesn't work try typing into the S...If the link doesn't work try typing into the Search Bar (top left) "High School". Thanks, Jackie. High school is the icing on the cake. Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-30079571825499218152017-10-11T11:42:37.347-04:002017-10-11T11:42:37.347-04:00Hi Jackie M. On page of 6 of Miss Mason's &quo...Hi Jackie M. On page of 6 of Miss Mason's "Philosophy of Education" we find these two sentences which help us see that her method is one of self-education. It is the aim of the teacher to guide her student over the years, toward this aim. Therefore, by the time the student is in high school he is doing a quantity of reading and writing on his own. <br /><br />"A)The children, not the teachers, are the responsible persons; they do the work by self-effort. <br />B)The teachers give sympathy and occasionally elucidate, sump up or enlarge, but the actual work is done by the scholars." <br /><br />Here's a tip. I was told that a ten-page paper on a subject is one way to achieve a grade for the semester. I tried this with my first student. She was acclimated to years of oral and then written narration. Therefore, it was not a burden to read various books on a subject, keep a notebook of hand-written narrations of her reading, and a record of books and page numbers whenever she quoted directly. After months of this narrating she typed up her notes into a ten-page paper. (inch by inch it's a cinch) I saw how dealing with good books the narrating in the lower grades came in handy for the higher grades. I remember I gave her a choice on what to write about for science. She chose "agriculture" - gardening and small farming. She had interviewed a dairy farmer for part of her paper. Learning how to write an essay is a skill to learn, too. <br /><br />Here's a blog post I wrote on high school. It is not a definitive answer to your question but hopefully will offer some direction and encouragement for what you would "like" to accomplish in your high school. http://momentswithmotherculture.blogspot.com/search?q=high+school+#.Wd440GhSxaQ Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-20681328993377799552017-10-08T16:48:20.556-04:002017-10-08T16:48:20.556-04:00Dear Karen, how is the Charlotte Mason method used...Dear Karen, how is the Charlotte Mason method used with High School kids? How did you do it with your kids? Viajoy.babooprihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00965273153609191191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-11939719026260345182017-09-27T15:06:33.829-04:002017-09-27T15:06:33.829-04:00Cathy D. You wrote asking about a curriculum. I ch...Cathy D. You wrote asking about a curriculum. I checked your link. But I no nothing about it. Sorry. Karen A. Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-86827644622503781852017-09-27T15:05:50.641-04:002017-09-27T15:05:50.641-04:00Thank you for the encouragement, Cheryl. Thank you for the encouragement, Cheryl. Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-74462030581007209422017-09-25T10:19:02.486-04:002017-09-25T10:19:02.486-04:00I suspect that I share a similar thought every tim...I suspect that I share a similar thought every time I visit your comment box, but regardless . . . <br /><br />Karen, each one of your posts is rich with wisdom and ideas and food for thought! No wonder you have been a help to so many people! <br /><br />I think the "Cadillac courses" rob many homeschool moms of joy. Early in my homeschool experience, I was given wise advice about charting my own path and not feeling as if I needed to do everything that Mr. or Mrs. Curriculum Writer suggested that I (or my students) do. How grateful I am for that advice! <br /><br />Even so, last year (my 26th year of homeschooling) found my one remaining student and me, her teacher, bored with a text book that we were reading through together. I had a "light bulb moment" one morning as I was drying my hair. "No!," I said to myself. We will find something better. We found some living books to learn the same material, and joy returned! <br /><br />Don't stop reminding us, the newbies as well as us oldies, of these simple principles of learning! Cheryl https://www.blogger.com/profile/00063844335185525553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-53724369022082857702017-09-22T16:47:45.467-04:002017-09-22T16:47:45.467-04:00I agree with Carol. There are many different appro...I agree with Carol. There are many different approaches to Charlotte Mason learning, and many of them do not seem to be a "gentle art." To perfectly reproduce a PNEU school seems to me a burdensome thing. There is a particular podcast I listen to during my night job (cleaning) and I am glad I have some experience behind me so that I can take away what will help and leave what would burdensome. In the early years I think I would have either tried to do it all... or felt discouraged and disqualified to home educate. The comparison between Plutarch's 'Lives' and the Landmark biographies is an excellent example. We can and should custom fit to our own time, location, family situation, etc. Isn't that part of why we do this?<br />Karen has the best circle of blog readers. :-)Kristyn Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12596129414614469667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-41723701098166144662017-09-22T09:59:18.323-04:002017-09-22T09:59:18.323-04:00You're welcome, Carol. I'm happy to know I...You're welcome, Carol. I'm happy to know I've been of some help. I do see fruit in our adult children. I am grateful God is using the little seeds I had sown. <br /><br />You are blessed to have a reading-companion for "Home Education". Sophia is reading "Home Education" too. Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-62656851591453652732017-09-22T00:04:18.745-04:002017-09-22T00:04:18.745-04:00Thank you, Karen! It's so thoughtful of you t...Thank you, Karen! It's so thoughtful of you to respond right away and with so much encouragement. That was exactly what I needed to hear. I am going to show this to my husband, and no doubt he will tell me to print it so I can refer back to it... daily, if needed! I really do have you to thank for opening my eyes to what living books are, and in that area we have done so much and it's been tremendous to watch my older children grow because of them. Right now I am finally, for the first time, reading "Home Education" and trying to remind myself to absorb what is inspiring and implement it bit-by-bit! I have a friend who is overseas and we are doing a little book study together over the phone of "Home Education." So far it's been delightful, but as mothers I know we always want to give our children the very best, and this can be our Achilles' heel! Thank you again for responding and for all your writing and encouragement for homeschool moms. I'm sure at the next stage you are now able to see the fruit of that labor of love and enjoy your family so much more for it! God bless you, CarolCarolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-32638616075389556252017-09-21T18:06:43.797-04:002017-09-21T18:06:43.797-04:00Hi Carol, Thank you for sharing your story. Yes, ...Hi Carol, Thank you for sharing your story. Yes, implementing a little more each year sounds sensible. Your large library is probably a lovely one. <br /><br />For a growing family, what I can tell you is what you probably already know. Determine which lessons can be accomplished with combined ages. And which lessons are better accomplished separately. It often depends on how closely in age your children are. Bible, picture study, music appreciation, nature, handicrafts, singing, some read-alouds, narration, are usually what can more easily be combined. But not always. Math, penmanship, copy-work, written narration, grammar, spelling, some science and history and literature of the high grades, are more individual. <br /><br />I remember it took some weeks for a schedule to form. But it still seemed that no two weeks were exactly the same. <br /><br />Keeping a string of lessons going each morning, my children did fall into a pattern. They moved from one subject to the next - off at their own desks after a group-lesson around the kitchen table with me. One child had my personal attention while the others worked independently. I'd keep this going child-by-child on a rotating basis, listening to a young child read aloud, listening to an oral narration, reading through an older child's written narration, etc. <br /><br />Charlotte Mason tells us, “At first, a child wants the support of constant supervision, but, by degrees, he is left to do the thing he ought of his own accord.” School Education, pg 108 <br /><br />Because home learning is such an efficient use of time and a child's attention can be so much more greatly focused than in a crowded classroom, it is a flexible method of educating. Some of our "subjects" became a way of life. For instance, my older students read in bed - good literature. In Maine dawn is quite early in summer. My children would read in bed every morning before breakfast and sometimes we'd talk about it. They had very little screen time. On their own initiative (when they were older) they'd play beautiful music in the house, listen to audio, draw, narrate to me informally, write skits and/or poems, and observe nature as a way of life, too. <br /><br />I did what I could do. Today, in retrospect I turn my thoughts from fretting about what I couldn't do. We did not study a different Shakespeare play each semester. Sometimes nature study waned. December I took the Christmas-y books out of the closet and into a basket by the sofa. So our schedule was tweaked. The children started making secret gifts, baking with me, practicing instruments for special musical events in December. They all have their favorite Christmas-y books to this day, (age 35,31,28) now in their own possession. <br /><br />Reading the old Parents' Review was inspiring and enlightening. But I knew I would never be able to live up the the high standards of the PNEU. I did not teach Latin, for instance. We did French. Also I believe Miss Mason would be astounded and happy to see the quantity of wonderful Landmark biographies (for example) good fiction and non-fiction, etc. available today in America. Because of this I chose not to rely as heavily upon Plutarch and The Greeks for heroes as was done in the PNEU 100 years ago. My children still read about heroes, some in church history, missionary stories, etc. that were not in print in olden days. Because of the incredible strides (and failures) of the 20th century there is much worth studying here, too. <br /><br />I believe it is possible to follow Miss Mason principles while working to make our homeschools the homeschools of our particular and personal dreams. This is an aspect that can only come from within the parents (it is between the parents and God) an aspect by which no one should encroach. <br /><br />I hope you don't mind a long answer. Yours, Karen A. Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-76258458513783333712017-09-21T16:17:50.423-04:002017-09-21T16:17:50.423-04:00Hi Karen,
Your blog is so calming as I try to nav...Hi Karen,<br /><br />Your blog is so calming as I try to navigate all of Charlotte Mason's ideas! I just finished "Lessons at Blackberry Inn" and wish there was a sequel! It was so inspiring and a lovely scene of a family navigating through a normal life while working on loving one another and slowly implementing Charlotte Mason's ideals. I have been so overwhelmed reading how other people schedule their CM days or add every single subject in. Having "permission" to work things in a bit at a time is so helpful. I'm in my 11th year of homeschooling, now several children, and I have read your book "A Charlotte Mason Home Companion" several times over the years, and implement a little more each time. I wish I had trusted the idea more along the years instead of having awful forays into packaged curricula that took me down just like the mother you describe in this blog post. Do you have other posts or hints for mothers homeschooling many children at many ages who want a simple way to ease into more of Charlotte's ideas, without complicated schedules that push us into checking off boxes? Thanks to your book, nearly every book in our large library is a living book and I am so, so grateful for that!Carolnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-35396222605478396002017-09-21T14:17:19.866-04:002017-09-21T14:17:19.866-04:00Karen, as usual, you always come along at just the...Karen, as usual, you always come along at just the right time. This year, my fourteenth year of homeschooling, I feel like we are doing it right. All CM, taking it slow, and not feeling the need to race to the finish and cram in all we might "miss." It really takes the pressure off me and that takes the pressure of my children. Home educating can be delightful. We began homeschooling with a boxed curriculum in a "school" setting. After teaching for thirteen years in public school, it seemed the right way to teach and learn. Thankfully, the Lord began working in my heart and He led me to you and Miss Mason. <br />Your quilt is beautiful. I am back to binding two of my three unfinished quilts. <br />I hope this finds you well. We are enjoying a late summer here in Texas. I am looking forward to autumn.<br />Take care,<br />Donna Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18402361635775270386noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-81861655946671963882017-09-21T06:34:30.795-04:002017-09-21T06:34:30.795-04:00Karen, your words of wisdom are treasures, as usua...Karen, your words of wisdom are treasures, as usual. Thanks for demonstrating the narrow road.Janet https://www.blogger.com/profile/03818703984928060147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-15239952050936959752017-09-19T13:33:55.717-04:002017-09-19T13:33:55.717-04:00Hi Karen,
I really appreciate this article. I ha...Hi Karen,<br /> I really appreciate this article. I had just mentioned to another homeschooling mom a couple of weeks ago about this very thing. Her and I both purchased the same science curriculum and it was recommended as a CM friendly science, and there were some things I decided to take out the tests and just have my son read and do the experiments and add living books. My friend will add homework and testing and grading for her children. At first the old thought patterns came back into my head, (I wonder if I will be doing enough if I don't do it like she is going to do it?) Then I suddenly thought, yes I will be doing enough by letting my son enjoy learning instead of memorizing and testing. Thank you for sharing this. It puts things into perspective. :)Simplemom3https://www.blogger.com/profile/04221017918335868521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-92113066007012355602017-09-19T12:03:13.881-04:002017-09-19T12:03:13.881-04:00Hi, Karen. I feel your sigh! Such dazzling promi...Hi, Karen. I feel your sigh! Such dazzling promises rarely come to fruition, we have found. <br /><br />Years ago I read a comment (from a source I cannot remember) about the irony of deciding to homeschool and then re-creating the same setting, curriculum, and system that already exists at the local school. That particular author gave me great freedom, and I've always been grateful. <br /><br />Susan Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-4602982213539692292017-09-19T08:26:41.806-04:002017-09-19T08:26:41.806-04:00Karen, your quilt is perfectly, charmingly wonderf...Karen, your quilt is perfectly, charmingly wonderful! Thank you for always sharing your projects with us.<br /><br />I am so grateful I ordered your Companion from CBD before I began homeschooling in 2002. I only knew a handful of homeschoolers and they were using boxed curriculum (i.e., textbooks and workbooks). I had never heard the term "living book" before but I could recognize one when I saw one because they are the kinds of books I checked out from the library as a child. In fact, the very first book I read to myself in kindergarten was a book about a raccoon family, told by the "little brother" raccoon. It was full of facts and black and white photographs, but presented in a friendly, conversational tone. Living books are a boon to those of us with a tight budget because library cards are free. It is such a natural and low-stress way to learn. Your Companion originally caught my eye because the cover is so pretty and I liked what the catalogue had to say about it. I know I was familiar with your names at that point but I'm not sure how. Maybe it was through those reviews! :-)Kristyn Hallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12596129414614469667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-62186329357687385432017-09-18T21:48:23.599-04:002017-09-18T21:48:23.599-04:00Filled with wisdom and encouragement - for new and...Filled with wisdom and encouragement - for new and 'old' moms alike - as usual. Thank you for your seasoned knowledge, for sharing it, and sticking with what is pure and true. *michellemichellenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-46629894250026800512017-09-18T20:53:41.700-04:002017-09-18T20:53:41.700-04:00I enjoyed this post. Very informative. Thank you f...I enjoyed this post. Very informative. Thank you for sharing the photos of your quilt. it is beautiful.<br /> MarionAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-78870191988853139422017-09-18T18:43:05.387-04:002017-09-18T18:43:05.387-04:00Thank you for this informative and enlightening po...Thank you for this informative and enlightening post. God Bless you and yours.<br /> MarilynAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-69957279693497522192017-09-18T18:24:30.767-04:002017-09-18T18:24:30.767-04:00I love how you describe it as a Cadillac course. V...I love how you describe it as a Cadillac course. Very insightful. Your encouragement of gentle learning is much needed. Your quilts are lovely.Mrs. Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13265603931136498066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-4949051657848830472017-09-18T14:51:02.963-04:002017-09-18T14:51:02.963-04:00Your star quilt is beautiful, Karen! Thank you fo...Your star quilt is beautiful, Karen! Thank you for the inspiration! And thanks for the reminder that we don't have to jump through hoops to give our children an education!Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17516167038073173254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-19305164896185146332017-09-18T10:59:50.151-04:002017-09-18T10:59:50.151-04:00Thank you:)Thank you:)Mrs.Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01203041043213187344noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8612255949290013608.post-40054765508684248192017-09-18T10:21:15.837-04:002017-09-18T10:21:15.837-04:00Hi Mrs. O.
I used all kinds of resources in the o...Hi Mrs. O. <br />I used all kinds of resources in the old days. I kept changing year to year. My grandson is doing his math lessons mostly on computer with the interactive course by "Teaching Textbooks". It's going well. On the website of Simply Charlotte Mason you can find the resource "Charlotte Mason's Living Math" for sale. I am unfamiliar with it. But Cathy Duffy's description (on-line) sounded intriguing. I talk a little about math on the July 2012 blog post "Math Out-of-the-Ordinary." Karen Andreolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12135239838790568639noreply@blogger.com