Teaching Multiple Children

One of the many wonderful things about the Charlotte Mason method is that it makes it so simple to educate more than one child. 

Penny Gardner, author and mother of 7 children put it this way:

“ Subjects such as history, art appreciation, science, literature, nature study, and anything else that mom is reading aloud can be combined with two or more students. They may take turns narrating those topics. I have done this with three students who were between first and sixth grade. Older students (5-6th grades) may write some of their narrations independently, while mom listens to the younger ones.”

That is precisely what I do. I have Alexis write her narrations as I listen to Lorelai give oral narrations. Of course with subjects such as math, copywork for Lorelai and dictation for Alexis, we must do that individually. However, it's quite simple as well. For instance, I introduce the new concept to Alexis and then set her to work. Then I get Lorelai going on hers. At this time, I can go switch the laundry, return business calls or whatever is necessary during that 15-20 minutes. The same with dictation and copywork. I simply get them going individually.

I manage to get more done in a few hours each day than I did all day long with other methods and this impresses me daily and brings the entire family such joy. The children learn more, retain more and are genuinely happy with what we're doing.

Happy Homeschooling!

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A Curricula Comparison

Today I'm thinking about the contrast in other school curricula as compared to a "liberal education" as done the Charlotte Mason way.  According to the public school website for my area, the following courses are taught in the grades my children would be in if they were in public school:

Grade 1 Curriculum

1. Language Arts
2. Mathematics
3. Physical Education
4. Reading
5. Science
6. Social Studies

Grade 6 Curriculum

1. Health
2. Language (this appears to be reading and composition)
3. Math
4. Physical Education
5. Science
6. Geography

 The Goal:
A mechanical education to supply corporate America with a better work force. In other words, vocational training for your child as determined by the government.

Compare to a curriculum based upon the 20 principles.

The subjects and what the method covers:

1. Bible (We study many things in this category and they cover: composition, history, geography, memory enhancement, cultures)
2. Math
3. Poetry (literature, memory enhancement, composition, spelling)
4. Music Appreciation (memory enhancement, and music appreciation)
5. Music (reading music, developing a musical skill)
6. Composers (geography, history, music appreciation)
7. Art Appreciation (memory enhancement)
8. Artists (geography, history, art appreciation)
9. Reading (memory enhancement, geography, history, composition, spelling)
10. Literature (memory enhancement, geography, history, composition, spelling)
11. History (4 types and they cover geography, history, nature/science, reading comprehension, memory enhancement, literature, art)
12. Spanish (geography, culture)
13. Dication/copywork (penmanship,spelling, literature, composition, reading)
14. Handicrafts (fine motor skills, learning a skill for life, memory)
15. Life Skills (fine motor skills, learning a skill for life, memory)
16. Nature Study/Science (this list could go on forever but we'll break it down to "science" for the purpose of this blog)

All subjects master:
Habit of Full Attention
Habit of Remembering
Habit of Perfect Execution
Habit of Listening
Habit of Observing
Habit of Enunciation
Public Speaking Skills

In addition, my children are not to read "twaddle". (Did you know the average newspaper is written on a 7th grade reading level????) They are to read living books soaking in literary language. Therefore, they are read or reading materials that most high school-age children have never heard of and probably never will read.

The Goal:

A liberal (generous) education which will develop a love of learning for the sake of knowledge itself. The student learns to read, write, speak, listen, understand and think thereby giving him/her qualities suitable for all and any field he/she may choose.

Catherine Levison, each time she spends a day in a classroom as a spectator:  "If I can't do a better job drunk with my hands tied behind my back there's something wrong with me!"

Happy Homeschooling!

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