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Different
Educational Models, Compatible with the Charlotte Mason Method
The Charlotte Mason method of education, is compatible with a
variety of methods of homeschooling that you might find espoused out
there. Primarily a Classical Model, Charlotte's method is easily adapted
to suit other styles of education.
NEO-CLASSICAL:
This is the method described by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer in the best-selling book The Well Trained Mind
and by Laurie and Harvey Bluedorn in Teaching the Trivium as well
as Douglas Wilson in his books Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning,
The
Case for Classical Christian Education and Classical
Education and the Homeschool (click title for free download from canon
press). All of the 'neo-classical' educators base their
design on the tri-stage 'Trivium' as described by Dorothy Sayers in her essay The
Lost Tools of Learning (free text). In truth is is very like Charlotte's own
classically styled educational model, with a few refinements for the modern
household. All the books mentioned are well worth reading by those who
favour the Charlotte Mason method, if only for their modern slant on an old
ideal. The Well Trained Mind in particular, has a huge list of
resources, including many of the 'whole books' or 'living books' recommended by
Charlotte. The truth is, 'living books' are very much favoured by any
style of Classical education. you can see a Classical Schedule, influenced
by The Well Trained Mind in our schedule section.
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL or LATIN CENTERED:
A method more designed by the ancients than by the 'Neo-Classicists' the traditional classical
educational model, is far more compatible with Charlotte's beliefs than any of
the others mentioned here. Championed by Tracy L. Simmons in his book Climbing
Parnassus and by Cheryl Lowe of Memoria Press and The Highland's
Latin School, this model is based on the idea of 'Much, not Many' (something
that is revealed at length in the forthcoming book of the same title by Andrew
Campbell). The curriculum is pared down to it's lightest load, and
everything studied in depth. The 'core subjects' advocated by the
Traditionalists out there, are Mathematics, Latin and Music, much like the old
traditional Greek curriculum. Whereas the Greeks studied Music as their
mainstay, Latin is a focal point here. There is no need for separate
grammar or literature, for Latin encompasses it all. Hidden under the
title of Latin (as they were also in the ancient Greek title of 'music') are
such subjects as the Greek Myths and Legends, Roman Myths and legends, Christian
History, (otherwise known as literature and religion) and the not so hidden
grammar. Most Latin language courses speak of verbs, nouns and other
elementary grammar topics, and add many words to the vocabulary (and increase
understanding of their Latin roots). Other subjects you may desire to add,
can be done on a weekly rotation.
Compatible with
Charlotte's philosophies in most things, the only real difference is the use of
Latin as the foreign language. Charlotte thought French more useful, but
in modern society, the use of Latin gives a sound grounding in most romance
languages, of which about 80% of each are based off of Latin.
Often mistaken for a path which
teaches toddlers Homer (although there is certainly nothing wrong with letting
them listen as you read to your grade schoolers), traditional Classical is often
mistakenly called 'Latin Centered' (instead of Latin Core) and given a bad name
by those who think it too rigorous.
An example of a 'Traditional Classical'
Schedules is found in our schedule section.
UN-SCHOOLING:
Another method given a bad name, by people who do not practice
it perfectly, unschooling has a place of it's own. Originally described by
John Holt in his books Teach
Your Own, Learning
all the Time and How
Children Learn the method is about allowing
the child to learn at their own pace and following their own path. Many
people will tell you that Unschoolers do nothing, and that the parents let their
children play video games and watch TV to a fault. True unschoolers in
reality, provide their children with the best possible learning
environment. Too much variation amongst the breed, makes for a hard task
in trying to describe the 'reality' of unschooling. Further study of your
own is best for you to make your own decision. Many people who favour
Montessori in pre-school, favour Holt's methods in grade school. It is
compatible with Charlotte's methods, by bringing some of her best ideas to a
head in allowing children to find their own way. A clever 'strewing' of
'living books' in their paths, nature walks, descriptive games, are all
unschooler favourites.
DELIGHT DIRECTED:
A sister to unschooling, delight directed learning has found
favour in a number of communities, including many Charlotte Mason
households. Extensively described in the book Real Learning by
ELizabeth Foss (a homeschooling mother of eight and author), delight directed is
nothing more simple than following a path indicated by the interested
child. A child interested in learning about the weather, would study the
weather for science, read about it in literature selections and speak about it
in French. They may also present their findings in a 'Lapbook' or 'Portfolder'
format.
UNIT STUDIES:
Unit studies takes a theme and follows it through all areas of
the curriculum. Extensively used in 'delight directed' studies, unit studies are useful when a child has a fascination with a subject.
Konos is famous for it's unit studies, and My World Science uses the idea to
study science with themes.
BOXED CURRICULUM:
There are some boxed curriculums out there which are very compatible with Charlotte Mason.
Some are even based on her theories!
Look for:
My Father's World
Tanglewood
Oak Meadow
Calvert
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