Although there are only a few dedicated Charlotte Mason schools in the world, the Mason name stands out in the homeschool community.
As parents search among different teaching styles to find the one that best fits their students' values and needs, some feel that Charlotte Mason is just the place. Is this method right for you?
What is Charlotte Mason's homeschooling style?
Charlotte Mason's homeschooling style is a teaching method that emphasizes the importance of developing a child's mind, character, and habits. The philosophy says that children should be given a variety of experiences to develop their minds rather than focusing on mistakes.
Charlotte Mason was born in 1842 in Wales and died at age 81 in Ambleside, England. The name Ambleside now appears in many Masonic-inspired contexts, including Ambleside Schools International, an organization that supports the development of Charlotte Mason-style schools.
Mason's life as a Victorian Englishwoman influenced the development of her philosophy and methods, aligning her with increasingly liberal values (a word with a different meaning today). He believes that education is very important in developing youth as a whole and all people with good habits, healthy body, broad and rigorous knowledge and strong faith in God.
In other words, he valued the development of mind, body and spirit.
Mason didn't create a curriculum that you can easily buy and implement in any old home. Rather, he universalized education in order to properly apply his methods to the appropriate environment.
Philosophy of education
Mason famously said, "Education is atmosphere, discipline, life. It could be a Charlotte Mason quote. Let's check out this message:
Atmosphere
- Adhering to Victorian values, Mason emphasized "good ideas" including high-quality literature (living books), natural sciences, foreign languages, and the arts. He felt it was important for children to thrive in an interesting and intellectually stimulating environment.
Discipline
- Mason advocates what he calls "habit training," which basically means developing lifelong habits associated with strong behaviors. He emphasized submission to authority, continuity, routine, and flattery.
Life
- At Charlotte Mason School, students develop strong habits and proactive thinking as the foundation of their adulthood. He believed that just as the body needs food, the mind needs to be fed with thoughts.
These pillars form the basis of all Masonic work.
Operating structure
Supporting every aspect of this philosophy, Charlotte Mason's teachings are concise and concise. This allows students to access a variety of topics throughout the week (although lessons can be extended as the child grows and becomes more focused).
Mason's education includes both oral memorization and transcription. It aims to sharpen the mind and improve writing.
It is important to note that this educational model is designed and managed by teachers or parents, not by students. It is up to adults to decide what information and experiences are most valuable and to engage children with high-quality materials and topics. Mason sees this as important in shaping children into morally sound adults who contribute to society.
Lessons include practical reading, researching primary sources and spending time outside. Masonic students may not invent worksheets, but instead spend time gathering information, interacting with the world, and performing meaningful activities.
The best way to find practical materials that follow Charlotte Mason's principles is through her homeschooling subscription box . So your kids will have access to new science, technology, math and engineering experiences every month.
Nature studies
Science is central to Charlotte Mason's educational method of hands-on learning and exploration.
The main purpose of nature studies is to encourage children to observe and appreciate the natural world around them, to create a relationship with the environment that fosters a love of learning.
To explore the Charlotte Mason Nature Trail, children are encouraged to participate in activities such as bird watching, collecting specimens such as insects and plants, or identifying plants and animals in their natural habitats.
Nature exploration allows children to connect with their environment and helps them develop important skills such as observation, critical thinking and problem solving.
By observing patterns in nature, children can learn about cause-and-effect relationships and develop hypotheses about how different phenomena work. It can also be a great opportunity for parents to explore the beauty of the outdoors where they can spend quality time with their children.
Goals and objectives
Charlotte Mason's teachings are to respect and care for children as whole people: mind, body and spirit. The goal is to help young people become capable adults and big thinkers with a strong sense of discipline and discipline.
Students are encouraged to put God's Word above everything and respect God's creation in nature. However, some homeschool parents have found ways to secularize Charlotte Mason's education while preserving other core values.
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Changes in modern education
The learning environment is one of the biggest differences between typical and ideal classrooms at Charlotte Mason today. Unless they attend a special forest school, most school-age children spend some time outdoors as part of their regular educational experiences.
With more literacy-based worksheets and projects, learning becomes more expressive and immersive. Homeschooling parents want to fix this and teach children to explore the environment, which has not been well addressed by the Department of Education.
In fact, the general method of writing was very different from the actual method of teaching. Mason's holistic approach to language is based on the inclusion of high-quality stories and primary informational resources without open, live audio learning. In contrast, phonics played an important role in the development of modern literacy.
Like phonics, teaching is changing and evolving in today's society. That is, children often learn certain skills and concepts using dry texts. It represents the Living Masonic Books and practices that involve mind, body and spirit.
Challenge the Charlotte Mason Method
One of the biggest challenges in applying the Charlotte Mason method of education is overcoming the traditional view of education that we get from public schools.
This presents some challenges, especially for those using a standard private school curriculum. One of the main challenges is that parents and teachers must invest time in creating an individualized curriculum that meets the needs of each student.
Charlotte Mason's principles are considered a Christian method of homeschooling. While his teachings and philosophy appeal to Christian homeschool parents, anyone looking for a personalized education plan for their child can use it.
Mason believes that education should not be found only in textbooks, but should be a living entity that encompasses all areas of life. This approach requires a change in mindset for teachers and students to follow a rigorous curriculum.
Adapting to technology creates challenges when applying the Charlotte Mason method. While technology can enhance the learning experience, it can also distract from real relationships with the world around us.
Finding ways to combine technology with a focus on experiential and nature-based learning is challenging, but essential to success with this approach.
What is the difference between Charlotte Mason and Montessori?
Although Montessori lived in Italy, Charlotte Mason and Maria Montessori were contemporaries. Their cultural and geographic differences undoubtedly played a role in their different views on education.
Charlotte Mason:
- It focuses on the role of the teacher as a guide and mentor.
- The curriculum focuses on "Living Books" and real-life experiences.
- He believed in the importance of a liberal arts education that included history, literature, poetry, music, and art.
- Encourages children to spend time in nature and learn about nature.
- They favor short lessons and limit the time spent on formal academic studies.
Montessori:
- Education should be child-centered and independent.
- It focuses on the teacher's role as observer and mediator.
- The curriculum focuses on the child's needs and abilities.
- This encourages children to work independently and at their own pace.
- Advocate for mixed age groups to promote social development and peer education
Emotions and empathy
Charlotte Mason disliked some Montessori methods but respected others. In particular, Mason could not fit the Montessori approach to emotion-based learning, believing that it is better to focus on thoughts and determine meaning in thoughts.
It emphasizes superior intelligence, creative thinking and some practical tasks.
Student facing the teacher
Perhaps the biggest philosophical difference between the two revolves around the roles of teacher and student. While Masonic instruction is teacher-driven and commanding, Montessori believes in a child-centered approach.
Montessori education allows children to engage in independent activities for a long time. This is quite different from the short and varied lectures offered by Charlotte Mason.
Parent involvement and resources
Many resources are available to help parents align with Charlotte Mason's educational principles. These resources include books on parenting and parenting, online communities where like-minded people can meet and share ideas, podcasts and blogs that offer practical advice on how to implement the Charlotte Mason Method at home.
To complement learning, parents should look for modern, screen-free science classrooms that follow Charlotte Mason's principles . Most of these educational subscriptions come with all the materials needed for STEM experiences. Here's a list of the best educational subscriptions for kids with hands-on reviews .
An overview of the advantages of the Charlotte Mason method
As with any educational method, the Charlotte Mason style can be effective if you share its values. If you believe your children need special instruction, good practice, and a broad education that includes core subject areas (such as literature, foreign languages, and art), then philosophy may be for you.
This learning style can benefit young people who prefer short lessons, lots of variety, good books and learning from nature. May not be suitable for students with certain sensory needs.
Adapting the curriculum to the needs of the students is one of the most powerful skills any teacher can learn. If you want to get started at Charlotte Mason, be prepared to modify the methods to best fit your unique student.
This article was created by Wealth Geeks .