My Thoughts On Charlotte Mason

Anyone who has been reading my blog for the last few years has often read posts sprinkled with the teachings of Charlotte Mason. I have been slowly learning more and more about this fascinating lady and how she taught children. Up until very recently, I had only read things written by modern day Charlotte Mason followers that explained her methods in modern English. Here are a few of the great sites that helped me get a taste of this teaching method:

Simply Charlotte Mason
Ambleside Online
Charlotte Mason Help
Queen’s Homeschool 
Charlotte Mason Research & Supply

While these sites were invaluable to help me get a basic understanding of this method of education, I wanted to hear it all first hand from Miss Mason herself. So, I purchased the Original Homeschooling Series by Charlotte Mason for my E-reader and have begun reading this series.

I have found things in her writings with which I agree and am greatly encouraged by, but there are also ideas and beliefs that I do not agree with and will not follow. There are also things that some Charlotte Mason followers do and use that I, personally, cannot agree with or use. Since I have talked about this method of education on my blog in so many posts, I felt that I should share my honest opinion so that I do not lead others to believe that I agree with everything that Miss Mason believed.

Some of the things that I have learned and agree with are:
:: A mother being fully capable of teaching her children
:: The emphasis on Biblical knowledge
:: Using a varied curriculum of the greatest works and materials available
:: Using living books
:: Nature study
:: Habit training
:: Teaching history in chronological order
:: Using narration and dictation as tools in learning
:: Developing an appreciation of the arts
:: Utilizing a method rather than feeling bound by a system

Some of the things that I do not agree with or cannot follow are:
:: Theistic evolution. (I believe in the 6 literal days of creation as it is written in the book of Genesis.)
:: Direct operation of the Holy Spirit. (I believe that the Holy Spirit works through the Word of God today and not in any miraculous way.)
:: The use of old literature for teaching science. (I believe that since science is a field in which new discoveries are being made all the time that using an antiquated text is not going to help prepare my children for today’s world.)
:: Grammar, Spelling, and Composition (There is quite a large variety of opinions among today’s Charlotte Mason followers about how and when to teach these skills. First of all, I believe that these are skills that must be taught and practiced in order for a student to become proficient in all three. I am not a confident student of grammar, spelling, or composition so I feel the need to have a curriculum that teaches these skills rather than trying to rely on my own knowledge to teach my children.)

I do love and utilize many things from this method of education for my children. I believe that there are many great things to glean from Miss Mason’s experience with teaching. However, I wanted to be sure that my beliefs and opinions on certain topics were made clear to others who may be influenced by my blog.