SCM Discussion Forum

1. 

   easybrizy
   Member

   I'm a natural skeptic. I have an analytical personality that tries to see things from every perspective. So, when it comes to Charlotte Mason, while it seems so brilliant in theory, it seems almost dreamlike to think of achieving the ends described by Charlotte Mason and those who advocate her methods. This is especially so when I consider that I'M the one on whom my children are depending to facilitate this kind of education! I mean, Charlotte Mason was brilliant! Me? Not so much. :) I'm just an average mom who wants to give her children a stellar education.

   I was reading Higher Up and Further In (higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com), For the Children's Sake, and The Charlotte Mason Companion again recently, and delighted in reading about average families who had seen remarkable results in their children because of CM methods.

   So, what about YOU and YOUR family? Give me some more empirical data! :P

   If you're relatively new to CM, have you seen any definite quick results, however small? If you're a veteran, are you impressed with what CM has given your children? What specifically has CM developed in your children?

   I guess I'd say that perhaps my children are becoming more observant of the world around them. They're acting out the stories that we read together. They are very imaginative.

   We're just starting out, though. My little guys are 5, almost 3 and an infant.

   I would LOVE to hear from you, if you can say, "Yes, these methods really do produce the kind of learners/thinkers that Charlotte Mason described."

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
2. 

   crazy4boys
   Member

   What a fun question!!!  We've been CMers for about 4 years now (but I'm not the best at it).  This is what we've seen (my boys are 9, 9, 6 and 3):

   One of the 9-yr-olds was adopted from Russia when he was 2 1/2.  He has multiple learning issues and ADHD, possibly fetal alcohol or Asperger's.  He has 'challenges' and were told he'd never be able to learn.  Well, he's at grade level in everything except reading.  He does read at about a 2nd grade level.  He's completely overcome his word retrieval disorder.  Most people have no idea he has these challenges because he can articulate thoughts easily and knows a lot about a lot of stuff.

   The other 9-yr-old constantly amazes us and those around him with his insights and the connections he is able to make.  Everyone calls him Little Professor.  Recently he's started reading 200-300 page books in 4 to 5 hours.  He spends his playtime reading books or "figuring out stuff."  He asked me to teach him spelling, cursive writing and typing.  No prompting from me.  

   The 6-yr-old learned how to read on his own and does math with is older brothers (I do have him in his own math class but he often sits in with the older boys and answers for them).  

   They can all narrate well and are happy to do their "schoolwork" every day.  If I open a book to read they are all right there listening.  They always tell their little friends how much fun homeschool is and how much they love to learn.  

   For us, Charlotte Mason has been great.  I don't think we'd be where we are without all the reading aloud and hearing words in our house every day.  The kids are happy.  I am happy.  Is it all peaches and cream?  No.  Is it really hard and scary?  Often.  Do we have awful days/weeks?  You bet.  On those days we just cuddle on the couch and read.  Or go outside and play.

   I keep researching and reading to see if there is another great method out there.  I keep coming back to CM because we love books and I love how our day feels.  We're still in the beginnings too so I can't put the 100% Satisfied stamp on it yet, but I'm happy enough with the results to keep working at it.

   Heather

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
3. 

   mj
   Member

   Wow!  I could've written this same thing a couple of years ago.  I can say "Yes!!  These methods really do produce the kind of learners/thinkers that Charlotte described."  The thing is, it's not instant.  And we started late (ours were 7, 9 and 16 when we started hs'ing the CM way).   Also, I felt like we weren't "doing enough", so I had to get past that mindset. 

   I'm convinced with no doubts that this method should be used everywhere.  I look at my nephews and neices and my heart and soul aches for them and all children who don't have the opportunity to be nurtured this way.  In my  mind, the most important aspect to this method is respect for the child as a person.  I am so thankful to God for revealing CM methods to me.  You will not regret choosing this way.

   Blessings

    

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
4. 

   mj
   Member

   I meant to respond to "Charlotte Mason was brilliant.  Me?  Not so much."  Most days, I feel like my IQ wouldn't register 20..., which has made this whole thing pretty humbling for me!  It's not about what I know, it's about what He reveals to me and I believe Charlotte had Divine knowledge poured over her, she responded and God was able to use her in a mighty way.

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
5. 

   my3boys
   Member

   That is a great question.  One that I will have to wait to answer because we are in the process of our Bible time habit and we love it.  The boys (11, 7, 4) are exciting for this time to take place and really seem to enjoy even the longer chapters from the Bible that I have gone ahead and read.  They're listening and responding just as I hoped:) 

   I'll post more later.

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
6. 

   CindyS
   Member

   We have two college students, two highschoolers, one jr. high, and three elementary. I do not want to put cm above the importance of Jesus Christ in a person's life to guide us into all truth, however, I do believe that my children have gained much from being taught in this way as an add-on to the foundation we strive to give them in the Lord.

   In a nutshell (when have my posts ever fit in a nutshell?!), I believe the cm method has first and foremost helped to give my children an incredible worldview and the ability to see truth in a matter. I would have to say that I am probably most thankful for that given the times we live in. They are excellent writers and communicators (of course, I'm speaking of the older ones, not the littles).

   God has worked through their liberal education to show us where their gifts are. They enjoy learning and know how to learn and are not afraid of learning. Nor are they afraid of doing 'weird' stuff in order to get an answer (like calling up a composer and asking for a particular piece to be arranged for their particular instrument!).

   As we have discussed and read together, we've had valuable insights into needs in their character and have even, from time to time, felt led to use something totally 'non-cm' in order to meet that need. I do not believe that we would have had that insight if we had just 'brought school home' and been so tied to a curriculum.

   Blessings,

   Cindy

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
7. 

   missingtheshire
   Member

   I second what Cindy says, though I don't have as much experience as she does.  My girls really took off once we dropped curriculum and started with CM - now we only use texts for Math and Science, everything else is CM.  They have a great worldview, are wonderful writers and know how to work independently - they really know the history and not just the soundbites and dates from a textbook and they are politically very savvy.  They have learned to really stretch themselves using CM and school has become a real pleasure for them instead of a chore.  They are now in the last couple years high school, and I could not be happier with their accomplishments.    If I could do it all over, I would use CM from day one.  One caveat - we did use a grammar course and a wriiting course one year, to make sure they knew those things, but otherwise dictation and narration mostly written and some oral have really paved their way to becoming excellent writers. 

   One other thing is the flexibility and portability of a CM education - this should not be forgotten.  Sometimes life throws a wrench into our well laid plans and we are unable to continue with school for a while - in our case over the last five years, we have had a hurricane, moved 7 times in a couple of years, had 3 parents die, two of them overseas in England and had a seriously sick daughter, which is still ongoing.  Through it all we have been able to continue our reading, narrations, discussions etc - and for us that was a blessing and took a lot of pressure off us.  Even now my daughter who is sick is able to rest and read, she is not accomplishing as much as she was, but she is able to do picture and music study, history and literature reading and from time to time can type up her writing, though it has been a problem with her hands.  So that is another reason we love CM. 

   We have a relative who is a Professor of English in England, and he has been very impressed with the girls writing, he said it is better than some of his college students, so that was a good endorsement for us and our methods.

   Anyway, it is a good question you asked Brianna, and it shows how much thought you are putting into your plans for the future.  Every family must do what is best - but for ours, the minute we got rid of the curriculum and busy work, the girls interest and effort soared - and they have been thriving.  God bless - Linda

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
8. 

   my3boys
   Member

   I have a question that I hope stays in line with the original one. 

   Would any of you consider your style or that of CM's *unschooling*?  I am very familiar with unschooling as I have family that enjoy that method, so I have read alot about it.  I respect the choice. 

   When I read comments like "When we ditched the curriculum and busywork the girls' interest and effort soared-and they have been thriving" it sounds very much like what I've read an unschooling parent say. And, please, Linda, describe what *busywork* means to you.  I'd love to hear it.  I'm just curious if CM style is somewhat on the same lines?  I have been utilizing this site and it's resources for over a year, maybe 2 and love it, but I wouldn't describe my schooling methods as unschooling, especially from what/how unschoolers describe themselves.    I've always considered myself eclectic.  We use sources that fit our personalities or just make sense to our brains/eyes, etc., and we allow our children to explore a variety of interests as well as much parent-led schooling. 

   I hope this makes sense.  I wasn't trying to hijack the thread.  But, Linda's comment just interested me and I was curious. 

   But, to answer easybrizy's original question:  Hind sight is 20/20, as they say, and having that hindsight, I wish I had began hsing this way from the beginning.  But, it took time to look into all methods a smidge, read some books on hsing, visit some sites (45 times) to come to the conclusions I have now.  We have been hsing for almost 4 years and it was quite awhile ago that we purchased the 106 days/Boy of Pyramids/copywork, like 1 1/2 years ago, maybe longer.  So we're not entirely new to CM, but I am new to converting over more and more to this method, not just utilizing the resources, but the philosophy, as well.  We just purchased SW book 2 for my 11 yo and he really likes it.  Has requested to use it and is taking it pretty serious.  I'm utilizing the *habit* method as well and that is becoming a blessing.  And that's coming from a Flylady baby, who didn't think about incorporating those same principles in to our day like I do for managing the house.  My personal favorite has been the books I have been encouraged to expose my children and myself to.   I didn't even realize how useful living books were, frankly, I didn't even realize WHAT they were, but now I'm hooked. 

   I realize there is value in most methods, as we probably borrow from them all, but by far, this is my favorite:)

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
9. 

   my3boys
   Member

   Okay, I'm so sorry for a question that has already been addressed by Sonya, or somebody.  I actually googled my question and guess whose link was first in line?  Yes, that's right, an article on this site addressing unschooling.  I'm going to go back to read it now.  sorry, everyone.

   Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
10. 

    Renelle
    Member

    Hi

    I'm only in my first year of homeschooling and have a ds8 and dd2. We took ds out of public school. I missed him so much and worried about him as he seemed to become sadder each day and losing his self esteem. It turned out he has Asperger Syndrome. This doesn't change the way we live life with him or relate to him at all it just gives a little more understanding.

    We started with textbooks not knowing any other way and straight away it was not working. I went searching for an answer. We found Charlotte Mason and in theory I was convinced this was for us. In practice it has worked even better and is a great way of life to educate and bless my children this way. Everynow and then I have tried a unit study but I always go back to CM.

    The changes I have noticed are improved reading (more fluent), improved spelling, narration is a perfect fit for him as he loves to talk constantly about things/ stories he loves,able to organise thoughts better, calmness, takes greater notice of detail and things around him, excellent vocabularly, self-esteem has improved, he searches out information and learning experiences, our time spent outdoors, reading and drawing together has grown us together as a family. My dd2 is watching/listening/and doing everything we do so it all benefits her.

    Maths - The concept of knowing the why behind maths and using real life maths makes a difference instead of just filling in blanks.

    It's education in real context, it's meaningful - not disjointed or fill in the blanks.

    We are very happy to continue and SCM has alot to do with our journey in education the CM way.

    Renelle

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
11. 

    missingtheshire
    Member

    Just to clarify, we ditched curriculum meaning textbooks for everything, but we have a schedule and plan that we follow unless of course an emergency comes up.  The girls know what they have to do everyday and they do it - so it is definitely not unschooling - it is quite structured but in a very nice way, where they help choose the books, the schedule etc.  They work on average 6 hours a day on their high school work, reasearch, and reading.  I did not mean for it to sound like we have no plan, we have had a plan for the whole 4 years of high school that we tweak when necessary - but we sat and decided what should be studied when and in which year.  I correct work on a daily basis, but they follow their own schedule and know exactly what they have planned out.  So as an example, when they were reading Churchill, they knew how many pages to read to finish in time to start the next book on their list, allowing time for narrations and essays.  We have been a bit hit an miss using Sonya's lovely daily plan and adding what we do this year - because of the ill health and my father's death when we had to travel to England.  So they have kept a planner which they have written in.  Next year we hope to use the daily plan properly and update it daily.  Anyway, hope that answers at least from my persepective.  Linda

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
12. 

    missingtheshire
    Member

    Oh Renelle, sorry I missed the bit about busywork.  Busywork to me is anything work book like, unless it is math - also at this level apart from our maps and BOCs we don't make things or anything like that, unless it is for art or handiwork.  Ploughing through pages and pages of language art work sheets or fill in the blank history pages to us is a waste of time.  They don't retain anything and loathe it.  So they do the narrations both oral and written and the essays like I have mentioned before.  They have done practise ACT and SATs so they know what to expect from that, but we don't do worksheets.  They do German with me for speaking practise and on the computer for the lesson, and they have living books on the go for all subjects, except math and science which is a text.  I actually consider us eclectic - because we use what interests us and motivates us.  Hope that clarifies a bit.  Linda

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
13. 

    my3boys
    Member

    That sounds wonderful  and I wish I had been *schooled* that way:(  You have definitely answered my question and I appreciate it.  Your method sounds very much like the direction I would like to go in; with our own style and personalities considered. 

    We are definitely not unschoolers as we use a schedule and school approx. 2-5 hours a day.  I have 3 young ones so I have to split up my time between them especially math, science, or lang. arts (depending on what we're doing).  Other subjects we do as a family, then they have their own individual interests. 

    I can't wait to simplify what I already have going and look at it ALL in a different light.  After enjoying our science for so long like we have I'm kind of surprised I haven't been open to each subject being approached along those lines.  Well, all in God's good time I suppose.  Thanks again.

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
14. 

    dascott
    Member

    I read the post from MJ about starting late and noticed she had a 16 year old listed as one of the ages.  I quess I need to address this question to her, or anyone that has started CM method with older children.  Did it take long for the 16 yr. old to adjust to the CM method and did you notice quick results that this was working?  I have a son that is 14 and a daughter that is 11.  I am starting the CM method next week!  I am very excited and very nervous, but I know we need something different for our homeschool.  We have been hsing for 3 years now and though they are doing well, I still don't see that love for learning like I would like to see.  I am praying this is the answer.  Thanks.

    Dedra

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post
15. 

    Doug Smith
    SCM Team

    Here is the link to our series comparing CM and other homeschooling methods. One of those posts is the one about unschooling mentioned earlier.

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/homeschool-approaches/

    We also did a series on transitioning to CM that some of you might also enjoy if you haven't seen it yet.

    http://simplycharlottemason.com/series/making-the-transition-to-cm/

    Posted 1 year ago # Report Post

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