I bought this book a couple of years ago when we converted. I thought there was no way, this would work for me or my girls. Now that we are actively homeschool, I find it refreshing! Prior to rereading this book a few months back, I would have considered myself to be mostly a Charlotte Mason-inspired educator. I wanted to spread the feast. I wanted abundant and rich literature with lively conversations around the fireplace, snuggled in the coach. For my children to be enthralled with each and every book, every topic in hand. Nature studies and nature walks. Composer studies and picture studies! We were missing hand sewing or knitting so I bought DVDs to show us that, too.
And that was a major flop. All of it. Nature walks focused on everything but nature. Mostly complaining and screaming bc of a bug. All of the suggested Catholic Charlotte Mason sites and books lists were 50/50 success for us, at best. And that was dialing it back 1 full year too. Some were enjoyable, mostly not. And many were overly rigorous- too much for early elementary years. I found the life being sucked from my soul a few times. I couldn’t imagine a young child. The haute attitudes that associated such learning was also a turnoff as a mom. Asking for help and either I was the failure or my kid was. Say what?? My 7 year old loves chapter books- books in general. She can read HOURS a day to herself or her sister. She is anything but a failure or a rouge child in need of stricter habit training. I didn’t get into homeschooling for my child to feel dread with learning. The books and guidelines just too much for younger years. *cough,cough... Mater Amabilis, I’m looking at you. Crushed, confused and taken a back, we took a couple of weeks off for a breather. I pulled this book out again and figured I’d go with the suggested 4Rs. Everything else, every other subject- I wasn’t going to fret and just let my child enjoy her favorite hobby of reading. Essentially a library card education. But unlike the CM method of library card ed- I’d listen to my child and let her study what sparked her interest. George Washington, Spiders, Birds of Prey, westward expansion (mostly stories from the children’s POV), chocolate, sharks, Math storybooks, etc. she’s actually retaining more of what she reads now that she’s truly interested.
Now I do understand that as our children grow, the expectations of what is taught and retained grows also. But one of the big takeaways for me at every level is that if you have strong emphasis in the 4Rs (religion being the 4th), your children will be leaps and bounds above their public schooled companions. Not only will you continue to challenge them, you bc you love them, will encourage them to explore topics and subjects that they enjoy or want to pursue further. They will study, read, and talk about these topics. They will learn and grow. As they navigate towards a calling from God, they can hone in and focus on the specific course work needed to further themselves post-high school. At the very least 1-3rd or even up to 5th, the 4Rs would be plenty sufficient. Her book list in each grade is quite helpful in thinking long term. I have my own books I want mine to read in HS but will use several of her suggestions to round out the experiences. So I may be on the eclectic side of Classical- allowing my children to self direct in other subjects outside the main 4. Ok, so be it. But I can truly say... after years of thinking I was a Charlotte Mason HSer... I couldn’t be more disinterested in it now.
Great book. Great lists. Good suggestions. Take what suites you, leave the rest. Worth the purchase!
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