The range of subjects related to a Charlotte Mason education is immense. Nicole, Emily, and Liz each focus on one topic or aspect of her education in this episode: museums, examination rubrics, and what is meant by a “thinking curriculum.” Enjoy three summaries of these widely varied topics.
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Home Education (Volume 1), pp. 199-222
“This slight study of the British Museum we find very valuable; whether the children have or have not the opportunity of visiting the Museum itself, they have the hope of doing so, and, besides, their minds are awakened to the treasures of local museums.” (6/176)
“Many boys and girls take pleasure in going to school, not for the sake of what they learn there, but for the sake of the marks which give them places above certain of their classmates. They should understand that marks and places and the power to pass examinations is all they get. As Mr Ruskin once said, ‘They cram to pass and not to know; they do pass; and they don’t know.’ Knowledge as an abiding joy, comes only to those who love her for her own sake, and not to those who use her to get on in school or in life.” (4/I/79)
“…but education is of the spirit and is not to be taken in by the eye or effected by the hand ; mind appeals to mind and thought begets thought and that is how we become educated. For this reason we owe it to every child to put him in communication with great minds that he may get at great thoughts…” (6/12)
“‘The mind can know nothing save what it can produce in the form of an answer to a question put to the mind by itself.'” (6/16)
“Only to initiate; no more is permitted to them; but from this initiation will result the habits of thought and feeling which govern the man–his character, that is to say.” (1/109)
“People are naturally divided into those who read and think and those who do not read or think ; and the business of schools is to see that all their scholars shall belong to the former class; it is worth while to remember that thinking is inseparable from reading which is concerned with the content of a passage and not merely with the printed matter.” (6/31)
“This is the sort of thing that the children should go through, more or less, in every lesson-a tracing of effect from cause, or of cause from effect; a comparing of things to find out wherein they are alike, and wherein they differ; a conclusion as to causes or consequences from certain premisses.” (1/151)
“Let us take it to ourselves that great character comes out of great thoughts, and that great thought must be initiated by great thinkers; then we shall have a definite aim in education. Thinking and not doing is the source of character.” (6/278)
British Museum Book for Children, Epps
The British Museum for Children, Epps–article (Part 2 is here)
A Rough Plan for the Teaching of History–article (Part 2 is here)
This is great!! I have just gone on and lined up museums to visit and even looked into a membership that has great benefits! Just the simple suggestion of planning a visit at the end of each term has got me going in a good direction, thank you! Also have been wondering how to shed this tendency to fact dump and quiz my 6 year old. This podcast has been a great help in reminding me of the “why” behind it all.
I really like the idea of these short-topic episodes!
I’ve collected a number of cheap or free books that I wouldn’t call ‘living’, and wouldn’t read with my children, but which have lovely big colour illustrations or photographs of different times in history, or well-known buildings / locations around the world. If I have one that’s appropriate to what we’re studying in history or geography, I display it open on a book rest near my kitchen table. My children have really enjoyed seeing a photo of the effigy of Robert, Duke of Normandy and an illuminated manuscript showing the sinking of the White Ship with Henry II’s son in it. It’s been a low-effort way of adding interest to our learning and it has sparked a lot of discussion.
Thank you for the reminder to make use of museums: I actually live within a very easy and cheap day trip of the British Museum, but have never taken my children there! I’d planned to see the copy of the Bayeux Tapestry at our local museum, but hadn’t thought about exploring others further away.
Thank you so much for the nice feedback. I’m glad you’re getting some fresh ideas. It’s encouraging to hear how much you think about your children’s lesson and try to provide things to make them rich.
That was an amazing episode! The quotes from the exam portion I would love to read again. They aren’t all posted above? Are they all in the exam planner option. Thanks! All of it was so helpful.
Thank you Marlon! Yes, the remaining quotes are in the examination pamphlet linked in the show notes—do check it out! It is a wealth of information!