Notebooking for Parents
From Cindy Swicegood, Alveary Administrative Assistant:
“If we would do our best for our children, grow we must; and on our power of growth surely depends, not only our future happiness, but our future usefulness.” - “Mother Culture,” Parents’ Review: Volume 3, 1892-93, p. 95.
We’ve talked a bit about habits, self-care, and human flourishing this month. This week, we’d like to encourage you to begin notebooking with your children if you have not already taken up this practice. As Mason says, “. . . grow we must.” Here is how we spoke of this in our Reflective Practice Plan Book (p. 13):
It is easy to say that “education is a life,” but to what degree do we really mean it? The Charlotte Mason philosophy is more than a collection of books and techniques; it is a way of living. Keeping your own notebooks shows your students that you truly value the practice. After notebook-keeping for some time, you will be surprised by the depth of your connections--with your students, with the content and ideas, with the natural world, and with this teaching method. Suggestions include a Nature Notebook, a Book of Centuries, a Commonplace Book, and a Citizenship Notebook.
I have spent beautiful afternoons with a friend, as we read to one another from our commonplace books while our children played together. It is so lovely to hear–and discuss–the ideas that a friend has gleaned from her reading.
Which notebooks are you already keeping? Which one will you try next? Let us know in the comments of this Hive post.
Notes
1. Alveary Affiliates: Please tell your friends how much you love Alveary, but sign up for our Alveary Affiliates program first! You and your new-to-Alveary friends all benefit.
2. Alveary 2024-25: Registration opens on February 1. Next year will include introductory art videos for every lesson, and beginner options for Plutarch and Shakespeare. Stay tuned for more!
3. Viewbook: Please share our 2024-25 Alveary Viewbook with friends! Bonus: Includes a free term of composer study lesson plans!
4. CMI Conference: Early Bird rate ends on January 31, so register soon!
5. Natural History Clubs: Now's a great time to refresh your nature study! Register your group to join the next meeting on February 5.
