Lesson Plans as Recipes
Charlotte Mason’s teachers spent two full years studying before they used her methods in a classroom. Most Alveary members don’t have that luxury and are learning Mason’s methods and refining their skills while also teaching. That’s why we provide lesson plans as a scaffold for you to learn Mason’s methods while implementing them.
Charlotte Mason used a lot of analogies about food and related her method of education to a feast. Consider lesson plans as our best recipes for a Charlotte Mason feast. They are great as-is, but it’s ok to add your own special touches or leave out an ingredient to fit your family’s tastes. Beginning cooks may want to follow the recipe exactly until they feel confident. Experienced cooks may just want to glance at the recipes as a time-saving reminder. Older students can use the recipes to begin working independently! In addition, you don’t have to use every recipe in Alveary’s “cookbook”.
Together, we are providing a relational and life-giving education, not an exercise in box-checking. We do consider this a journey we are on together. Spend time on the Hive supporting one another as you can, join Office Hours so we can get to know you and answer any questions, send us questions and suggestions via Contact Us, be sure to fill out the surveys we send and submit exams to help us improve, and gather with members in your area or come to a conference so we can fellowship in person.
I want to leave you with a Charlotte Mason quote that has encouraged me in educating my own children. This is from School Education:
Let us try, however imperfectly, to make education a science of relationships—in other words, try in one subject or another to let the children work upon living ideas. In this field small efforts are honoured with great rewards, and we perceive that the education we are giving exceeds all that we intended or imagined.
Notes
1. Printing Services: Our new printing service delivers all of your lesson plans in a tabbed notebook! You'll find the link on your Alveary dashboard!
2. Copywork and Dictation: How did Mason handle these subjects? Watch this video to learn more.
3. 2022-23 Membership: June 30 is the final day of access for 2022-23 memberships. Please plan ahead and download any Alveary documents you need. External links (Vimeo, SoundCloud, Quizlet, etc.) will remain live.
4. Science Lab Kit (Grade 6): Due to shipping restrictions, you will need to scroll down and add the mammal heart dissection kit when ordering the Grade 6 science lab kit from Home Science Tools.
5. #Alvearydelivery: We would love to see your box of Alveary lesson plans and/or science lab supplies! When you receive them, please tag us @charlottemasonsalveary or use #Alvearydelivery.
Queries
1. Where can I find the Our Work booklets?
Our Work is listed under “Resources” in the Program for each grade (Step 2 on your dashboard). PDF, editable, and hard-copy options are linked there.
2. Where can I find the Copywork and Dictation books?
You can find them under “Quick Links” in the Language Study lesson plans or under English in the Programs. These are available for individual purchase through our new printing service.
3. Where can I find the Science Lab books?
The Lab Books are linked under “Quick Links” in the Science lesson plans and under Science in the Program. These are also available for individual purchase through our new printing service.
