Narration & Discussion
From Dr. Carroll Smith, CMI Founder:
In Dr. John Thorley’s and my forthcoming book on the letters of Charlotte Mason written during the Liberal Education for All movement, we have a section on biographies of the key people. At the end of this short note is the biography of Helen Wix. As you will notice, Wix was born in 1882 and died in 1982. She was 100 year old when she died. How interesting it would have been to have had a conversation with her! Below I transcribe a letter she wrote, I believe, to Mary Hardcastle, who was principal (president) of the Charlotte Mason College at the time she wrote this letter. She writes about narration.
June 1959[1]
. . . . There is one other point that strikes me. Narration is not only the result of attention—I think if it were, it would be memory work. There must always be the “growing thought” in it—“what next?” Also I think the use of imagination. I used to tell the children to see what they read in their mind and then tell what they saw—not just what words and sentences they remembered. In this way the “next bit” grows out of “this bit”—then “that” comes. Do forgive me for writing what you must know far better than I do, but which I may perhaps be reminding you! And of course no lesson is finished when the even excellent narration is completed— there must be the discussion, questions, and opinions from both sides etc. etc. These students (Charlotte Mason College) don’t mention this . . . .
I have had people disagree with me about whether or not it is necessary for children to ask questions or have a discussion at the end of a narration. Their belief is that you should read, narrate, and move on to the next lesson. Which, from my perspective, does not help children to grow in relationship with the book, the characters, and more. And relationship is the key factor in the education of children. Apparently, Helen Wix, who graduated from the House of Education in 1903, thought that a discussion and even the opinions of children were important to hear.
Why would this be true and important? All of us need to process what we have read even after we narrate it. Narration gives us the meat to chew on, but discussing the selection and then opining about it helps children (and adults by-the-way) process what they have just taken in. Reflecting on what was read or discussed is an important skill for processing new learning and making application to our own lives (See the work of Kathleen Blake Yancey). But again, it fundamentally helps children deepen and enrich their relationship with the book. It all harkens back to Mason’s science of relations.
To learn more about Helen Wix, enjoy this short biography:
Helen Wix (1882-1982)
Miss Wix came from Sydney, Australia, and was a student at the House of Education where she achieved a first-class certificate in 1903. For a few years before 1911, she was governess to Essex Cholmondeley’s younger sisters, Hester and Joan. The details of her teaching career are not known, but probably about 1916, she took on the role of Assistant Organising Secretary of the PNEU, working with Ellen Parish. From 1914 with Ellen Parish she helped to set up the PUS schemes in primary schools in Drighlington, Gloucestershire, and Leicestershire. In October 1920 (or perhaps in January 1921), she became a school inspector, first for a six-month trial period and then as a full-time HMI based in the county of Leicestershire. Then in 1929, she became the first headmistress of Overstone School near Northampton, which was founded by Mrs. Esslemont and Netta Franklin in memory of Charlotte Mason. The school quickly became one of the best-known PNEU schools.
[1] This letter can be found at the Armitt Library and Museum, Charlotte Mason Archive, Box 49, File 376, Modes 2017.975.80.
We would love to hear what else you have learned about narration or Charlotte Mason from Dr. Smith--either in person or through webinars or any other of our Resources. Let us know in the commentson this Fabulous Friday post.
Notes
1. Survey results Thank you to all who completed the fall survey. We appreciate your valuable feedback on what we are doing right and where we can still improve. A frequent comment was how much you love the new QR codes!
2. Advent Guide: Advent for All is a feast of ideas, including Bible readings, music, poetry, art, handicrafts, and nature activities to help you celebrate the one whom Charlotte Mason called "the Saviour of the World."
3. Book Sale: Living Books Press is offering 20% off all of their Living Books Press titles, 40% off Charlotte Mason audiobooks, and two free ebooks. Sale ends Nov. 19.
4. PIcture Study: Enjoy this video from Erin Day about Jacob Lawrence, our Term 2 artist.
5. Picture Study Biography: We have the author’s permission to offer this this PDF of Story Painter, the out-of-print biography of Jacob Lawrence (also found in Quick Links). Please preview before reading. (Recommended for Grades 4 and up.)
6. New Team Member: Join us in welcoming Sage Hernandez as our new CMI Administrative Assistant. She is a fellow Alveary member and is excited to bring her expertise in time management, attention to detail, and passion for Charlotte Mason education to her new role.
7. Job Opportunities: Canyon Creek Christian Academy, one of our Alveary schools, is hiring a Head of School. Learn more here.
