How have the principles changed you?
Many of us are heading to Ambleside, England, where Charlotte Mason started her teacher training college. I love this account from The Story of Charlotte Mason of what it was like when a graduate of the House of Education (Miss X) arrived in 1898 at her first post in a small English village.
It took Miss X three or four days to discover on what foundations she had to build the work with the children. The lesson hours were passed with apathetic listlessness only broken by someone being ' naughty ' to the great interest of the other two…Into this ordered and tedious existence, Miss X entered. She introduced many surprising and welcome changes, shorter lessons, picture study, new books. She encouraged the children to sing, to dance, to make things, to listen to music. Their greatest surprise was the new way of learning, for Miss X did not ask them to memorize whole pages, nor did she make them read half a page of geography to themselves three or four times over and then question them. Instead, Miss X asked them to do a very difficult thing; they must listen carefully while she read to them, and then they must tell her what they had heard. At first, they could find no words, no memories. Presently the children discovered that they need not remember, because if they listened attentively there was much that they could 'see with their mind's eye' and then words came easily. They were beginning to use their whole minds as well as their memories, and their attitude to lessons began to change.” (Cholmondeley, p. 91-92)
Narration and many other life-giving principles changed the whole atmosphere of learning for those children. How have Mason’s principles changed the atmosphere of your homeschool or classroom? Head on over to the Hive and let us know.
Notes
1. Prayer Request: Many of our Alveary team, CMI board directors, and Alveary members will be traveling to Ambleside in the coming days. We ask that you join us in praying for safe travels and meaningful times learning together as we gather for the Charlotte Mason Centenary Conference.
2. Conference Travel: We will not publish Alveary Weekly on July 21 and Office Hours will not take place until further notice. Responses to Contact Us will also be delayed during this time.
3. Resources: If you aren't joining us in Ambleside, next week would be a good opportunity to explore the Foundations course, resource links, or the YouTube videos on both the Alveary and Charlotte Mason Institute channels.
4. CM Intro: Do you need a quick way to introduce Charlotte Mason to family and friends? Share this video (5-1/2 minutes long).
5. Office Hours: Here is the video from our July 12 Office Hours.
6. Printing Service: If you have issues with a printing order, please reach out to the Alveary team via the Contact Us button. We have access to an account representative who will expedite a solution.
7. Picture Study: Artist prints are now available through our print store! Visit this link to order.
8. Centenary Conference: Stay tuned to Alveary’s social media pages and the Hive for some “on location” photos and tidbits from Ambleside next week!
Query
Art Instruction: Is there a supply list for the Fast-Track Art Instruction Lessons that are found in Grades 6+?
Yes, we have added the supplies that are needed in the Grade 6 supply list under “Shared Supplies for Art Lessons” and “Level-Specific Art Supplies.”
