Charlotte Mason Lesson Planning

Reading about Charlotte Mason's methods is so inspiring. Recently I was reading For the Children's Sake.

Among other things, there were samples of lesson plans used in Charlotte Mason schools. I found these very interesting, so I made myself an outline to see if I could mimic the style of planning.

*Set objective
1) Make connection to something already studied or previous knowledge.
2) Involve child in the discussion.
3) Read or do the experience.
4) Discuss the point/objective.
5) Summarize with a narration.

So for Minn of the Mississippi,

my lesson would look like this...

*Notice how Holling Clancy Holling's style as a writer works from piece to piece.
1) We are reading a new book called Minn of the Mississippi. It is by Holling Clancy Holling. We have read several of his books before: Paddle-to-the-Sea, Tree in the Trail, Pagoo, and Seabird.

2) What do you remember about these stories?
3) Read chapter 1.
4) In each of Holling's books, he takes us on a journey-through the ocean, around the Great Lakes, across the west, around the world...this time we are going to go on a trip down the Mississippi River. Share a map of the United States. Ask for the child to identify any places that are already known. Draw in the Mississippi River.
5) Tell me about this first chapter.

Not to painful. I think the hardest part for me will be choosing my objective for each book/experience. We already narrate and spend a lot of time talking about the things we read and do that it will be natural.

This year I'm going to try to incorporate this style with lots of different subjects: composer study, artist, characterization, setting/place, geography, time period, theme, experiments, Bible readings, poetry, folk songs, hymns, and field trips.

Although, I think once a day is sufficient. The rest of the time, I want my kids to be the ones responsible for thinking about their own objectives for their learning.

Wishing you homeschool blessings,
Bethany