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Books
by Karen |
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Letters |
I recently purchased your Story Starters book and what a blessing it has been! The children love this book and are now avid writers. I do not correct the grammatical and spelling errors in a single story, I just let them write and write and write. Then the child gets a chance to read their masterpiece in front of everyone and we all clap afterwards. It really is fun! If anyone has a reluctant writer, I highly suggest Story Starters as a way to motivate your child into an avid writer! --Barb |
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As I sit here compiling our interview I have been thinking how much I wanted to share with you our exciting news. Due to your Story Starters, and some God-given talent in my twelve year-old daughter, Hannah, Girlhood Home Companion has asked to print her story written purely from the inspiration of the picture found on page 433. They have also asked her to expand the second part to make it a series in two issues. I wanted to share the story with you because I thought it would encourage you. Your book has been so wonderful for our family and I am grateful you took the time to put it together. --Warmly, Kate Kessler |
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| A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on The Gentle Art of Learning Karen Andreola / Charlotte Mason Research / 1998 |
With newfound courage and excitement, I put aside those things Charlotte declared detrimental:
- dry textbooks (which dull the mind);
- prizes and grades (which stimulate fragments of information without a train of thought);
- too many worksheets (which require fragments of information without a train of thought); and
- hour-long lessons and homework (what drudgery and inefficiency!).
I replaced these with intellectually nourishing "living books" by the best authors, narration (a child's telling in his own works—oral or written), and shorter lessons. We've made time for nature observation, art and music appreciation, and hospitality.
With Charlotte's advice, I've tried to run my little school on good habits. I was happy to discover that the use of good habits provides necessary discipline. Shorter lessons have enabled my students, when young, to pay attention, concentrate, and do their best. Living books have enhanced the love of knowledge in our home. Therefore, push and shove are absent motivations in this gentle art of learning.
If this sounds like the kind of education you envision for your home school, if you would like to be the master of your curriculum—not a slave to it—you will find support and encouragement in my book, A Charlotte Mason Companion. May your educational goals be met and your dreams come true in your precious family.
