The Charlotte Mason Way Explained is a 30 chapter ebook is written by a veteran Charlotte Mason homeschooler who has taught with this method from preschool through high school. Dollie Freeman explains how to implement The Charlotte Mason way into today’s homeschooling.
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Dollie Freeman is a homeschool mom blogger I’ve gotten to know through her facebook group: Mother Culture Connections for Charlotte Mason Educators. I have thoroughly enjoyed my participation in her group. The fellowship and encouragement have been fun and empowering.
I love the layout of this book! In The Charlotte Mason Way Explained Dollie takes a lot of the mystery out of basic Charlotte Mason concepts and seemingly daunting academic subjects. She expounds on the importance of developing good habits and creating an environment of learning. One of my favorite quotes in her book is:
The difference between narration and composition is the form of writing and how the information is gathered. With narration, it is retelling what they have learned from their lessons; however, composition takes the child from facts to reasoning.
Narrative learning is an excellent time tested technique for true long term retention. One Room School Houses all over the USA used Narration for their young children. Most homeschool mother’s goals are for her children to fulfill their potential. While not all of us have the purpose or potential to become writers, composition learned through narration is sufficiently helpful for all areas of life. Dollie gives some great suggestions throughout her book which are interestingly methodical yet flexible. I found several parallels in our homeschooling experience and had a few questions for Dollie. I think you will enjoy her answers too.
You began homeschooling in 1999. Did Karen Andreola’s book “A Charlotte Mason Companion” have an impact on you?
Great question! I read her book in 2000 and it was the most influential book that I read. I read it yearly for the first 5 years of using the Charlotte Mason way, and seem to reference it often. I can never talk to someone about the Charlotte Mason way without mentioning this book.
You mention your 2nd child’s struggle with phonics and reading and that he is now pursuing a Golf Career. What other skills is he using that CM methods helped nurture?
Another great question, but a touchy one! He is a nature lover through and through. He taught me to love nature, although I must admit, I have done a good share of crying over his ‘nature finds’ and love of snakes. He taught himself all snakes and can easily identify them with just a glimpse. Because of his love of nature, he thought he may want to pursue being a guide or Game Warden. He studies fish as a potential opportunity to being a Captain’s apprentice was suggested to him, but his love of golf changed his mind. He still loves fishing and is very skilled at it as well. With how we implemented the end of term evaluation with our children in high school, my son’s faith in his Creator is strong and capable of standing in a debate of evolution. We did the evaluation orally, in front of other friends and it gave him the practice of sharing his faith and belief. Today, he is very confident and at times, I marvel at his growth knowing how as a boy, his biggest struggle was his confidence. It was the ability to focus on his interest of nature that allowed us to help him grow into a self-learner and the confident young man he is today. He will need this confidence once he makes it to the PGA and gets interviewed on TV.
Thank you so much Dollie! Here are a few of my favorites of Dollie's blog posts:
I love the layout of this book! In The Charlotte Mason Way Explained Dollie takes a lot of the mystery out of basic Charlotte Mason concepts and seemingly daunting academic subjects. She expounds on the importance of developing good habits and creating an environment of learning. One of my favorite quotes in her book is:
The difference between narration and composition is the form of writing and how the information is gathered. With narration, it is retelling what they have learned from their lessons; however, composition takes the child from facts to reasoning.
Narrative learning is an excellent time tested technique for true long term retention. One Room School Houses all over the USA used Narration for their young children. Most homeschool mother’s goals are for her children to fulfill their potential. While not all of us have the purpose or potential to become writers, composition learned through narration is sufficiently helpful for all areas of life. Dollie gives some great suggestions throughout her book which are interestingly methodical yet flexible. I found several parallels in our homeschooling experience and had a few questions for Dollie. I think you will enjoy her answers too.
You began homeschooling in 1999. Did Karen Andreola’s book “A Charlotte Mason Companion” have an impact on you?
Great question! I read her book in 2000 and it was the most influential book that I read. I read it yearly for the first 5 years of using the Charlotte Mason way, and seem to reference it often. I can never talk to someone about the Charlotte Mason way without mentioning this book.
You mention your 2nd child’s struggle with phonics and reading and that he is now pursuing a Golf Career. What other skills is he using that CM methods helped nurture?
Another great question, but a touchy one! He is a nature lover through and through. He taught me to love nature, although I must admit, I have done a good share of crying over his ‘nature finds’ and love of snakes. He taught himself all snakes and can easily identify them with just a glimpse. Because of his love of nature, he thought he may want to pursue being a guide or Game Warden. He studies fish as a potential opportunity to being a Captain’s apprentice was suggested to him, but his love of golf changed his mind. He still loves fishing and is very skilled at it as well. With how we implemented the end of term evaluation with our children in high school, my son’s faith in his Creator is strong and capable of standing in a debate of evolution. We did the evaluation orally, in front of other friends and it gave him the practice of sharing his faith and belief. Today, he is very confident and at times, I marvel at his growth knowing how as a boy, his biggest struggle was his confidence. It was the ability to focus on his interest of nature that allowed us to help him grow into a self-learner and the confident young man he is today. He will need this confidence once he makes it to the PGA and gets interviewed on TV.
Thank you so much Dollie! Here are a few of my favorites of Dollie's blog posts:
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I received this product free in exchange for an honest review. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. See our disclosure policy for details.
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