I was reading a friend's post last week and she mentioned CM.  It took me quite awhile to figure out what CM stood for - oh, yes, Charlotte Mason.  Now, when you've been homeschooling for 9+ years, like I have (not a veteran by any means) you tend to accumulate info about Ms. Mason's teaching techniques from various sources.  I used to feel guilty that I didn't really want to buy a book on the subject, just thought I could glean whatever I could from others who have gone before me.

For the most part, that has been all I've needed.  I did print out a 2-page article awhile back and I finally read it just a few days ago.  Well, what do you know?  I've actually been teaching along the same lines as CM.  Oh, but there is SO much more I could be doing!  Did you know that under the age of 6, most all of a child's schooling should be done outdoors?  A young child should spend as much time as possible outside, in various weather conditions, every day.  Obviously, Ms. Mason didn't live in the Northwest!  If I had sent my kids outside today they'd have thought I was nuts (it was one of those gale-force wind days with sheets of rain blowing sideways - truly a site to behold).  Seriously, I am happy to say that my kids have always gotten quite a bit of time outdoors, so now that they are all over the age of 6, I can relax a bit there (but not much).

And then there is this term, "Living Books".  I am considering using "Living Books" as a way of teaching writing.  However, how does one really know if a book is "living" or "dead"?  I mean, of course you have a personal opinion of a book (if you've read it) but how can you be sure if it's alive?  I'm being silly here but these are questions I would labor over it I was just starting out as a homeschooler.  I have decided that my own impression of whether a book is living or dead is good enough.  My oldest son is ready to learn more writing skills and this is where we will start, with some copying out of books he enjoys and I find to be alive - or at least breathing.

Now, the narrative part of CM?  No problem.  Alec (middle son) is currently reading "Mysterious Island" by Jules Verne, and after nearly every page, Alec comes to tell me about it.  Every page, I tell you!  I am thrilled that he is so excited about this book but sometimes it's hard give him the attention he needs (um, Alec, I'll be out in a minute.)  You get my drift.

I also can't help thinking that Charlotte Mason must not have been married.  How could she have devoted so much time to teaching if she'd had a husband who needed some attention as well?  I think that is why I've hesitated to read more about her methods.  Aside from the fact that facing the 6 or so volumes she wrote on the subject is daunting, I just know if I read EVERYTHING she was able to teach, I would end up feeling unhappy with how much I am teaching/doing with my kids.  I certainly don't need something else to feel guilty about.

I hope I'm not being unfair here, since I know so little about the lady, herself.  I am very grateful that she "went before us" and paved the way to this type of teaching.  While I know there are people who are not interested in the CM method (and that's just fine, everyone is different), I personally feel there is a lot to be learned from her and even if we use only a little of her advice, it is for the betterment of our childrens' lives and education.  And that would make her very happy, indeed.  I just know it.