A Subject by Subject Approach to Charlotte Mason

History is about more than names and dates. It is a a story about actual people. Next to religion, it is the pivot of the curriculum. Start with the history of your own nation and build out. Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to finish a book in one year. Give yourself time to get intimately acquainted with both the great and common people of an age. Find out what was happening in other places at the same time. Whenever possible, study original source documents. Start with a chronological study to set a good flow, and then as you move along you can start to study more than one country or era at a time. Read literature of the time to enhance your study and keep a Book of Centuries or personal timeline.

Literature is used for character training and should be fun and engaging. All books should be developmentally appropriate to the child’s individual timetable. Literature books will not give you precise information, but they will give you a sense of the time period they were written in or about.

Recitation is training in the art of public speaking. The child should become an interpreter of the thought of the piece they are reciting. Recitations can be read or memorized and can come from poems, hymns, scriptures, speeches, or the books you are reading.

Poetry is meant for enjoyment, not for dissection. Introduce new poems daily and memorize favorites.

Study 3 Shakespeare plays per year (1 per term). When you start studying Shakespeare, read the stories. Then move onto the actual plays. They can be listened to or read aloud. You can also watch movie versions or see live productions. Approximately 30 minutes should be spent weekly and the child should narrate what is covered. Don’t worry about wether or not you understand every line, it is meant to be enjoyed.

Nature Study is about observation and forming a relationship with nature. Set aside a time each week. Have the child do 6 illustrations in their nature notebook per term and label them both with common and latin names. Illustrations can be done onsite or specimens can be brought home. Keep in mind that nature notebooks are the child’s impressions of nature and should not be corrected. Make a plan for what you want to study, but do not negate opportunities as they present themselves. You can study in your own yard, your neighbor’s yard, around the block, at lakes and fishing ponds, or even at the zoo. Some tools you will need are a good journal, a basket or bag for collecting items, field guides, watercolors and paper, and a magnifying glass. Try keeping a calendar of firsts to compare each year, or adopt a tree and note how it changes throughout the year.

Science should include field or lab work as well as a literary component. Make sure the experiments are easy enough the child can do them on their own (with supervision) and then have them narrate the process and results back to you orally or by writing them in a notebook. Study biographies of scientists as well and include natural history and botany year round.

Start Geography lessons in your own locality. Have the child draw a map of their own bedroom, and then gradually expand to the house, yard, neighborhood and so on.

Picture Study begins at age 6. Study 1 artist per term, choosing 6 of their works to study. Work with all ages of your children together. Have them look at the picture and simply tell what they see. As they get older have them write detailed descriptions of the pictures.

Music Study also begins at 6. Study 1 composer per term, choosing 6 of their works to study. Listen for 30 minutes each week. Enter the composer’s information or the date the song was written into your timeline.

Language Arts was not covered at the workshop I attended, but includes reading, composition, dictation/spelling, writing, and copywork/transcription.