The Charlotte Mason Approach to Homeschooling
Bygone Ambleside Educator Inspires Christian Homeschools
Jun 19, 2009
Mason was a turn-of-the-century British educator who believed that quality education was the right of all children, not just the privileged elite. Her unconventional philosophies proved to be so popular that she began writing and teaching other educators, ultimately establishing a training school for teachers and governesses, the House of Education.
The Goal of Education
Above all else, Mason believed that the knowledge of God, through understanding the Bible, was the ultimate goal of education. She emphasized Scripture memorization, along with character training and developing noble habits, including attentiveness, obedience, and truthfulness. She exhorted students with her motto, "I am, I can, I ought, I will."
Language Arts Methods
Mason taught language arts using copywork, narration, and dictation exercises. Copywork is the ability to transcribe a section of writing. Mason chose an excellent piece of literature as the model for this exercise. She believed that copywork improved handwriting, reinforced grammar, and developed an appreciation for fine writing.
Narration and Dictation
Narration involves a child listening to a story and retelling it in his own words. This exercise improved a child’s ability to absorb information, mentally organize it, and then communicate it clearly to another person. Students then advanced to written narration and dictation, which requires writing down the passage from memory.
Hands-On Math
According to Mason, children should understand math concepts and their relevance to life before being immersed in repeated computation practice. She advocated the use of manipulatives as a way to engage students to think mathematically from a concrete viewpoint before moving to an abstract one.
No Dry Textbooks
Mason eschewed dry and unimaginative books, which she referred to disdainfully as “twaddle.” Instead, she introduced students to engaging, well-written literature, biographies, and “living books,” which held their attention and brought people and subjects to life.
Studying the Masters
Mason emphasized including the fine arts for a well-rounded education. She believed that exposing children to great ideas and beauty in all subjects – including art, music, and poetry – inspired like greatness in pupils. Her students studied art masterpieces, listened to the works of famous composers, memorized exemplary poetry, and buried themselves in Shakespeare.
The Outdoor Classroom
Mason considered the great outdoors as the perfect science classroom. The close-up observation of nature provided lessons in botany, entomology, ornithology, and other living sciences. She encouraged children to spend hours outside, drawing and labeling their observations in sketchbooks. Mason’s conviction was that nature study’s educational benefits were surpassed only by the spiritual insights gained from interaction with God’s creation.
Educational Pioneers
Why does Charlotte Mason have so many contemporary advocates? Perhaps it’s because she eschewed stereotypical classroom practices – tiresome textbooks, lengthy lessons, and the exclusion of character and spiritual training. Mason was an educational pioneer, which may be why homeschoolers sense a kinship with her that transcends time.
Learn More about Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason’s writings were eventually collected into six volumes, called The Original Homeschooling Series. For those who are not able to read all of her original writings, two modern synopses may be more accessible: Karen Andreola’s A Charlotte Mason Companion [Charlotte Mason Research & Supply Company, 1998] and A Charlotte Mason Education, by Catherine Levison [Sourcebooks, Inc., 2000].
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