Welcome to day two of the 5 Days of Charlotte Mason Resources. Yesterday I shared my Charlotte Mason Method Book Recommendations. These books were the very first books I read about home education and they are the books which influenced my home educating journey. Until recently these were the only books on the market about educating using a Charlotte Mason Philosophy. The topic today has been in response to the following question from my friend in Singapore.
"What books do you suggest that I can pick up and read to understand more?" - Lady T...
For most of my home education journey I have only had access to A Charlotte Mason Companion. This book inspired me and still does. When ever I need some encouragement or reminding I go straight to this book for it.
A couple of years ago I had the privilege of attending a Charlotte Mason Afternoon here in Melbourne that I came face to face with a deeper understanding of her method and how it works in real life. That wonderful day was hosted by Jeanne from A Peaceful Day. Jeanne is passionate about Charlotte Mason, her passion and joy are an inspiration and a deep source of encouragement. It was at this meeting that I first heard about the two books I am sharing with you today.
This book inspired and encouraged me to think deeply about why I choose to do things in my homeschool. Karen asks some very deep questions that most of us simply gloss over. Karen helped me see that a Charlotte Mason education is deeply purposeful. Karen explores the Why behind every aspect of Charlotte's methods. Having a deeper understanding of the Why definitely enables to better pursue the how. I found the word studies fascinating and insightful. I came to realise that reading Charlotte's books takes on a whole NEW meaning when you understand what the words meant in her era. Karen has written a book to empower the Charlotte Mason educator to understand the principles that are behind her teachings. Once you have an understanding of these deeper principles you will be able to structure a full educational experience for your child with full confidence.
I wish to share what I think I know concerning the connection between her understanding of educational philosophy and the traditions of the classical past... I assume you are reading because, like me, you are interested in Charlotte Mason and classical education. If we had the opportunity to sit down comfortable and chat over a cup of coffee, these chapter are what I would share with you. - Karen Glass
This is exactly what Karen has done in this beautifully written book. This book will challenge and inspire you regularly.
I really enjoyed reading The Living Page. Laurie invites us to take a closer look at what Notebooks are and how they were used by Charlotte Mason and more importantly why. I was surprised to learn just how much notebooking has changed and the deeply personal nature of a Notebook. A few of the types of notebooks Laurie looks at are:
Nature Notebooks
Scrap books
Science Notebooks
Calendar of Firsts
Motto Books
Poetry Book
Fortitude Journal
Commonplace Book
Copy Books
Other Copybooks
Timelines
History Charts
Book of Centuries
Calendar of events
I love the samples and insights. This book will change the way you view written work in your Charlotte Mason inspired homeschool.
Mason had shown me that the notebooks can be forms of vitality, literally the shape and outline, the liturgy of the attentive life. They nurture the science of relations and the art of mindfulness. They teach us to see the very brief beauty of now, to know the landscape of here, to be present in all our pleasures and pains. - Laurie Bestvater
Which books have you read that have helped you have a deeper understanding and appreciation for a Charlotte Mason education?
Blessings Chareen
{All links to the Book Depository are Affiliate Links in this post.
This does not change the cost of books should you choose to click on my
links. The cost to you remains the same. I only
recommend/link to books I have actually used or personally own.}
This post is a part of the Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop. Grab a cup
of your favourite beveridge and be encouraged by this group of
homeschool Mom's sharing their hearts and homes with you
The topic today is Charlotte Mason Method Book Recommendations. A few months ago I had the wonderful privilege of meeting a beautiful home school family from Singapore. It was so lovely connecting with someone new whom I met via my blog. The hours flew by and were too short but we have managed to stay in touch via my blog Facebook page. One of her questions to me was:
"How do you get started with Charlotte Mason?" - Lady T...
My journey with Charlotte Mason started around 19 years ago. We had just immigrated to New Zealand and heard home education. We were very much sitting on the fence regarding education and the idea of educating my own children was something so stunning my mind was reeling in shock!
Answering my friends question is a little harder than a simple straight forward here read this. Today there are so many books about Charlotte Mason and her philosophy of education. Personally it is good to read a few different things and then decide what is best for you and your family.
When I first learned about Charlotte Mason there were very few books available and her personal writings were not in print either. The interent was a thing on the horizon and most people I knew did not own a computer! (including us)
I am deeply grateful to all those who have written books on what they have learned about Charlotte and the more of them I read the broader my understanding becomes. Today I will share with you the first two books I read and that influenced my choice to pursue a Charlotte Mason Philosophy and Methodology.
Books to start with
I was given a copy of For the Children's Sake : Foundations of Education for Home and School to read. Reading this book created a whole paradigm shift for me. I had never heard of the gentle art of learning before. This was the fist book I read introducing me to a Charlotte Mason Education. In fact reading this book is the catalyst that started me home educating.
A couple of years later Karen Andreola introduced me to the practical side of a Charlotte Mason education and A Charlotte Mason Companion was soon become my favourite home schooling resource and is one that I recommend to any homeschool Mom who asks me which books I would recommend they read. It is still my go to book when I need some homeschool encouragement.
This beautifully illustrated book is full of encouragement and how to
chapters. Karen covers practical topics like: The Art of Narration, Mother Culture,
Shakespeare and Dickens. Topics of Art and Music appreciation along
with Grammar, History, Nature Study and a few more kernels of wisdom. A
beautiful book full of gorgeous line illustrations.
Books Written by Charlotte Mason
None of Charlotte's books were in publication when I first started home educating and come to think of it there was no internet either! When they were first brought back into print they were still very rare. I managed to procure Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series recently and will be reading through it over the next year.
I am looking forward to sharing more resources with you tomorrow.
Blessings Chareen
{Affiliate Links to the Book Depository have been used in this post. This does not change the cost of books should you choose to click on my links. The cost to you remains the same. This decision will not impact the way in which I recommend books to you my readers. I only recommend books I have actually used or personally own.}
This post is a part of the Homeschool Review Crew Blog Hop. Grab a cup of your favourite beveridge and be encouraged by this group of homeschool Mom's sharing their hearts and homes with you
This Week
One of the things I really appreciate about the Virtual Fridge is that I'm held accountable to do art with Nathaniel. If not it would be one of the things that is lost among the rubble of things I want to do but never seem to get to. Last year we were blessed with a subscription to ArtAchieve.Last week we worked through a Level III lesson: Level III-Art Lesson 7: The Woodcarving from Kenya.
This weeks Feature
This weeks feature is a tutorial from over at Our Unschooling Journey who used the Lighthouse tutorial from over at Art Projects for Kids. Your Turn
I invite you to take some photo's of your children's artistic pursuits
put them in a post and link up with me I would love to come over and see
the wonderful art your children have enjoyed doing.
Blessings
Chareen
Connect with me
Your hosts are
Add YOUR LINKS from your BLOG or INSTAGRAM
Please NOTE by adding your links to the Virtual Fridge link up YOU are giving the hosts of the Virtual Fridge link up permission to use a photograph from your blog to feature
I'm looking forward to next week when I will be joining the Homeschool Review Crew 5 Days of Homeschool ... Blog Hop. There are some really interesting topics to read. I would like to encourage you to set aside some time to meet my fellow home educating families who are sharing their journey's with you and will be sharing the things they have learned along the way.
I will be sharing with you some of the resources I have been finding to help me in pursuing a Charlotte Mason philosophy in our home school.
I do hope you will join me and take a peak at these blogs next week too
In anticipation of great things
Blessings Chareen
Debra - 5 Days of Growing a Heart for your Community
Dawn - 5 Days of Homeschooling Teens
Michele - 5 Days of Keeping your Homeschool Alive
Amanda H - 5 Days of Homeschooling Without Going Insane
Annette - 5 Days of Things We Enjoy in our Homeschool
Ashley N - 5 Days of "Kitchen-Schooling" with preschoolers
Carol - 5 Days of An Honest Look at High School
Cassandra H - 5 Days of Knowing When and What to Change in Your Homeschool
Christina C - 5 Days of Building Positive Thinking
Crystal H - 5 Days of Creating Independence in Your Homeschooling
DaLynn M- 5 Days of Threadbare Homeschooling
Dana L - 5 Days of Homeschooling with Epilepsy and Other Issues
Elyse R - 5 Days of Finding our Homeschool Strengths
Emilee R - 5 Days of Homeschooling as a Single Parent
Erin S - 5 Days of Homeschooling with Living Books
Felicia M - 5 Days of Living the Bible in Your Homeschool
Hillary M - 5 Days of Morning Time for All Ages
Jaime G - 5 Days in the Life of a Stressed Out Homeschool Mom (and how not to be one)
Jacquelin C - 5 Days of Hands-On Learning
Jennifer K - 5 Days of Inspiring Reluctant Learners
Jennifer N - 5 Days of Books To Help Homeschooling Moms
Jodi G - 5 Days of Hiding the Word in Their Hearts.
Julia C - 5 Days of Homeschooling from Scratch
Karen W - 5 Days of 5 Days of International Studies for Young Children
Kelly KL - 5 Days of Homeschooling Children with Special Needs
Kemi - 5 Days of Working Through Math Struggles in Homeschool
Kirsten W - 5 days of Homeschooling Twins
Kristi H - 5 Day of Preschool Math
Kym T - 5 Days of the Rewards of Homeschooling Teens
Linda S - 5 Days of Wit and Wisdom from Veteran Homeschool Moms
Lisa M - 5 Days of Popular Homeschool Teaching Styles
Meghan W- 5 Days of of Literacy in the Home{school}
Melissa B - 5 Days of Extracurriculars to Add to Your Homeschool
Meredith D - 5 Days of Homeschooling a High Achiever.
Missica J - 5 Days of Eclectic Homeschooling with Special Needs
Monique G - 5 Days of Homeschooling the Middle School Years
Rebekah T - 5 days of Simple Homeschooling in a Complicated World
Ritsumei H - 5 Days of Homeschooling Books
Wendy R - 5 days of Homeschooling Kids with a Large Age Gap
Yvie - 5 days of Road-Schooling
One of my greatest challenges and biggest blessing over the last few years has been raising and educating a child who is articulate and has been gifted with Aspergers Syndrome. Having a student who is equipped with an excellent vocabulary but at the same time pedantic in his expression and understanding within conversations has certainly had it's very challenging moments.
What we received
Color My Conversation comes in a sturdy 14" x 16" box which makes storing and keeping the kit easy and neat. The kit box contains:
12 "Conversation Path" Stepping Floor Graphics
100 Topic Prompt Picture/Emotion Cards
50 Game Tokens
50 Dry Erasable Wall Display Cards
2 Dry Erase Pens
Cloth Ribbon (approx. 9.5ft)
Game Board (foldable) with 4 new Activities on the back
CMC Ball
Classroom Poster
Instructional Manual on CD
12 CMC Songs on CD
Additional Reproducible Worksheets & Activities
I am very impressed with the quality of the materials within this kit. All the boards, display cards, prompt cards etc are made from good quality card stock and are coated in plastic to protect and extend their longevity.
Nathaniel loves the feel of the ball which we use during the conversation to demonstrate passing /taking turns in conversations. This ball is often played with throughout the day at home.
Color My Conversation uses a multi-sensory teaching approach to solidify the concepts of the subtleties of conversational structure with students. It's main purpose is to take your student from a basic greeting all the way to a complex conversation that they are capable of having.
Color My Conversation in Action
How we used it
After looking through the box of wonderful resources I took some time to watch the training videos. I was encouraged to remember that I am the leader and the children are following me. I particularly felt empowered by the introduction to:
Be Intentional - observe and take note of individual and group dynamics. Every personality is unique and every learning style matters.
Be of interest - expressive and animated
Be a curious learner - Your enthusiasm about learning is contagious
Be Flexible - expect the unexpected. Conversations are predictably unpredictable
Be Alert - Watch out for teachable moments throughout your day.
The Manual
All the activities and lessons are easily laid out within the PDF manual contained on the CD within the box. The manual has been designed in a linear fashion so that the current concept being taught is building upon the last one learned. The manual contains everything you need to say and do for every single session.
The instruction manual is divided up into
Beginner Level - Age 5 to 12 years (5 weeks to complete)
Intermediate Level - Age 5 to 12 years(6-8 weeks to complete)
Advanced Level - Age 8 to 12 years(3-5 weeks to complete)
Lesson - introduction, basic training, practice, wrap up
Teaching Tools
Hands on suggestions
The program is easily adapted to the specific needs of your child.
Throughout the manual there are note boxes containing specific
instructions on how to set specific and measurable goals for the
students including and specific information for special needs students.
I particularly like how I am reminded to look at my child and take note of his specific design. I was reminded to consider his personality, learning style and what motivates him. I appreciated the list of specific questions aimed at helping me accurately asses and encourage Nathaniel.
Each lesson finishes off with a wrap up in which
the student is encouraged.
Short review of the lesson via two or three questions to prompt them.
Specific Homework Challenge for the week.
The recommended time frame for each lesson is half and hour twice a week or a single forty five minute lesson once a week. We are being flexible as some weeks we have time to do two smaller lessons and other weeks we have time for a longer single lesson.
I like to be flexible in my approach and as such will switch between table work and floor work depending on where Nathaniel is at on the day of our lessons. I have appreciated having the tools which have enabled me to recognise that and enabled me to teach him the skills he needs at the point he is at.
Depending on the lesson and the training module I have at times used the training tutorial module video to start the lesson with Nathaniel. Roasslyn speaks and presents in a clear and concise way which is easy to understand and take on board. At times I have felt her presentation for the lesson is a perfect way to introduce the lesson to Nathaniel. As such I have found the instructional video's indispensable and really have appreciated the time she has taken to put them together.
For the Parent Color My Conversation (CMC) is a dynamic, multi-sensory social skills program developed by Rosslyn Delmonico, MA, RSLP, CCC-SLP, who a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 35 years of experience.
It has been developed to teach the skills of face-to-face conversations and is easily adapted for varying skill levels to help your children navigate the conversation flow, including the greeting, changing topics, WH__ questions, and how to close a conversation.
CMC has been designed to be used over 14-16 weeks. The lessons can be adaptable for any period of time - up to an entire year - as curriculum.
Color My Conversation provide comprehensive training via online video's to equip you the teacher/parent in implementing the program.
Upon purchasing your product you will be sent an email with links to video's on how to implement and comprehensively use Color My Conversation. Currently CMC provide training video's covering the following:
Training Videos:
Introduction & Section 1: Teaching Methods
Section 2: Getting Started
Section 3: Assessment Tools & Data Keeping
Section 4: Lesson Modules
Individual Lesson Training Videos: Beginner Level
Lesson 1: The Yellow Conversation
Lesson 2: The Short Conversation
Lesson 3: The Long Conversation
Beginner Level Wrap-Up
Intermediate Level
Introduction: Take It To The Table
Lesson 4: Who What When Where Why
Lesson 5: Yes! No! Maybe so!
Lesson 6: Making Comments Count
Lesson 7: Topic Changer Pro
Lesson 8: Speaking Loud & Clear!
Lesson 9: Beading
Intermediate Level Wrap-Up
Advanced Level
Advanced Level
Expert Level
Expert Level
I am a visual/auditory learner and found each of these particularly helpful.
Over All I thought ...
I have learned a lot about the nuances of conversations. The purpose of Color My Conversation is:
Color My Conversation was developed to assist children in their social language development. By establishing strong communication skills it leaves kids with self confidence and empowers them to engage in life. - Rosslyn Delmonico
It's good to see Nathaniel beginning to use the skills he is learning to engage more fully in life and understand the finer points of conversations as they happen. I like the way the program purposes to explain fully how conversations work in a step by step method.
Until now I had never thought about what goes into learning how to carry a conversation. Why is it that some people do it so easily and others struggle? I feel that Color My Conversation is a fabulous resource for every single home. It is a program that not only special needs children need. This is a program that all children should have access to.
With this program your children will not be left to themselves to figure out how to converse with others through trial and error. They will understand different types of conversations and exactly what is expected in each one. Children will no longer be left wondering what to say or how to respond after participating in Color My Conversation.
