A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of A Charlotte Mason Education
Book Review: An excellent introduction
Summary: 5 Stars
As someone that was in the dark about Charlotte Mason, this is an excellent overview. It gives the basics and a clear (short) overview of Ms. Masons theories. It was just enought to let me know if it is what I'm looking for... it is. So, now I have more reading recommendations and can go from here. I have to agree it is a light reading book, but that was what I was expecting. Unfortunately, the price doesn't correspond to contents.Book Review: An ok Charlotte Mason starting point...
Summary: 3 Stars
If you know absolutely nothing about Charlotte Mason, this might be the book for you. Frankly, I would recommend Karen Andreola's book over this one as a starter for those interested in Charlotte Mason, or better yet, if you can afford it, buy Charlotte's books! :-) I am surprised at all the high reviews of the book...someone is seeing something that I didn't, and maybe you would too? I am a homeschooling mom of four boys and use a classical/charlotte mason style in my home. I have been homeschooling now for five years and come from a family filled with educators. I felt that this book was lacking in meat/substance, and had I not been familiar already with Charlotte Mason's overall ideas, probably would not have felt that a Charlotte Mason education was worth my time or consideration...however, in all fairness, the author does give some resources and ideas for implementing Charlotte Mason in your home that are nice to know. I'd check it out of the library though, or look for it used at yardsales? I will be reading her second book since I bought it for a steal at one of those aforementioned yardsales, and I understand that her second volume has more meat, and maybe that one is better? I hope so. Book Review: Great Tool!
Summary: 5 Stars
This book has been a great tool and has given me guidance with homeschooling my children. I didn't know where to start and after I read this book I am now on my way to really teaching my children and know that they are truly learning.Book Review: Great introduction!
Summary: 5 Stars
If you're brand new to Charlotte Mason and looking for a quick reference of the practical how-to's of Mason's educational methods, then this is the book for you! I believe that this book successfully accomplishes what it was written for--to present the reader with a step-by-step, topic-by-topic introduction to Miss Mason's methods. This book isn't an in-depth treatment of Charlotte Mason's entire philosophy of education, and I don't believe it was meant to cover anything more than just the practical how-to's. If you're looking at your home educational efforts and thinking something like, "How can I quickly and easily add art appreciation and poetry to our curriculum?", then you'll find the answers here. I find this to be one of the easiest to use, most helpful home education books on my shelf. I refer back to it often (ie: "I need more ideas for Nature study. I'll go back and see what Levison recommends"). The book is short, to the point, and written from the wisdom of a long-time homeschooling parent who spent several years digging through Charlotte Mason's original books and many out-of-print resources to distill Mason's vast writings on the philosophy of education into the practical nuts and bolts of how to do it at home. Presented in a manageable and readable format. Contrary to some opinions, Levison's second book, More Charlotte Mason Education, definitely isn't a rewrite of this first book. More Charlotte Mason Education does go into greater depth on things like the life of Charlotte Mason, but none of the practical how-to's are repeated from one book to the next. Please don't start with Book Two unless you're already using CM methods almost exclusively in your home school, or I think you'll probably find yourself wondering why the author didn't talk about most educational topics that need to be covered in your homeschool (the first book gives the most information about what to do and how). I think it's probably best if someone buys both books. They're definitely a set that compliments and completes one another.
Book Review: Catherine's book I found so helpful
Summary: 5 Stars
As a homeschooling parent I want to give my two children a great education. They are young, both in first grade. I was feeling so frustrated with my young daughter. She was not listening to me (tuning me out)and I was not sure how to deal with her. She would play around, not finish her lessons. A friend suggested the Charlotte Mason approach. I purchased Catherine Levison's book and read it through. Wow, it was wonderful. Right away I told the children there would be some changes at school. I reset our school classes. We read our Bible lessons 3 mornings a week, and classic literature 2 mornings a week. I started timing our classroom work, allowing only 20 minutes for each subject or paperwork. I told them that they each had 20 minutes for each subject, such as math, history, ect.. If they did not finish the paper that they would then stay behind and do their schoolwork "during their recess/play time". When Sarah had to stay in her seat and finish up during her recess/playtime she was not too happy. It only took two times for her to realize that mom was serious. I did not nag her. I just quietly reminded her once of the new rules. She is now listening better, finishing her work ahead of the time allowed on many days. Mom has been happier and our school days are so much more pleasant. We went shopping for some whole,living books. We chose Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little,also Aesop's Fables to read during school time. We all three read together out loud. Then I have each child tell me what they read. I was amazed (embarassed too) when I read the list of great literature for suggested reading, in Catherine's book. Here I was a mom, and I as a child had never read any of the books listed. I soon purchased "Little Women, also Anne of Green Gables" for myself to start with. My husband gave me "Jane Eyre" for Christmas. I keep wondering why, when I was a child, that my teachers did not have us read whole books. It seemed so much of what we learned in public school was boring or I have forgotten it. My prayer is as a home school mom to give my children a better education than I received. To keep them excited about what we are learning. together.