It can be challenging for a CM Teacher to not only choose, but also to keep track of which Recitation pieces her students learn. We have created a Teacher Help to remove many of the obstacles to this delightful, but preparation-heavy subject. This Recitation Planner is an editable PDF document that can be filled in with each family/student/class’ Recitation pieces each term/year/school career. Additionally, we have included the information from our other resources to make selecting Old Testament, New Testament, and Psalm passages simpler from this single tool. Nicole has written a concise guide for teaching Recitation, how it differs from memorization, and some helpful tips for working with your students.
Besides the Planner itself, we have included all of the Psalms that CM assigned for Forms 1 through 4. These pieces have been fully formatted in a pleasing style to eliminate some of the work needed each term. These Psalms are separate files from the Planner and can be downloaded as either ESV or KJV versions. We do have intentions to add further “Recitation Packets” for Forms 1 through 4 for other parts of the subject (Scripture, Hymns, Poetry, etc.), and these will be separate purchases that each family can make according to their needs/ages of students.
Recitation Planner is a 24 page PDF, formatted Psalms are each 32 pages.
**Update: 7/25/23: We have just released formatted Bible passages for Forms 1-4. You may purchase as many add-ons as you’d like. Each Form level has a respective Old Testament and New Testament pack, which each contain 2 options per term’s Bible assignments to choose from. These passages are formatted to be easy to read and pleasant to behold with coordinating graphics like the Psalms included with the Recitation Planner. Each add-on comes with the ESV and KJV editions, and will save you much time both choosing and preparing recitation passages each term. The selections are taken from Charlotte Mason’s recommendations for each term and Form level.
Samples:
Beginning the study of grammar can be a challenge for the CM teacher. Many programs are monotonous rote exercises that make little connection between the formal study and the child’s own understanding of written language from his own reading. Most do not approach the study as she wished, understanding the sentence first before individual parts of speech. Miss Mason’s own lessons were never completed by her. Those that exist have no tips for the teacher or answer keys to verify correct answers. In addition, she expected the teacher to come up with her own extra practice and to present the lessons in an engaging way.
Liz Cottrill has updated the sentences in the exercises in Miss Mason’s own First Grammar Lessons to make them a little more palatable for the modern student. The lessons offered here are based on hers, include much of her own wording, and reflect the kinds of exercises she thought fit for the lesson. They have been edited and “informalized” to hopefully disperse some anxiety for the teacher and student, and Liz has also included extra practice for students who need it, given simple outlines for lessons, and provided the answer key for the regular lessons.
For most students, each Part of this resource is about one term’s lessons. Some may move faster while others need more time. It is meant to be used during the short lessons and continued from week to week moving at the student’s pace.
Samples (Lesson Objectives, Lesson, and Answer Key):
*Note: If you are interested in using these materials with a co-op or group, please email us at contact@adelectableeducation.com for group rates.
A Free PDF Download of all the Reflection Questions we have provided for our series on Charlotte Mason’s Short Synopsis. For personal use, or gather with a group of friends to listen and discuss the foundational articulation of Miss Mason’s Educational Philosophy.
This session from the ADE at Home 2021 Virtual Conference was presented by Jono Kiser, teacher of Living Literature and Composition Courses for Charlotte Mason High Schoolers. In his talk, Jono discusses various styles of poetry, focusing on how to help your students engage with different poetic styles. Jono also gives brief direction for analyzing poetic meter.
(45 minute video)
Having an aim or a goal for a nature walk motivates children (and parents!) by mimicking a treasure hunt. It also prompts us to look more diligently at the objects found, cultivating better attention. Two little yellow flowers may be counted as the same if we don’t look closely enough, especially if we are not familiar with each individual species.
The inspiration for these goals can be found in a variety of places, including the books you are reading about nature, things you’ve noticed on previous walks, or a special study the kids are doing. But busy Charlotte Mason teachers know that sometimes it would be useful to refer to a resource that has already been put together. Nicole has done just that with this Teacher Help. You’ll find prompts for every season, spanning categories of flora, fauna, physical geography, and more, helping narrow your focus from the wide world of possibilities to achieve your nature study goals.
Sample Pages:
