Episode 229: Exams

Term examinations in Charlotte Mason’s schools were mandatory. This podcast explores the purpose of examinations, what was covered, and how we evaluate our child’s performance.

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“The children write with perfect understanding as far as they go and there is rarely a ‘howler’ in hundreds of sets of papers. They have an enviable power of getting at the gist of a book or subject. Sometimes they are asked to write verses about a personage or an event; the result is not remarkable by way of poetry, but sums up a good deal of thoughtful reading in a delightful way…” (Vol. 6, p. 242)

“During the examinations, which last a week, the children cover say from twenty to sixty sheets of Cambridge paper, according to age and class; but if ten times as many questions were set on the work studied most likely they would cover ten times as much paper.” (Vol. 6, p. 241)

“The terminal examinations are of great importance. They are not merely and chiefly tests of knowledge but records which are likely to be permanent.” (Vol. 6, p. 272)

If you would like to study along with us, here are some passages from The Home Education Series and other Parent’s Review articles that would be helpful for this episode’s topic. You may also read the series online here, or get the free Kindle version from Fisher Academy.

School Education, Appendix II

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Bestowing the Brush

Sample PNEU Examinations from Programme 93

Sample PNEU Examinations from Programme 95 (click each link to see full Programme and Examination for each Form)

ADE’s Exam Planner

Examinations and the P.N.E.U. Pamphlet

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Episode 228: Mastery Before Moving On

Did Charlotte Mason advocate the common notion of “mastery before moving on?” Liz, Emily, and Nicole discuss this popular idea and, based on Miss Mason’s principles, the cases when moving on with or without mastery of a subject are beneficial for the student.

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“Besides, though this physical culture of the brain may be only the groundwork of education, the method of it indicates what should be the method of all education; that is, orderly, regulated progress under the guidance of Law.” (1/37-38)

“Almost as bad is the way the child’s intellectual life may be wrecked at its outset by a round of dreary, dawdling lessons in which definite progress is the last thing made or expected, and which, so far from educating in any true sense, stultify his wits in a way he never gets over.” (1/16)

“But the subject of our relations with each other as human beings is inexhaustible, and I can do no more than indicate a point here and there, and state again my conviction that a system of education should have for its aim, not the mastery of certain ‘subjects,’ but the establishment of these relations in as many directions as circumstances will allow.” (3/88)

Waiting on the Word, Malcolm Guite

Let’s Play Math, Denise Gaskins

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Episode 227: Writing–Transcription & Dictation

A Charlotte Mason education is grounded in principles of teaching, not just products. This is critical in the area of writing, whether handwriting or written composition. Since writing is essential, enjoy this re-release of our original show with some new preliminary comments.

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“I can only offer a few hints on the teaching of writing, though much might be said. First, let the child accomplish something perfectly in every lesson–a stroke, a pothook, a letter. Let the writing lesson be short; it should not last more than five or ten minutes. Ease in writing comes by practice; but that must be secured later. In the meantime, the thing to be avoided is the habit of careless work.” (Vol. 1, pp. 233-34)

“[T]here is no part of a child’s work at school which some philosophic principle does not underlie.” (Vol. 1, p. 240)

“The gift of spelling depends upon the power the eye possesses to ‘take’ (in a photographic sense) a detailed picture of a word; and this is a power and habit which must be cultivated in children from the first.” (Vol. 1, p. 241)

Home Education (Volume 1), Part V, Chapters X-XII

Writing to Learn

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Episode 44: Language Acquisition

Episode 46: Reading

Episode 50: Writing: Grammar & Composition

A New Handwriting Teacher Help

The New Handwriting

Subjects by Form

Episode 226: Making Plans for Physical Geography

This week’s Charlotte Mason podcast is an interview with a mom of five on the subject of physical geography. Morgan Conner wanted to know more about her region, wanted to learn how to do geography walks, and shares with us how this came about. If you don’t know much about your locale, its geology, or how to incorporate geography walks, you will be delighted with the practical and informative suggestions Morgan shares.

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“The first and fundamental ideas are gained best out of doors.” (PR24/523)

“Geography walks are intended to teach children the nature of their own neighborhood.” (PR 16/67)

“[Forms 2-6] do their Local Geography on walk. They find heights of tree and hill and the breadth of rivers. If possible, they trace a river from its source to its mouth and discover its basin, watershed and tributaries. They learn the Geology of their district, also the history from the earliest times, discvoering, where possible, traces of the early inhabitants in the looks and dialect of the people today, and in the place names. Parochial, Parliamentary and county boundaries are determined, and the reasons for these divisions discussed.” (PR24/527)

“A geography walk can and should be an adventure as well as an instructive undertaking. If you have not already an established custom of taking one or two each term–perhaps…illustrated by a map–do make the experiment. Choose a central subject, a stream or a path, for instance, trace its passage, do some measuring and establish a scale, determine its direction, and note surrounding natural as well as man-made, features, add some investigation of the soil. Intimate knowledge of a small patch of countryside will follow and the maps and essays will, according to the age and observance of the authors, be an achievement of value.” (PR66/168)