Secular Charlotte Mason

I'm enjoying this book 'When Children Love to Learn" by Elaine Cooper.  I am getting some good tidbits from the book.  However, the first chapter "The Value of Charlotte Mason's Work for Today" goes on about bad public school models a bit too much.  I am not a fan of public school but it's hard to imagine they are THAT bad.  They talk about schools in England in the 60's and 70's and the noise and the lack of focus, etc.  You'd think those children didn't learn from the descriptions.  I can relate to the disdain for dry as dust textbooks.  As we read more living books, I can barely tolerate dry reading.  I am sorry I bought workbooks and some of the textbook reference books.  I'm clearing out the workbooks but keeping the reference books as a spine of sorts or for my reference.  Living books are far more valuable.  I can see why Charlotte Mason fans are so passionate!

My favorite part so far is the passage from Marion Berry.  After she retired as headmistress of a PNEU school she was finally able to work with under-priveleged children.  The description of their afternoons has been most helpful to me in teaching my child.  The relaxing, gentle flow to their time together makes me realize that even after studying CM methods, I can still be a bit too contrived with my lessons.  I want to get more math games because I know this will be more fun to my child than "let's count to 100" for no good reason.  It was nice to see how easily she incorporated classical music during game time. 

I'm just now on Chapter 3 of this book and would love to discuss it if anyone is inclined to read it.

I wouldn't mind reading it again. One of the things I like about this book is that if you come to a chapter you don't particularly carefor  the next chapter will be completely different. I've been meaning to reread it with an eye to resources/references from England that I'd like to check out.

Anyone else up for reading this book as a group?

Chai Mama,

If you want I can send out a blast to the members alerting them to this book group opportunity. Not all of our members read the forum so they may not see your original post.

Gina

Yes, please let everyone know.  I am finding some great information in this book. I am now reading The Four Pillars of Education and just completed the chapter on Atmosphere.  Good stuff.  As you said, the chapters are different and written by different people.   I still enjoyed the first chapter just a little confused by some of the comments about modern education since I didn't go to college for teaching, I guess.  It doesn't really matter since I want to learn CM method. LOL

Let's see who is interested in reading this book.

I'm in!  I'd love to discuss this one--and I haven't read it in a while, so it will be fun to revisit it.