Comments on: Charlotte Mason’s Controversial Method of (Not) Teaching Composition

By: Margot

Margot — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:32:09 +0000

I’d like to chime in on this one, for the simple fact that I have a 19, an 18 and a 15 year old, all of whom read and write very well. This was not always the case. I saw in my middle child the rough and tumble, video game playing, school hating ways that many of my frustrated friends reported in their boys. At the age of 8, my boy very much disliked reading, let alone sitting studiously while the teacher gave writing instruction. My husband suggested that we make video game playing (a very small dose of 1/2 hour a day) a reward for reading for the same amount of time. This decision marked the long, not always fun task of ensuring this lovely child follow through with his reading… often kicking and screaming. 2 years later I got a call from his grade 4 teacher. “We’d like to put your son in a reading program”. Oh-oh. I thought “well, I guess any kid could have a reading problem, I’ll do what’s necessary”. Turns out that reading program was for gifted readers. My son could read at a grade 12 level. His writing followed suit. He’s been an honour student many times over the years and in his final grade can look forward to doing just about anything he wishes.
In retrospect, I’d agree with the sentiment here. Having to read every day one can not help but pick up the rhythms and patterns of writing.

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:57:05 +0000

Hi Dawn, thanks for your comment. I understand your insecurity about teaching writing without a solid plan! Our curriculum (Epi Kardia) actually begins gentle writing instruction in third grade through copy work. We begin with understanding words and how they are used to express complete thoughts - i.e., learning how to write complete, interesting sentences. Epi Kardia writing instruction is similar to IEW in that we teach writing using already published writing, but our method allows for students to develop their own writing 'voice' and is less formulaic (and expensive) than IEW. I'm certainly not knocking IEW and realize that it has helped many students, but like any writing program, it has its limitations. Our instruction is based on copy work as well as LOTS of conversation about writing during those earlier years, for example: "Notice the expressive words this author uses!" "Let's find the verbs in this paragraph." "Do you see pictures in your mind as you read the author's description of ___?" This is a very natural method of learning writing and is not stressful for the teacher or the student, as it is very gradual. You might look at our lesson plans samples near the bottom of this page on our web site for ideas. Feel free to email me dana@epikardia.com of you have any other questions. [WORDPRESS HASHCASH] The poster sent us '0 which is not a hashcash value.

By: Dawn

Dawn — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:55:57 +0000

Ok, so only oral/written narration in elementary. Then on to some writing instruction in middle school – what sort of instruction? using some sort of curriculum? which one? Could someone comment on the specifics of this?
I’d love to relax about this subject, but don’t feel very confident to teach writing. IEW is always raved about but seems very expensive and overwhelming to me. What else is there in the writing world?

Thanks, Dawn

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:38:09 +0000

You’re welcome, Barb. Thanks for sharing what has worked with your boys! I’m looking forward to reading your post on the carnival as well!

By: Barb-Harmony Art Mom

Barb-Harmony Art Mom — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:17:03 +0000

We started CMs methods later in our school but I naturally avoided most writing programs with my boys just because I am a poor writing teacher. At least I was a poor writing teacher until middle school when we started IEW slowly over the course of three years. Now in high school my boys are confident writers and much of what I see is built up from lots of great literature, varied ideas, and lots of lots of oral/written narration CM style.

I am firmly in line with Charlotte Mason and her ideas of waiting for formal writing until middle school.

Thanks for putting together this post and sharing it with the CM Carnival.

By: Dana

Dana — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:51:13 +0000

Thank you, Amy, for visiting and taking the time to comment! Your boys are still pretty young, but with the wealth of good literature I am sure you have exposed them to, I am sure they will eventually be good writers. I believe writing is a skill that is learned over time with instruction and lots of practice. (But with short lessons and short assignments, of course.)

Hey! I just focused on the ‘Peru’ part of your signature! I will have to check out your blog and see what you do there! My college aged daughter spent some time last summer participating in a storying conference with the Yagua people in the jungle, so we have prayed a lot for Peru!

I hope you come back and visit again soon!

By: amy

amy — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 22:45:14 +0000

I agree with you that some children are more natural at writing than others. I love Charlotte Mason and am in agreement that composition ought not to be taught in those early years. If you don’t consider reading aloud great literature and narration of the same ‘instruction.’ We have been CMers from the beginning with my boys 11 & 10. That said, I continue to learn how to educate! But I will add that I have followed CM’s advice, and yet they are not excellent writers. Now, who’s to blame? I don’t know. They have rich vocabularies, creative minds and can put together some captivating stories. But they are not good writers. yet. We shall see. Given time, I fully think that with a little direction they both will be able to craft some fine compositions. Thanks for this thought provoking post

amy in peru
http://fisheracademy.blogspot.com

By: Dana

Dana — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 19:41:21 +0000

Jimmie, that is very sad for that poor little guy to have to struggle with multi-paragraph assignments at age seven!!

I don’t care what curriculum you are using, ladies, please don’t feel as though you need to be a slave to it! Make it fit YOUR children and YOUR family, rather than the other way around. I hope this mom hears advice from other circles that coincides with yours, Jimmie, so that she will lighten up! Thanks for your comment.

By: Jimmie

Jimmie — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 02:11:30 +0000

I think this goes along with the “better late than early” mentality. That is, when children are ready to learn something (developmentally or emotionally) they will learn it easily and quickly. But that foundation of lots of quality literature really needs to be there. A diet of video games and TV will not naturally foster a good writer. Mom (or Dad) has to read to the children. (Audio books are another option for extra literature.)
At a homeschooling conference a mom was asking for help with her seven year old who was struggling to complete his two weekly writing assignments. She didn’t call them essays, but they were multi-paragraph compositions. WHAT? I was aghast. I tried to reassure here that the assignments were not realistic or necessary. But she seemed reluctant to move away from the curriculum’s specific plan. Poor thing, and poor child.

By: Dana

Dana — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 23:04:18 +0000

Thank you, Lori! You are so right. It is in our nature to compare what our kids are doing to what (we think) everyone else is doing. I’m so happy to have been an encouragement to you. Thanks so much for your comment!