A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
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Book Reviews of A Charlotte Mason Education
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: Best practical information I've found.
Summary: 5 Stars
Far and away the most helpful information I've found on the application of Charlotte Mason methods has come from this one little book. By doing a web search for both "Charlotte Mason" and "Catherine Levison", I located a wealth of information online about Miss Mason's educational methods and Mrs. Levison's other writings (a large number of websites, book lists, and even email newsletters). After reading through the online information, I was tempted to think I didn't need to actually spend money for any books on this topic. I thought the Web and a good search engine was enough. But I've found that having each school subject's practical explanations individually listed in a single "hold-it-in-my-hand" resource has been a great benefit and definitely a worthwhile investment. The subjects covered in this book include: narration, literature, poetry, composition, handwriting, spelling, foreign language, grammar, science, math, art, music, history, geography, formation of habits, and more. In my humble opinion, no Charlotte Mason library or resource list is complete without A Charlotte Mason Education. It's short, but I found that only makes it more user-friendly; the practical tips aren't lost amidst other text. It's the perfect book for someone who's interested in getting down to business and "doing" Charlotte Mason methods in their home or school. The only problem I see with the book is that I wish more home schooling catalogs carried it so more people were aware of this helpful resource.Book Review: New to Charlotte Mason
Summary: 5 Stars
I was somewhat familiar with CM's method, but had never read about it in depth so I purchased this book to get a quick overview of Charlotte Mason's teaching philosophy. I have been homeschooling for over 5 years and wanted to know a bit more about her method, but I didn't want to waste my time or money on the original series only to find out that this is not the method that would be appropriate for me or my children.
The book has proved to do exactly what I had hoped. If your situation is similar to mine then you will know beyond a doubt whether the CM method is for you, or not, after reading this book. Catherine Levison does a wonderful job of condensing Charlotte's method and philosophy into a satisfying, affordable and quick-read guide. The author adequately conveys CM's method in way that is VERY easy to understand- making it an excellent starter book.
I also purchased Karen Andreola's book, "Charlotte Mason Companion", and have only just started to read it, but so far it seems to be just as lovely, certainly much more in depth, but not as easy of a read I must say. Since Catherine's book, "A Charlotte Mason Education" has convinced me to use the CM method, I will also be purchasing "More Charlotte Mason Education" as well as the original CM 6 volume set. This book provided me with enough to get started and to zealously "stir up the gift" inside my children AND me! I didn't want to put this one down- so I didn't. I read it in a night! Well worth the time. ;o)
Book Review: I wasn't sure if I could teach the Charlotte Mason way.....Now I Can!! This book is specific, direct and to the point!
Summary: 5 Stars
After reading, "For the Children's Sake," I came across "A Charlotte Mason Education" while trying to educate myself on the Charlotte Mason (CM) method and was I blessed! I've purchased many CM books, but the book that I continue to go to for a quick "how-to" is "A Charlotte Mason Education" and "A More Charlotte Mason Education" (I also have a high schooler). Catherine not only encourages you to read Charlotte Mason's original writings, but she shares her heart and gives you the tools and the quick "how-to" for each school subject.
This is my first year using the CM method and I can't tell you enough how her books have blessed me in my school day. When I'm not sure what I need to do in a specific area, all I have to do is pick up her book, find the subject in the table of contents, find the chapter and whola! I have my answer! Now that's priceless!!
Her book provides me with the confidence and encouragement I need to successfully teach my children the CM way. "A Charlotte Mason Education" covers every "how-to" I need for every subject and it also has the weekly schedules and timetables Charlotte Mason used in the schools and a sample of Catherine's weekly schedule in the Appendix. I highly recommend her books!
Book Review: Tool Box Approach To Understanding/Implementing Charlotte Mason
Summary: 5 Stars
Last summer I began to search for a book using the "tool box" approach to the Charlotte Mason method/philosophy of education for the Charlotte Mason Group I facilitate. While going through my stack of books I came upon this gem. Catherine Levison, a homeschooling mother of five, uses the "tool box" approach of applying the Charlotte Mason method/philosophy of education in her book "A Charlotte Mason Education." The book is divided up into twenty chapters: Introduction, Charlotte Mason, The Method in Brief, Narration, Literature, Poetry, Composition, Handwriting, Spelling, Foreign Language, Grammar, Science, Math, Art Appreciation, Music Appreciation, Free Time Handicrafts, Bible, History, Geography, Citizenship and Morals, The Formation of Habit. Included in the back of the book are the appendix and biliography. The "tool box" approach allows you to take a tool from the box, read the description of the tool, learn how the tool fits into the method, why it is important to the method and how to use the tool. The book is simplistic in presentation, but extremely effective in application. The author has a website [...] which can be of further assitance in your home educating endeavors.