Narration: A New Suit of ClothesFor those of you who are just starting out with narration—or for anyone who would welcome a good dose of courage and confidence—we are happy to present this guest blog post from Karen Andreola. Read and be encouraged! When a…Karen AndreolaAugust 6, 20142 Comments
Setting Them Up for Success (Narration Q & A, part 5)When I began using Charlotte Mason’s method of narration, I thought it should look like this: We sit on the couch. I open the book and read the next chapter. I close the book and ask a student to retell…Sonya ShaferJuly 23, 20144 Comments
The Simplest Way (Narration Q & A, part 4)I like simple. Well, let me amend that statement. I like simple as long as it’s effective. As we continue our series on narration questions and answers, let’s look at a simple description Charlotte gave for using narration effectively. This…Sonya ShaferJuly 16, 2014
In My Own Words (Narration Q&A, part 3)How well do you know The Pledge of Allegiance? I’m pretty sure most of us can recite it. Want to try? (Those of you residing in a country other than the United States, bear with me while I make a…Sonya ShaferJuly 9, 20143 Comments
The Why Behind the How (Narration Q&A, part 2)We just returned from a homeschool convention in Texas that required four days on the road and three days at the convention hall. You do the math. During those days away from home, we ate in many different restaurants, and…Sonya ShaferJuly 3, 20145 Comments
Let’s Talk about Narration (Narration Q&A, Part 1)In my pantry are some foods I think of as staples. They can be included in a variety of dishes and used in a variety of ways. Take potatoes, for instance. I can add them to a stew or pop…Sonya ShaferJune 25, 201412 Comments
Narration with Auditory and Speech IssuesThe art of narrating—telling back what you know in your own words—can be a challenge for most every student. But for those who struggle with auditory processing or speech issues, narration can be even more challenging—for both student and parent.…Sonya ShaferSeptember 25, 201319 Comments
To Narrate and DiscussThe time has come for your child to perform the Act of Knowing. We’ve discussed the first three steps to a successful narration lesson: pick a good living book, look ahead and behind, and read the passage. Those steps are…Sonya ShaferFebruary 20, 2013
Time to ReadWe’ve been talking about the 5 steps to a successful narration lesson, and today we want to continue that series. So far we’ve discussed the importance of selecting a good living book. Book selection can make or break your child’s…Sonya ShaferFebruary 13, 20132 Comments
Find Your BearingsProbably the best way to illustrate Step 2 is to talk about the importance of framework. I saw an interesting video clip in which some instructions were read that were difficult to remember or to relate with. But once the…Sonya ShaferJanuary 30, 20136 Comments
The Power of a Good StoryLast week we started a new series, 5 Steps to Successful Narration. Do you remember the five steps? Don’t worry, we’ll review them often as we talk our way through them over the coming weeks. It’s tempting to think that…Sonya ShaferJanuary 23, 2013
5 Steps to Successful NarrationMy husband has been lifting weights for several months now in an effort to get into shape and improve his health. It’s been good. The program he is using challenges him to regularly increase the number of pounds he lifts,…Sonya ShaferJanuary 16, 20137 Comments
Relating and RamblingMom took a deep breath and began to read aloud: I wonder how many of my readers have ever sat upon an ottoman. If you have, you know that it . . . “What’s an ottoman, Mom?” six-year-old Stacy interrupted.…Sonya ShaferApril 20, 201117 Comments
Do Not Bury Yourself in the Book: Three Practical Do Not’s, Part 2Last week we looked at the first of three Do Not tips that Charlotte gave her student teachers: Do not sit up late preparing lessons. As many of you confirmed in your comments on that post, these practical Do Not’s…Sonya ShaferMarch 9, 20111 Comment
Charlotte Mason Answers Your Questions about Narration: Language Arts, part 4Narration is a cornerstone of Charlotte Mason’s language arts program. She wrote extensively on the subject, giving lots of helpful and practical tips. In one sense, narration is simple; in another sense, it is an art form. So it’s no…Sonya ShaferSeptember 22, 20102 Comments
