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Commonplace book, written narrations and (other) study methods
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Can some of you help me get my mind around how these work together (commonplace book and written narrations)? Does the commonplace book include narrations? Or how do you use it along with narrations? Do/should they also take notes as they read? Or does the read it once and then narrate philosophy take the place of notes entirely? I’m feeling the need to focus on study skills. We have not been CM all the way through. So my older kids are really learning these methods along with me…and I feel the need to focus my efforts this year to make sure my 18 yo son knows how to study. Do you teach any other “study skills” beyond narration? I plan to do a “how to write an essay” program and “how to write a research paper” yet. (Yes, we’re way behind in the English department. But he does a great job with written narrations…so I’m not too worried. We just need to learn the format.) What does this look like in your home for government or science or whatever? And if you are preparing for a CLEP exam, do you use the same (CM) methods, or add something more or different? So many questions…
A common place book is simply a book where one writes down quotes from books as they read, interesting thoughts, noble ideas and things like that. Written narrations are simply oral rations in written form; they happen after the child has read the book or the chapter & closed the book put it away and without looking back they play in their mind’s eye that book or chapter and write down what they remember. As they become more adept at Writtn narration, then that will expand a bit to compare and contrast or to answer a more specific question of sorts or things of that nature.
I suggest checking out http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com where Lindafay has some excellent information and shares her kids’ work. There is a search bar on the main page. Simply type in common place book or written narration and you will have excellent reference points.
I do not have my children take notes but only to do their written narrations after their reading. I do teach how to make an outline for simple notetaking procedures but it’s not really applicable for us in our reading, bit has been helpful is in listening to sermons and things of that nature. I actually use Lindafay’s example on how to learn to outline as well.
At our house, commonplace books rarely have anything to do with narrations. They function as a place to capture Scripture/quotes/poems that stand out on an individual basis. But, if used in conjunction with assigned readings, I’m sure it would only be beneficial.
If I were to have only used CM methods with our children, I’d say copywork, narration, and dictation would be fine preparation for developing very accurate study skills. I do think that learning outlining is also an excellent tool for preparing to take exams such as the CLEP, etc.
This link was shared during a recent thread on the use of structured composition curricula. If you’re determined to stick to CM methods, it should be just the right encouragement to stay the course.
http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/2011/02/welcome-to-charlotte-mason-help.html?m=1
We use IEW after a basic foundation of copywork, narration, and dictation. I will concede that others have done an expert job of teaching these skills without a purchased curriculum. My DH and I wanted more evidence that they were capable of completing formal writing assignments, so I sought out a curriculum years ago for our older DC. IEW has fit the bill in our situation. It has served us well and we’ve enjoyed using it as part of a co-op.
Had I known other Homeschoolers with the courage to stick it out who could demonstrate this to me, I might have pursued their writing instruction more patiently. That said, I have no regrets that we’ve used IEW. It gave me the confidence I lacked at the time and continues to be a helpful tool for our children.
I do have a copy of an outline that I have the kids use for writing various government papers. The older ones have studied gov’t after having IEW instruction, so they already had formal writing under their belts by that time. Our younger children will study govt. & econ. spread over a longer span of time. But, no matter the subject area, they use similar writing strategies to write topical essays and research papers.
I’d think this would happen when only CM methods are used if you are consistent in your instruction and encouragement in the area of writing.
HTH,
Becca<><
Thank you again ladies. So are you saying that you generally do not use a commonplace book for “school” and don’t “assign” it…only encourage kids to keep it for their “personal initiative” reading? I’d better go read up on the commonplace book and the Book of Mottoes again…and start my own. Would the commonplace book be something like Leonardo DaVinci’s notebooks?
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