completely confused about narration

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  • January 2, 2010 at 10:59 pm
    mommix3
    Member

    We will be starting the second semester of homeschooling with CM method.. I’m still confused about narration. When and how to do it.. What exactly does it do.. That sort of thing. What ages should be doing it and how often.  Also when do I begin written narrations and how do I go about doing those. Do I check Their work?? I am completely lost… My kids are 6,9,12, and 13..

    January 3, 2010 at 12:51 am
    suzukimom
    Participant

    My understanding is….

    an oral narration should be done after each reading.  So a child reads a page or two of a literature book – and narrates.  Then they read some from the history – and narrates it.  I think CM said that a reading not narrated is a wasted reading.  (or something to that effect.)   For reading done as a family, you can select someone to narrate (without them knowing beforehand, so they are all paying attention and ready to narrate) – or you can start with the youngest, and then the next child adds more, etc.

    As for written narrations, they can start once a child is 9 or 10 ish and is experienced giving good oral narrations.  They should work on oral narrations for at least a year or so before doing any written….   And you would start with a small amount of written narrations – maybe 1 or 2 readings a week to start.

    Someone more experienced might have more advice.

    hope this helps!

    January 3, 2010 at 10:07 pm
    Cori
    Member

    You can try reading a passage and narrating it yourself to see how much to require of your children. It’s usually something that needs to be worked up to…  Even with your older ones, I would wait on written narrations until they have done some oral narrations and are doing them well.  Narration does not need to be done all the time.  Just enough to know that they are understanding what you/they are reading and to build future writing skills.  It would be best not to frustrate them.  If 3 pages is too hard, then cut back to 1 page or even a paragraph if necessary then work up to more.  Some kids will be naturals with narration and others will need more practice and patience.

    Also, there are various ways to do narration.  For younger children they could draw or act out what they heard/read or make dioramas.  If they are acting out The Lion and Mouse aesop fable, for example, you know the story is *sticking* with them. 

    Also don’t ask them to “perform” for others.  Maybe have Dad casually ask about the stories at dinner but I personally wouldn’t do much more than that.

    HTH

     

    January 4, 2010 at 4:53 am
    mommix3
    Member

    Thanks for the responses. I forgot that I had the all day charlotte mason seminar here. I watched it today and the lights all came back on. LOL.. I’m so used to public school mindframe. It’s hard to escape it’s grasp on me sometimes.. I’m ready to get back to work now after a much needed break.. God bless

    Angela

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