Do I have to agree with all of Miss Mason's ideas to use these resources?

One GREAT thing about SCM study guides and products is that they do not teach doctrine – you do. In any guide I’ve read, Sonya (or Karen) list the scriptures to be read, but leave interpretation to you as the mother and teacher. I know that we have lots of different people from different religions and it doesn’t seem to be a problem.

I do not think that you have to agree with her on everything to find benefit to your school and life. Take what works for you and leave the rest. 😉 And actually, I just finished A Charlotte Mason Companion on Monday evening.  I felt so inspired and excited about the real and practical possibilities for our homeschool – and we’ve been using CM methods for two years. =)

What products were you specifically interested in? Maybe we can help you work this through. 

To answer your question– No, you don’t have to agree to use the materials.

But I also wanted to say that I am also Reformed and while there are some things CM says that I don’t agree with (eg she seems to take a somewhat liberal view of the Bible’s historicity) I have found her views of children and how they learn to be right in line with what I believe. I know at times she sounds like she believes we are all born good whereas I believe in total depravity but I also think you need to take her in her context. She is dealing with a society that says some kids are just not worthy because they are lower class or illegitimate. She is countering that by saying all kids have the ability to learn. I do think she acknowledges the sinfulness of children and their need for discipline and training.

One of the things I like most about CM is her view that all knwoledge and wisdom come from God the Holy Spirit and that we cannot force our children to learn. Just as with salvation, it is a work He does.

I have blogged a lot on CM and I am reformed (Part of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of NA if that helps) if you want to read any of my thoughts on it:

http://www.lettersfromnebby.wordpress.com

I am actually just reading a book on Puritans and am struck by how much their view if education reminds me of CM’s. I am goign to blog on it soon.

But I also thikn no person is going to have it all right. We should all take what we like in CM but there is no reason to follow any one person’s philosophy completely. I think CM would want us to think for ourselves.

Nebby

I think the group of people that agree with everything she writes would be quite small!  I have very different ideas in some areas…and considering we live in completely different time periods, countries, and lifestyles, I don’t think that’s suprising.  I do find a lot of value in her writings, and I just tend to skim the areas that I’m not as interested in reading (or know I don’t agree with).  Many of her scientific ideas have changed quite a bit as well…I remember reading some interesting things about the human brain in vol 1.  Since we now know much more about the brain, they seemed a bit odd.  

In some areas I completely disagree with her, but in many, I find much wisdom.  I pick and choose which areas add to our schooling.  With that being said, I don’t see any reason why you can’t use SCM’s curriculum.  It does a nice job of “modernizing” her teachings without straying from the essentials of a CM education.  We teach Bible using many resources from our specific church…I haven’t come across anything to prevent that.  I also teach reading and writing very differently that CM.  We use lots of phonics and some creative writing that wouldn’t completely fit with the CM methods.  On the other hand, I’ve found much wisdom on habits and when to introduce certain subjects (like grammar).  We also love copywork, narration, and dictation…and especiall poetry and fine arts!  I think as you HS, you’ll find your own balance of what works for your specific family!

I don’t think your worries would prevent you from diving into SCM’s curriculum.  We follow it pretty closely and I haven’t had any issues with different beliefs.

Also, Holly- I love how you said you pick and choose which areas to add to your schooling. That’s exactly what I was trying to say but it just didn’t seem to come out right. 🙂

What a great question, Kristine! And what great responses from all of you!

Charlotte Mason was human, and as such was fallible and limited in her knowledge, just like the rest of us. So even though we like much of what she had to say, we don’t agree with everything either.

Regarding areas of doctrine, we at SCM look to the Bible alone as the final authority. We hold to the Biblical account of creation, the fall, sin, and the need for salvation. Many of our materials point you to the Bible, but we don’t tell you what to believe. We allow the Word of God to speak for itself.

It is true that Charlotte was not a wife and mother, which very well may have added limits and disadvantages to her experience and thinking. She was largely home educated herself, and her correspondence training of parents and governesses may have provided some insight into the home as well. But we can’t really know how much her other experiences offset any limits. 

What we do know is that Charlotte had the ability to educate in ways that take advantage of how children naturally learn and that had a foundation of love and respect. She developed some wonderful educational methods and took the time to document her work so others could benefit, as we do now.

Our goal at SCM is to take the ideas and methods that we do agree with and adapt them to modern homeschooling in a way that provides a flexible, thorough, and effective education.

Doug (for the SCM team)

And thank you, Doug, for addressing the issue of doctine with SCM.  I’ve heard a lot of people state that your Bible studies don’t “teach” doctrine and yet, how can you write a Bible study that is doctrinally neutral?  Even the questions that you ask are influenced by your doctrine.

All of our books have substantial free samples you can download. I would encourage you take take a look and judge for yourself. We would be interested in hearing what you think, either here or through a private message.

I’ve been hesistant to purchase the Bible studies because I cound’t find a statement of faith from SCM (and I’m not saying you should post one ).

We’re actually thinking about posting one. We’ve recently had several people ask about our positions because of things others had posted on our forum or books they’ve added to the CM Organizer and shared. It might be easier to explain the community posted things on our site if our position is clear.

Does anyone else think this would be helpful?

In the mean time, we’re always happy to answer questions and make clarifications as needed.

On a side note, but related……I am currently wrestling with Charlotte’s understanding of habits and where she would draw the line between a bad habit and sin.  Or would she? 

The nice thing is that it doesn’t matter what Charlotte thought about it.  She gave us some effective techniques for developing good habits that we can put to use. But we have a responsibility as parents before God to deal with sin and heart issues in our children, regardless of how CM classified those things.