HELP!!! Handwriting, Narration, and Copywork for Older kids new to CM Method

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  • January 20, 2009 at 5:33 pm
    LAUREN
    Member

    HELP!!!!

    I’m loving all I’m learning about the Charlotte Mason method. I have been homeschooling since 2000 and initially (without being familiar with CM) wanted to have a school that encoraged the love of learning rather than focusing on grades. I didn’t want textbook learning and saw no reason why I couldn’t teach from good literature and the Bible (excepting math). My mom actually bought me the CM series but I confess the language was difficult to wade through and they sat on my shelf. I was scared to ruin my children and out of insecurity caved in and began with Alpha and Omega, then Abeka, then Bob Jones.

    Late 2008 I finally began to research alternatives to texbook learning (school was becoming drudgery we all just endured)and found this site as well as Ambleside and Old-Fashioned Education. All of which have been a big help. I will not completely convert over our children (concerning curricuum) until I finish my research, however I have started making some changes concerning narration. I could use some advice on converting my older children (10 and 11yrs)in three areas:

    Handwriting-I like the idea of going slowly and focusing on excellence. In the past I’ve always just purchase a handwriting workbook and then let my kids work on their own. Their printing and cursive is atrocious. I’m considering starting them over with proper printing and then cursive.

    Narration-How do I get my kids to focus as I read (history and science) so they can narrate. They don’t goof off but they zone out alot. I don’t want to threaten or bribe…this is very new for them as I would reread in the past and quiz them.

    Copywork-I know copywork is supposed to be for small children but I don’t want to just throw them into dictation without a firm foundation. I’m considering starting them in copywork this summer.

    I appreciate any help anyone can give.

    Thanks,

    Lauren

    January 22, 2009 at 1:12 am
    Sonya Shafer
    Moderator

    Here are some ideas, Lauren:

    • Handwriting: Schedule each child to do copywork two days a week. 10yo can do it on Mondays and Wednesday; 11yo can do it on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or something like that. With them spread throughout the week, you can give each one your undivided attention without feeling overwhelmed. Start with just five minutes of copywork, but insist on each child doing his/her best effort. You may want to allow each one to select a passage from a favorite book, a Bible passage, a poem, etc. Sit with them and encourage them to stay on task. When the five minutes are up, have the child look at his work and let him identify where he could improve and correct/change it. Your goal is to start cultivating three habits: attention, best effort, and good handwriting.

    • Narration: Two suggestions come to mind for this one. First, shorten the amount you read before asking for a narration. See if you can quit before they zone out. You might read only a paragraph or two at first, have them narrate, then read another couple of paragraphs, have them narrate, and so on. You’ll be able to gradually and eventually lengthen this time, but start short to re-train them in the habit of attention. Second, make sure the book you are using for this is really interesting to them. That helps a lot!

    • Copywork: See handwriting above. The goal of copywork is good penmanship. It has many side benefits as well, but the goal is to practice handwriting. The goal of dictation is spelling. Here is a thread that explains the difference between copywork and dictation.

      • Hope this helps!

    January 24, 2009 at 7:24 am
    LAUREN
    Member

    Thanks so much Pam that clears up alot…I’ll copy this!

    Lauren

    February 10, 2009 at 9:00 pm
    LivingUnderGrace
    Member

    I have always homeschooled 2 of my children, however the older three (ages 13, 12, and 10) have been home for only 1 year…so I understand about starting out with olders. 🙂

    Copywork is NOT only for young children! At this age, they should do copywork everyday, but also with one of those days being dictation instead. They should also be doing a written narration once weekly. So between the copywork, dictation, and written narration they will have enough handwriting. Yes, you may have to teach them better letter forms as they are copying/writing so please watch them closely and do not leave them to do it alone. Have them erase and correct immediately. And don’t forget that while they are working on their writing/forms, that you are also honing good habits, you do that by keeping it short. Have them write just enough to get some perfect writing, but NOT enough to tire them. This causes bad habits in sloppiness.

    Oral narration is a learned skill, so patience is needed. Read shorter passages for them and slowly build up. They should be doing a narration after every reading from their school books (but not from their free reading books). One narration per week should be written by this age.

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