Okay my question about Charlottes motto is this. How do we get the kids pulled into this motto. I was thinking about having the kids recite this motto everyday before we start our studies. I’m needing ideas of how to put it so they understand what they mean. Are there verse in the Bible that you could point me to and help me explain it to the kids?
I’m in the process of reading right now the blog posts on the subject but so far I don’t see any verses. If ya’ll have a way of stating it at your home please share.
Sonya mentioned this in the All Day Seminar. Her verse suggestions were:
I am, Eph 2:8-10
I Can, Phil 4:13
I Ought, Mark 12:30-31
I Will, PS 119:30
Hope this helps :o)
I have been thinking about this as well as we start our new year in August, I’m thinking of posting the motto and then using the above verses for our first four memory verses of the year. Anyone else have ideas for how they have incorporated the motto?
We used this motto last year before school each day. We would take one line and focus on that until everyone has it down. When our chores were finished, we would gather our school supplies, put them on the table, grab our shoes and head out the door. A morning walk always helped get our day off on the right foot. Our wiggles were out, Mom feels better with a little exercise ( I say little since each day a different child would walk with Mom and we’d talk), and when we walk in the door, it’s like walking into the schoolroom. We’d sit at the table and I’d say, “so who can tell me our motto?” There is always a big competition here. I would start each one that we’ve studied so far and choose a child to finish it. Then I’d ask, “so what does that mean?” It’s amazing to see their comprehension. After this, which only takes a minute or two, I will start to recite the next line. They listen and repeat it. All together, this takes less than 4 minutes. The children think it’s fun. It tells us all that school is starting and we are ready to move into the Bible story. I like what you ladies have listed above. I think I will incorporate the Bible verses this year.
WOW! Thank you ladies SO much I think this will go very well during school this year. Thanks for the idea of a morning walk I might have to use that. 🙂
Wow, this is great. I’ve been thinking about this motto lately and how to teach it to my children. I also thought of it for myself 🙂 Thanks for bumping this up!
Thanks for bumping this. I can’t wait to make this a part of our new school year. Will make it into a regular sheet size poster that they can put in the front of their notebooks- or maybe frame and hang in rooms? We will spend time learning each scripture and discussing. Lovely!
When one of my kids is struggling with an aspect of their life, we create an ” I am, I can, I ought, I will” statement.
For example, my youngest 2 kids have recently been formally identified as moderate dyslexics. One child in particular was really upset about this and was starting to create an “I’m stupid” internal dialogue due to struggles with dyslexia.
This child’s “I am, I can, I ought, I will” statement is
I am a dyslexic.
I can learn to read and spell with the right intervention (we actually use the name of the program).
I ought to put forth my absolute best effort when working on reading and spelling.
I will be a successful student.
We recite the statement before working on reading and spelling. When I notice that this child is starting to get frustrated, we stop and review the “I ought” to part of the phrase. Doing hard things requires hard work.
Thank you all for sharing! So exciting and helpful to hear your ideas. I haven’t really talked to my children much about Charlotte Mason or her motto and look forward to introducing these this fall.