Name: Teach Them Diligently (Branson)
Start: 2025-05-15T00:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-05-17T23:59:59-05:00
Location: Branson, MO

This topic has 2 replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 14 years, 8 months ago by Esby.

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July 24, 2010 at 3:10 pm
quietwatersmommy
Member
I am a fast reader, have never had the habit of reading something thoroughly for the first time, because I always think, “I can just go back and read it again”. This is a real time waster, especially when I don’t have that much time for reading.
I love when I read a great book. But I’ve come to realize that if I had to “tell” someone why it was so good or what I got out of it, I am painfully inadequate. I have been reading The Children for Christ by Andrew Murray (which I posted about in another thread http://simplycharlottemason.com/scmforum/topic/living-book-devotional-free)
This book has absolutely been feeding my soul and spirit. But then yesterday, I tried to think about what specifically it was that I had read, and I couldn’t think of anything. It was so frustrating!
So I had the idea this morning that I am going to go through the book slowly, narrating in a notebook each day’s devotion. I just tried it and I never realized what hard work narration is! I really struggled with it. Of course, I can only do this before the children wake up or after they are asleep. It really required all my focus and it was almost painful.
This made me even more sure that it is such a great skill and habit to instill in our children.
I wonder if anyone else has been working on the habit of narration for themselves and if they have any advice or tips. It truly is harder to “unlearn” a bad habit than to learn a good one!

Nanci
July 24, 2010 at 4:32 pm
krommama
Member
I’ve been thinking about this too. Sometimes I get so engrossed in a book that I read chapter after chapter but then later I don’t remember the “earlier” chapters. While I haven’t been doing oral or written narrations, I’ve been trying to “mentally” narrate when I get to the end of a chapter. I also just bought a composition book (since they are super cheap with back to school sales!) to use as a common place book to write down quotes and thoughts about books I’m reading.
In these past few months, I have been applying Charlotte Mason ideas to our way of life instead of just school time. And I like the changes.
July 24, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Esby
Member
Yes! I first tried this a few years ago when I belonged to a book club that discussed non-fiction books. Instead of re-reading the books or my notes before the meetings, I practiced reading each section only once and then narrating to myself (or my husband if he happened to be available). It was hard! I remember a few times my husband saying, “Honey, you lost me. What are you talking about?” LOL! I really had to concentrate to articulate and narrate well. But, at the meetings, I was able to recall the details much better than in the past and I felt like I really “knew” the information in a much deeper way.
I’m not in that book club any longer, but I keep a notebook for myself of books I’ve read. After I finish a book, I jot down a written narration, notes about the writing, how I can apply the book to my life, etc.
Narration for mom is such a great thing to do, not only for our own growth as readers and thinkers, but to give us patience as our children learn to narrate. (How lucky they are to learn this skill while young!)
Thanks for posting this! I hope others will give it a try.