(Sorry this is so long and late in the discussion)
I really enjoyed Sonya’s recent blog post, Ready-Made Opinions. http://simplycharlottemason.com/2012/01/18/ready-made-opinions/
I think it expressed (indirectly) a great reason why narrating is one of the primary methods used in a Charlotte Mason inspired education. I thought it was well said by Sonya that we ought to “…make sure we demonstrate the justice of honestly thinking out our opinions rather than grabbing them ready-made.” Isn’t that the point of narrations, to provide children with opportunities to express their own opinions about their readings without any constraints?
It is fine to use narrations for instruction in spelling, grammar, and format writing (copywork and dictation are also effective for these lessons). However, with narrations, I believe that the content ought never to take a backseat. A child should feel that the content of his/her retelling was heard and respected. Charlotte Mason style narrations, in my opinion ;-), were not intended to be “ready-made” using a certain mold, standard, or format.
For example, my eldest daughter has dyslexic tendencies and prefers to read aloud her written narrations to me before we look it over to edit together. She is sensitive because I had made much ado about her spelling, grammar, and format in the past instead of praising her content, those ideas that were spinning around in her mind and finally pinned down on paper. She is skilled in imagination and continually amazes me when I actually stop and listen to her fully rather than focus on a completed and error-free page.
This brings to mind a story about Francis Schaeffer and his dyslexia. Supposedly, one of his college professors was very enthralled reading his papers and recognized a great thinker. Because Schaeffer’s spelling and grammar were atrocious, the professor gladly agreed to grade his work based solely on the thought-provoking content. Encouraged to share this content, Schaeffer later wrote many popular theological books (with the assistance of an editor as most great writers).
My favorite line from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s “I have a Dream” speech is: “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” The content of a person’s character is who he/she really is at the heart and is visible through the thoughts, opinions, and actions of the person. In a small but sweet way, the content of the simplest narration provides a peak into a child’s thinking heart, the mind. And the little details, for some children, never go without notice and are quite fascinating, Yes, I know that this is a bit out of context of the speech, but it is fresh in my mind since listening to the recording this week on MLK Day.
Amanda, I humbly suggest that you trust your motherly instinct, release this idea of the summary-narration to the wind if it’s stifling, and rest in the confidence that your children are great thinkers waiting for the opportunity for a motherly audience. I am ever so thankful for Charlotte Mason’s teachings on education because her methods encourage us “to do our duty in our thoughts and form just opinions.” (Charlotte Mason quote from Sonya’s blog post, Ready-Made Opinions) I enjoy listening to or reading my children’s narrations because they usually bring something to light that I would have missed (…out of the mouth of babes…You have ordained strength…Psalm 8).
Janell