As more and more people are turning to homeschooling, they are looking for ways to make it engaging and effective. One approach to homeschooling that has gained in popularity is the living books homeschool curriculum created by the late Charlotte Mason. Her idea was to use living books, those that tell stories and contain great characters, plot, and descriptions, to foster a love of learning in kids.
The following article will guide parents who want to use the living books homeschool curriculum in their homeschooling endeavors.
What is the Living Books Homeschool Curriculum?
The living books homeschool curriculum was created by British educator Charlotte Mason before the turn of the 20th century. Mason believed that children should be taught with living books (also called real books), which give young minds a real sense of life, love, and adventure, as opposed to dry, boring textbooks that feel exactly like schoolwork. Living books are stories set in different periods or even in different cultures and that contain characters with which the student can connect.
For example, if a student is interested in medieval stories, a living book about knights in shining armor would be a great choice. The living books homeschool curriculum also emphasizes the importance of natural learning for children.
This means that children should explore and learn through the real world, and the curriculum goes beyond textbooks and lectures. Through the living books homeschool curriculum, children are responsible for their own learning while the parent acts more as a guide.
Why Use the Living Books Homeschool Curriculum?
The living books homeschool curriculum is an excellent choice for homeschoolers because it is tailored to the student’s individual needs. The curriculum also respects the fact that every child has a different learning style and is driven by different interests.
For example, if a student is interested in history but hates math, instead of having the student focus on both the math and the history, the living books homeschool curriculum allows the student to just focus on the history and explore that field with interesting stories and facts. The living books homeschool curriculum also encourages the student to read, which is a great way to gain knowledge and learn about the world. As the student reads more and more stories written from different perspectives, his or her ability to think from multiple points of view and explore different possibilities increases.
Finally, the living books homeschool curriculum also teaches essential life skills such as problem-solving and critical thinking. As the student reads more living books, he or she will learn life lessons that may help them in the future. This is one of the reasons why parents love this curriculum so much.
How to Start the Curriculum?
When starting the living books homeschool curriculum, it’s important to have a plan in place. First, you need to find living books that your child will enjoy and which cover topics they are interested in.
There are a number of websites which offer lists of recommended living book, so that may be a good place to start. Once you’ve identified the books, you will want to pick three or four to focus on and plan a schedule for when the student will read each one. It’s also beneficial to provide structure for how the student will be learning.
For example, the student can read a living book for a certain amount of time each day or could be assigned certain topics to research further. This will help keep the student motivated and engaged in their learning. Additionally, it’s important that parents don’t just sit back and let the student figure out all the answers to their questions.
Parents should still be engaging with the student and helping them explore new concepts while they are learning. This can be done through asking questions and encouraging the student to delve deeper into the stories they are reading.
How to Use Living Books in Other Subjects?
The living books homeschool curriculum does not just have to be used for literature. Living books can also be used for science, history, and other topics. For example, if your student is studying the Revolutionary War, you can find living books about the era to give them a deeper understanding of it.
Similarly, with science, you can look for living books that cover a particular topic such as animals, weather, or the solar system. By introducing living books into the material being covered, the student will have a much better grasp of the material and a greater appreciation of it.
Living books can also be used to introduce a topic and kick off a project. After reading a living book about a specific subject, encourage the student to think of ways to apply what they have just learned and to develop their own project related to the book.
How to Help Students Make Connections?
Learning doesn’t just happen through reading living books. Connections between topics must be made in order for a student to truly understand a subject. To help your student make connections, encourage them to talk about the material they are reading and how it relates to what they already know or have experienced.
Additionally, another way to help students make connections is to ask them to make predictions or draw conclusions from what they’ve read. This will help them use the information from the book to become analytical and think critically about different situations and topics.
Finally, if your student is stumped, try asking them open-ended questions that don’t have right or wrong answers. This will help your student come up with his or her own conclusions.
How to Incorporate Nature Studies in the Curriculum?
Charlotte Mason was a big proponent of having students explore and learn through the real world. This means that taking advantage of nature studies should be a key component of the living books homeschool curriculum. This doesn’t have to be hard work though; it can be as simple as taking a walk outside and having the student observe what they are seeing.
Once your student has observed their surroundings, you can then incorporate this into their learning by asking them questions about what they have seen and then reading living books or researching further to learn about the plants or animals they have seen. This will not only make learning more interesting, but will give the student a greater appreciation for their environment.
How to Engage Reluctant Learners?
Having a reluctant learner can be challenging, but with the right approach, it can be done. One key to engaging a reluctant learner is to find activities that they are interested in.
Many reluctant learners are motivated by games and having them compete in games related to the topics they are studying can be an effective way to get them engaged. If the student still is reluctant, you may want to try to break down the material into smaller sections so it’s easier for them to digest it. You should also make sure that the student is getting plenty of breaks so that they don’t get overwhelmed and lose focus.
It’s also important to make learning fun for the student and provide positive reinforcement of their achievements. Try to give rewards when the student finishes a task or reads a book, and be patient and encouraging throughout the entire process.
Conclusion
The living books homeschool curriculum is an excellent choice for homeschoolers because it is tailored to the individual student’s interests and needs. As the student reads more living books and engages with natural learning, they develop their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Parents should plan out their curriculum and be involved in their student’s learning by asking questions and providing structure. Additionally, parents can also use living books in other subjects, help their students make connections, incorporate nature studies into their learning, and engage reluctant learners.