SCM: Subject overview: Video 3

Video 3 CM subjects

Thursday, January 08, 2015

8:28 PM

History, Geo, Bible, Science, Lit, Poetry: main source was living books/narration.

Other methods for other  subjects.

History:  living books/narrations

• Book of Centuries--

• We were taught by a teacher who was the knowledge…
• w/CM, living books are the knowledge and teacher.
• We serve as a guide, sympathizer, motivator, help give mental, moral disciplines.

Geo: living books/narrations  --look on SCM book finder, search by word, subject, grade level, can type in zip code and see if a nearby library has it.

• Will read like travel logs
• Material World and Hungery Planet  : peter menzel
• Traditional: We were taught about list of locations and facts about them. Meant nothing.
• Geo is where people live and move and the culture...always tied to people.
• Always find people on the globe when you read something. Heidi--Swiss Alps
• Mapwork also used by CM. Give kids outline map of a continent for the year. Once a week fill in countries they know and then we compare .  Now here are 1-2 new ones. Remember for next time. Build it up to get the continent.
• Take a close up map of country...trace outline and anything else.  Flip the tracing paper and scribble graphite on it.  Put it on a blank sheet of paper and trace lines again and the graphite comes off.  They see the outline many times.  Then trace once more, add whatever cities, landmarks you'd like, color it up. 
• With very young/developmental kids:  can't write in names and we do it orally. 

Bible:  THE LIVING BOOK...read directly from scripture and have them narrate

• Skip inappropriate parts or reword or use the Child Story Bible (Catherine Vos)
• Older:  in addition to narration, they discussed those: principles.
• CM used children's commentaries...didn't read it until after narration was given.
• Had kids memorize scripture...many verses, short/long passages.

Science:  Living books/narration   Jack's Insects.  Outdoor Secrets.

• As they get older and into advanced sciences that require math:  can't find living science books as well.  Transitional to a conversational tone text: Apologia.

• But Don't completely abandon living books...keep alive interest, admiration, wonder of creation in addition to Apologia.

Nature Study:  get outside.  Get a close up look at God's creation and get to know them.

• Lays foundation for science: habits of attention and observation.
• How: give kids/me too a blank sketch book and go outside.
• CM one afternoon a week (in England)
• Record what you see for littles: tell me and I write it or draw a picture
• Resources: A country diary of an Edwardian Lady.  A very fine example.
• Her own relation with nature around her. 
• With young/developmental: limited to one sense. Takes a few weeks, then added what you see and it takes on a life of its own.
• Start small in your own yard or put up a bird feeder. Take a picture, app I Bird? And leaf snap (trees), regional field guide easier. 
• Then branch to neighborhood, park, nursery (labelled),
• Handbook of Nature Study.blogspot.com (taken different portions and created 10-15 nature challenges)

Literature:   not about analysis.

• Find books that inspire...enjoy the book yourself but don't flood with a lot of talk.
• Give the book to your child and get out of the way.

Poetry:  we avoid poetry b/ of the way we were taught...pull it to pieces...not CM

• Same as w/ living books. Enjoy how the poet used words together.

• Sometimes narrate, olders: write narration in poem form.

• Do a poet study: 1 poet works for several weeks. Get a feel for his style.

• Check SCM sight for good ones.

• Memorize and recite it as w/ scripture.
• How is CM different from classical? Some similarities. Memorization used in both:
• Purpose of memorization: feed mind/soul, experience/intro to public speaking: beautiful words in a beautiful way.  Listeners enjoy it.  Encourage/edify others.
• MateriaL: poetry, scripture, parable, not just facts.
• Sprinkle poems through out other subjects: nature study, hymns, copywork
• Dive in read one poem once a week!  Enjoy words together
• Facts come but linger with ideas as long as necessary.

Shakespeare:  part of poetry...intimidates often.

• CM used a lot of it w/ her kids.  SCM uses less Shakespeare. Find some of his thoughts, lines, etc...picky about which plays...she has some of the ones she likes.
• Easy way to do it: 
• 1. choose play
• 2. read the play in story form to get feel for plot/characters. 
• E Newbit, and Lambs are great narratives free at Baldwin projects
• keep a short list of main characters to keep them straight.
• don't read it all in one sitting.
• 3. Now read the play aloud
• 4. Watch the play!  Carefully which version...modern ones are trash.

• CM did plays every year starting in 4th grade.

• Suggestions: 2nd-12th:   Midsummer Night's Dream,Comedy of Errors, As You Like It, 12th Night,

• 6th-12 : Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Taming of the Shrew
• 8th-12th: Hamlet and MacBeth

We'll always have gaps in everything...everything is being added to. So keep love of learning nurtured/alive then you'll have a well educated person who self educates.