These are notes I took from reading with the purpose of reminding myself of the things I learned and what stood out to me.
Charolette Mason is the Heart of Homeschool Education, TJ Ed is the head of Homeschool Education. Many of the TJ methods are taken from George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson's Tutor/Mentor.
Three Phases of Learning
1. Core (usually ages 0-8)
"Assumptions are made that define the individuals concept to self, family, and beginning's of their broader worldview."
Completely makes since...until children reach the age of accountability. This is such a critical time for them to learn right from wrong, that their parents love them, etc.
"A Child who plays at and practices learning throughout the core phase will approach skills disquisition at the self appropriate time and pace with relish and self-confidence as her aptitude increases..."
2. Love of Learning (usually ages 8-12 )
"Don't worry about incorrect assumptions that will naturally be corrected in the future."
Children will have the desire to learn because they want to learn.
3.Scholar Phase (usually ages 12-16)
New level of personal and academic achievement. Students can study everything under the sun and easily spend 25-50 hours a week of uninterrupted study time; read, write, listen, debate, analyze, and learn.
"If this doesn't happen in their youth, it is difficult to recreate later."
4. Depth Phase (usually 16-22)
"Prepare for oncoming responsibilities and future contributions to society...Great Education means self education, but at some point it must also mean having a great mentor."
George Wythe Method
1. Classics, not textbooks
"...four years of uninterrupted reading."
2. Mentors, not professors
-a plan for each individual student
- Read, writing, 'rithmetic (3 R's) all based on moral classics
3. Inspire, not require
"Inspiring, in contrast to ignoring and forcing, means finding out what the student needs and the creativity encouraging them to engage it on their own - with excitement and interest."
How to Inspire?
1. Set the example.
2. Student needs to understand her options.
3. Give student a choice.
4. Structure Time, Not Content
Ex. Schedule 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Not 1 hour of reading, 1 hour of math, 1 hour of science, etc.
5. Quality, Not Conformity
"When scholars do an assignment either say "great work" or "do it again." Don't give them a grade.
6. Simplicity, Not Complexity
"Keep it simple: Read, write, do projects, and discuss
7. You, not them
"The best mentors are continually learning and pushing themselves."
"We need to read classics to maintain our morality and civilization."
1. Classics teach us Human nature.
2. Classics bring us to face with greatness.
3. Classics take us to the frontier to be conquered.
4. Classics force us to think.
5. Classics connect us to stories.
I read this book a couple years ago before I had made up my mind to homeschool. I am so glad I read it again. This is a book I would like to reread at the beginning of every school year to help me refocus my priorities and remember what educations is all about.
