The Story Of Charlotte Mason 1842 1923

Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) orphaned and poor at the age of sixteen, nonetheless developed into an inspiring and original educational reformer of the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth century, a period of great intellectual vitality and cultural change. Enabled through the help of friends and colleagues she founded the Parents’ National Educational Union (PNEU) in 1887 and established the ‘The House of Education’, the Teacher Training College for women in Ambleside in 1892. The clarity and coherence of her applied philosophy of education established the foundation for a simple, stimulating and deeply satisfying enjoyment of learning for children of all ages in countless homes and schools in Britain and the world. In her biography, Essex Cholmondeley draws on her own experiences of Mason’s teaching, as well as her extensive literary output, to unfold her life and work. Whilst she and Elsie Kitching lacked full details of Mason’s family history, a warm and lively personality emerges, able to inspire other people with her own splendid vision.

Towards a Philosophy of Education is the sixth volume of Charlotte Mason's six part homeschooling series, a series that is considered one of the finest ever written on education. Towards a Philosophy of Education gives the best overview of Mason's teaching philosophy. Written years after she was able to see her teaching methods in action she is able to give further examples and directions. Mason's method of education shows its strength through its widespread use today by private schools and homeschooling families. It is flexible and includes first-hand exposure to ideas through books in art, music, and poetry, nature observation as the primary means of early science teaching, use of manipulatives and real-life application to understand mathematical concepts and learning to reason, rather than rote memorization, and an emphasis on character and on cultivating and maintaining good personal habits. The complete collection of Charlotte Mason's Original Homeschooling Series includes: Volume 1 - Home Education Volume 2 - Parents and Children Volume 3 - School Education Volume 4 - Ourselves Volume 5 - Formation Of Character Volume 6 - Towards A Philosophy of Education

Home Education is a groundbreaking exploration into the art of cultivating a rich and vibrant learning environment within the confines of one's home. Mason, a visionary educator, lays out a compelling philosophy that transcends traditional schooling methods, focusing on the holistic development of a child's mind, character, and habits. Through the lens of living books, nature study, and a thoughtful approach to discipline, Mason offers a refreshing perspective that empowers parents to provide an education that is not only intellectually rigorous but also fosters a love for learning. In this timeless work, Mason provides practical insights into the daily rhythms of home education, emphasizing the importance of cultivating an atmosphere of curiosity and wonder. She advocates for the use of living books—engaging and narrative-rich texts that ignite a child's imagination and create a genuine connection to the subjects studied. Additionally, Mason encourages the integration of nature into the learning experience, promoting outdoor exploration and observation as essential elements of a well-rounded education. Home Education serves as a guide for parents seeking an alternative, more personalized approach to education that goes beyond rote memorization and standardized testing. Charlotte Mason's philosophy, outlined with clarity and conviction, resonates with those who aspire to nurture not only academically proficient individuals but also compassionate, well-rounded human beings. This book is a compelling resource for anyone looking to embark on a transformative journey in home-based learning.

Formation of Character is the fifth volume of Charlotte Mason's Homeschooling series. The chapters stand alone and are valuable to parents of children of all ages. Part I includes case studies of children (and adults) who cured themselves of bad habits. Part II is a series of reflections on subjects including both schooling and vacations (or "stay-cations" as we now call them). Part III covers various aspects of home schooling, with a special section detailing the things that Charlotte Mason thought were important to teach to girls in particular. Part IV consists of examples of how education affected outcome of character in famous writers of her day. Charlotte Mason was a late nineteenth-century British educator whose ideas were far ahead of her time. She believed that children are born persons worthy of respect, rather than blank slates, and that it was better to feed their growing minds with living literature and vital ideas and knowledge, rather than dry facts and knowledge filtered and pre-digested by the teacher. Her method of education, still used by some private schools and many homeschooling families, is gentle and flexible, especially with younger children, and includes first-hand exposure to great and noble ideas through books in each school subject, conveying wonder and arousing curiosity, and through reflection upon great art, music, and poetry; nature observation as the primary means of early science teaching; use of manipulatives and real-life application to understand mathematical concepts and learning to reason, rather than rote memorization and working endless sums; and an emphasis on character and on cultivating and maintaining good personal habits. Schooling is teacher-directed, not child-led, but school time should be short enough to allow students free time to play and to pursue their own worthy interests such as handicrafts. Traditional Charlotte Mason schooling is firmly based on Christianity, although the method is also used successfully by s

As the acknowledged founder and philosopher of the Parents' National Educational Union (PNEU), Charlotte Mason was revered by her followers as a saintly Madonna figure. She died in 1923 at the peak of her fame, having achieved mythic status as the Principal of her House of Education and wide recognition after the introduction of her liberal educational programmes into state schools. Yet her early life and heritage remained shrouded in mystery. Drawing upon insubstantiated sources, the official biography released in 1960 confused rather than illuminated Charlotte's background, contributing to several enduring misapprehensions. In her new and definitive biography, Margaret Coombs draws on years of research to reveal for the first time thehidden backdrop to Charlotte Mason's life, tracing the lives of her previously undiscovered Quaker ancestors to offer a better understanding of the roots of her personality and ideas. Coombs charts her rise from humble beginnings as an orphaned pupil-teacher to great heights as a lady of culture venerated within prestigious PNEU circles, illustrating how with determination she surmounted the Victorian age's rigid class divisions to achieve her educational vision. A thorough analysis of Charlotte Mason's educational influences and key friendships challenges longstanding notions about the roots of her philosophy, offering a more realistic picture of her life and work than ever accomplished before. With a growing following in the USA and Australia, Charlotte Mason's ideas have a clear relevance to the continuing educational debate today. Admirers of her philosophy and scholars of the history of education will fi nd much to enthral and instruct them in these pages.

Provides a Christian perspective on how to make education a meaningful experience at home or at school, for parents, students, and educators.

After Charlotte Mason died in 1923, the PNEU held a memorial service in her honor, though (quite appropriately) it more resembled an educational conference. Dozens of friends, acquaintances, admirers, students and fellow educators attended the event. Those who had spent years observing her life and work warmly described her impact on their own lives and careers. These sentiments-some philosophical, some personal-were recorded in the book you are now holding.In Memoriam is biography, memoir and philosophical commentary all in one. It offers the most intimate look at Charlotte Mason from those who knew and loved her best. As you read their touching words, you will come to appreciate the tremendous impact of this gifted woman whose philosophy and method of self-education transformed generations of teachers, parents and students-not only in her life but in her death, as well.

As the acknowledged founder and philosopher of the Parents' National Educational Union (PNEU), Charlotte Mason was revered by her followers as a saintly Madonna figure. She died in 1923 at the peak of her fame, having achieved mythic status as the Principal of her House of Education and wide recognition after the introduction of her liberal educational programmes into state schools. Yet her early life and heritage remained shrouded in mystery. Drawing upon insubstantiated sources, the official biography released in 1960 confused rather than illuminated Charlotte's background, contributing to several enduring misapprehensions. In her new and definitive biography, Margaret Coombs draws on years of research to reveal for the first time thehidden backdrop to Charlotte Mason's life, tracing the lives of her previously undiscovered Quaker ancestors to offer a better understanding of the roots of her personality and ideas. Coombs charts her rise from humble beginnings as an orphaned pupil-teacher to great heights as a lady of culture venerated within prestigious PNEU circles, illustrating how with determination she surmounted the Victorian age's rigid class divisions to achieve her educational vision. A thorough analysis of Charlotte Mason's educational influences and key friendships challenges longstanding notions about the roots of her philosophy, offering a more realistic picture of her life and work than ever accomplished before. With a growing following in the USA and Australia, Charlotte Mason's ideas have a clear relevance to the continuing educational debate today. Admirers of her philosophy and scholars of the history of education will fi nd much to enthral and instruct them in these pages.