"A Formidable List of Attainments for a Child of Six"

(A reprint of a curriculum outline from a Charlotte Mason school in the 1890's.
From Summer 93 Parents Review published by Karen Andreola)

1. To recite, beautifully, 6 easy poems and hymns
2. To recite, perfectly and beautifully, a parable and a psalm
3. To add and subtract numbers up to 10, with dominoes or counters
4. To read--what and how much, will depend on what we are told of the child
5. To copy in print-hand from a book
6. To know the points of the compass with relation to their own home, where the sun rises and sets, and the way the wind blows
7. To describe the boundries of their own home
8. To describe any lake, river, pond, island etc. within easy reach
9. To tell quite accurately (however shortly) 3 stories from Bible history, 3 from early English, and 3 from early Roman history (my note here, we may want to substitute early American for early English!)
10. To be able to describe 3 walks and 3 views
11. To mount in a scrap book a dozen common wildflowers, with leaves (one every week); to name these, describe them in their own words, and say where they found them.
12. To do the same with leaves and flowers of 6 forest trees
13. To know 6 birds by song, colour and shape
14. To send in certain Kindergarten or other handiwork, as directed
15. To tell three stories about their own "pets"--rabbit, dog or cat.
16. To name 20 common objects in French, and say a dozen little sentences
17. To sing one hymn, one French song, and one English song
18. To keep a caterpillar and tell the life-story of a butterfly from his own observations.

And for some ideas how to implement these goals, check out:
http://www.amblesideonline.org/00.shtml

Comments

Kim said…
I am not sure if that is astounding or depressing. Makes me rethink my homeschooling, and that old time schooling. But, I will do what I believe God leads me to do. For some that is realistic and good, for others, not so much.
Kim
Anne said…
Oh, Kim, I didn't post this to depress anyone, myself included. I just found this list interesting, not something that I am using as a guide. I am more and more convinced that there is no one right way to homeschool. What matters so much more than our curriculum is our love and committment to our children.

By the way, I am currently rethinking how we homeschool, and considering some major shifts for the next year. Partly this will be to keep my younger ones working together as much as possible so I am not as fragmented as I am now. And - if I am honest - partly it is because when I shake things up every so often, it helps keep my interest and enthusiasm up.
Kim said…
I am not so much depressed, I guess. I am just ashamed that I might do more. And yet, is that shame a "good shame" from God? Or is it a human shame because I am still comparing where I should not.

It is good to change how we homeschool. Moving to a smaller co-op, prepackaged curriculum for history/science/art/reading has been GOOD and I swore I would never do it.

There is always something new I want to try. Ambleside Online looks very interesting, as does "Tapestry of Grace" and yet, I will not change for the sake of change. I will change for the sake of my children and our family as a whole.

I was recently reading some "Little House" type books, they are about Caroline Quiner, Laura Ingall Wilder's mother. Quite interesting what/how/how often they were taught.

I have a new approach for my daughters, and I am happy with it. But, I know I am going to rock some boats... oh well.

Shalom, Kim
Anne said…
Yes, change should never be made just because something new has come along. With all the wonderful curriculum being created these days, we'd be driven crazy trying to find the latest and greatest!

Still, I find that every year we have to make some changes because the needs and abilities of my famiy are always in flux. Right now, Tim and I are considering moving back to some things we did in the past, which we were not able to do when we had lots of babies and toddlers.

My number one goal in considering changes right now is doing something to rein in the number of different directions I am going. My fragmented brain wants to burst some days!
Kim said…
Yes, we decided, even with "just three" that I had to take them all in one general direction. So, this year is American History, which worked with the curriculum we are using. Next year Aaron will be studying government and econ, while we study 1850 to the present. Not exactly the same, but...

I found that a co-op which differed from my everday studies caused too much stress on all of us. Hence our co-op change. God really orchestrated this year for us. I have found myself, generally, with a more ordered house, school schedule is more up to date than usual at this time of year, and I am not so unhappy with schooling. Actually, I am kind of enjoying it, although Christmas break was a welcome time of rest from some of our schooling.

You are always an encouragement as I watch you educating your many children. It is not because you are perfect (which we know you are not), but it is because you give this to the Lord and honor Him through your efforts. That's what I am striving to remember and do this year, honor the Lord, not follow men...

Shalom, Kim
Kim said…
For my final comment you can check out the latest post on my blog, entitled "Buddy can you spare a dime?" Thanks for making me think things through!
Roger Springer said…
Thanks for this bllog post

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