A Charlotte Mason Drill Lesson

A Charlotte Mason Drill Lesson

 

Before we begin A Charlotte Mason Drill Lesson …

First, I explain why I’m focusing subject by subject. Also, I include Charlotte Mason quotes because I find her original lectures on education to be awe inspiring and helpful.

Next, please keep reading to see the break down of implementing lessons, the schedule, and resources I’m using that fit our family. Finally, I share the wealth of quality Charlotte Mason resources I have found helpful, from those mothers who have gone before me.

PREPARING THE FEAST

“Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests.” (Mason, vol. 3)

There are MANY subjects included in a Charlotte Mason education because she believed in spreading a wide feast. Sometimes, it feels a bit daunting for a new homeschooling mama.

Therefore, I’m attempting to learn, digest, and absorb how I’m going to be teaching each subject. I have decided to compose a blog post on each subject for Form 1B (roughly first grade). This will help me prepare to teach my oldest son in the Fall.

“Every day, every hour, the parents are either passively or actively forming those habits in their children upon which, more than upon anything else, future character and conduct depend.” (Mason, vol. 6)

 

A Charlotte Mason Drill Lesson

WHAT

First, Drill is similar to what we know as Physical Education. A child should have plenty of free time in the open air, outdoors. Drill should be accomplished during morning lessons, since it provides a meaningful break between subjects. Then, it should be revisited again during afternoons. Some Elementary Drill type activities could be: climbing, swimming, skipping rope, dancing, playing games, and singing.

First, Charlotte Mason points out:

“…the more they run, and shout, and toss their arms, the more healthful is the play. And this is one reason why mothers should carry their children off to lonely places, where they may use their lungs to their hearts content without risk of knowing anybody.” (Mason, vol. 1)

I’m comforted by Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of allowing the child to physically move out of doors because I have two very active young boys. It is so uplifting to hear her say to let the children be children. She encourages them to use their voices in nature in order to assist the natural energy of a child.

Next, she goes onto say:

“noisy play…is no more than Nature’s way of providing for the due exercise of organs, upon whose working power the health and happiness of the child’s future largely depend.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Drill has a flexible element to it, because it can be synonymous with play. Play is essential for the child. It also provides a valuable break in the mental school lessons of the morning. This assists a child to focus when they return to their morning lessons.

Sometimes, a child may sing, play games, or dance for Drill. Drill encompasses all of these things. Often, a child can simply invent their own games, using their imagination because this is valuable. Play is an excellent skill since it also allows the child to absorb their morning lessons.

WHAT WE ARE USING

First, I have printed off a few pages from each of these resources listed below for the beginning student.

• The Syllabus of Physical Exercise for Primary Elementary Students (FREE)
• Rhythmic Games and Dancing For Children (FREE)
• The Joyous Book of Singing Games (FREE)

MY BEGINNING SELECTIONS

1. Examples of Singing Games: The Mulberry Bush, BINGO,  and The Muffin Man.
2. Examples of Physical Education: marching and running, kneading dough, clapping, stamping.
3. Examples of Games and Dancing: Alphabet March, Hickory Dickory Dock, Pat-A-Cake, and guessing games.

WHY

Charlotte Mason begins by saying:

“…some sort of judicious physical exercise, should make part of every day’s routine.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Organized sports are such a large part of our culture. The A Delectable Education ladies mention there is a place for organized sports, however, it should not take the place of daily Drill.

Also, it seems so often in our culture, that we stay indoors in a small room for much of the time. Drill gives everyone a chance to instead, move our bodies outdoors and breathe in the fresh air.

“Drill the children in pure vowel sounds, in the enunciation of final consonants….” (Mason, vol. 1)

Additionally, through singing games, children can work on pronunciation because it is essential.

“The object of athletics…is the preparation of a body, available from crown to toe, for whatever behest ‘the gods’ may lay upon us.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Swedish Drill was also used to train the mind and body connection. Swedish Drill hones the power of attention, concentration, and therefore, allows the child to become more self-aware. Remaining healthy is such an asset, and one we hold close to our hearts in our home.

WHEN

“…Drills-which should form a regular part of a child’s daily life.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Charlotte Mason describes the Drill Lesson as occurring five times a week, for ten minutes each lesson. Also, Drill lessons additionally typically occurred during afternoon lessons.

HOW

We plan to alternate the Drill lessons to provide a variety. Sometimes, I will encourage my children to have play. Other times, we may do singing and dancing games together. Then, the next day, we may try rhythmic games or physical exercise.

In the beginning of Home Education, Charlotte Mason says:

“…(climbing) is so admirable the body being thrown into endless graceful postures which bring every muscle into play,-and the training in pluck, daring, and resource so invaluable, that it is a pity trees and cliffs and walls should be forbidden even to little girls.” (Mason, vol. 1)

Charlotte Mason believed there is valuable growth happening when a child can move their bodies daily, such as climbing, running, skipping, or playing out of doors.

It seems there are many movement type activities that are essential to the youngest student (such as dancing or singing) because they are especially beneficial to the littlest ones.

“Dancing, and the various musical drills, lend themselves to grace of movement, and give more pleasure, if less scientific training, to the little people.” (Mason, vol. 1)

FAVORITE RESOURCES

Finally, I have come across some outstanding resources in learning about a Charlotte Mason education. I’m so happy to share them with you! Some of these are sources I return to daily because I’m preparing to teach my children. Additionally, I list specific resources for a Charlotte Mason Drill Lesson.

GENERAL CHARLOTTE MASON RESOURCES

• A Charlotte Mason Soiree Educator Courses (free and amazing!)
• A Charlotte Mason Soiree Facebook Support/Discussion Group
• Charlotte Mason’s Home Education Volume 1
• Volume 2 Charlotte Mason’s Parents and Children
• Charlotte Mason’s School Education Volume 3
• A Delectable Education Scheduling Cards
• Another Delectable Education Curriculum Templates

CHARLOTTE MASON DRILL LESSON RESOURCES

• A Delectable Education podcast on Drill and Physical Education
• Musical Drill Practices Article from Charlotte Mason Poetry
• The Syllabus of Physical Exercise for Primary Elementary Students
• Rhythmic Games and Dancing For Children
• The Joyous Book of Singing Games
• Miss Mason’s Music on Drill
• Volume 1 Charlotte Mason’s Home Education (pgs. 81-81, 132-143, and 315)

 

OUR PICKS

Also, check out these previous blog posts in the series:

• A Charlotte Mason Singing Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Music Appreciation
• A Charlotte Mason Music Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Narration Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Pre-Reading Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Recitation Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Drawing Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Poetry Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason French Lesson 
• A Charlotte Mason Math Lesson 
• A Charlotte A Mason Picture Study Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Special Studies Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Nature Lore Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Nature Study Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Geography Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason History Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Literature Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Writing Lesson
• A Charlotte Mason Bible Lesson 
• A Charlotte Mason Summer
• 29 Charlotte Mason Inspired Preschool Books