Chapter 16: The Method of a Lesson - Part 1

A renewing vision and philosophy of education must lead to an applied method. The first two steps of the 5-part Method of a Lesson used at Ambleside Schools are: 1) the selection of a well-chosen text; this could be a book, a flower, or a musical composition. And 2) a “First Little Talk” is given to connect the student with the idea-rich text. The relationships fostered form what Charlotte Mason meant by a living education. Just as the human body needs nourishment and to flourish, so the human mind needs the nourishment of ideas, and it also needs to exercise. In exercising, the mind attends, reflects, and uses that which it is learning.

Chapter 17:  The Method of a Lesson - Part 2

The Method of a Lesson, as described by Charlotte Mason, is marked by five steps. The last three steps of the Method of the Lesson are the reading of an episode, narration, and the Second Little Talk. While the teacher points to ideas in the text, the children do the actual work of thinking and learning. ”The children themselves must do the mental work. They must engage their minds – they must do the attending; they must do the reflecting; they must make use of the ideas.” Teachers “sow lightly” and use a subtle approach to nourish and exercise the minds of students.

Chapter 18: Concluding Statements

Growth comes by the formation of new habits, formed with the right kind of intrinsic motivations, which have to be cultivated relationally. Healthy relationships between teachers, students, and texts are crucial. What we draw students with is what we draw them to; Ambleside teachers draw children to worthy ideas, the joy of learning, the satisfaction of work well done, and beauty created. The student who excels to the level of their God-given abilities is the student who cares. Character is shaped by the ideas entertained.