School Education, the third volume of Charlotte Mason's Homeschooling Series, consists of thoughts about the teaching and curriculum of children aged 9-12, either at school or at home. She suggests that parents should practice what she calls "masterly inactivity"-not neglectful or permissive parenting, but simply allowing children to work things out for themselves, do things for themselves, learn from their own mistakes, and to have time for free play, and space for spontaneity. Charlotte Mason education uses "living books" instead of dry textbooks; in this book, she discusses what kinds of books to look for in each subject, and how to use them to teach children to love knowledge and become real readers and lifelong learners.
Charlotte Mason was a late 19th Century educator who believed that children were persons worthy of respect, that it was better to give children "living books" and important ideas than dry facts. Emphasizing wonder and curiosity alongside reflection upon art, music, poetry, and nature, her gentle style of education has been adapted by today's homeschoolers as a method for developing a love of learning in children.
266 pages, softcover.
