I'll spare the details of how this all came about {that could well be a post for another day} but I'm sharing here how some of our lessons {hopefully} will go at the co-op starting in the Fall. These are only examples and not the specifics that will be in the line-up.
Our group will have students ranging in age from 6 to 17 {just a couple in the upper ages}. If you would like more information about the co-op you can either send an email (with "Interested in CM co-op" in the subject line) to cmeoneo@gmail.com or visit (and ask to join) the Charlotte Mason Educators of Northeast Ohio Facebook group. Email is probably the quickest way to get a reply.
We are covering the enrichments, riches, electives, or as Wendi more appropriately called them: The Uncommon Core. These include {for our specific co-op, and not in any particular order} Picture Study, Composer Study, Literature, Folksong, Poetry, Nature Study, and Handicrafts. The last two won't be included in this post; perhaps another day, another post.
These are all introductory lessons. Recently I found someone had created a lesson plan that is just about perfect for setting up a CM lesson. It is located in the AO Facebook group (you have to be a member of the group; it's titled Method of a Lesson Rubric). I will outline the basics of the rubric. This is slightly different and also based on the Six Steps of Narration found at the AO forum.
Introduce the painter and the painting (info taken mostly from wikipedia):
In music, Saint-Saëns was a child prodigy. Who can tell what a child prodigy means? <Allow for answer> At 2 ½ he could pick out tunes on the piano; at the age of 3 he composed his first piece; and by 7 he was giving public concerts as a pianist and organist. When he was 10, he made his public debut and offered to play any one of Beethoven’s 32 sonatas from memory. He had a perfect memory of anything he had ever read.
He was born in Paris, France, but when he was in his 30s he discovered he liked to travel (eventually making 179 trips to 27 countries).
Saint-Saëns had many positions associated with music, including teacher. He was writing music during what is called the Romantic era -a time when art and music was more expressive and emotional- but his style of music was traditional and conservative and for the most part followed Classical traditions. He did write operas but they were never very popular. His best-known works are concertos, an organ symphony and The Carnival of the Animals.
What can you tell of Saint-Saens? Narration
Carnival of the Animals was a fun piece, written when Saint-Saens was supposed to be working on a more serious piece. He didn’t want it to be published in his lifetime because it was not serious enough! There were a few private performances but it wasn't published for the public until 1922.
The Carnival of the Animals has 14 movements. We will listen to 2 of those today.
As you listen, pay attention to the instruments you hear. Also, is it fast or slow, loud or quiet? How does it make you feel? If this were a story, what do you imagine is happening?
Read chapter 1- Narrations.
On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At is "On Ilkley Moor without a hat." It is a Traditional English folksong from Yorkshire. <Where is Yorkshire? What continent?>
This is a fun Yorkshire song (basically) about the dangers of not wearing a hat!
Listen to it all the way through first. What do you hear?
Want to try to sing along?
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.*
Our group will have students ranging in age from 6 to 17 {just a couple in the upper ages}. If you would like more information about the co-op you can either send an email (with "Interested in CM co-op" in the subject line) to cmeoneo@gmail.com or visit (and ask to join) the Charlotte Mason Educators of Northeast Ohio Facebook group. Email is probably the quickest way to get a reply.
We are covering the enrichments, riches, electives, or as Wendi more appropriately called them: The Uncommon Core. These include {for our specific co-op, and not in any particular order} Picture Study, Composer Study, Literature, Folksong, Poetry, Nature Study, and Handicrafts. The last two won't be included in this post; perhaps another day, another post.
These are all introductory lessons. Recently I found someone had created a lesson plan that is just about perfect for setting up a CM lesson. It is located in the AO Facebook group (you have to be a member of the group; it's titled Method of a Lesson Rubric). I will outline the basics of the rubric. This is slightly different and also based on the Six Steps of Narration found at the AO forum.
-
Living text
Title/chapter/pages
-
Introduction (set up)/Review of previous lesson
Supplies to use
Names, places, vocabulary
-
Reading of textStudent reads
Teacher reads
-
Narration and Conversation
Type of narration (oral, written, act out, drawn, etc.)
-
Closing (missed points or areas to ponder)
Picture Study- Diego Valezquez “Juan de Pareja”
~20 or so minutes- subsequent lessons may only take 15 minutes as there will not be the introduction to the painting, as it's covered for 2 weeks
Diego Rodríguez de Silva y Velázquez was born around June 6, 1599 in Seville, Spain. I say around then because that is the day he was baptized, which probably happened a few days or a week after he was born. He died August 6, 1660 in Madrid, Spain.
Share image of painter.
Velazquez created between 110 and 120 paintings, mostly oil on canvas, and mostly portraits. He made trips to Italy to work on paintings but spent most of his life in Spain.
Now I’ll read from I, Juan de Pareja*. This is an introduction to the painting we will be looking at today.
Here I read pp. 140-145 (about 4-6 minutes), followed by narrations.
The painting you have is titled Juan de Pareja. Velazquez completed this in 1649-50. It is an oil on canvas painting. The size of this painting is 32 in × 27.5 in. I will show the approximate size on a whiteboard/chalkboard if possible.
Study the painting closely. Look at the details and get the picture in your mind. Remember it so well that you will be able to hang this in the art gallery of your mind. You’ll have a couple minutes to look at the picture and then you can tell what you saw.
Okay, turn over your picture. Tell what you saw in the painting. No peeking.
Narrations
Share image of painter.
Velazquez created between 110 and 120 paintings, mostly oil on canvas, and mostly portraits. He made trips to Italy to work on paintings but spent most of his life in Spain.
Now I’ll read from I, Juan de Pareja*. This is an introduction to the painting we will be looking at today.
Here I read pp. 140-145 (about 4-6 minutes), followed by narrations.
The painting you have is titled Juan de Pareja. Velazquez completed this in 1649-50. It is an oil on canvas painting. The size of this painting is 32 in × 27.5 in. I will show the approximate size on a whiteboard/chalkboard if possible.
Study the painting closely. Look at the details and get the picture in your mind. Remember it so well that you will be able to hang this in the art gallery of your mind. You’ll have a couple minutes to look at the picture and then you can tell what you saw.
Juan de Pareja, detail
Focus on the painting; 1-2 minutesOkay, turn over your picture. Tell what you saw in the painting. No peeking.
Narrations
Composer Study- Camille Saint-Saens, Carnival of the Animals (Intro and the March of the Lion and The Swan)
~15 minutes
Introduce the composer (info taken from Classics for Kids and wikipedia):
Camille Saint-Saëns (French: [kamij sɛ̃sɑ̃s] (IPA)) was born in Paris on October 9, 1835, and died in Paris December 16, 1921. (May ask: What country is Paris in?)
-show a picture of the composer; if we have a timeline may place his picture in the correct place-
He was an only child whose father died when he was just a baby. He lived with his mother Françoise-Clémence, and her aunt, Charlotte Masson (with two s’s!). <added for the name!> As a boy in school, Saint-Saens did very well and enjoyed French, literature, Latin and Greek, math, and other subjects.
-show a picture of the composer; if we have a timeline may place his picture in the correct place-
He was an only child whose father died when he was just a baby. He lived with his mother Françoise-Clémence, and her aunt, Charlotte Masson (with two s’s!). <added for the name!> As a boy in school, Saint-Saens did very well and enjoyed French, literature, Latin and Greek, math, and other subjects.
In music, Saint-Saëns was a child prodigy. Who can tell what a child prodigy means? <Allow for answer> At 2 ½ he could pick out tunes on the piano; at the age of 3 he composed his first piece; and by 7 he was giving public concerts as a pianist and organist. When he was 10, he made his public debut and offered to play any one of Beethoven’s 32 sonatas from memory. He had a perfect memory of anything he had ever read.
He was born in Paris, France, but when he was in his 30s he discovered he liked to travel (eventually making 179 trips to 27 countries).
Saint-Saëns had many positions associated with music, including teacher. He was writing music during what is called the Romantic era -a time when art and music was more expressive and emotional- but his style of music was traditional and conservative and for the most part followed Classical traditions. He did write operas but they were never very popular. His best-known works are concertos, an organ symphony and The Carnival of the Animals.
What can you tell of Saint-Saens? Narration
Carnival of the Animals was a fun piece, written when Saint-Saens was supposed to be working on a more serious piece. He didn’t want it to be published in his lifetime because it was not serious enough! There were a few private performances but it wasn't published for the public until 1922.
The Carnival of the Animals has 14 movements. We will listen to 2 of those today.
As you listen, pay attention to the instruments you hear. Also, is it fast or slow, loud or quiet? How does it make you feel? If this were a story, what do you imagine is happening?
I have this on CD* and will play it for the class.
Play: Introduction et marche royale du lion (Introduction and Royal March of the Lion) (to 1:48)
Play: Introduction et marche royale du lion (Introduction and Royal March of the Lion) (to 1:48)
What did we hear? Narration.
Notes for teacher on the piece (from wikipedia)- if needed/wanted: Strings and two pianos: the introduction begins with the pianos playing a bold tremolo, under which the strings enter with a stately theme. The pianos play a pair of scales going in opposite directions to conclude the first part of the movement. The pianos then introduce a march theme that they carry through most of the rest of the introduction. The strings provide the melody, with the pianos occasionally taking low runs of octaves which suggest the roar of a lion, or high ostinatos. The two groups of instruments switch places, with the pianos playing a higher, softer version of the melody. The movement ends with a fortissimo note from all the instruments used in this movement.
Notes for teacher on the piece (from wikipedia)- if needed/wanted: Strings and two pianos: the introduction begins with the pianos playing a bold tremolo, under which the strings enter with a stately theme. The pianos play a pair of scales going in opposite directions to conclude the first part of the movement. The pianos then introduce a march theme that they carry through most of the rest of the introduction. The strings provide the melody, with the pianos occasionally taking low runs of octaves which suggest the roar of a lion, or high ostinatos. The two groups of instruments switch places, with the pianos playing a higher, softer version of the melody. The movement ends with a fortissimo note from all the instruments used in this movement.
Play: Le cygne (The Swan) starts 15:57 to 19:05
What do you think of that piece? How does it make you feel? Is it different than the first we listened to? Narration.
Notes for teacher on the piece (from wikipedia)- if needed/wanted: Two pianos and cello: the lushly romantic cello solo (which evokes the swan elegantly gliding over the water) is played over rippling sixteenths in one piano and rolled chords in the other (said to represent the swan's feet, hidden from view beneath the water, propelling it along).
Notes for teacher on the piece (from wikipedia)- if needed/wanted: Two pianos and cello: the lushly romantic cello solo (which evokes the swan elegantly gliding over the water) is played over rippling sixteenths in one piano and rolled chords in the other (said to represent the swan's feet, hidden from view beneath the water, propelling it along).
Literature- The Princess and the Goblin
~20 minutes
Introduce author (info from many sources):
Introduce author (info from many sources):
George MacDonald was born December 10, 1824, in Huntly, Scotland. He died in Ashtead, England on September 18, 1905. Share picture of MacDonald.
As a young boy MacDonald lived in the country and he had ample opportunity to explore the outdoors. He went to an independent school that was different from the more traditional schools, but he had poor health causing him to miss many days. When not working on his father's farm, MacDonald enjoyed reading books that fed his imagination. These helped him when he was older to write poetry and books of fantasy. Besides reading, it has been said that he spent much time riding, swimming, or just day-dreaming. At some point during his childhood, he happened upon a castle or mansion in the 'far North' in which was housed a wonderful library. This played a large role in his love of literature and helped his imagination grow even more. His experiences in the out of doors, the country side, the opportunity to explore castles, and reading books from the library helped him to write scenes that portray 'vigor and immediacy' in his own works.
Most of MacDonald's books were works of poetry or written for adults. He had eleven children and often would entertain them with his stories. This helped him see his talent for writing children's books. The story we will be reading, The Princess and the Goblin, was written in 1872.
As a young boy MacDonald lived in the country and he had ample opportunity to explore the outdoors. He went to an independent school that was different from the more traditional schools, but he had poor health causing him to miss many days. When not working on his father's farm, MacDonald enjoyed reading books that fed his imagination. These helped him when he was older to write poetry and books of fantasy. Besides reading, it has been said that he spent much time riding, swimming, or just day-dreaming. At some point during his childhood, he happened upon a castle or mansion in the 'far North' in which was housed a wonderful library. This played a large role in his love of literature and helped his imagination grow even more. His experiences in the out of doors, the country side, the opportunity to explore castles, and reading books from the library helped him to write scenes that portray 'vigor and immediacy' in his own works.
Most of MacDonald's books were works of poetry or written for adults. He had eleven children and often would entertain them with his stories. This helped him see his talent for writing children's books. The story we will be reading, The Princess and the Goblin, was written in 1872.
Read chapter 1- Narrations.
Folksong- ON ILKLEY MOOR BAHT ‘AT
~10-15 minutes
What is a folksong? <allow for answers> It’s a song that folks sing! ;)On Ilkley Moor Baht 'At is "On Ilkley Moor without a hat." It is a Traditional English folksong from Yorkshire. <Where is Yorkshire? What continent?>
This is a fun Yorkshire song (basically) about the dangers of not wearing a hat!
Listen to it all the way through first. What do you hear?
play from Youtube - https://youtu.be/qWXwqEGdWLc
"You'll catch your death of cold, we shall have to bury thee, the worms will come and eat thee up, the ducks will come and eat the worms, then we'll eat the ducks, and we'll have eaten thee.”
"You'll catch your death of cold, we shall have to bury thee, the worms will come and eat thee up, the ducks will come and eat the worms, then we'll eat the ducks, and we'll have eaten thee.”
pass out lyrics - http://bit.ly/Folksong_Bahtat
Want to try to sing along?
Poetry- Emily Dickinson
Our poet is Emily Dickinson. She was born December 10, 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts, and died May 15, 1886. Share photo of Dickinson.
-read a {very} little bit from Emily Dickinson bio in Modern American Poetry anthology.
Narrations.
I'm going to read two of her poems today. Pay attention to the words she uses and how she arranges them. As you're listening to the poem, imagine what is happening. Think of how you feel when you are hearing the poems.
Read "I Had a Guinea Golden"
Narrations
Read "I had no time to hate..."
Narrations
-read a {very} little bit from Emily Dickinson bio in Modern American Poetry anthology.
Narrations.
I'm going to read two of her poems today. Pay attention to the words she uses and how she arranges them. As you're listening to the poem, imagine what is happening. Think of how you feel when you are hearing the poems.
Read "I Had a Guinea Golden"
Narrations
Read "I had no time to hate..."
Narrations
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