Curricula and Learning Links - Charlotte Mason Method
Short Lessons
How do you implement short lessons?
Lorinda: When we began CM my son was in 3d grade and had been diagnosed as ADHD, dyslexic and dysgraphic so short lessons were wonderful. We began with 5 minutes - yes, only 5 minutes, as that was as long as he could focus on one subject before he had to run up and down the driveway. (He's now 13 and can focus for about 20 minutes.) We simply returned to the lesson after a break. If you are having a problem, stop the math (or whatever subject) after 20 minutes, move to something else, and then return to it later. The short lessons really do teach them to focus and more is accomplished in the shorter time. He can usually finish his math in 20 minutes.
Briva: Use a timer! For the first two weeks of this new habit of short lessons, my daughter still had that mental block and would barely get a few problems done. She was soooo relieved when the timer went off and we'd go onto something else. She must have finally realized that math time was short and not going to be agonizing so she would take to her lessons with less stress. I didn't assign her all the problems in a chapter. It was slow, but she was making progress through the book.
How do you implement short lessons for middle school?
For middle school years, the lessons are for 30 min. We'd school in the morning from 8AM until lunch. We'd cover the academic subjects then and leave stuff like art, music, science, nature study for the afternoons. I didn't have problems with my son, who could sit reading for hours. But both my daughters are wigglers. They have to be doing something else while reading or studying. Now my oldest daughter outgrew that, she listens to music even while reading. My youngest has to color, play with stuffed toys (we use those for read aloud time, esp. Shakespeare) or fiddle with something but quietly. As long as I get those narrations out of her I am okay with the wiggly part. I suggest letting your child research something that he is interested in. My boy liked guitars, even bought a second hand guitar and took it apart-put it back together to find out how it worked. Maybe work on learning a craft or trade, carpentry, auto mechanics, small engine repair. Our son helped his dad replace a transmission, change oil, etc. Something they can get their hands on and their minds working and sorting through.
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