Ideas Freely Sown: The Matter and Method of Charlotte Mason

by Anne E. White

Charlotte Mason promoted education in its widest, wildest sense. It is “the one practical achievement possible to us for ourselves and for our children.” "If we ask in perplexity why so many seem incapable of generous impulse, of reasoned patriotism, of seeing beyond the circle of their own interests, is not the answer that we are enabled for such things by education?" How did Charlotte Mason arrive at such a unique definition of education? And how can we recreate that in our own lives, and those of our children? This book is offered as a small attempt to answer those large questions.

Genres: Education, Nonfiction

136 pages, Paperback

Published March 1, 2021

Reviews

[Cindy Rollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Anne White’s work. This book which illuminates passages from Charlotte Mason’s volumes is practical and delightful filled with Anne’s dry humor and familiarity with reality. No romantic castles in the sand here. It is also a book that will stand numerous re-readings as there is much to think about on each page. Do you need a mentor to hold your hand as you endeavor to learn about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy of education? Here you have one in Anne.

[Mariah Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It’s the perfect read to go alongside all those July planning sessions when your eyes are bigger than your stomach, so to speak. I was continually reminded of “the main line” and the treasure of simplicity that is this philosophy reading passages like this:

“…we might also decide that stepping the workload slightly down, rather than up, could create a more hospitable learning environment for many students.”

Anne does a great job sharing the context of Mason’s philosophy and practical applications between quotes from Mason’s volumes, and her sense of humor throughout was refreshing. I will now find every possible opportunity to say I’ve “declared War on Chicken Fingers.”

[ladydusk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne White is brilliant.

I read this slowly because I wanted to follow her ideas and her arguments about "Matter and Method" She helps to see the completeness and wholeness of what Miss Mason was attempting to pull together and then the end shows how those thought process work out even in our own thinking and doing.

Definitely recommended. (I read a pdf version given to me by Anne but purchased my own copy as well. I will read it again.)

[JoAnn Hallum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Digs into CM and educational philosophy enough to be challenging but full of practical advice, and gets difficult to put down.

[Anne White]

Because it has been a long time since I had time to go back to this.

[Toniette Giesbrecht · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a gift to the Charlotte Mason community! Anne clarifies and crystallizes this philosophy, and makes it applicable to life and family and homeschool today. I look forward to reading this with my local bookclub, and seeing the families in our community benefit from Anne’s wisdom.

[Hope · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was introduced to Mason through Susan Schaeffer Macaulay's For the Children's Sake and CM's ideas were an integral part of our homeschooling experience. It was a delight to read this book about Charlotte Mason's teaching advice even though it has been quite a few years since we homeschooled. Her wisdom spills over into many other areas beside the classroom.

(I read this for the Morning Time for Moms 2021 summer course.)

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anne White and I aren’t quite on the same wavelength, so I find it hard to narrate what I’ve read. However, when I slowed down and took the book paragraph by paragraph, I found so much to encourage me as a teacher, both at home and at KOR. I especially appreciated the practical section on curriculum!

[Carolynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a lovely book that does a wonderful job of breaking down and elaborating on Charlotte Mason’s writings - especially from A Philosophy of Education. I can tell this will be a resource I return to again and again.

[Jessica Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading and discussing this book with a group of likeminded women. We also enjoyed a chance to speak to the author, which was an excellent time. It definitely fortified my love for the CM philosophy and helped me understand it better.

[Bethany Morgun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book is like attending a Charlotte Mason conference. So helpful.