Charlotte Mason - Differences Between Mason's Theories and The Modern Dorothy Sayers Inspired Classical Education Move

Differences Between Mason's Theories and The Modern Dorothy Sayers Inspired Classical Education Move

• Some versions of the Classical education movement put less emphasis on the fine arts, especially visual art, although other classical Christian educators like George Grant, draw heavily from the insights of both Charlotte Mason and Dorothy Sayers.
• Classical Education may sometimes be described as rigorous and systematic, separating children and their learning into three rigid categories, Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric. Charlotte Mason believed that all children are born persons, and should be educated on real ideas, through their natural environment, the training of good habits and exposure to living ideas and concepts from the beginning.
• Classical Education often will introduce writing composition earlier and teaches it as a separate subject, while Mason depends on oral narration and a smooth transition into written narration in later grades without studying composition as a separate subject until the upper years.
• Classical Education also introduces formal grammar at an earlier age than Mason does, and Miss Mason believed in beginning grammar lessons with whole sentences rather than parts of speech.
• Classical advocates more parental explanations and distilling of information than Mason does.
• The version of classical education developed by Dorothy Sayers relies heavily on rote memorisation for young children. Miss Mason's students memorised scripture, poetry, and songs, but Miss Mason did not value rote memorisation for the sake of rote memory. She believed that children should be fed upon the best ideas, which she called 'mind-food.' She believed even the youngest children should be given 'ideas, clothed upon with facts' as they occur, inspiring tales, and worthy thoughts.
• The Classical Education approach in The Well Trained Mind relies on abridged books and simplified version of the classics for younger children in what this version of Classical Education terms 'the Grammar Stage'. Charlotte Mason believed that children should be introduced to subjects through living books, not through the use of "compendiums, abstracts, or selections." She used abridged books only when the content was deemed inappropriate for children. She preferred that parents or teachers read aloud those texts (such as Plutarch and the Old Testament), making omissions only where necessary.