Charlotte Mason and McGuffey with Narration, Copywork, and Dictation

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Don't forget to check out the other videos in this series. You can find them on my channel:
/ @momdelights
If you don't know me, I am the homeschooling mom of 15 children, married to my husband for 36 years, in love with the Lord Jesus. I have been a blogger since 2005 and sensed the need to move to vlogging.
You can still enjoy lots of posts I have done over at my blog, MomDelights.com. I offer lots of free stuff for you to download :) Here is the link:
momdelights.com/
You can also order lots of my materials already printed out in book form from Amazon.
The Lesson Book series; a Charlotte-Mason style unworkbook of sorts to use with the McGuffey readers or just about any living book:
The Lesson Book, Level One www.amazon.com/gp/product/197...
The Lesson Book, Level Two www.amazon.com/gp/product/197...
The Lesson Book, Level Three www.amazon.com/gp/product/197...
The Lesson Book, Level Four www.amazon.com/gp/product/197...
The Lesson Book, Level Five
www.amazon.com/gp/product/197...
The Record Book -- a simple way to record all of the learning you and your children enjoy each day so it counts! www.amazon.com/gp/product/198...
The Gentle Grammar Series: a stress-free approach to early language arts to help young children.
Level One
www.amazon.com/Gentle-Grammar...
Level Two
www.amazon.com/Gentle-Grammar...
Level Three
www.amazon.com/Gentle-Grammar...
Level Four
www.amazon.com/Gentle-Grammar...

[@gobigandgohomeschool4882]

Mom of ten here. So happy I found this channel! After a similar journey as yours, experiencing so many different curricula and varying kiddos, I find myself humbled and awed and drawn.deeper into CM each year.

[@kimjaymama26]

Finally a CM style homeschool mom with lots of kids. I am struggling how to do it with 6.

[@MomDelights]

I totally get that one!

[@letitiam7985]

Omg I feel like we are just having a cup a tea and chatting all things HS and life. Thanks so much for sharing😊

[@MomDelights]

You're so welcome!

[@jillcain5267]

This was a very helpful explanation of how to use the Lesson Books and the McGuffey's readers (which we love and use) but it was also very helpful in understanding how I can put the Lesson Books to work for our family. I thought, "Oh, I get it now!" Then I ordered one for each of my kids. We do narration, copywork, and dictation daily and it is difficult to keep it all organized. Like your child, mine also opens the book and just starts writing on any page. This is frustrating and the Lesson Books will definitely help with that. My 12 year old loves drawing and gives narrations on several subjects in any given day. The Lesson Books will give him direction and help with organization. The systematic approach you use just makes sense. I had looked at the Lesson Books when they were first published and had decided to try them next year, but after watching this video I realized that they are actually going to be an essential tool for us. They provide a child-friendly way to record narrations, copywork, and dictation and are really a missing piece of the puzzle for us that I didn't realize was missing. For me, it was a no-brainer. It will mean less work for all of us with higher quality results. Waiting until the next school year would be a waste of valuable time. I can't wait for these to arrive and to begin implementing them into our day. Thanks again, Sherry!

[@MomDelights]

Wow! Thank you for taking the time to share. The problems you described sound so familiar to me :) I created the books because they have helped me, so I figured they would help others, too. So glad they helped you.

[@bethanyedwards1655]

This was a great video, thank you! We're going into our fourth year of homeschooling and will be implementing much more Charlotte Mason concepts this year.

[@TheUsername2544]

New to CM, Just found your channel, thanks so much for all your insight!

[@liztefft5312]

Thank you!

[@kelquint472]

Amazing! So helpful! Subscribed!

[@tiffanierrodas-zc9et]

So down to earth and funny

[@deb4653]

Thank you for everything you said in this video!

[@MomDelights]

You are so welcome!

[@jessicabrown6943]

I love your videos!! Such great ideas and tips. We have 8 kids. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@MomDelights]

Glad I can be of help🥰

[@julielynn7401]

I love this method! Wonderful mixing the copy work and dictation. I love that the child works with the sentence or paragraph before doing the dictation. You are right it helps the child to gain confidence. Thank you so much for offering your worksheets for free. ❤️ love the original sentences section. Wonderful! I am subscribing to your channel. So beneficial.

[@MomDelights]

Thank you so much for your sweet words of encouragement❤

[@littlequiver1582]

You have a very beautiful calmness about you.

[@MomDelights]

Aww, thank you so much!

[@resinandclayhandmade]

I love watching your videos with my cup of tea...it's like having tea with a friend! 😁 I usually let my son choose the number for copywork/dictation before he even sees the passages, because he would always choose the number with the least words! 😄 Have you noticed a difference in written narration between your boys and girls? My boys do not like it...but my girl, who is only 6 and not required to even do it, asks to do it!! She's so funny. Btw, my kids love the little pictures on these books...its how they keep track of which is whose! Even the grammar books..."Get mine, it's the one with the chicken on it"!😊

[@MomDelights]

How cute--"The only one with the chicken on it" :) My daughter Olivia will love hearing that, since she created the covers. As for the written narration, I think most boys tend to be a little scarce with the words when they write or speak. For them, it's about quality more than quantity. If they can get the gist down, I figure for them less is more. However, if I sense they are shirking, then we have a different problem altogether. I like to keep in mind that boys take a little longer to settle into book work than girls, but if they are treated with understanding when they are ready they can catch up pretty quickly.

[@YolanndaMayo]

I love your channel

[@alyssaclevenger4950]

We do Charlotte Mason, and I don’t think they are expected to retell verbatim. I think your advice is very true to Charlotte Mason!

[@arwenrosalie3031]

Wow I thought I have seen it all in homeschooling videos, mothers that have homeschooled 5 to 10 children Wow! 15!? Subscribed! I definately believe your videos will helo me a lot.

[@katie7748]

I stumbled across a commentfrom someone yesterday with 24!! (She had 15, husband had 8, then they had a "caboose" together to make 24.)

[@thisrothtribe3780]

You’re always SO helpful! Do you have a walk through of each of the lesson book levels to show us which one might fit our different learner levels?

[@Imspicy18]

I love your channel🤗

[@MomDelights]

Bless you :)

[@sunluvingumbi]

This is SO helpful and just beautiful timing. Thank you!

[@MomDelights]

You are so welcome :)

[@JulieFilter]

So, what if you are reading several different things: Bible, read aloud, science/history, etc. Do you do narration/page for every single book? Or do you focus on only one? Do you do this every day or only a few days in the week?

[@gbcflower]

This was so helpful! I am planning on using your lesson books and grammar books in the coming year as I try to transition to a Charlotte Mason homeschool. We're currently trying to fill in some gaps with the materials that we have. I have used the McGuffey Readers a little and plan to use them a lot more in coming years. I would also really like to see what you do for math.

[@MomDelights]

That's great, Elis :) The Lesson Books and McGuffey have really simplified and elevated our homeschooling.

[@sarahdorland6700]

Hi Sherry! I just wanted to take the time and let you know how much I appreciate your videos and free resources on your blog! I have been using McGuffey readers with your copywork pages and I've also been using your free grammar resources. It's working so much better than the curriculums I kept spending too much money on and we are actually consistently getting school done! I have a few requests for future videos :) Your children can draw so well! Did you teach them drawing or was it something that came natural to them? I would also really like to see what High School looks like in your home. Thank you and God Bless!

[@MomDelights]

That's great to hear, Sarah! These are great ideas. Actually, we haven't had to teach our children to draw--they are driven and draw for a long time each day. High school is one of those huge questions, isn't it? We'll see what we can do...

[@raquelapicella3]

Thank you so much. Love Mom tv☝🏻

[@AutumnPaigeHarris]

I just found your channel! This is my first video of yours that I’ve watched. I have questions! Can you walk us through an entire McGuffey lesson? Do you use it for spelling too? I’m just not sure how to use the readers, the mechanics of it all… I’m new to CM and trying to put together my plans for the fall and my shopping list for books etc. I have McGuffey books one and two, and a 10 and 8 year old. My 10 yo is a struggling reader, my 8 yo is a couple years ahead of her age for reading. Do you start at the beginning of a McGuffey book or pick and choose which lessons or paragraphs to cover? Do you select words from the passage for spelling or use the spelling lists provided in the Reader? Do you have them read the passage, copy the passage, then dictate it to them all in one day? Thanks!

[@MomDelights]

I love your questions💗

[@MomDelights]

I think you will find the answers you seek if you look on my Mom Delights channel, where I have a number of videos on the McG's, as well as on my blog, MomDelights.com.

[@LampWaters]

Next year I'm going to turn our memory verse, dictation of author quotes and spelling words into cursive pages for everyone. Then after a week hopefully then can do dictation and spelling and memory verse in cursive without copying and pass their spelling and dictation quiz

[@MomDelights]

Great ideas!

[@jasonandjulie]

Great explanation! Thank you for sharing ☺️

[@MomDelights]

You are very welcome :)

[@zmommy4044]

When they write narration do you require spelling and handwriting or do you just focus on them getting their ideas out?

[@jennythomas3208]

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm using the Robinson curriculum. What's your thoughts on it?

[@MomDelights]

I like so much of it! I like the idea of having your kids be independent, on having them read excellent literature, etc. However, I also like to have a direct hand in my children's learning. Also, we're not really science-minded, more of an artist/creative family, with some of our children being math challenged, so that part does not fit us. My friend Karen Rodriguez (I love her) has loads of info on Robinson (but you probably already know that :) ).

[@JennCG]

Thank you for sharing the video! What ages/grades do the McGuffey Readers correspond to? Also, I have a very reluctant writer (9 yrs old boy) would this work for him? He can and is very able to write a paragraph but not without tears and fights.

[@janelllucas686]

Hi there! Im not sure how transcripted videos work but I would love to print off a transcript for this video and your other McGs. I was able to print off a transcript for the how to teach your children habit and method video but this one does not have one. Do you have to type them up or can you turn something on that is much easier to make a transcript available? Thank you for your time!

[@MomDelights]

You know, I'm not so sure, either! I will have to look into that and, hopefully, have that more available in the future!

[@allenfamilyhomeschool2074]

Is the difference between the levels of the lesson books just the format and level of work that the student completes or does the level directly correspond to the particular McGuffey book?

[@MomDelights]

Good question! The books do not directly correspond with the level of the reader, but correspond with the level of work the child is able to complete.

[@cassiepauley8973]

Aside from what the video is about, what did you use to teach drawing?

[@racfav76]

Thank you, this video was very helpful!

[@MomDelights]

You are so welcome :)

[@jonhilee8953]

Thank you very much! This was a blessing! I have a question for you. Do you start from writen narration and then go to copywork and dictation?

[@MomDelights]

Good question. I think that's pretty much the procedure, although it's not set in stone.

[@troutfamilylife551]

So is the dictation them writing what they remember from the copywork?

[@KristiBee]

Sherry, do you typically use the same resource for Narration, Copywork and Dictation or do you allow the kids to use a different resource for each area?

[@MomDelights]

That's a great question. For years I struggled trying to figure out what sources I would use, until I discovered the McGuffey readers. The content of these books, which include all sorts of prose and poetry, is so enriching that I do not have to look elsewhere. I use The Lesson Book (which I formulated) and have them use a lesson at a time from a McGuffey's to do their narrations, copywork, and dictation. Hope this helps :)

[@KristiBee]

@@MomDelights yes! That is very helpful! Thanks! ❤️

[@kikstartmyx3]

This was such a helpful introduction to the CM style of LA. Thank you! As a side note, your daughter's cursive handwriting is so beautiful! A silly question I wonder if you'd mind answering, did she follow a curriculum to learn that style of cursive?

[@MomDelights]

Actually, yes, it's called Spencerian penmanship. You can purchase it in booklet form and I believe there might be some online resources as well.

[@kikstartmyx3]

@@MomDelights Thank you so much!

[@miriam5755]

I have a 1st grader doing the mcguffey primer. He is on lesson 37 and he is starting to get many misspellings on the dictation part. What do you recommend I do?

[@MomDelights]

I wouldn't worry. In fact, I never have been super strict about the dictation part--I don't mind spelling a word out loud if they get stuck. The idea is to have them practice all parts of language correctly so that it becomes a natural part of their thinking. It should correct itself over the course of the next few years, and then if he needs a little boost you could add in something like my Splendid Spelling book.

[@miriam5755]

@@MomDelights Thank you 💕

[@courtneysimon444]

Hi! Question..do you have your children read the McGuffey stories everyday of the week that they’re working on a story? So repetitive reading of the same story? Or just have them read it and narrate on day 1?

[@livinginhisgrace7520]

Thanks for the video. I was wondering what you do or say for the "new to written narrations" students. Do you just tell them to start writing it down or do you give them a format to follow? Do you wait a year before formatting them? Thanks

[@MomDelights]

Actually, for beginners it's always best to start out with oral narrations and when they feel comfortable with writing they can do more. Some of my children were able to wrap up an entire lesson in just a sentence or two and my journalism training would not let me make them write more! Others can write a novelette for each one and I can't bring myself to discourage that, either😜

[@dobrien7737]

Your videos are so helpful. Thank you for sharing your genuine and honest wisdom! I keep wondering, have you all used some kind of drawing instruction or curriculum? They seem to be fabulous little artists!

[@MomDelights]

Thank you for your sweet comment. We have rarely ever shown our children how to "art," but we do come from artsy people on both sides of the family, so it's sort of in the atmosphere :P

[@ameena723]

Thank you so much for this video.❤️ I wanted to know your suggestions for teenagers who haven’t had the best foundation in their education. I have a collection of the McGuffey readers and plan on using them with the advice and guidance in this video posted. Looking forward to your suggestions...

[@MomDelights]

It's hard to say without more information. You might want to visit my blog and look for a post dealing specifically with placement in the readers. Starting at a simpler level may help build a better foundation.

[@nparksntx]

My cousin in another state shared your blog with me. I’ve been doing mostly CM stuff.

[@MomDelights]

I follow you on IG, so I am familiar with your style😉

[@nparksntx]

@@MomDelights Awesome!!!

[@vitaliyab]

What grade do you suggest starting with the Mcguffreys? I have a son who is starting kindergarten this year.

[@chelsiebooth9049]

Hello, I just found your channel. I was watching another video of yours, which was from 2016 (I think it may have been your first video), and in the video you were comparing the 1830's version of the readers to the 1890/early 1900's revised version. I wasn't sure if you would see questions from a video made 3 years ago, so I found this video that is at least about the McGuffy Readers, so sorry if you would have preferred I post on the older video. My question is, there is a new version of the McGuffey Readers out that says it is from the 1857 version. I can find very very little information on a 1957 version. However, this version, apparently, has an introduction added that includes instructions about using it with the Charlotte Mason method. I was wondering if you happen to know anything about the 1857 version OR about the version written the the CM style intro? (Charlotte Mason, of course, did not write the introduction, but it is supposed to contain instructions for using the readers with narration, dictation, etc., which seems very similar to how you use the McGuffey Readers).

[@MomDelights]

I think I've come across what you are describing. It sounds interesting. The 1857 versions are closer to the 1880's/1900's versions I believe. It may be worth looking into, although I still prefer the originals for early reading and language arts.

[@chelsiebooth9049]

@@MomDelights I purchased the first book in the series I just described. According to the introduction, it was the last version that William (right?) McGuffey was involved in, but then it says that his brother wrote books 5 and 6 of it. Perhaps down the road I will end up with other versions I can compare to. We also use another old school reader that my daughter has been loving, so I'm not quite introducing it yet. With it being 6 books, you are probably right about it being closer to the later versions. It is surprising to me how she gravitates to these old readers over some of the more modern beginner readers we have in the house (all the step into reading books, etc.) Thank you for replying!

[@susaningram4223]

Hi Sherry, I just recently discovered your channel and have really enjoyed your videos. Thank you so much for sharing so much of what you have learned over the years, it has been very helpful. I really appreciate your openness about being a Christian and your love for the Lord. It is encouraging! I did have one question, I've noticed you're kids seem to draw very well. Is that just a natural talent or do you know of some good drawing books or lessons that you would recommend? Thank you for your time!

[@kristyjo5745]

Curious as to which Grade level/Age, you use for which books? The levels aren't by grade correct? Also curious if you have tried the Ray's Arithmetic? Thank you!

[@MomDelights]

You'll find the answers to these in my McGuffey videos on my Mom Delights channel :)

[@IloveJesusChristNowandForever]

May I ask, how old are the kids who wrote each of these? Thanks and God bless you!

[@MomDelights]

I rewatched the video and I heard myself tell the ages of each...hope that helps!

[@jessicayoung4935]

Hi Sherry, My son is 10, and I want to try this method with him; should I start him at lesson one just to familiarize him with this new process, or jump to lesson book 2? Also, are the words printed in the lesson books, words the child does not know, or are they picked beforehand?

[@MomDelights]

All good questions! The words are not pre-printed in The Lesson Book. I don't think I would begin at the beginning unless I had a child who needed some remedial help. Otherwise I would start where he felt comfortable. If you watch the video I published just today (1-11-20) you may see some of what I do with our own 10 year old.

[@jessicayoung4935]

Mom Delights In the midst of waiting for a reply, I watched more of your videos and figured all my questions out. I am going to use an Abeka reader I have with your Lesson 2 workbook because he is beyond a lesson 1 required writing, but still struggles with that more than reading. I also liked how you used that downloaded history book as a DIY Language Book; once we are done with the Abeka book, I am going to use that method!

[@MomDelights]

Yay! Glad you found the answers you needed❤

[@jessicayoung4935]

Mom Delights Your suggestions were an answer to prayer - Praise the Lord! Thank you for your help, and shared successes with homeschooling!!

[@McKenzie-Lewis]

Have you used McGuffy readers with a dyslexic child? Curious how they do with McGuffeys..

[@MomDelights]

Yes. The trick is to lean heavy on phonics instruction before and as you go through the original (1830's brown colored) *pictorial* primer. I actually have a free phonics program I have used with dyslexics on my site in the freebies section: MomDelights.com

[@erinjahi4476]

Thanks for sharing. Your tips are so pratical. I'm a mom of 6 and I'm always trying to simplify and streamline our ways. We recently went back to narration, dictation and copywork after I got caught up with premade workbooks for everything. I found they learn less from worksheets than from their own written narrations and illustrations. Can you share your perspective on science and nature study?

[@MomDelights]

I know what you mean! There is almost something magical that happens when children get to handle actual language and make it their own, rather than give canned answers. Science and nature are pretty good subjects for a future vlog or two!

[@erinjahi4476]

@@MomDelights I can't wait. ☺

[@jayales3939]

Can u do more videos on math and science

[@AndiLawson27]

Where did you find those notebooks?

[@MomDelights]

On Amazon.

[@linac3246]

McGuffey reader explanation starts around 8:40

[@yiteamchen9787]

😎😯

[@yiteamchen9787]

😎😯🙄