I think I can safely declare that this book will be my favorite non-fiction book read this year.
I was so inspired by this book-- not just as an encouragement since we homeschool with a Charlotte Mason approach to education, but in my *own* life as I constantly find myself putting pen to paper. (Indeed, my own journal-- with all the quotes I've written in it and Scripture carefully copied-- is really a type of Commonplace Book.)
Laurie Bestvater has thoroughly researched Mason's writings, particularly any references to keeping notebooks. She has also studied the notes and examples of others who followed in the usage of Charlotte Mason-inspired notebooks, in an attempt to gain a clear understanding of what Mason was after in this whole art of notebooking.
The three most familiar notebooks are probably the Nature Notebook, the Commonplace Book (or Reading Diary), and the Book of Centuries. But there are so many more!
I have finished this book, but I know I will come back to it again and again. My pencil was a constant companion as I read this book, and several parts are now underlined, and there are notes in the margins throughout.
I am inspired to be more diligent in keeping my own notebooks. (I can't wait to begin my own Book of Centuries after having captured the vision of what Charlotte intended for this book to be!) and I am excited to incorporate what I have learned through this book as I educate my own children.
Thank you, Miss Bestvater, for your careful research and for the inspiration. And thank you, Miss Mason, for so understanding a child, and how to capture their interest and imagination!
I'm also working my way through it, although it's been a couple of weeks since I picked it up. I also have for years kept notebooks of quotes, Bible passages, commentary, lists, etc; none certainly as pretty as your journals though. Looking to finish the book this summer and see what else we can incorporate into our day without overwhelming us. So glad you liked the book!
ReplyDeleteWhat is the Book of Centuries like? It sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth!
DeleteA Book of Centuries is basically a timeline that is completed within a blank book. It is started at around age 10 but is meant to be kept and added to over the course of a lifetime.. Each page spread covers one century. One page is for drawings (of items or tools from that particular century), and the other page is for the listing of events-- one for each year of that century. Basically, as a child reads and comes across some important event, the child will turn to his or her book of centuries and record that event in the proper century, and continue doing so throughout his or her lifetime. I hope that makes sense!
~Stacy
What is the Book of Centuries like? It sounds interesting!
ReplyDeleteThis book is on my to-read list. I haven't kept a journal of my own for years, but I've been considering it lately. I may even attempt to keep notes and drawings on our nature study days as I am often encouraging the kids to do. I keep thinking of a post from a while back where you showed pictures of your own journal, complete with beautiful magazine cut outs. I can't seem to find the post. Could you please post a link? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteBreanne,
DeleteOh! I do hope you start journaling again! It's such a joy to do so.
I think it may be this post you're thinking of.
Blessings to you and yours,
~Stacy
Thank you Stacy! That was the exact post I was looking for. I love the idea of combining everything into one journal. I ordered a brand new one and it arrived in the mail today. Thanks for the inspiration!!!
ReplyDelete