I've been thinking a lot about narration lately. Narration is the method by which students demonstrate their understanding of the content that they've been reading in their living books in the Charlotte Mason method of education. Narration is not meant to be a means of assessment, but a tool for taking in, processing/making sense of new information, and finally sharing that newly processed knowledge with others. In addition, oral narration is the early foundation for later composition. Charlotte would say that narration is PART of the learning, not just a way to tell if learning has taken place.
My kids are 12, 10, and 8 as I write this. At the earlier ages, all of the living books are read aloud to the students followed by oral narrations. At about the age of 10, Charlotte had students slowly transition to self reading with oral narration and then finally self reading with written translation.
It's been interesting to watch my oldest begin to make this transition. The student who was a competent narrator as long as I was reading aloud is now struggling with their narrations when they read the material for themselves. I think we're struggling with the different style of reading for information as opposed to the style of reading she utilizes to read her favorite pleasure reading series from the library. My oldest is a speedy reader. And that's fine as long as she's just following the adventures of a clan of cats... But for gathering and processing information, I think she's going to have to learn to throw it in low gear. Pray for us... She is not liking the idea.
Written narrations are going to be our next hurdle. I am interested to see how she will make the transition.
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