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momilymira's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This is a valuable book whether you are a veteran educator or new to the journey, whether instructing many or “just” yourself. The practical advice for how to implement and expand written narrations in high school were very timely and I havre since rewritten all of my lesson plans.
heddsomewhere's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I first read this when my eldest was 7. Now that we’re in a different stage of our Charlotte Mason inspired education (eldest is now nearly 12), it’s helpful to read it again. Glass gives a clear presentation of what narration is, how to use it, and its effectiveness. We’re 6 years into using the tool of narration, and I can say it is indeed effective—but also, I still find myself trusting the process as my children enter the stage of written narrations. A highly recommended book for anyone interested in alternative methods of learning.
mjrussell221b's review against another edition
3.0
Great resource for ideas of how to teach our children to learn and retain information. A little repetitive, but still great info.
apochemu's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It has helped immensely in my homeschool. Right now the first few chapters of beginning narration were most applicable to me, but I loved the chapter on formal writing and already feel confident about teaching it in the junior high/high school years. The examples of narrations were really helpful too. This book will be one I'll keep referring back to for years to come. A must read for any Charlotte Mason educator, and really I'd suggest it for any educator because I think narration is a highly valuable educational tool.
sturner79's review against another edition
5.0
This is an excellent resource for all educators! As a homeschooling mom of a special needs child I especially appreciated the broad applications of the material and the chapter on Narration and Special Needs. I’m sure I will return to this book again and again.
bkoser's review against another edition
Narration is telling in your own words. You do it every time you tell someone how your day went or how your team blew yesterday's football game. It requires more skills than you might initially think: remembering the facts, identifying what's important, forming a narrative, choosing the vocabulary, the mechanics of speaking or writing.
It's the best way to learn. Have you heard the proverb, "The best way to learn something is to teach it"? That's narration. How often do you say, "I know it but I can't put it into words"? Do you really understand something that you can't communicate to someone else?
It's better than a test or quiz for evaluating what a student has learned. Passing a test might just prove that you're good at taking tests. Without the crutch of the teacher and the test, how much can you explain about the topic? (Also, you can't use ChatGPT to cheat an oral narration.)
Karen Glass uses the analogy of digesting: after you read, you narrate to make it your own. No one can digest for you (Cliff's Notes), you should eat healthy food (quality writing) of different varieties (read widely), with appropriate sized portions and space between meals (different for each person, but you might remember less if you read a whole book at once).
Karen shows that Augustine, Erasmus, Comenius, and Charlotte Mason recommended narration. Then she moves to the "why" (which I summarized above). She also provides lots of practical "how", like when to start written narrations and how to use it in a classroom.
It's the best way to learn. Have you heard the proverb, "The best way to learn something is to teach it"? That's narration. How often do you say, "I know it but I can't put it into words"? Do you really understand something that you can't communicate to someone else?
It's better than a test or quiz for evaluating what a student has learned. Passing a test might just prove that you're good at taking tests. Without the crutch of the teacher and the test, how much can you explain about the topic? (Also, you can't use ChatGPT to cheat an oral narration.)
Karen Glass uses the analogy of digesting: after you read, you narrate to make it your own. No one can digest for you (Cliff's Notes), you should eat healthy food (quality writing) of different varieties (read widely), with appropriate sized portions and space between meals (different for each person, but you might remember less if you read a whole book at once).
Karen shows that Augustine, Erasmus, Comenius, and Charlotte Mason recommended narration. Then she moves to the "why" (which I summarized above). She also provides lots of practical "how", like when to start written narrations and how to use it in a classroom.
dajenny's review against another edition
3.0
A good overview of and argument for the art of narration, with some helpful tips and plenty of examples. A bit dry, however, and very repetitive.
annelawson's review against another edition
4.0
Karen Glass has done it again! This book will undoubtedly become a standard guide and a classic. Homeschoolers who use Charlotte Mason principles will find this book invaluable to their understanding of the power of narration.
Karen has made it particularly clear how a student progresses from oral to written narration, essays and finally formal composition. Her instructions are both clear and encouraging. She gives practical examples and advice making it easy to follow and understand, clearing up the anxiety many homeschooling parents have about "what to do when".
Most importantly, Karen is faithful to Charlotte Mason's writings and practice of narration in PNEU schools and homes. She is confident that narration works, and readers will come away with the same confidence. I am encouraged that my children will become successful writers, readers, learners and communicators as they practice daily the art of narration.
The book is a must-read for every homeschooling parent. It can also be a valuable resource for teachers in any setting, public or private. I hope every educator will find it, read it, and implement narration in their classrooms. Our children deserve to have a rich feast spread before them, and deserve to be able to use narration as a tool for comprehension and expression.
Karen has made it particularly clear how a student progresses from oral to written narration, essays and finally formal composition. Her instructions are both clear and encouraging. She gives practical examples and advice making it easy to follow and understand, clearing up the anxiety many homeschooling parents have about "what to do when".
Most importantly, Karen is faithful to Charlotte Mason's writings and practice of narration in PNEU schools and homes. She is confident that narration works, and readers will come away with the same confidence. I am encouraged that my children will become successful writers, readers, learners and communicators as they practice daily the art of narration.
The book is a must-read for every homeschooling parent. It can also be a valuable resource for teachers in any setting, public or private. I hope every educator will find it, read it, and implement narration in their classrooms. Our children deserve to have a rich feast spread before them, and deserve to be able to use narration as a tool for comprehension and expression.
jennyp0208's review against another edition
3.0
If you haven't started using narration in your homeschool, I give this a 5 stars go read it now, catch the vision, and give narrating a try.
If you have been narrating for years, as we have, it's a solid reminder of why we do this hard thing and a chance to tweak the techniques. Personally I needed the bit on how to move from oral narrating to written and from there on to writing. I know how in my head but in this area I needed a little clarity and hand holding.
The book is fine. But only fine. The biggest issue is the structure: narrations, many transcribed and at least a few scanned/photographed, are on the right hand of every page. While they occasionally build on the content on the left, they often feel random. They're distracting on the pages where each narration and each explanation is in a different font, which is a different font from the right hand side. It's a cluttered reading experience. I would have much preferred Glass's writing first, then narrations gathered together at the end of each chapter. The last chapter had testimonials from graduates instead - even more valuable as a mom in the trenches of elementary school, but somehow even more distracting in this particular format. I ended up taking 2 passes through the chapter to separate them myself. Nearly half the pages in the book are narration samples. There must be a less clunky way of organizing it for an easier reading experience.
If you have been narrating for years, as we have, it's a solid reminder of why we do this hard thing and a chance to tweak the techniques. Personally I needed the bit on how to move from oral narrating to written and from there on to writing. I know how in my head but in this area I needed a little clarity and hand holding.
The book is fine. But only fine. The biggest issue is the structure: narrations, many transcribed and at least a few scanned/photographed, are on the right hand of every page. While they occasionally build on the content on the left, they often feel random. They're distracting on the pages where each narration and each explanation is in a different font, which is a different font from the right hand side. It's a cluttered reading experience. I would have much preferred Glass's writing first, then narrations gathered together at the end of each chapter. The last chapter had testimonials from graduates instead - even more valuable as a mom in the trenches of elementary school, but somehow even more distracting in this particular format. I ended up taking 2 passes through the chapter to separate them myself. Nearly half the pages in the book are narration samples. There must be a less clunky way of organizing it for an easier reading experience.