AN ANGLO-HISPANIC CM EDUCATION

“It is the duty of the nation to maintain relations of brotherly kindness with other nations; therefore it is the duty of every family, as an integral part of the nation, to be able to hold brotherly speech with the families of other nations as opportunities arise; therefore to acquire the speech of neighbouring nations is not only to secure an inlet of knowledge and a means of culture, but is a duty of that higher morality (the morality of the family) which aims at universal brotherhood; therefore every family would do well to cultivate two languages besides the mother tongue, even in the nursery.”
Parents and Children, Charlotte Mason

Hispanic Identity in the USA

When I started my educational path as a mother-teacher, I created a bilingual Charlotte Mason program focused on my US-Chilean identity. As time passed, I realized that my children’s cultural identity was more of an English & Spanish blend, including rich historical Indigenous ties.

“History is the pivot on which our curriculum turns” as Miss Mason said. We have devoted many hours to thinking this through: Firstly, we start with the the history of all the indigenous peoples in its current territory and the arrival of Spanish explorers. From there, history itself gives us the organic steps to address the connecting history of surrounding Spanish-speaking peoples. Thirdly, we approach the British Isles and the Iberian peninsula as we naturally touch on the far-flung connected history with Europe and the Mediterranean world. Lastly, Asia and Africa are touched upon as needed.

A Charlotte Mason education is perfect for bilingual or bicultural children! Exploring books and resources in Spanish for a Charlotte Mason education is an uncharted path that we tread slowly and carefully. Thanks to our community of Spanish-speaking Charlotte Mason educators, we have been able to identify living books for different education cycles or grades.

A Hispanic identity in the USA. Spanish may or may not be the mother tongue for many Hispanics in the USA. Cultural traditions and family ties are proving to be as strong as ever!

Starting an Education with Hispanic Identity

May we suggest you start with Spanish? If you don’t speak Spanish, consider learning it.–It is, after all, key to our Hispanic identity–and it serves as Foreign Language in a CM ed!

If you already speak Spanish, we are so happy for you! Keep it alive! Speak in Spanish as much as you can.

Starting School. US History is rich with Hispanic ties! CLICK HERE to read about some of my research about Hispanic American history.

Good books are crucial. Read poems and rhymes, tales, and stories in Spanish to your children. Fun picture books are a good start. You may also find great options in Spanish in the Literature and Poetry sections on our website. Other great sources of books in Spanish for Spanish learners is Fluency Matters.

Start brainstorming about key elements of Hispanic identity for you and your students. Identify the wants and the needs of your school program. Drop us a note if you need help!

Shaping a Hispanic Charlotte Mason Education

Start by reading Charlotte Mason’s books which you may find HERE. Keep in mind that the philosophical and the practical are inseparable–just as we allow no separation between the “secular” and the “sacred” in education. Remember:

  • Children have power to learn; the learning effort lies on the child, not the teacher. The educator is a facilitator or an instrument in God’s hands in the educational process
  • Knowledge of God, human beings and the universe are the core objects of learning, e.g. Bible studies, the humanities and the sciences. Children should be exposed to creative endeavors (art, music, etc) as well as spend time oudoors every day
  • The three tools of a CM education are the living atmosphere, the discipline of habits and life-giving books and things
  • Most lessons are based on rich literature and real life application of knowledge. Most lessons involve reading a piece of literature and narrating it to the teacher after only 1 reading (habit of attention). Books are read along terms or years. There’s no need to rush readings!
  • Lessons are short and varied. They increase in length as the children grow and their attention habits develop.

Don’t be bogged down by curriculum and other constraints! CM’s philosophy education can be adapted to any reality! The next step may be:

  1. Start by identifying clearly the geographic focus of your school, that is, the Spanish-speaking country or geographic area of interest for you
  2. Next, learn about the chronological history of your local or national focus in regards to world history. Grab a notebook and start your own Book of Centuries!
  3. Identify high-quality literature works or “living books” written originally in Spanish OR in a good-quality Spanish translation firstly for the subjects of History and Literature. From those two subjects, it will be easier to find Poetry, Science and Geography. Riches are abundant in Spanish! Composers, artists as well as hymn writers and folk songs exist throughout the Spanish-speaking world. (Remember that the living book par excellence is the Bible, already available in excellent Spanish in the 1960 Reina-Valera version.)
  4. Make an inventory of available educational resources that are specific to your country and/or geographic location with the help of both the national Charlotte Mason community of educators and the wider Iberoamérica group: Join or follow a national Charlotte Mason Spanish-speaking group HERE and/or the Comunidad Educadores Charlotte Mason Iberoamérica in order to gather information, exchange and share resources above!
  5. Feel free to click HERE to contact me. I am available for consultations if you desire a one-on-one conversation to start your own journey towards an education with a Hispanic component!

Charlotte Mason Resources

A full grasp of the Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy will be pivotal for you to apply it in your school room. In our website, you’ll find plenty of links to resources in Spanish. There is an amazing abundance of resources in English, though, if you wish to start there! Some resources in English that we love are the following:

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Thank you and may our God bless you richly!