AMITL -What it is & What it isn't!

Lesson Plans

A Mind in the Light is not a curriculum that claims it has lesson plans but really doesn't. Actual lesson plans are included. I've been really frustrated by a number of curricula available today that claim (and charge a great deal) for what is supposed to be lesson plans, but are really just reading schedules. A reading schedule tells you what book to read from and what pages or chapters to read. Some of these reading schedules are set up as weekly plans -in which you, the teacher, must break them down into daily schedules and some are daily. One curriculum offers basic reading schedules for a hefty price, but calls them lesson plans and then charges 3x that amount for fuller lesson plans, which are essentially the same but with a different format and a few generic "Read" with a box to check and "Narrate" with another box to check added. It's still, in general, just a reading schedule.

The lesson plans at A Mind in the Light are actually chapter-by-chapter [or reading selection-by-reading selection] lesson plans for each main book included in the curriculum. Most importantly, the lesson plans are flexible! They are not scripted in the sense that you are told what to say and how to say it. Choose to include what you think fits your family best. Connection questions and prompts are included to bridge one reading to the next. Words to Know are included, but you may certainly skip over any words you are confident need no extra attention. People or Characters and Map Work or Places are given. You may copy these to a board or simply have your student look at the lists/charts included as they narrate. Notes for historical context and language flagged for racial content are given, so you don't have to look up confusing parts of a text or worry about inappropriate language without some forewarning. Read the selection or have your student go off to read it alone. After reading, there are numerous narration prompts of various types offered. One is always of a general oral retelling type, so select this one if you wish. Alternative types are always there if your student needs something different. Allow students to choose the narration prompt which interests them. This allows the narration to be more fully their own. All narration prompts are merely suggestions. If a student wishes to narrate in their own unique way, then this is always encouraged!

Flexible Student Placement

A Mind in the Light is actually ideal for students who need more flexible placement. The combined grades in each program guide allow for students to easily work above, below or even use elements of both above/below. A nine-year-old who has no experience with Charlotte Mason methods or who has not read many of the earlier books can work in Year Three, as is, work in Year Three with elements of Year Four or work in Year Four but with some elements exchanged for those in Year Three. All of the lessons for both years are included, allowing you to choose as best fits your student. This same example would apply to higher levels, too. A thirteen-year-old who is struggling can certainly use LSA [Years 5-6] for one year, but then move up into USB [Years 7-9] the following year, giving this student an extra year to get caught up. Upper levels can be made easier by adjusting writing expectations and independent reading expectations. Lower levels can be adjusted this same way but by increasing the expectations. Shared books within levels and, in some cases, with books above and below level make this easier, too. A family style approach to art, art appreciation, music, music appreciation, nature study and more will allow for more to be shared and enjoyed as a whole family.

Tales, Myths & Legends

Tales, myths and legends are specifically included in the curriculum, in contrast to many other Charlotte Mason curricula, which tend to focus on tying historical fiction to the historical time period being studied. A Mind in the Light is not a curriculum which leans too heavily into historical fiction for literature but is a curriculum which leans heavily into tales, myths, legends, classic literature and poetry.

A Mind in the Light was designed with the inclusion of these literature categories:

• poetry -various poets studied, longer narrative poems/epics and historical ballads

• tales, myths and legends

• classic children's literature for lower levels and classic literature for upper levels

• Shakespeare [Year 6+]

Each year these components make up the literature and poetry portion of the curriculum. Only some historical fiction is used as children's literature -usually pieces which have crossed over into either classic literature or is an excellent example of historical fiction. General historical fiction books are separated as independent reading or free reading. This pattern begins in Year One and continues throughout the curriculum.

Creator Education & Experience

A Mind in the Light is a curriculum created by an experienced homeschool mom. Both of my grown daughters were home-educated from birth until high school graduation. My older daughter has earned her bachelor's degree and is currently employed at a major university while simultaneously earning her master's degree. My younger daughter is currently attending this same university, studying Astrophysics. I have a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and have loved all aspects of teaching and learning my whole life.