Mater Amabilis™

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Science

Mater Amabilis Science Overview

Mater Amabilis is a Charlotte Mason curriculum. As such, the curriculum follows the approach used her schools and programmes.

Charlotte Mason on science learning:  

The only sound method of teaching science is to afford a due combination of field or laboratory work, with such literary comments and amplifications as the subject affords. For example, from {a good book on science} children derive a certain enthusiasm for crystals as such that their own unaided observation would be slow to afford.– Volume VI, p. 223

 

The nature note book is very catholic and finds room for the stars in their courses and for, say, the fossil anemone found on the beach at Whitby. – Volume VI, p. 223

The students.. cover a good deal of field work, and the study of some half dozen carefully selected books on natural history, botany, architecture and astronomy, the principle being that children shall observe and chronicle, but shall not depend on their own unassisted observation. Volume VI, p. 220 (refers to Form III, ages 11-14)

Nature Study is the foundation of science education in the Charlotte Mason method. Children observe and attend to the natural world, and then move into a more formal study of other science topics.

Beginning in Level 1A science is scheduled twice a week, and for the most part includes a book based lesson using a living book, as well as a demonstration or experiment in the following lesson. As the students grow older, the frequency of the lessons increases but the same approach continues, combining well written living books on a topic with hands on demonstration, experiments, and observation. In Level 3-4 science is scheduled 3 times per week, and students also study geology 1-2 times per week. In high school science lessons should be daily. Students are encouraged to keep a science notebook with diagrams, drawings, notes of observations, and field notes.

Level 1B: 

NATURE STUDY

Children should spend much time out of doors, go on weekly nature walks, observing, discussing, and drawing what they see. 

See notes on nature study by MacBeth Derham.

Lesson plans are provided for a study of North American Animal Life, Landscapes, and Ecosystems: A year’s study of the natural world with a two term emphasis on tide pools.

Level 1A 

Level 1A Year 1:

THE NATURAL WORLD

A year’s study of the natural world, concentrating on insects, birds and plants. Each week, students will read from living books on the term’s topic, as well as perform simple demonstrations or experiments related to the week’s reading.

Level 1A Year 2:

MATTER AND THE MARVELS OF SCIENCE

A year’s study of the nature of matter, the vastness of space, and the minuscule marvels that make up our world. Students will study solids and liquids, changes in matter, the constellations in the night sky, and learn about microscopes and magnification while exploring aspects of nature too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Time requirement: Two weekly lessons of approximately 30 minutes. Usually this will consist of one reading and one or more hands on explorations/activities. Readings are to be read and narrated. Additionally, students can begin recording illustrations, diagrams, and more in a science journal.

Teacher involvement: You will need to work with your child for these lessons.

Level 2 

Level 2 Year 1

SCIENCE IN ANCIENT GREECE

Optics, the Solar System, Magnetism, and Simple Machines

This year’s science study is based around the science of Ancient Greece, focusing on topics studied by Greek scientists. The main scientific themes covered are optics (light), the solar system, magnetism*, and simple machines. Alongside these your child will be reading about the history of science in Ancient Greece, including biographies of Eratosthenes and Archimedes.

*Magnetism is not covered in the history of science reading, but was certainly known to the Greeks.

Time requirement: Two weekly lessons of approximately 30 minutes. One lesson will be for reading and narration; the other will be for a hands-on activity or experiment. 

Level 2 – Year 2
HUMAN BODY AND THE HISTORY OF MEDICINE

Science in Ancient Rome

This year’s science study covers the Human Body and scientific discoveries in Ancient Rome. Students will study the major systems of the human body, do simple demonstrations, and make 2 dimensional models of various body systems. Alongside these your child will be reading about the history of science in Ancient  Rome, including a biography of Galen. 

Time Requirement: Two weekly lessons of approximately 40 minutes (30 minutes for the history of science reading)

Teacher Involvement: Reading and written narration can be done independently by most children. Some direction likely to be needed for activities.

Levels 3 and 4

Level 3 Year 1

WONDERS OF CREATION 

This course provides an overview of life science with a term each of Botany and Biology as well as a winter term of astronomy with an emphasis on star gazing. Experiments, demonstrations and further reading are woven into the course to enable students to build an understanding of the natural world around them as well as the history of the study of biology. Themes include classification, nature study, cell structure, and the human body. 

An introduction to Earth Science should be scheduled for an additional day each week. (See Geology)

Level 3 Year 2 and Level 4

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Science Through Time (Secrets of the Universe) 

This 2 year physical science course provides an overview of the development of science from ancient times through to the early twentieth century. The framework for the course is the chronological development of science, showing how new scientific discoveries built upon the work of earlier scientists. Experiments, demonstrations and further reading are woven into the course to enable students to build an understanding of scientific principles. 

Topics: Classical and Fluid Mechanics (Pressure Demonstrations), The Periodic Table and Elements (Analysis and Oxidation Demonstrations), Matter and Energy, Weather (Weather experiments), Waves and Electricity (Electricity Demonstrations), Relativity and Quantum Mechanics, Engineering (Flight and Magnetism demonstrations), and Faith and reason through the study of Catholic scientists.

Time Requirements:

Three lessons weekly for the main study, each lesson lasting approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

In addition to science, a student should study Geology and Earth Studies 2x/week.

High School Science 

The Mater Amabilis High School Science Plan offers both traditional (one year per science) course plan, as well as an integrated science plan, with both Textbook and Living Book suggestions.

 

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A Catholic Charlotte Mason Homeschool Curriculum

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Overview of the Curriculum

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Getting Started Guide

Click here to download and print our helpful guide to getting started with Mater Amabilis ™ curriculum.

Helpful Resource Pages

Religion

Language Arts

History

Science Overview

How To Study Shakespeare

Nature Study

Geography & Earth Studies

Picture Study

Music Appreciation

Plutarch

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Mater Amabilis

“. . . our Blessed Virgin Mary is called Amabilis, or lovable, as being such to the children of the Church.” -Bl. John Henry Cardinal Newman

Copywork Made Clear

Here is a new video on the value and process of copywork.

A Tour of the MA website

Here is a brief tour through the website, including how to find the introduction, overview, subject helps, and level landing pages. We have also included a tour of level 1A as an example of the resources available for most levels, and a quick look at the high school levels.

The Joy of Copywork

by Sally Thomas I’ve always loved copywork. In grade school, the nicest days – aside from the days when the art teacher read us Amelia Bedelia – were the days when the teacher handed us a poem, purple, damp, and vaguely vanilla-scented, fresh from the ditto machine. Generally it was a poem of the season, … Read More about The Joy of Copywork

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