Those who incorporate a Charlotte Mason method use copywork daily. As I have stated in another article, copywork is can be used to teach a variety of lessons such as sentence formation and memorization. Many times, I am contacted by new homeschooling moms or moms who do not take a Charlotte Mason approach yet want to add in copywork for ideas. So, I thought it may be fun and useful to give some copywork ideas for those interested.
Sometimes I assign copywork by theme. I have used hymns, poems, famous quotes, math rules, and grammar rules and so on, as themes. Often I assign themes based on the season, like Christmas carols during the month of December or quotes on thankfulness during the month of November.
I thought it would be interesting to choose Amish proverbs as a theme for copywork. I have found that Amish proverbs are worded with great meaning in a concise manner. I think that the proverbs will not only provoke thought from our children but will give examples of the use of similes and metaphors and how to work something creatively and concisely.
Here is a list of Amish proverbs to use in your homeschool for copywork. You may want to look up more to extend the lessons or simply use this as a mini theme.
All that you do, do with your might. Things done by halves are never done right.
Swallowing words before you say them is so much better than having to eat them afterward.
Some people never learn anything because they understand everything too soon.
If you don’t stand for something, we will fall for anything.
If you can’t see the bright side, polish the dull.
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.
There’s only one way to fail, that’s to quit.
If you sense your faith is unraveling, go back to where you dropped your thread of obedience.
Love enables us to walk fearlessly, to run confidently, and to live victoriously.
Tackle the problem, not the person.
To extend your lesson, you may want to have your children explain on paper or verbally what the proverbs means to them. You may also want to ask them to come up with their own proverb. Once you have several proverbs authored by your child, feel free to assign those as copywork. Kids get a great sense of accomplishment and pride when they see their work featured.
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