If you follow a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling, you already know what narration is. If you don’t, in a brief summary narration is the retelling of a story, event, or lesson to help “seal” the knowledge learned. What makes narration a great part of all school experiences is that it can be done at ALL levels (even pre-school) through graduation. Who needs boring old book reports when you can use creative narration?

A creative idea for incorporating narration into your schooling is with the use of dioramas. Many of us have made at least one diorama during our school years. Most commonly narration is either a written or oral retelling of a part of a story or an analysis of sorts for older students. This is a wonderful and useful method, but as with any type of lesson, an element of fun and a method that can be re-created over and over in a unique way and gets your student excited with each project is often an option that parents may want to consider incorporating in their lessons. Dioramas offer a much wider scope of narration with benefits that will create lasting lessons with any subject!

Firstly, the basic “stage” for dioramas is shoe boxes. If you are like me, you may not keep shoe boxes around; but don’t despair. Next time you are out on errand day, stop at a shoe store and ask if they have any extra empty shoe boxes. Take only as many as you need since you likely don’t have room to store them in your home. I have never gone to a shoe store and not been able to get shoe boxes! While shoe boxes are the most common “stage” for dioramas other options can really spark creativity in your child’s mind. Consider other types of boxes such as larger boxes from warehouse clubs. These boxes are often more sturdy as well and offer flaps that can be used for doors or extra wings. Smaller or narrow boxes such as cereal or tissue boxes will also offer a different setting that will offer a setting that challenges your child’s mind. Try thinking outside the box all together and use bottles or buckets. When acquiring shoe boxes don’t specify size and you will be given a variety of box sizes all the time. This creates a new dynamic in the construction of dioramas.

Dioramas can be used to retell what a child has learned in ANY subject with little instruction from Mom. This is the best way for Mom to assess what her child has learned. Simply instruct your child on what you want them to use the diorama for, i.e. telling time, a recitation, story, science lesson, vocabulary, historic period or event, life skill, spelling, geography study, etc. Ask them a few key questions about what they know, then guide them (don’t give specific instructions) as to what steps to use in constructing the diorama. Try giving your child a short checklist of concepts or ideas you want them to demonstrate. This will assure that your child covers the matter you want to assess and give your child the freedom to demonstrate that knowledge in a way that best suits their personality and learning style. Have the craft supplies you are willing to allow them to use on hand and let them go. If you have a child who does not have an artistic bent, consider offering a different set of art and crafting supplies for each diorama. Before long you will see your child using their creative side in amazing ways!

One of the most important aspects (and often one of the most difficult for Mom) of using dioramas is that these can be almost completely constructed without the help of Mom; giving a true assessment of your child’s learning. These don’t have to be perfect moms! You want your children to retell what they have learned in a way that is meaningful to them. It also doesn’t have to look like a picture perfect project fit for a photo shoot. If you have ever been to science fair, you can tell the projects that have been completely constructed by children and those that have had adult hands on help.

This is their project and their chance to show what they have learned. I have found that the repetition of dioramas for narration offers a wonderful opportunity to document progress in from a much broader scope than typically used with testing or written and oral narration. The reason for this is that your child will be using all parts of their brain to construct the project, which other methods of narration do not. Once a diorama is complete allow the child a few minutes in front of the family or guests to orally retell what the diorama is all about. This will further help reinforce the lessons they have learned and give them an opportunity to speak in front of a group in a non-threatening way. You will truly be amazed by the creativity of your children and how much the lesson has been cemented by using this idea.

This is an especially great method for children who are hands-on learners, but can also assist those who are auditory learners to hone their hands on abilities. Since it can be used for any subject and lesson the idea is perfect for any schooling approach, be it classical, Charlotte Mason, un-schooling, unit study, eclectic, relaxed, etc it is a terrific way for children to demonstrate what they have learned. For record keeping purposes, you can simply take a picture of each diorama and ask your child to with dictate or write a short summary.

Check out my article on page 34 of the new flipbook edition of Heart of the Matter Magazine.

Leslie Valeska is the wife of Thomas and homeschooling mother of four children who reside in SW Florida. Her family operates Fresh Gear Solutions, LLC and enjoys RVing. She is the founder and director of Simple Journey Ministries which was established to encourage, inspire, and support women on their journey to Godly womanhood. Leslie is also employed as a vintage seamstress by Vintage Vixen.

Diorama photo courtesy Benny Mazur, Flickr