Suggestions for an "Arthur Mee Curriculum"

Could Arthur Mee’s Children’s Encyclopedia be used as the basis for a school curriculum? The following is a tentative idea, but I don’t know how practicable it would be. (And whether it would defeat Arthur Mee's original purpose in writing, is a different question altogether).

Work through the Children’s Encyclopedia 3 times:

First time (with younger children)

Parents use the volumes for their own education, and use the different topics to choose appropriate easy books at the levels of their children. Use the Bible or another Bible story book in place of Arthur Mee’s version of the Bible. Use the school lesson sections, and read selected stories and poems for little children. Memorise selected poems.

Second time (middle grades)

Children do much more of the reading themselves, but at the discretion of their parents. If there are sections parents think their children should avoid, the ideas in them can be used to help choose alternative books, or else topics can be discussed together as a family. Add in more books on each topic of interest to the children (fiction or non-fiction). Instead of the school lessons, substitute things like “Tales of the Great Word Family” from Arthur Mee’s Fireside Lesson Book. Instead of the arithmetic section, make more use of the games and puzzles. (Do you realise, some of the puzzles would make good tests, while others are good logic problems? The idea isn’t to put the children off Arthur Mee for life, though, so they could be used informally, and for fun). The “Make and Do” section is just perfect for this age group. Use poetry for memorising and just about anything (either from the Children’s Encyclopedia, or from one of Arthur Mee’s other books) for copywork. Include reading of some of the great literature he talks about in the literature sections. Again use the Bible rather than some of Arthur Mee’s version of the Bible stories. Make use of a time-line or Book of the Centuries. This is also the perfect age to have children producing their own picture maps, similar to those found in the Children’s Encyclopedia.

Third time (high school)

Again, follow the same basic order of topics, but use textbooks or other more in-depth books to cover the material (especially history and science). Read more primary sources and great literature. Perhaps choose certain historical figures to research more deeply. Consider the great ideas that Arthur Mee introduces. Ignore the sections obviously intended for small children, unless they can be used as the basis for writing assignments. Now may be the time to look at the Bible sections, or those on evolution (or other controversial subjects) in more detail, and children could be expected to give reasons for agreeing/disagreeing with Arthur Mee’s version. Pose the question as to whether Arthur Mee views everything from behind rose-coloured spectacles, and whether this is a good or bad thing. Take some of the contemporary ideas/movements he speaks of, and look to see how they have developed since his time.

Copyright © Ruth Marshall 2002-2003

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