Copywork is one of those timeless homeschool practices that looks simple on the surface but is incredibly rich in benefits. If you’ve ever wondered what copywork is, why it’s worth including in your homeschool, or how to make it more meaningful by tying it to music and the arts, you’re in the right place.
Today we’ll explore how it’s been used throughout history (yes—even Benjamin Franklin practiced it!), how it connects to the Charlotte Mason philosophy, and some fun ways to weave it into your homeschool music and fine arts routines.
What is Copywork?
At its core, copywork is the practice of writing down a carefully chosen passage word-for-word. Children look at a piece of text—a Scripture verse, a stanza of poetry, a hymn or song lyric, a paragraph from a great novel, an essay or speech—and reproduce it neatly in their own handwriting.
It may sound old-fashioned, but copywork teaches so much more than just handwriting. With every line they write, children are:
Practicing spelling and punctuation in context
Absorbing grammar and sentence structure without a lecture
Developing attention to detail
Building habits of accuracy and care
Internalizing the rhythm and beauty of excellent writing
Copywork is truly a multi-layered tool that strengthens both skills and character.
Some of the greatest minds in history used copywork. Benjamin Franklin famously trained himself to write by studying essays from The Spectator. He would jot down notes, set the essay aside, and then try to recreate it in his own words before comparing it with the original. That exercise—essentially copywork—sharpened his style and clarity.
Others, like John Adams and C.S. Lewis, also practiced copying passages to absorb the beauty of language and sharpen their own thinking. When your child copies a stanza from a hymn or a quote from Mozart, they are walking in the footsteps of brilliant thinkers and writers who came before.
Charlotte Mason and Copywork
Charlotte Mason, a 19th-century educator whose philosophy inspires many homeschoolers today, believed copywork should be an everyday part of education. For her, it wasn’t busywork—it was a way to form habits of excellence.
She encouraged parents to choose living words: Scripture, poetry, hymns, literature, and noble thoughts worth remembering. Short passages, copied with attention and neatness, help children not only learn handwriting but also cultivate a love for truth and beauty.
Fun Ways to Use Music Themed Copywork in Your Homeschool
Copywork doesn’t have to feel like a chore. Here are some creative ideas:
Music Appreciation: Copy a composer’s famous quote alongside a short listening activity.
Hymn Studies: Have your child write out a stanza of a hymn you’re singing.
Seasonal Lessons: In the spring, use Easter Scripture Copywork. Around the Fourth of July, copy the Pledge of Allegiance or The Star-Spangled Banner.
Notebooking: Add completed pages to a composer study folder or art history notebook.
Creative Presentation: Encourage children to decorate borders or illustrate the page with a drawing related to the quote or hymn.
Copywork becomes memorable when it’s connected to something your child is already learning or singing.
Music and Fine Arts (and more!) Copywork Resources
To make copywork easy and meaningful, I’ve created ready-to-use sets that bring together handwriting practice with music, art, and faith. A few favorites include:
These printable resources make it easy to add meaningful copywork into your homeschool—whether you’re studying composers, learning hymns, or celebrating holidays.
Final Thoughtsabout Music Themed Copywork
Copywork is more than handwriting—it’s an act of formation. It shapes the hand, the mind, and the heart through exposure to excellent words. And when you connect copywork with music and the arts, you add an extra layer of inspiration and joy.
If you’ve never tried copywork before, start small. Choose a short hymn stanza, a composer quote, or a Scripture verse. You might be surprised at how quickly it becomes one of your family’s favorite homeschool habits.
Until next time, keep making music—and copywork!—a joyful part of your homeschool.
Find Copywork in the A Folk Song a Week online course:
A Folk Song a Week
36 Folk Songs included , so learn one a week throughout a full school-year!
