Homeschooling Methods at a Glance
Are you just beginning your homeschooling journey, or are you a seasoned veteran who wants to reevaluate your approach to teaching? Confused by all of the curriculum packages and homeschool mom lingo? Wondering which methods might best suit you and your children? Then you will be interested in this short overview of the six most popular methods for home learning and teaching.
Delight-Centered Learning/Unschooling
Central to this method is using the natural curiosity of children and determining their individual interests to ignite their interest in other subjects and ideas. Gathering a substantial home library, combined with following a child’s personal growth, results in a home atmosphere of learning and doing.
If you listen to homeschooling families who embrace the unschooling or delight-centered method, you may be surprised to hear the wide variety of views and philosophies that make up this approach. From parents who take a hands-off attitude to those who provide a rich environment of activities and resources, this method continues to grow in popularity as it challenges the more traditional styles.
- Attention is given to child’s natural desire to learn as he experiences life.
- Most families don’t use a structured plan, curriculum, or schedule.
- Home is filled with real books and hands-on resources.
- Time is spent reading and researching personal interests.
- Practical life skills are interwoven with independent study.
- There is a wide variety of parental perspectives and extent of involvement.
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was an educator who lived during the early part of the twentieth century. Her educational philosophy and methods have enjoyed resurgence among homeschooling families within the last decade. Based on the approach of each child as an individual who has the desire to explore and discover rather than as “a container to fill,” Charlotte’s ideals and methods are a natural fit for many homeschooling families.
Charlotte believed that a child’s education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.” Simply explained, she recognized that a child’s environment and those people who share his life have a profound effect on the child. She observed that building good habits is the foundation of success, and that learning must not be merely a collection of facts, but must happen in the context of real life.
Hand-on nature study, narration, handicrafts, art and music, reading living books, fresh air and exercise—combined with short, thorough lessons in the basic subjects—are the cornerstone of the Charlotte Mason method.
- an atmosphere of learning, character building, and involvement in real life activities
- living books that explore particular subjects in detail rather than textbooks that provide an overview of many subjects
- importance of quality literature, music, and art appreciation
- narration, dictation, copy work, and notebooks
- short lessons that alternate subjects requiring intense concentration with those that require less concentration
- much physical activity, nature study, and self-exploration
- lessons completed in the morning to allow time for handicrafts and study of individual interests in the afternoon
- use of library books encouraged
- free lesson plans available online
Classical Education
The classical education method is based on the idea that there are three stages of development as young people grow. Children in each stage develop specific abilities that favor learning particular skills during that time.
Classical education begins with the “grammar” stage (ages birth to twelve). Grammar stage students are trained in elementary subjects with an emphasis on memorization. This stage is followed in the junior high years by the “dialectic” stage that emphasizes analytical thinking. Expression and abstract thinking are taught in the high school years, or the “rhetoric” stage.
Students who learn with the classical approach will have a rigorous education, be well-versed in logic, and have much exposure to history and classical works of literature. Future statesmen are often prepared in the classical method.
- based on the philosophy of the “trivium”
- material is divided into three stages: grammar, logic, and rhetoric
- study of Latin, Greek, and logic
- study of the great books of the Western world
- memorization and drill work in early grades
- public speaking and debate in high school years
- intense research and study for full day
Come Alongside
One of the most encouraging developments in homeschooling today is the fact that there are so many wonderful individuals and organizations that are willing to come alongside you on your homeschooling journey! Here are a few options, but the ideas are endless, especially given the creativity of homeschooling families:
- co-ops formed by families or within churches
- distance learning with packaged curricula and graded lessons
- umbrella schools sponsored by local churches or private schools
- homeschool-based charter schools sponsored by local public schools
- university model (college prep) schools
Traditional Textbook
The traditional textbook method is the one most familiar to all of us, and for many reasons is the one most frequently used by new homeschoolers. Teachers or parents are provided with materials arranged by grade levels and should plan to expand the condensed information, as time allows. Materials are based on an established set of standards. Students also learn by using lectures, workbooks, and sometimes recorded materials. Prewritten tests and answer keys are available for each subject, with clearly stated goals given for each lesson.
Textbook curriculum companies typically offer testing for students to determine what grade level parents should purchase. Testing is important, because publishers vary in subjects covered, as well as expected mastery of a certain subject matter. Each textbook company’s unique worldview should be considered as you make your selections.
Textbooks can also be used as a key resource for homeschooling families as they branch out into other methods of learning. For example, when preparing a unit study for her children, a mom can use a textbook as a check-off list so she will know which subjects should be included.
The cost for textbooks can be considerable, though many resources are available at used book sales and online. As workbooks are consumable, you will need to plan to purchase one for each child.
- material presented via textbooks for each grade level
- workbooks and, sometimes, recorded lectures
- lessons and curriculum driven by an established set of standards offered through institutions or by publishers’ scope and sequence charts
- much reading, writing, and seat work
- full day schedule
- testing done and grades assigned with objective outcome
- parent/teacher preparation provided in teacher manuals
- goals and objectives provided in the material, with some companies offering assistance via phone or e-mail
- costs variable; textbooks can be resold or reused
Unit Studies/Lapbooks
The unit study approach has become one of the most popular methods of homeschooling over the past two decades. Also known as an integrated method, the unit study approach involves students studying one particular topic, “integrating” all the subjects into the study. Literature, language arts, science, and history are examined while students learn as much as possible about the chosen topic. Projects and applied activities enhance the research and reading. A unit study could be based on a historical period, a passage of Scripture, a work of literature or art, an individual, a discipline of science, or any number of topics that a child might be interested in studying.
One of the best reasons to consider the unit study method is that it works well for homeschoolers, because a variety of ages are able to participate. Little ones might learn the basic information, while older children research in-depth knowledge of a particular subject, with all students enjoying field trips, DVDs, and projects together.
Recently, using lapbooks as part of a unit study has become a creative and economical way to engage those learners who love the hands-on approach. Materials for making lapbooks can be purchased, downloaded for free, or made with items you have on hand.
- concentrated study of subject of choice: topics, time in history, portion of Scripture, works of literature, etc.
- projects and activities chosen for each age level and associated with the theme
- used to teach all grade levels in your home at once
- can integrate most subjects together (science, history, art, music, literature, Bible, character qualities, etc.); math is usually done separately
- projects and field trips coincide with the lessons
- lapbooks
This article originally appeared in Home Educating Family, 2013, Issue 2. Click here to request a free sample issue!
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