I remember when I first thought of homeschooling. For years I had wanted to but never thought it possible. Until one day, God opened the doors. So here I was, finally beginning this homeschooling journey, but where was I to start? With just a couple of Google searches on how to get things started I was flooded by so much information I was overwhelmed.
It took weeks of researching and finally becoming comfortable with my knowledge on how to even begin.
One of the many things I came across, and was often asked about whenever I’d mention I was to begin homeschooling was “…and what method will you use?” along with a bunch of names of methods I had never heard of. “Will you be strictly classical? Will you go the Charlotte Mason route? Will you unschool or be more eclectic?”
Who was this Charlotte Mason I kept hearing about and how does one even unschool?!
I. Was. Lost.
Even with extensive research, it was still a lot for me to understand.
If this is one of the questions you are asking yourself, I have compiled some easy-to-understand information about the homeschooling methods available out there.
Ok, let’s dive in!
Traditional/School-at-Home
This method is closest to what a child would experience if they were to attend a public or private school.
Traditional homeschooling emulates school as much as possible with the use of tests/quizzes, standardized lessons, grading, workbooks, textbooks, literature, and other educational supplies.
This plan is also ideal for those who plan on homeschooling being temporary for their family, the traditional method smooths the transition back to school for students.
Some curriculum options for the Traditional/School-at-Home style:
Abeka, BJU Press, Power Homeschool, Sonlight, AOP Lifepac
Classical
The classical method prioritizes teaching children how to learn and think for themselves and places an emphasis on language, critical thinking, and literature. Learning is separated into three parts using a trivium model: grammar, rhetoric, and logic.
The Grammar Stage
The Grammar Stage is for children ages 4-11 or grades k-4/5. At these ages children are like sponges, soaking up everything they learn very well. Memorization is very important and enjoyable at this stage. It is also important at this stage that students have core knowledge of mathematics, language arts, science, and history.
The Logic Stage
The Logic Stage is for children ages 11-14 or grades 4/5-8. At this age your child will not only begin asking lots of questions but will be expecting reasoned responses. Your child will be more challenged to reason logically and analyze information received.
The Rhetoric Stage
The Rhetoric Stage is for children ages 14-18 or grades 9-12. This is the stage when your student matures and begins to apply what they’ve learned to everyday life. Your child will be able to express themselves more confidently and to articulate their thoughts in writing and speaking.
Some curriculum options for the Classical homeschooling style:
Classical Academic Press, Memoria Press, Veritas Press, Classical Conversations, Well-Trained Mind Press, Logos Press
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was a British philosopher and educator born in 1842. After years of teaching children and adults in the British school system, she designed a way of education that encouraged art, music, being out in nature, and reading literature from “living books”. Living books are books that draws a reader in and makes them want to learn more about a subject.
Want to know more about Charlotte Mason’s philosophy? Consider giving the following books a look written by Miss. Mason herself: Home Education by Charlotte M. Mason
Some curriculum options for the Charlotte Mason homeschooling style:
Simply Charlotte Mason, Ambleside Online, A Gentle Feast
Unit Studies
In Unity Studies, students focus on a particular theme at a time. They will learn and include multiple subjects into their themed lesson plans. This style of homeschooling encourages students to use critical thinking using specific topics. The curricula used for Unit Studies are known to follow weekly and sometimes monthly topics which incorporate science, math, art, history, and literature.
Some curriculum options for the Unit Studies homeschooling method:
UnitStudy.com, Gather’Round Homeschool, Homeschool Legacy
Montessori
Maria Montessori was an Italian educator and physician. Born in 1870, she spent her early years enrolled in classes at an all-boys school hoping to one day become and engineer. Maria became one of the first women to attend medical school in Italy, graduating with honors in 1896. The Montessori method focuses on a child as an individual. Creativity is encouraged, as well as curiosity. A child’s classroom is seen as an environment where they will prepare for daily life. This method focuses on hands-on learning and caters to each child’s individual learning style.
Some curriculum options for the Montessori Homeschool Method:
Montessori for Everyone, Living Montessori Now, Shiller Learning
Moore
The Moore method, better known as the “Moore Formula” is an educational philosophy by Dr. Raymond Moore and his wife Dorothy.
The Moore Formula does not recommend formal studies before the age of 8. Study, service, and chores/manual work is highly encouraged.
1) Study from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child's maturity.
2) Manual work at least as much as study.
3) Home and/or community service an hour or so a day. Focus on kids' interests and needs; be an example in consistency, curiosity, and patience. Live with them! Worry less about tests; we'll help you there. With the Moore Formula, if you are loving and can read, write, count, and speak clearly, you are a master teacher. -MooreFoundation.com
Some curriculum options for the Moore Formula homeschooling style: Moore Academy
Unschooling
Unschooling is more about learning from every day life and experiences while not really sticking to any particular curriculum. In this method, the child sets and directs their own education determining what will be taught.
Relaxed
Flexibility is very important in the Relaxed style of homeschool. It is also encouraged for the child to become an independent learner. Relaxed homeschooling helps parents fit schooling into their lives and not the other way around.
Eclectic
Oxford English Dictionary defines the word Eclectic as:
ec·lec·tic/ēˈklektik/adjective
And that is exactly what the Eclectic method of homeschooling does. This is the method most used by parents. Combinations of different methods and curriculum can be used for different subjects, students, or different times in a child’s educational process.
Please try to remember that every child is different and learns differently. There may not be a perfect method out there for everyone, a lot of people mix and match and go the eclectic route which I mentioned above. If this is you and your child’s/children’s first time homeschooling, keep in mind you will have to get to know how your children learn best and it could take months or maybe even a school year or more.
But that is the beauty of homeschool! The flexibility and being able to cater to your child’s educational needs.
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