When you are looking for a beef stew recipe, you know basically what the main ingredients are. However there are so many recipes out there that change the cooking technique and/or add in more ingredients. Well the same goes for homeschooling methods. There are the basic ingredients like grammar, arithmetic, history, science, and possibly Bible studies. Then there’s the recipe and how these basic ingredients are taught. Plus there may be additional educational information that is added in. Well here is a look at some of the different recipes, methods, for homeschooling.
Let’s first take a look at Eclectic Homeschooling. This method is known as the mix and match method. The reason for this is that the parent can mix and match different curriculum to suit the needs of the individual child. Not all children conform to the one size fits all education, so this allows for the teacher to be a little more flexible for the student. They can use a wide variety of different materials so a lot of research and preparation is needed for this approach.
Now we can dive into Classical Homeschooling which states that a child’s abilities mature in prescribed stages and correspond to a “trivium” drawn from the Middle Ages – grammar, logic, and rhetoric. The Grammar Stage (K – 6th) focuses on memorization and general “gathering” of knowledge from a subject. The Logic Stage (7th – 8th) focuses on a child’s developing abilities to understand the abstract, see cause and effect, use formal logic, analysis and criticism. The Rhetoric Stage (9th – 12th) is when students concentrate on using their knowledge and reason to express their thoughts in clear, eloquent writing and speech. Latin and Christianity are both incorporated in this method.
The Charlotte-Mason Method is based on a British educator whose teaching methods included using books that were written by a person with a passion for the subject, as opposed to using just printed textbooks. Other aspects are to use narration, short lessons, the development of good habits, and the study of art, nature and poetry. It has a gentle and flexible nature and the parent guides the learning process. This approach is very well rounded, but the parent needs to be able to devote quite a bit of time discussing books, giving dictation, listening and encouraging narration, and enjoying poetry, art and music with the student. There aren’t any strict schedules and no formal tests.
If you’re interested in the Montessori-at-Home method, here are a few things you will want to know. This concept promotes peace and considers the whole child as well as the environment in its approach. Children learn through experience as this is a very hands on approach. It encourages order, independence, and self-motivation and is a good choice for the very active child. By being able to complete tasks on their own they will have an inner appreciation therefore leading to more self promoted activities. You provide the learning materials and then watch them explore.
The Moore’s are a husband and wife team who have been in the homeschooling industry for over 55 years. They helped in founding homeschooling as we know it today. The Moore approach teaches how to balance between studies, work, and teaching children how to earn a living. This is based all on the capabilities of each child at differ levels. While teaching language, math, and science it incorporates teaching how to help at home and be entrepreneurs while building character and creativity. Here are the basics. First, the child studies from a few minutes to several hours a day, depending on the child’s maturity. Next comes manual work at least as much as study. Lastly, home and/or community service an hour or so a day. This curriculum focuses on the child’s interests and needs without the pressure of tons of testing. The Moore’s have written several books that are available online for purchase.
The Reggio Emilia Approach is a program based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment based on the interests of the children through a self-guided curriculum. It came about in the Italian town of Reggio Emilia after the destruction of World War II. This method has less teaching and puts the child in the driver’s seat. Most of the instruction is in the form of projects that give the child the opportunity to explore, observe, hypothesize, question, and discuss their findings and give the parent/teacher the ability to see what their children are understanding. In this approach the child really has the chance to blossom their own personality and see their potential through self guidance.
Most people are quite familiar with The Structured Homeschooling method as this is what most people who attended a traditional school grew up with. In this approach there is a schedule of studies and each subject is taught separately daily. Every subject is covered by grade level and there are textbooks with teachers manuals to follow along with. Tests at the end of each lesson will let the teacher or parent know that the child has acquired knowledge of the subject. Some parents really enjoy this method because it gives the lesson plans and maps out the daily schedule for them.
The Unit Study Approach is taking a particular topic or theme and then building a study around that topic. This is usually led by the student who decides what their interest is for that time period and then the teacher incorporates the math, language arts, science, and history associated with that topic. Children learn by experiencing and since they have chosen the topic they tend to be more inquisitive about the math, history, and so forth that drives that topic into being.
Unschooling is not quite what it sounds like. In this method children are the guiding factor. Similar to the Unit Study Approach, children choose how they learn by their interests. There is no particular curriculum used as most parents just choose from them all to cover whatever the subject is to be learned. This is very hands on and children learn through real life experiences. In this philosophy children have a natural capability to learn and each has their own learning style. Therefore to try and teach with a specific curriculum will just hinder the child’s instincts to learn naturally.
Rudolf Steiner created the Waldorf Homeschooling method. In this method Steiner stresses the importance of educating the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. There is an emphasis on arts and crafts, music and movement, and nature in the primary grade levels. Then older children are taught to develop self-awareness and how to reason things out for themselves. In this method children do not use standard textbooks. They are given age appropriate materials based on the 3 learning stages. By the third stage, 14 and up, children have a strong understanding of abstract materials and should have sufficient foundation and maturity to form conclusions using their own judgment. Since educational emphasis is on children’s holistic development, not solely their academic progress, grades are not usually given and tests are scarce. They do, however, do college entry testing which starts in the secondary years. In this method many feel that the use of television and computers impair the health and creativity of the child, so they either limit or completely eliminate the use of these electronics. This method is widely used in Europe.
Thomas Jefferson homeschooling is designed to raise thinkers, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Children are taught by reading the classic works in our history. This method requires a lot of reading and discussion but does not use textbooks. Parents must also read the books as this is how they get a better understanding of how their child is progressing. They also mentor and encourage the child to learn on their own. By reading Oliver Van De Mille various books on the topic, you can get a feel for this method.
There are many other ways to school children. This is just to name some of the most widely used. It is important to learn all you can from each style so that you can make an informed decision that is best for your child and also the dynamic of your family. Please keep in mind that you are not locked in to a method. If you start one and realize that it’s not what you expected, you can always change it. Happy Homeschooling.