Even if you know you want to homeschool, you may not know HOW you want to homeschool. When it comes to picking a homeschooling style for your family, there are a few aspects you’ll want to consider:
First, what kind of education do you want for your children. While all homeschooling styles will provide your children with an education, there are many different emphasis. The second aspect you’ll want to consider is your family culture. How do you respond to routines and rhythms? What sort of time commitment are you willing to make to this homeschooling venture. Finally, consider what type of teaching style suits you as a parent. Also do you have the energy to do a lot work managing the homeschool, or do you need a style that is going to determine a lot of the plan for you?
Aside about Notebooking
Before we get started, I want to talk about a tool which is adaptable to many different styles of homeschooling. Notebooking has increased in popularity in recent years, as an alternative to worksheets and other “busy work” used in school and homeschool environments. Notebooking is a method of recording information learned by student. It is a rather flexible form of journalling, which provides space for the child to share what was important or memorable about a lesson.
It is easy to adapt notebooking to different ability levels or grades, and has the bonus effect of reinforcing other important skills such as listening, narrating, penmanship, and drawing. For a child not yet writing/writing confidently, the parent may chose to record information the child relays about the lesson. Check out our science notebooking pages and our history notebooking pages, which are both available for free to download.
With that aside, let’s get into the Homeschooling Styles! I will go through them in alphabetical order, and list some of the strengths and weaknesses of each.
Charlotte Mason: A Reading Focused Homeschool Style
The Charlotte Mason education emphasizes short lessons and using great literature and “living books.” That is, books that are written generally with a narrative style and are very engaging for readers. This is a great style for families who don’t enjoy traditional textbooks. (Although, thankfully, with the growth in the homeschooling movement, there has been a greater variety and quality of textbooks available that are engaging in their own right!). Just as much as reading is emphasized, so is spending time outside. Often Charlotte Mason homeschoolers will spend the whole afternoon outdoors. Nature walks, copy work, and foreign languages would all be included in a Charlotte Mason inspired education. Charlotte Mason also discouraged the use of test, and preferred that children participate in discussions, record narrations, and keep journals instead.
Notebooking is a great tool for Charlotte Mason homeschoolers.
The Charlotte Mason method is good for being budget friendly (with the use of libraries), focusing on good literature and enjoyable reading, and for making it easy to combine children of multiple ages together for subjects. This method can also easily be combined with Classical Education and with Unit Studies.
One challenge with the Charlotte Mason method is how reading intensive it is. Once you have older children, you can perhaps have them do some of the reading aloud. But especially in the early years this method requires the parent to do a lot of the reading. With this method it is also difficult to find high school level resources.
Classical: The Historical Education Style of the Saints
The Classical education style is based on the development of reason. It revolves around the Trivium (Grammar, Logic, and Rhetoric). Although grammar, logic, and rhetoric are subjects in their own right, they are able to be applied to all other subjects. When students first approach a subject, whether it is math, science, history, or a foreign language, the grammar of the subject must be learned first. You can’t move onto algebra without being able to add, subtract and multiply. You can’t study why the moon revolves around the Earth without understanding what the moon is. After the grammar, or basics of a subject have been mastered, the child moves into logic level work: asking and discovering why. Then, with the knowledge gained though careful study, the teenager is ready to work on expressing this knowledge (rhetoric).
There are many ways to break down the stages of the Trivium. Some say the grammar stage doesn’t begin until age eight, while others start it as early as at six. Personally, I like a neat breakdown of stages, and so I would suggest focusing on grammar work from grades one through four, than logic/dialectic work from grades five through eight. Finally, the stage of rhetoric is the focus of the high school years.
Basically, by knowing your child, you can determine what level or stage of work is right for them. So ignore these grade guidelines and do what works for your child!
Like the Charlotte Mason approach, there is a strong focus on reading (the Great Books) in a Classical education. Classical education also emphasizes studying history in chronological order. Latin and other memory work are typically included in Classical homeschooling. Art, art appreciation, music, and music appreciation are also hallmarks of the classical method.
The Pros and Cons?
Classically educated students become good readers, have an easier time with future studies (leaning Latin makes learning any other subject so much simpler), and know both how to think critically and how to communicate effectively. There are also so many Catholic resources available for classical homeschoolers.
The classical method is about creating life long learners, who during the formative years have learned how to learn. There is also a focus on beauty in this education method.
The classical method places a strong focus on academics, which some families may consider as a negative. While this method can also be read-aloud intensive, there are also many audio book sources available for this method due to its popularity among Catholics and other homeschoolers. Families using the classical method vary widely in the intensity of this education method. So whether you want to be super diligent with the classical method, or much more relaxed, it is difficult to imagine not being able to adapt this to any family’s lifestyle.
Eclectic (or Relaxed): Homeschool Style Combinations
Eclectic homeschooling is a way some families refer to the fact they use more than one homeschool style. Most homeschooling families would probably technically be eclectic homeschoolers. Saying you use an eclectic homeschool style is a good way to be sure you aren’t being stereotyped by tropes of your predominant homeschool style. However, in conversation, it may be more helpful just to explain which homeschooling styles you are using.
Some Common Combinations:
- Charlotte Mason and Classical
- Charlotte Mason and Unit Studies
- Classical and Independent Learning
- Classical and Umbrella Program
- Online/Internet Based and Classical
- Montessori and Unit Studies
- School at Home and Umbrella Program
- Unschooling and Unit Studies
My family is also technically eclectic homeschooling. We combine the Montessori homeschool style for the early years, with the Classical method. We try to keep our lessons short and sweet, with notebooking or hands on work.
Eclectic homeschooling is also helpful for families who want to really customize their education plan to suit individual children.
Game-Schooling: The Homeschool Style of Fun
The main point of game-schooling is that it encourages learning through play. Board games and card games can improve memory and increase child engagement. Our math program (Math with Confidence) includes many math card games to help with learning and reviewing math facts. And it certainly is an engaging method. I love the idea of game-schooling as a method for reviewing material. And any game can become a review game if you have to answer a review question correctly before you can take your turn!
One benefit of game-schooling is that it removes fear of failure from the learning process. It is difficult to be anxious while having fun! Many educational games not only focus on learning concepts but also on social skills such as cooperation. Also, hands-on learners will appreciative the kinesthetic nature of board games.
Although some families use game-schooling exclusively to teach skills to their children, it is difficult to cover topics such as penmanship and literature this way. Also consider the cost. Although there are plenty of educational games available for free online, if you are investing in board games in order to teach concepts this can add up. Many families use game-schooling as a supplement to another style of homeschool, rather than as a singular form of education.
Independent Learning: A Homeschool Style for the Upper Years
Independent learning puts the pressure on the child to keep track of day to day work. The structured learning plan still comes from the parent (or possibly an online platform or umbrella platform). In order for a child to effectively learn independently, the child needs to be responsible and have good impulse control. It is still the responsibility of the parent to ensure the child is not falling to far behind. Weekly meetings may be necessary to ensure that the independent learning is actually taking place.
Independent learning is helpful for busy families. In any home school environment, older children are likely to work towards increasing independence. This education style also encourages children to learn to set their own routines. Valued skills include time management skills, initiative, and self reliance.
This type of education is not suitable for very young children. It also isn’t effective for families who want to follow a child’s interests, as the work is set out in advance for the child, without much flexibility. The main flexibility a child has here is the order in which the child does the assigned work.
Montessori: Preparing for Real Life by Living Real Life
Maria Montessori commented how ridiculous academia is, for it seeks to prepare children for life in the world by taking them out of it. Her alternative method for education involves including children in the day to day life and work of the family. She developed her method by careful scientific observation of children, and discovered that children are capable of doing a lot more on their own than adults give them credit for.
The Montessori method revolves around four planes of development, with each plane having two phases. The first plane is the Absorbent Mind, based on how young children (0-6) seem to soak in information like sponges, and have the ability to learn the language spoken around them without apparent effort or study. From 0-3 infants have an unconscious absorbent mind, whereas in the second phase of the absorbent mind plane (3-6) children actively participate in the learning which they “absorb.” The next planes of development are from 6-12 (working towards intellectual independence) and from 12-18 (working on emotional independence. The final plane is usually outside of the homeschooling years, as it is from 18-24, which is the final stage for growth in maturity and financial independence.
Montessori education involves using a lot of hands on materials. These materials are designed to isolate concepts and help move a child from concrete to abstract thought.
This method of education also involves following a child’s interests to see when the child is developmentally ready to learn new information in various subject and skill areas. When the child shows these signs of interest, the child is said to be in a “sensitive period” for learning this skill. By providing the child with the right materials at the right time, learning comes almost “naturally.”
Pros and cons
Montessori encourages independence, self-discipline, the growth of children’s attention spans, and following the unique developmental path of each child. Montessori’s method is designed for a multi-age environment, which is well suited to family life where children will already be varied in age. This multi-age environment in turn fosters cooperation and having the older children help or teach some things to the younger ones. The independence of young children through this method allows even the young children in the family to participate in the upkeep of family life.
Another benefit of this method is it is well suited to children with learning or other disabilities. Due to the sensory nature of the hands on materials, children with disabilities are able to achieve higher levels of success than they might with other forms of instruction.
One thing to note about this early independence, is that it is the result of a lot of patience on the part of the adults. It is very inconvenient for adults to nurture this independence! It is much easier and quicker for the adult to do everything for the child, from picking out clothes to putting on shoes. In order to allow for the benefits of the independence of this method, parents must be willing to accept the slower speed at which things may be accomplished.
Another possible con for the Montessori method is the cost of all the beautiful materials. Although, it is possible to do make you own version of many or most of the materials for this method. So it comes down to a choice between investing time or investing money.
Finally, much of the resources available for Montessori target the first two planes of development. The older your children become, the more difficult to find supporting Montessori materials.
Money Saving Montessori Tips
As a low income family ourselves, I have tried many Montessori DIYs, but usually am unsatisfied with the quality of what I produce. (If you have wood and wood cutting tools you may fare better). So instead I save up to invest in quality Montessori materials, and give these homeschool works to my children as birthday and Christmas gifts.
Also consider looking for these materials second hand. The quality is such that Montessori materials are made to last, and can be passed down several generations.
One Room Schoolhouse: Large Family Homeschool Style
When we thing of a school, we usually think about the grade separated brick and mortar that abounds today. However, if we go back 100 years, we can remember a much for effective-at-educating type of school: the one room schoolhouse. Why are one room schoolhouses an effective model for education? Well, we already covered these benefits when we looked at the Montessori method!
In a one room schoolhouse, children of many ages cover the same subject, with the same textbooks, but at age appropriate levels. This works really well in family life, where a kindergarten student, second grade child, and fifth grade child can also study biology at the same time. And ancient history. And painting skills. There is no need for the home school parent to attempt do do three different science lessons for these three children.
Younger children benefit from seeing/hearing the older students work. And older students benefit from the opportunity to pass on information to the younger students.
Many other models/styles of education are compatible with the One Room Schoolhouse style. This includes the umbrella program Tan Academy, which I discuss below. (Not sponsored).
Online/Internet Based: A Modern Homeschool Style
In this homeschool style, a third party is actually overseeing the education of the child. Online schooling may be used for one or all of a child’s subjects. Math is the most common subject for online study. An internet based education program has many of the same qualities as independent learning. In particularly, you as the parent will still need to ensure on a weekly basis (at least) that you child is not falling too far behind.
The benefits of Online education vary based on what sort of online learning is going on. It may just be the use of websites instead of books. In this case, decreased costs are a large benefit. If your child is enrolled in online courses you have the probability of being able to present accredited courses on your child’s transcript. Also, online material often provides visuals which helps for visual learners.
A major factor to consider when thinking about an online education is internet safety. Be sure to check out my article on keeping kids safe with screens and the internet!
Robinson Curriculum Method (RC)
Single parents, working parents, and overwhelmed parents… this may be the solution for you! The Robinson Curriculum is a method of homeschooling designed by a scientist father when his homeschooling wife died suddenly. He still saw homeschooling as essential, but didn’t have the time to teach his six children. So instead, he handed his children the Saxon math textbooks and a reading list. Then his children worked on self-teaching with these resources for five hours a day. Aside from math and reading, the children also write a page a day, which the parent corrects and hands back for re-writing when there is time.
For a better understanding of what this method entails, check out the Robinson Curriculum blog/webpage here, and this YouTube channel’s explanations (the main page has a one minute walk through).
The benefits of this method are numerous. First, it promotes a high level of self-discipline, which is great for virtue development. Second, this method ignores grade levels, so it automatically prevents a child from feeling behind or incapable. This method really encourages children to work at their own pace. Third, this method is excellent preparation for university. The founder’s own children were known to test out of the first two years of university for their bachelor degrees in chemistry due to the high level of education they achieved through this method. A fourth benefit is that this method frees up homeschooling parents to focus on the younger children, household tasks, or to work from home. This method has a very low burn out rate because it focuses on the child working independently.
Children with dyslexia or difficulty reading will struggle with this method, as being able to read is the basis of the self-teaching method. Another difficulty with this curriculum is that it is heavy in protestant history and biographical works. As a Catholic family, you will want to add Catholic biographies and Catholic history reading to your schedule, perhaps replacing some of the more overtly Protestant works on the reading list.
Stay tuned on my blog for a booklist with a more Catholic foundation.
School at Home: An (Un) Homeschool Style
Sometimes called traditional schooling, school at home tries to replicate what happens in a classroom, in the home. This method gives you a prepackaged set of curricula. This usually includes textbooks, workbooks, a schedule, tests, and various assignments. Everything is already together. This is an anxiety antidote that gives a lot of new homeschooling confidence. Since these come prepacked, there is little room to follow particular interests or passions.
One major problem with this method is it has the highest burnout rate. The way schools work involves eight hours a day of sitting at a desk doing vaguely educational activities together with 30 other students the same age. The home is a more flexible environment where we spend time with our families and enjoy each other’s company. Because of the lower student/teacher ratio in the home, homeschooling can usually accomplish in three hours what traditionally takes eight hours.
With this method it is important to not let the curriculum purchased get in the way of an enjoyable homeschool life. If the first paragraph of the English text bores you, switch to a different language program. Skip tests, do just half the assignment, and adapt the program to suit your family life.
Umbrella Program: The “We’ll Cover You” Style
An umbrella program, or cover program, is another third party aiding homeschooling life. One example of an Umbrella program is Tan Academy. Here are some benefits listed in their enrolment: 40% off Tan Curriculum, 20% Tan Books, unlimited academic coaching, lesson plans, report cards,and a weekly email called “Mom’s Secret Weapon.”
Umbrella programs provide accountability for parents, usually keep track of student grades, and provide report cards and diplomas. When used over time, parents are assured of the completeness of skills and subjects covered.
Unfortunately, umbrella programs are not always cost effective. They also might not provide as much flexibility for large families to do subjects together. The affordability and flexibility of the program depends on the provider. (Tan books seems to be fairly flexible about swapping math curriculum and working to let large families cover subjects together.
Unit Studies: The All Together Homeschool Style
In unit studies, families select one topic and then orient all their subject learning to that topic. For example, if a child expresses an interest in birds, here is a look at the school work:
Literature: book about birds/with a bird main character
Writing: write a book or journal entry about birds
Science: go bird watching, learn about the anatomy of a bird, what birds eat
Social Studies: Look at the geography of where birds live, and the history of the significance of birds in various cultures
Math: Maybe add/subtract numbers of birds for younger children, or calculate flight/migration paths for older children
Art: draw/paint birds
Music: listen to nature CDs
Units Studies are usually fun, tailored to a child’s interests, and a way to get a whole family learning together. Unit studies connect and integrate the school subjects with each other. And unit studies are easy to adapt to a variety of circumstances. It is possible to find many Unit Study examples online. Unit studies can also supplement various other styles of homeschooling.
However, it can be difficult to comprehensively cover skills when just using unit studies. Not all unit studies are created equal. So if you shop online – do your research!
Unschooling: The Rebel Homeschool Style
Unschooling is exactly what it sounds like: a rejection of everything school. There are no schedules, tests, or textbooks with with method. Unschooling emphasizes naturally learning and the fact the no matter what a child does the child will learn something. Even playing video games builds skills in probability analysis and understanding ratios. Unschooling trusts that whatever a child natural wants to do is the exact right thing for them to do in this moment.
What unschooling does well is follow the passions of a child. A child interested in starting a home business would be free to spend as many hours as desired on this project.
Unschooling is not at all systematic, and is not good for kids who rely on structure and order. Children may miss important skills (who spontaneously develops an interest in algebra?) with this method. It is difficult to develop interest in topics without already being exposed to them. (It usually takes two years of piano lessons before the skill is there to blossom a real love of playing the instrument). Unschooling does not promote doing unpleasant work. Which I would argue is a missed opportunity to grow in virtue.
Waldorf: Imagination First Homeschooling
Waldorf is both quite similar and very different to Montessori. The methods are similar in their encouragement of hands on learning and engaging in practical life activities. Both model encourage sensory work. Also, both styles utilize natural materials with beautiful design. Mixed age groups are also a feature of both methods.
Waldof families avoid screen time, and delay the start of academic studies. Unlike with Montessori, where reality dominates the first six years of a child’s life, imagination is the focus of early childhood in Waldorf. Waldof is all about open ended play for young children. The Waldorf philosophy is about educating the whole child. This typically refers to engaging the mind, body, and soul/spirit. Art, music, and dance are popular within Waldorf for this reason.
One thing to watch with this method as many resources for the method may contradict Catholic teaching (reiki for children, etc). The main features of this method are going screen free, delaying academics, and encouraging imaginative play. So if you like those ideas, buy some Waldorf style toys (or make your own) and take it easy in the first few years homeschooling. Consider using other methods for resources for the education of your children. This way you will not have to worry about the validity of the ideas.
The Byzantine Life
Thank you for checking out this week’s rather long article. For more about homeschooling, be sure to check out our other articles, and many free homeschooling printables.
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