Here are some homeschooling style approaches to consider,when starting your first year of homeschooling.It also serves as a good reference for those who may need a change from their current curriculum.
Classical:
Dating from ancient Greece and Rome, this philosophy is based upon the trivium:
grammar (using language)
logic (correct thinking)
rhetoric (verbal and written communication
School at Home:
This approach is most similar to conventional school learning. This teaching style places an emphasis on learning facts and then applying these facts to facilitate a well-rounded education. Textbooks and workbooks are used and the home educator accepts the traditional teacher role. Traditional homeschooling is also called the school-at-home method. Most traditional home schoolers use a set curriculum and give grades.
Charlotte Mason:
This style or philosophy, created in the nineteenth century by Mason, emphasizes among other things:
the reading of classic books that engage the mind
narration (retelling what one has learned)
art
music
ournaling
Although this approach is not unschooling, CM practitioners do not use workbooks or textbooks.
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Unschooling:
This teaching style replaces conventional or traditional educational methods with child-led or experience-based learning. That is, unschoolers allow their child to learn without the aid of traditional educational tools and the parent does not take on the role as a traditional home educator. Unschoolers, instead, allow their child to learn through their own curiosity and independent thinking. Unschoolers adhere to a more natural way of learning.
Eclectic:
This style encourages home schoolers to incorporate bits and pieces of each of the previous teaching methods and create their own unique philosophy.
Waldorf:
This approach is most similar to conventional school learning. This teaching style places an emphasis on learning facts and then applying these facts to facilitate a well-rounded education. Textbooks and workbooks are used and the home educator accepts the traditional teacher role. Traditional homeschooling is also called the school-at-home method. Most traditional home schoolers use a set curriculum and give grades.
Montessori:
You've probably heard of Montessori schools, but did you know that you can home school using this philosophy? This approach emphasizes:
a child learning through discovery in an educating and stimulating environment.
Unit Studies:
We have found that this approach can be defined many ways, but essentially it is:
allowing the child to study whatever strikes his interest
providing the necessary materials to learn in depth about that topic
relating that topic or unit to other topics to get an integrated education
