There are a few different types of homeschooling approaches. If you’re not a homeschooler, or are new to it, it can be very confusing. I know when I started looking into this halfway through Austin’s Kindergarten year, I was still searching for answers months later. And I was just looking to see what type of learning and teaching style would best fit us, before I started looking for the actual curriculum or materials that we were going to be using.
What did we end up figuring out? That we are eclectic, we learn based on the seasons, kids interest, their desire to sit and do book work occasionally.
*image source*
Homeschooling Approaches
Here are seven homeschooling approaches to get you started as you start your homeschooling journey, or maybe to help you clarity what they you are.
Eclectic
Eclectic or relaxed homeschooling is the method used most often by homeschoolers. Basically, eclectic homeschoolers use a little of this and a little of that, using workbooks for math, reading, and spelling, and taking an unschooling approach for the other subjects.
Unschooling
Unschooling is also known as interest driven, child-led, natural, organic, eclectic, or self-directed learning. Lately, the term “unschooling” has come to be associated with the type of homeschooling that doesn’t use a fixed curriculum.
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason is based on Charlotte’s firm belief that the child is a person and we must educate that whole person, not just his mind. So a Charlotte Mason education is three-pronged: in her words, “Education is an Atmosphere, a Discipline, a Life.” Learn more here.
Unit Studies
Unit studies is approaching a theme topic from several angles, encouraging activity and love of learning. Units work best when the main topic is studied in all areas of education.
Box Curriculum
Boxed curriculum is just as it sounds, it is the structured approach of a traditional school-in-a-box curriculum. They include teacher’s guides which provide lists of required materials for student lessons, activities, experiments, and more.
Distance Education (School at Home)
Distance Education you enroll in a school and they send you all required resources to teach your child, the books and materials, often you will then send the completed work back for “marking”, and record keeping. This usually isn’t considered actual homeschooling.
Classical
Classical homeschooling is an approach that depends on a three-part process of training the mind. The early years of school are spent in absorbing facts, systematically laying the foundations for advanced study. In the middle grades, students learn to think through arguments. In the high school years, they learn to express themselves. You can learn more here.
You just may realize that your homeschool includes a number of different methods of learning based on how your children learn. Next year I’ll have a kindergartner and she seems to love book work, right now that is. We’ll see how long that lasts… and if she continues to love it and learn that way, then GREAT.
What type of homeschooling do you do in your home?
Similar posts that you may be interested in:
Great descriptions! We are going to begin homeschooling this fall and I am trying to figure this all out. We have chosen to do a blended style. Just over 1/2 will be correspondence type and the rest we have to figure out!
You have a lot figured out already! I am trying to figure out how I’m going to add in a little book work in September for two kids. 🙂
I never realized there were so many approaches. I always thought the state required the materials and tests and you would be good to go. Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back for #WonderfulWednesday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Don’t forget to comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured! Pinned and shared.
Every where is completely different, which just adds to the confusion that parents feel.