Finding Your Style - Homeschool Notes

Some people begin homeschooling knowing exactly how they want their children to learn. There’s a whole spectrum of what homeschool looks like for families, from having a mini “school” inside your own home, to living day to day without any formal instruction. Finding your homeschool style starts by understanding the different homeschool approaches that are available. Then you can decide which one you resonate with most. Your homeschool style will help you choose curriculum later.

Highlights of 5 popular homeschool approaches

Classical

Systematic approach to learning
Divides learning into three stages, called the trivium, based on children’s cognitive development
- Grammar stage is learning of facts or gaining knowledge
- Logic stage is developing understanding
- Rhetoric stage is applying both knowledge and understanding
Language focused, including Latin and Greek
Emphasis on great literature
Centers around history
History, Science and Literature follow a four-year pattern

Charlotte Mason

Follows philosophy of British educator from the 19th century
Education is “an atmosphere, a discipline, a life”
Language instruction involves narration and dictation
Has component of nature study and nature journaling
Lessons are meant to be short
Focuses on observation of great works in art and music study
Values teaching handicrafts
Emphasizes quality literature vs. dumbed down”twaddle”
Uses less workbooks and more “living books”

Unit Studies

Hands-on learning
Project-oriented
Extensive study of one topic at a time
Subjects are integrated around the topic
Encourages investigation, a natural way of learning
Children of various ages can learn together

Unschooling

Child-directed learning
Learning happens naturally
Encourages pursuit of interests and questions as they come up in life
No imposed curriculum or schedule by parents
Parents role involves exposing their children to things in the world
Parents act more as guide or co-learner

Eclectic

Uses a variety of approaches
Curriculum is pieced together based on parental judgement
Uses diverse learning materials
Combines parent-directed learning and child-directed learning
Children encouraged to explore interests

Make a Decision

Now it’s time to choose your style. As you read through the basic homeschool approaches which one resonated with you the most? Which one got you the most excited? If you’re still not sure, or it’s a toss-up between two methods, do some more reading until you feel comfortable making a decision.