Homeschooling: Part 3: Our Style and Other Methods

 Hey Friends! 

Today on the blog, I'm talking about our style of homeschooling and touching base on some of the other popular methods of home education.

Homeschooling offers families the flexibility to design their homeschool to fit unique needs and values. The following styles of homeschooling each have their own approach.

In my years of Homeschooling research, many homeschoolers believe their homeschools should not mimic traditional schooling. We'll talk more about this later in the post. 

For now, let's chat about the different styles of homeschooling!

Traditional Homeschooling

Traditional homeschooling mimics the structure and curriculum as conventional schooling. Families with this approach often use textbooks and workbooks then students take standardized tests. This style of homeschooling is for families who seek structure with clear objectives and assessments.

Key Features of Traditional Homeschooling

Structured schedules

Use of textbooks and workbooks

Regular testing and grading

Classical Homeschooling

Classical homeschooling is based on the trivium, which is the ancient education model. There are 3 stages of learning with classical homeschooling: grammar, logic and rhetoric. It emphasizes critical thinking and the study of classical languages and literature.

Key Features of Classical Homeschooling

Focuses on languages such as Latin and Greek

Emphasis on Literature, History and Philosophy

Encourages Critical Thinking Skills

Montessori Homeschooling

. Montessori homeschooling encourages a hands-on learning experience, self-directed by the child and emphasizes their natural psychological development.

Key Features of Montessori Homeschooling

Encourages independence and self-motivation

Interest-led learning

Use of tactile materials

Unschooling Homeschooling

Unschooling encourages a relaxed approach to learning and allows the child to learn through life experiences and personal interests rather than a structured curriculum. It emphasizes a child's natural curiosity and motivation.

Key Features of Unschooling Homeschooling

Interest-led

Focuses on Experimental Learning

No fixed Curriculum

Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

Charlotte Mason homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason who believed in a curriculum made up of art, music and nature studies, alongside traditional subjects. This approach emphasizes living books rather than textbooks which encourage narration and discussion.

Key Features of Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

Living Books

Art, Music and Narration

Nature walks and Outdoor Studies

Unit Studies

Unit Studies integrate a variety of subjects into thematic units, encouraging more engaged and interconnected learning. This approach is for families who prefer project-based learning.

Key Features of Unit Studies in Homeschooling

Project-based activities 

Thematic learning units

Use of multiple subjects

Eclectic or Relaxed Homeschooling

Eclectic homeschooling uses different style approaches to customize and personalize a method that suits a family's specific needs. It offers flexibility and adaptability.

Key Features of Eclectic Homeschooling

Personalized approach

Flexible curriculum

Combines various styles

As you can see, there are multiple styles of learning to choose from. Each method is unique in its own way and allows families to choose based on family's educational philosophy, the child's learning style or the parents' teaching preference.

Now let's chat about our Homeschooling journey.

Our Style Then

In the early years of our homeschooling journey, we used a combination of the Montessori and Unit Study methods. We did a lot of educational crafts, projects and used educational-based toys, DVDs and games. We believed it was important for her to guide us on what she wanted to learn and center our homeschool around interest-led play.

Later, we switched for about a year or two to traditional homeschooling (due to outsider pressure) but quickly realized this wasn't for us. Many homeschoolers, including my husband and I, believe home education should not mimic conventional schooling. If we wanted our child to sit down, in one place with textbooks and worksheets for 8 hours a day, she would be in a traditional school.

Our Style Now

For the last few years, we've categorized our Homeschool under a mix of Unschooling, Unit Study and Eclectic methods. Our goal with homeschooling is to educate our daughter though life skills, the Catholic faith and with a focus in Math, Literacy, Home Economics & Homesteading.

Why Math? Math is something she will use her entire life, from cooking to financial and geometry. Math will always be treated as a formal subject in our homeschool. My husband helps with the basics, while I focus on the Culinary & Financial areas.

Why Literacy? If you read any number of social media captions and articles today, you will see literacy is immensely lacking. It's safe to say she needs this knowledge to function in life.

Why Home Economics? Home Economics offers education on multiple life skills that are now dying in our current society.

Why Homesteading? Homesteading offers endless amounts of education focused on life skills. She was 5 years old when we started homesteading. By the time she'll be on her own, she will have great knowledge on the basics of taking care of herself and a level of independence that's lacking today.

Other subjects like Science and History are taught with Field Trips, Unit Studies and Game-Schooling methods, along with educational DVDs and shows.

As the homeschooler, I also use accredited curriculums and books as a guide but take the information and make it more engaging and hands-on.

I hope this post helps you decide which Homeschooling method is right for you and your family. There are endless possibilities with home education and trust us, your children will benefit in the long run.

My Homeschooling Series continues next week. Until then, check out my other posts:

Homeschooling : Our Why

Homeschooling : Combating Negativity