Many new homeschool parents have one burning question-
“What does homeschooling look like?”
The answer is, it depends entirely on your family and what your homeschooling style is! There are a variety of different approaches to homeschooling, influenced by your teaching style, priorities, and goals, so understanding what different options there are is important. That’s why we’ve created your quick-start guide to the 7 primary homeschooling styles.
Unit Study-
Unit study homeschooling focuses on one subject or theme for a set period of time, and everything that the family does for the duration centers around that subject. For instance, if the unit study is on the Renaissance period, the family would read about what the Renaissance was and where it took place; they may eat food from that time, listen to music, learn a dance, or look at period art. They may read about famous people who lived during that time, or practice speaking in the way they spoke. They may practice writing in cursive or learn about cultural nuances of the time. The goal is to create a more memorable and thorough understanding of the subject so it stays with the student for a long time. A few examples of unit study homeschool curriculum include: Five in a Row, Beautiful Feet, Book Shark, Tapestry of Grace, and Geo Matters.
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Classical-
Classical homeschooling is generally considered to be the most structured and intense homeschooling style of them all. Beyond just basic subjects such as math and English, Classical education delves into the origins of where our society came from by studying mythology, ancient Greek and Roman culture and literature, basic Latin and Greek, and more. It also emphasizes the importance of music, languages, and art for creating well-rounded individuals. One of the most unique facets of Classical education is the inclusion of Logic and Rhetoric- teaching students how to make good arguments and identify poor ones; teaching them how to argue and persuade intelligently and respectfully to influence their audience. Classical education emphasizes the importance of knowing where we came from as a society, so we can understand who we are now and where we may be headed in the future. Some examples of classical curriculum include: Memoria Press, Classical Academic Press, Veritas Press, Classical Conversations, and Well-Trained Mind Academy.
Charlotte Mason-
Charlotte Mason homeschooling recognizes that each child is born with a unique gifting by God, and so the job of the parent is to help facilitate their discovery of what their calling is. This is done through exposure to as many different experiences and life skills as possible; helping them to develop self-discipline, a sense of morality and good character, in addition to their schoolwork. The school experience includes a lot of “living books”- high quality and classic literature, biographies, and historical pieces that help children develop a comprehensive understanding of the material. It also means a lot of outside play and opportunities for children to be “bored,” so they find ways to explore and entertain themselves. Ultimately, the goal is to help children develop into well-educated individuals of upstanding moral character, who are also independently motivated and naturally curious. The hope is that they will become good citizens who are able to search out their own unique aptitude and calling. Some examples of Charlotte Mason curriculum include: Ambleside Online, The Good and the Beautiful, My Father’s World, A Gentle Feast, and Heart of Dakota.
Montessori-
Montessori style education is primarily used during the first 12 years of a child’s life, and stresses the importance of independent play and discovery for the development and self-esteem of a child. It prioritizes open-ended toys that rely on the child’s imagination as they interact with them and with each other. These include blocks, dolls, musical instruments, costumes, and a variety of other amusements that children can use, individually or with friends, to create and explore interpersonal relationships. Montessori learning involves very little teacher involvement or intervention except as necessary to maintain students’ safety. Some Montessori curriculum options include: Alison’s Montessori, Montessori Services, North American Montessori Center, and Multisori.
Waldorf-
Waldorf education is similar to Montessori in terms of the toys that are encouraged for play, but there is a lot more teacher involvement. Rather than focusing on free-play, Waldorf seeks to learn the heart and soul of a child, and to reach and mold it using fables, poetry, music, song and dance. Waldorf recognizes the special way that these various art forms speak to the soul of a person, and so stories and songs are used to teach about morality and other abstract concepts, while experienced teachers seek to understand the child’s inner “light” through the child’s own creations and the ways they interact with the material. Some examples of Waldorf curriculum include: Lavender’s Blue, Oak Meadow, Waldorf Essentials, and Waldorfish.
Eclectic-
Eclectic homeschooling is common among homeschool families who have been doing it for a while. It simply means that the family uses various different curricula and even incorporates elements from various styles of homeschooling, according to the needs, priorities, and rhythm of the family. It can change as much or as often as desired and can evolve as the child grows and changes.
Unschooling-
Unschooling is potentially the least structured of all of the homeschool styles. True unschooling means allowing children the freedom to explore their own interests without the constraints of curriculum or other obligations. There is debate as to the effectiveness of this method, as some see the potential for missed material if children aren’t guided in their learning, but some families are very successful with it. Unschooling often looks like frequenting local homeschool activities, such as zoo homeschool days, library homeschool days, museums, and other such activities; then, as the child has questions or wants to explore something further, they may check out books from the library or find other ways to gain additional knowledge on the subject.
There are a variety of different homeschool methods, and the one you choose will greatly impact the kind of experience you have. Part of the beauty of homeschooling, though, is you can change your mind as often as needed until you find the method you really like. Don’t be afraid to try new things! If the first homeschool strategy you try doesn’t work well, use it as an opportunity to show your children how to try again with a different approach, rather than giving up when disappointed. Perseverance is an important lesson, too!