Methods matter in homeschooling and education in general. If you choose a curriculum that doesn’t match the method of your heart, homeschooling will be a disaster. Listen to Mindy & Rachel share about the different methods and then read about them too. Which one hits your heart?
1:13 Homeschooling Moments of the Week
5:26 Topic
Montessori: 6:21 The Montessori method is a structured method that involves prepared environments where students use all their senses to explore, discover, and learn in individual and group activities. The method was developed by Marie Montessori as she scientifically studied children in the early 1900s. Long periods of uninterrupted learning, individualized plans, work centers, interwoven subjects, and portfolios are trademarks of this method.
Curriculum that fits the Montessori method fully: North American Montessori Center, Brilliant Minds Montessori,
Curriculum that incorporates aspects of Montessori: Shiller Math
Further reading: Montessori and Homeschooling: Here to Stay?
Classical: 8:59This method has been around for centuries, though variations of it have developed over the years. It teaches subjects with consideration to three stages of development: grammar, logic, and rhetoric, which build on each other. Emphasis on excellence in subjects is a hallmark. Great books, Latin and Greek, logic, and primary sources are key elements as classical educators strive to help students become critical thinkers. The Socratic method is often used.
Curriculum that fits the Classical Method fully: The Well Trained Mind, Veritas Press, Memoria Press, Easy Classical, Great Books Academy, Covenant Homeschool Curriculum, Trivium Pursuit, Classical Conversations, Schola Classical Tutorials
Curriculum that incorporates a lot or or mostly classical aspects: BiblioPlan, Tapestry of Grace, The Tanglewood School,
Further reading: What is Classical Education
Unit Studies: 11:05 This method involves centering all studies around a central theme so that the subject is learned in depth. Every subject is taught in connection to the specific unit, medieval times or bees for example. The units are often child directed, but not always. A variety of hands on activities are used to engage the student and studying the unit from different aspects is involved. Some unit studies incorporate all subjects but math in the unit.
Many times specific curriculum is not used, but books, videos, field trips, and more are planned around a theme and organized by the parent.
Curriculum that fits the Unit Study method fully: KONOS, Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett, Homeschool in the Woods, Learning Adventures,
Curriculum that incorporates many aspects of Unit Studies: Sonlight, Heart of Dakota, My Father’s World, Greenleaf Press, TRISMS, Five in a Row, BiblioPlan, Tapestry of Grace
Further reading: Homeschooling Styles: Unit Studies
Charlotte Mason: 13:21 This method was created by an educator in England who worked to reform education at the turn of the last century. Aspects of this method center around “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.’ ”
Focus on the atmosphere of learning, development of good habits, and “living” thoughts are representative. Narration, dictation, living books, nature study, art, and music are key aspects of the Charlotte Mason method.
Curriculum that fits the Charlotte Mason method fully: Simply Charlotte Mason Guide, Ambleside Online, Queen Homeschooling, Beautiful Feet, Blessed Heritage, Five in a Row, Living Books Curriculum, Elemental Science, Noeo Science, NaturExplorers, Mater Amabilis, The Tanglewood School, Charlotte Mason Help
Curriculum that incorporates a lot of Charlotte Mason aspects: Sonlight, Apologia elementary science (possibly more of Apologia’s elementary curric t00), Mystery of History, Writing with Ease, First Language Lessons, Heart of Dakota, BiblioPlan (at the elementary level), Heart of Wisdom, Heritage History, Illuminations, Tapestry of Grace (at the elementary level), Winter Promise (at the elementary level), An Old Fashioned Education, Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool, Build Your Library
Further reading: Simply Charlotte Mason
Traditional Method: 15:41 This is the most well known method and most popular in the public school system. It involves transfer of skills, facts, and information deemed important by the current generation to the student via reading by the student or lecture, as directed by the teacher. Textbooks, worksheets (online or paper), and tests are mainline. Teachers and/or textbooks are the instruments by which the knowledge is communicated. Also called Back-to-Basics, Conventional Education, or Customary Education.
Curriculum that fits the traditional method fully: ABeka , Alpha Omega (including Switched on Schoolhouse), Bob Jones, Saxon, DIVE, Houghlin Mifflin, Heritage Homeschool Academy, Rod & Staff, Christian Liberty Press, Singapore Math, Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), Time4Learning, Math Mammoth, Teaching Textbooks, Apologia (the high school science), K12
Curriculum that incorporates aspects of the traditional method: Sonlight, Tapestry of Grace, BiblioPlan, MathUSee, RightStart Math… and probably lots more. Almost anything that uses text books/workbooks.
Unschooling: 16:56 This method is directed by student interest and teachable moments. Teaching methods vary as to what works for the student. Unschooling is often confused with not schooling, when actually it strives to make the most of teachable moments and seasons involving intentional teaching and modeling. Subjects are taught when the student requests or is interested in learning the subject. Teachers introduce different ways to glean the information or skill.
Creating an environment of natural learning and study as well as a spirit of independence are key marks of unschooling.
There are variations of unschooling and, just like other methods, some subjects are unschooled while others are handled differently (this is decided by the family). Variations are often called relaxed homeschooling, delight-directed education, or interest-led learning.
Curriculum that fits the Unschooling method fully: No such thing since it is learner dependent.
Curriculum that incorporates aspects of unschooling: Pretty much everything because anything can be used if the student finds it engaging and helpful.
Further reading: Five Steps to Unschooling
Waldorf: 19:26
The Waldorf method focuses on three stages of development and the needs the child has in each, as studied by Rudolf Steiner in the early 1900s, as well as the three components of each individual: spirit, soul, and body. Key aspects are the development of an active imagination and a strong sense of self purpose. All subjects are taught artistically.
Curriculum that fits the Waldorf method fully: Live Education, Christopherus Homeschool Resources, Math By Hand,
Curriculum that incorporates aspects of Waldorf: Oak Meadow, Enki Education, Millennial Child,
Further reading: Why Waldorf Works, Steiner’s Waldorf Philosophy
Eclectic: 21:51 This method is pretty much what the name states: it’s a combination of different methods. Not a purist for any one method, the user picks and chooses a little from a couple, or several, or many. This combining choice could be due to many factors, including parent preference, student preference, or life circumstances that dictate choices.
Curriculum that fits the Eclectic method: Could be any of them since the user picks and chooses.
Curriculum that fits many aspects of the Eclectic method: Again, just about anything.
27:13 Make It Personal
29:00 Encouragement
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