Homeschool Methods: Traditional

The traditional method of homeschooling is also known as school-at-home and most resembles the structure of a typical public or private school classroom.  The day and subjects are organized and scheduled much as if one was in attendance at school.  For example, a set amount of time spent on language arts, math, science, and social studies daily; with time set aside for art, music, physical education and other "electives" as well.

Those wishing to follow a traditional method of homeschooling often use textbooks for most if not all subjects and may order all subjects from one publisher.  Some traditional homeschoolers may also seek to closely follow the scope and sequence of their local public school or a private school and will order materials based on that sequence.  Other traditional homeschoolers may choose to enroll in a local umbrella school that prescribes curriculum or to enroll in a private school distance education program.

Some reasons that families may choose traditional homeschooling are:

• comfort in knowing that curriculum is thoroughly planned and presented through the publisher/school
• a desire to teach content similar to that in the local schools
• a plan to have children return to school outside the home at some point and a desire to prepare them similarly to the school system
• a desire to keep things familiar to students who begin homeschooling after attending school for a time

Some textbook publishers are:

• Abeka
• Alpha Omega Publications
• Apologia
• Bob Jones University
• Christian Light Publications
• Houghton Mifflin Harcourt/Saxon
• Peace Hill Press
• Pearson Homeschool
• Rod and Staff

 Some traditional distance education-school at home options are:

• Abeka Academy
• The Academy of Home Education (Bob Jones University) 
• Christian Light Publications Homeschool Plus
• Calvert School
• Lighthouse Christian Academy

This article is a part of series of overviews on different homeschool methods.  As many homeschoolers are eclectic in method and materials chosen, hopefully highlights from this series will offer insight into what is available to families educating children at home so that they might choose what will best meet the goals they have set for their family.

If you would like to write an article to share with others about how you implement a particular method of homeschooling, please contact Kim:  kimclayhs(at)gmail(dot)com   Curriculum/materials reviews are welcome as well!

Homeschool Methods: Literature Based

The term "literature based homeschooling" describes exactly what it is:  using literature as the base for your homeschooling.  Instead of using textbooks to drive the curriculum, in a literature based home school most subjects are studied through whole books; and even for those subjects that might be textbook based, literature is often used as a supplement whenever possible.  In the younger years, literature might very well be the base of the entire curriculum. 

Parents that wish to use literature based studies may develop their own plans by finding fiction and non-fiction books that bring the subject or topic alive for their children or they may choose to use a program that has done the planning part of the work for them.  There may be an overlap in learning about various subjects in a literature based home school (unit studies) or the parent may choose to follow a set scope and sequence for subjects (similar to a traditional method).   Whatever the route taken to planning, literature based home schools are filled with read aloud, independent reading and discussion time----vital components to literature based education.
The study of history lends itself nicely to a literature based approach, and you will often find it as the organizational center of many curricula.  It may be surprising to find that science and even math can be studied through literature, but it is possible.  It may take a bit more research and a thorough grasp of the subject yourself, but for those so inclined----it can be done.  There are so many good books available to us in our day, that the possibilities are limitless!
Some literature based* curriculum companies/guides are:

• Beautiful Feet Books
• Sonlight
• TruthQuest History
• WinterPromise

• All Through The Ages (an excellent book which guides one in the study of history through literature)

Free Curriculum guides that are literature based:

• An Old Fashioned Education
• Guest Hollow
• Please see the Charlotte Mason (CM) method post for many more curriculum guides that utilize great literature using CM methods

This article is a part of series of overviews on different homeschool methods.  As many homeschoolers are eclectic in method and materials chosen, hopefully highlights from this series will offer insight into what is available to families educating children at home so that they might choose what will best meet the goals they have set for their family.

Clipart from:  http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/  Thank you!

Homeschool Methods: Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason was a Christian British educator who lived in the late 1800s/early 1900s.  In many ways, she was far ahead of her time, as she thought all children deserved a wide and varied curriculum that would not only engage their minds, but enrich their lives; no matter their station or background.   Today, those that follow her methods, use her name in describing their home schools or public/private schools.

Charlotte Mason advocated the use of living books (well written, engaging, whole books) in education and said that education was a life, a discipline and an atmosphere.  She thought that children should come mind to mind with the best authors through their books and primarily used great books to study most subjects.  Children in her schools studied artists, composers, foreign languages, poetry, Shakespeare, nature and handicrafts alongside the Bible, literature, history, science, mathematics and writing.

Charlotte Mason set out twenty principles she used in developing her educational philosophy, and these can be read at the Ambleside  (AO) site.  In fact, all six of the books Charlotte Mason wrote on education can be read at AO in the original text or as a modern paraphrase.

Those that use a Charlotte Mason (CM) method in homeschooling generally use whole books for as many subjects as possible, engage children through age appropriate lesson times that develop the habit of (full) attention, use narration to help cement learning and gauge understanding, and provide a broad and generous curriculum.  There are other distinctives of a CM education (such as nature study), and there is so much wonderful information available online, that I will simply link to some of the best sites I've found below.

• Ambleside Online-Here you can find the full texts of Charlotte Mason's writings, many articles from the Parent's Review, and a free curriculum guide
• Simply Charlotte Mason-Another site with abundant information about CM and CM methods.  A free curriculum guide is available here as well.
• Charlotte Mason Help- A free curriculum guide is available here as well as numerous articles written by a home educator about how she implements CM methods in her family
• Mater Amabilis-A free Catholic CM curriculum guide is available here
• Milestones Academy-CM resource for LDS families-free curriculum guide available here
• Penny Gardner's website-Lots of great book lists and articles on CM education
• ChildLight USA- Blog, articles, lectures and home to the annual Charlotte Mason Educational Conference (also working to develop a CM curriculum)
• Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Headquarters on Squidoo-Lots of links and resources compiled by Jimmie (all of her pages on Squidoo are excellent!)
• The Tanglewood School Curriculum-Classical and CM curriculum
• Secular CM- Resources for those who wish to utilize CM methods in a secular home school

Curricula that utilize CM methods available through publishers:

• Ages of Grace-Orthodox Christian, CM inspired curriculum
• Heart of Dakota
• Living Books Curriculum
• Queen Homeschool Supplies
• See also the Literature Based method post----You can use any literature based curriculum and implement CM methods.

Although reading Charlotte Mason's own writings will give the clearest understanding of her methods, there are numerous books available that are also helpful in understanding a CM education.  Some to look for at your library or local bookstore are:

• A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
• More Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
• When Children Love to Learn by Elaine Cooper (editor) Excerpt (PDF file)
• A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola
• For the Children's Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

This article is a part of series of overviews on different homeschool methods.  As many homeschoolers are eclectic in method and materials chosen, hopefully highlights from this series will offer insight into what is available to families educating children at home so that they might choose what will best meet the goals they have set for their family. 

Homeschool Methods: Unit Study

 A very basic definition of a unit study is taking a topic or subject and studying it through as many of the academic disciplines as applicable for a specified length of time.  The goal is to relate as much learning as possible to the chosen topic or theme.  This works very well for most disciplines with the exception of mathematics (though mathematics is a great lens to examine many topic through as well).

For example, one might plan on studying "Ancient Egypt" through history (people and events), geography (maps, cultural geography), science (irrigation practices, medicine), art, and literature.  Another example might be studying "horses" through history (the uses of horses throughout history, the history of horse racing, famous horses in history), science (the care of horses, types of horses, biological needs and systems of horses), literature (stories of horses in literature), etc.

Other unit study approaches examine character traits through different disciplines (such as KONOS), or use a piece of literature as the base for the study (such as Five in a Row) and branch out from there.
Many who use unit studies in their teaching also try to incorporate hands on projects related to the study and schedule related field trips.  Some involve their children in the planning of a unit study and largely base their plans upon the interests of their children.  Unit studies are very popular in traditional school settings as well, and there is abundant information online for anyone wishing to plan their own studies or to see samples of unit studies.

Some curricula organized into Unit Studies are:

• Amanda Bennett Studies (Topical-Subject based)
• Christian Cottage Unit Studies (History based)
• Five in a Row (Literature based)
• The Itty-Bitty Bookworm (Literature based preschool curriculum)
• KONOS (Character based)
• Learning Adventures (History based)
• My Father's World (History/geography based)
• The Prairie Primer (based on the Little House series)
• Steward Ship Unit Studies (Topical-Subject based)
• Tapestry of Grace (History based)
• Trail Guide to Learning (History based)
• Weaver (Biblical theme based)

Some free resources for Unit Studies are:

• Homeschool Share (Literature based)
• Stone Soup Homeschool Network Unit Study Database (HUGE!)

Unit Study Helps for those who might like to plan their own studies:

• Homeschool Unit Study Planner forms at DonnaYoung.org
• How to Create a Unit Study (PDF File from Home 2 Teach)
• Learning Success with Unit Studies (article)
• Unit Studies Made Easy by Valerie Bendt (a great book!)--PDF Preview here

This article is a part of series of overviews on different homeschool methods.  As many homeschoolers are eclectic in method and materials chosen, hopefully highlights from this series will offer insight into what is available to families educating children at home so that they might choose what will best meet the goals they have set for their family.