Understanding Homeschooling Styles
One of the best things about homeschooling is the way it empowers parents to customize an educational experience that fits the needs of their children. Even so, within that spectrum of customization you will find homeschoolers gravitating towards various homeschooling “styles.” In this article, we’ll explore the different styles you’re likely to encounter on your homeschooling journey.
What are Homeschooling Styles?
Homeschooling styles are schools of thought on what is the ideal manner of homeschooling. Homeschooling styles are kind of like styles of martial arts in a kung-fu movie: each styles has its practitioners, and some can be very vocal about the superiority of their style over the others. But the best martial artists know that every style of kung-fu has its merits that make it more or less appropriate in a given scenario. Similarly, when learning about the homeschooling styles, its best not to focus on which is superior, but rather to ask yourself which style best suits your needs.
1. Conventional
When people imagine a homeschooling environment, many think of conventional or school-in-a-box homeschooling. Kids are still grouped by age and grade level, and the curriculum heavily relies on textbooks. It essentially duplicates the basics of an institutional education, just at home.
2. Classical
A classical curriculum heavily focuses on the humanities: literature, history, language, logic, etc. It is typically structured around a core of texts known as the “Great Books,” a kind of canon of the most influential literary works of Western civilization. There is generally a strong focus on memorization early on, budding into a more comprehensive analytical approach in the higher grades as students study literature and philosophy.
3. Unit Studies
Instead of treating subjects as distinct “classes,” unit studies combine multiple subjects around a single theme for the semester or year. For example, if the semester theme is Colonial America, your literature, history, art, and geography would all center on this subject. Often, unit studies incorporate field trips and other immersive activities. They are good at demonstrating how different branches of knowledge relate to one another. Also known as thematic units or integrated learning.
4. Unschooling
Unschooling is education outside of a formal structure. Typically, there are no fixed classes, study periods, routine homework, or curriculum—at least, as these things are traditionally understood. Instead of a curriculum imposed from without, unschooling focuses on learner-chosen activities as the primary vehicle of education. There is a greater emphasis on connecting education with natural life experiences: travel, books, household chores, play, work, reading, and a child’s own natural curiosity. Unschooling works from the principle that life itself is educational, stressing the connection between life experience and education.
5. Charlotte Mason
Named for the 19th-century British educational reformer Charlotte Mason. This homeschooling style focuses on “living books.” That is books that capture a child’s imagination and wonder (instead of dry textbooks). It is an educational philosophy that emphasizes dictation and recitation, nature study, and the development of good habits, focusing on nurturing a love of learning for its own sake.
6. Student-Led Homeschooling
Student-led or “relaxed” homeschooling is a middle ground for folks who are too laid back for conventional homeschooling but don’t want to go full-blown unschooling. The curriculum tends to follow the interests of the child, focusing on nurturing a child’s existing interests. There is still a semester plan and formal structure, but these are approached with extreme flexibility. Parents are there to guide the child’s studies, but the child takes initiative in determining what they’d like to study.
7. Online Schooling
There are more options for online education today than ever before. Online homeschooling is essentially a type of distance learning: students access classes and resources online that they would not have access to in the “real world.” There are various ways online education can look: one-off classes or entire curricula, live classes or pre-recorded, etc. Online schooling can include any of the above styles. Of course, I recommend Homeschool Connections for all of your online schooling needs!
8. Eclectic or Mix n’ Match
Ultimately, this is homeschooling, and we are all about being unconventional. Who says you have to pick any one style? Many families have used all of these styles, mixing and matching them to address a variety of learning styles, circumstances, and life events. The most skilled martial artist knows how and when to apply all fighting styles as the situation requires. As with everything related to homeschooling, the most important factor is what works for your family.
Conclusion
In the end, the blessing of homeschooling lies in its flexibility and adaptability. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach, and that’s the point. By exploring and understanding these various homeschooling styles, you can create a personalized education that meets your child’s academic needs and nurtures their curiosity. Remember, it’s not about adhering strictly to one method or copying what the site-based schools are doing. Be open to experimenting, and enjoy the freedom that homeschooling offers to craft an educational experience as unique as your child.
What are your thoughts on this topic? To continue the discussion, join me and other homeschooling parents at our Homeschool Connections Community or our Facebook group!
