3 Common Types of Homeschooling Methods + Sub-Methods

Are you a First-generation homeschooler?

Homeschooling has gained significant popularity in recent years, offering parents a unique opportunity to customize their child's education. With numerous approaches available, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various homeschooling methods. In this blog post, we'll delve into three common types of homeschooling methods and shed light on four sub-methods within each approach.

By exploring each approach's unique philosophy, teaching styles, and curriculum choices, you'll gain valuable insights to help you make an informed decision.

1. Traditional / Classical

• re-creates what traditional schooling looks like in a classroom.

• focuses on learning basic facts on the classic core subjects (scope and sequence)

• emphasizes more on critical thinking as student gets older.

• teacher lectures followed by completing worksheets/workbooks.

2. Unschooling

• student-lead learning without scope and sequence (child directed).

• focuses on child's interests the child.

• does not follow a curriculum or structure.

• dependent on child's own curiosity of the world to explore.

3. Charlotte Mason

• emphasizes following children's natural development and ability and practical life skills

• uses book and other literature to teach topics.

• uses "spread a feast" method which introduces short and focused topics (ex. arts, nature, handiwork), as well as the traditional academic core subjects.

• instead of worksheets and tests students are asked to vocally express what they learned and what they remember.

Sub-methods:

I call the following "sub-methods" because you can use them in combination with the 3 homeschooling methods presented.

Usually the methods are focused on your education ideology.

The sub-methods can be used to tweak your main homeschool method.

Don't place yourself in a box, you can do an eclectic mix of ALL of these. That's the beauty of homeschooling :)

1. Independent Study

• You're part of the online satellite program of a private school or charter school

• They have a curriculum to follow

• Submit lessons by their assigned deadlines

• If the school has extracurriculars like sports or clubs, your child can be part of them as well.

2. Project Based Learning

• Lessons are derived from real world problems and events.

• The topic is presented and it's learned about for each school subject.

• For example, the decreasing population of bees.

  • Science: learn about bees, pollination, anatomy, climate

  • Social Studies: their contribution to food sources, the impact it has on communities

  • ELA: Write a persuasive paragraph about why its important to take care of bees.

  • Math: how do we know bee poplulation is declining?

3. Computer Based Learning

• Students primary learning mode is via various types of learning programs and software using a computer.

• Use learning videos, and interactive programs for learning

• Use learning games that give "rewards" for advancing in a subject.

• Quizzes and assessments are also done using their computer to gauge progress.

• Progress reports are readily available and instantly updated.

4. Co-op

• Each parent in a group of homeschooling families takes on a teaching role in one or more subjects.

• The group usually goes on field trips and meets regularly for social skills and development.

• The parents agree on the topics and curriculum to teach as well as scheduling time and place for regular lessons to take place.

Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to education, and the beauty of homeschooling lies in its adaptability.

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