Charlotte MasonFor Kinesthetic, Hands On Learners
This method is founded on the teachings of a 19th-century homeschooling pioneer. Study sessions are short (15 to 45 minutes), directed by the child’s interests, fairly flexible, and allow children to learn at their own pace. Learning time is often spent reading plays, biographies, and living books rather than listening to lectures. Nature plays a large role in this approach, emphasizing observation, memorization, and narration.
The Charlotte Mason (CM) approach is a good option for those who want their child to have plenty of choices about what and how to study. It is well-suited to young learners whose learning style is kinesthetic. |
Originally designed for K–6th grade, the CM approach looks to other materials to teach the higher grades. There is not a strong emphasis on math, science, or technology. Journaling one’s experiences and observations are preferred over quizzes and tests.
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Classical
This time-tested educational approach dates back to ancient Greece and Rome and is a very popular homeschooling method. Study includes reading the great books and emphasizes reading and language, often including the study of Greek and Latin. Emphasis is on facts, critical thinking, rhetoric, and self-expression. Subject areas are taught in chronological order so learners can see how ideas and bodies of knowledge have evolved over time. Students are encouraged to go beyond mere comprehension or skill training to achieve an enriched understanding of both self and the world.
Although this method is more flexible, interactive, and experiential than traditional schooling, it is less so than other homeschooling methods. It would be a good fit for students who love reading or learning foreign languages, and parents who want an approach they can trust to deliver high-quality, academic-focused education. It is a respected approach to understanding how history influences how we live today. The approach leans toward exercises in abstract thinking over frequent tests and quizzes.
Although this method is more flexible, interactive, and experiential than traditional schooling, it is less so than other homeschooling methods. It would be a good fit for students who love reading or learning foreign languages, and parents who want an approach they can trust to deliver high-quality, academic-focused education. It is a respected approach to understanding how history influences how we live today. The approach leans toward exercises in abstract thinking over frequent tests and quizzes.
A Popular Method Of Homeschooling
Understandably the most popular method of homeschooling, this approach is very flexible and allows you to mix and match the best parts of other methods to best suit the needs of the student. It supports the individuality of each child, is directed by the child’s interests, incorporates multiple resources from different areas, and is not based on a specific curriculum.
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EclecticThis method is attractive, but it is important to consider carefully how to integrate goals into your child’s learning plan. Your teacher will help make sure that the curriculum combination you create covers all the areas needed to meet the state educational standards. There are so many options that an eclectic approach can feel open-ended and overwhelming. Good eclectic homeschool instructors need a solid understanding of other methodologies. If you like to blend styles, or if you don’t want to be confined to a single approach, this could be a good option.
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Montessori
Encourages Self-Motivation
This is a well-proven, humanistic method that grew out of Maria Montessori’s work with special needs children. The approach focuses on the natural curiosity of students, allows free movement, and long unstructured time blocks (up to three hours). Learning plans are interest-based and individualized to each student. The instruction is a hands-off approach and is known to foster creativity.
The Montessori approach is readily adapted for young learners who respond to kinesthetic learning, as spatial and tactile intelligence are celebrated. The built-in flexibility makes this method suitable for special needs learners who need extra attention, as well as gifted children who prefer to move quickly through material. Although originally designed for a younger age group, this approach easily adapts to middle and high school-aged students. The style encourages self-motivation instead of competition and fits learners who respond well to open and fluid environments without much structure or rules.
The Montessori approach is readily adapted for young learners who respond to kinesthetic learning, as spatial and tactile intelligence are celebrated. The built-in flexibility makes this method suitable for special needs learners who need extra attention, as well as gifted children who prefer to move quickly through material. Although originally designed for a younger age group, this approach easily adapts to middle and high school-aged students. The style encourages self-motivation instead of competition and fits learners who respond well to open and fluid environments without much structure or rules.
This approach builds curriculum around thematically related learning plans where students study each subject area in relation to a theme. The versatile and integrative lessons engage students’ interests and different learning styles and make learning fun. Student-directed study fosters personal responsibility and self-awareness. The method is a good way to incorporate a child’s weaker subjects into their learning plan, and it helps to show how ideas fit together from different perspectives.
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Unit StudiesA Method For Integrating Subjects
Unit studies are actually less an educational approach than they are a method for integrating subjects into study lessons. They can vary widely by curriculum and may skip over whole subject areas, leaving knowledge gaps. Therefore, for a full academic education they are best supplemented with additional learning materials or incorporated with other approaches, such as classical or Charlotte Mason.
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WaldorfTime-Tested Approach
Developed more than 100 years ago in Austria, this time-tested approach has become very popular. The aim is to create a safe and nurturing environment that supports students to become strong, independent thinkers. The method includes a broad, well-rounded curriculum that includes academics, but emphasizes art and music, physical activity, and social and emotional development. The Waldorf approach does not test or use grades; it encourages children to pursue learning for the sake of learning.
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In choosing this learning approach, it’s important to keep in mind that academic education is de-emphasized. In fact, students typically do not use textbooks until nearly middle school years. Reading isn’t introduced until second grade; instead, teachers use oral storytelling and provide tools, including the alphabet and art supplies, to let students explore their reason to communicate. This approach would be a good fit for families who value creativity and individuality and competing with other’s progress.
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