Under the Golden Apple Tree: The Ultimate Guide to Homeschool Methods

Homeschool Methods

Finding a homeschool method that fits your family will focus your homeschool and improve the educational experience. I spent a few years exploring methods before deciding on the one that suited my family thebest. Since that moment, my children and I have benefited in numerous ways. I encourage you to research the methods for yourself. A lack of vision and focus, as with any endeavor, will result in failure and frustration. However, choosing a method should not be frustrating; it should be a natural fit into your family’s lifestyle. The method is simply a framework for how your homeschool is conducted.

General Resources

Homeschool Mosaics: Homeschool Methods
Homeschooling and Its Many Faces - Homeschooling Methods
The Ultimate Homeschool Blogroll | Hip Homeschool Moms: Homeschool blogs linked up under their respective homeschool method.
iamhomeschooling.com - Your #1 Homeschool Resource - Homeschooling Approaches and Methods
Exploring Homeschooling Methods - The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
Homeschooling Methods

Classical Method

This approach uses the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) as its main focus. A classical student will receive formal training in Latin, Logic, Greek, and Western Literature. The Socratic Method is instilled in the student to develop a critical thinker. The goal is to train the student to think for himself and become a future leader. Think of the student/teacher relationship of Aristotle and Alexander the Great as an example of this method. A classical student will study mathematics and history in depth.

Resources

Book Lists

Curriculum

Veritas Press - classical education curriculum for Christian schools and home schools

The Tanglewood School Curriculum-home

The Classical Scholar | Teaching Resources for Classical Education

Memoria Press Classical Education

Classical Conversations! - Classical Conversations!

Tapestry of Grace - the classical, Christian homeschool curriculum for the whole family | Tapestry of Grace

Support & Advice

Charlotte Mason Method

The Charlotte Mason Method is a literature-based method, which also focuses on habit training. The student is trained in all areas--from education to social graces through habits. This instills positive habits as natural; consider the CM motto, “I Am, I Can, I Ought.” Students are encouraged to perform at their best in all subjects, competing only with themselves. Charlotte Mason students have short classes with focus on excellent execution of material. Charlotte Mason educators are well known for nature study, narration, copy work, living books, study of fine arts, and the lack of textbooks. The goal is to instill a love of learning and a curiosity about life.

Resources

Book Lists

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Montessori Method

Developed by Dr. Maria Montessorri, this method is student-driven yet tempered by a structured environment. The Montessorri method is well known for use with young children in preschool and early elementary schools due to the focus on sensory and motor training. The student is given the freedom to explore his environment at his own pace and level of interest. This is a hands-on method, whereby the parent or teacher becomes more of an encourager or guide through the educational experience.

Resources

Book List

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Unschooling Method

Perhaps the most controversial method, unschooling is completely student directed. A student is able to learn at his own pace and choose his own interests. Lessons are learned through hobbies, play, interests, and life experience. Unschoolers do not use grades or labels to identify students. The use of textbooks, classes, unit studies, or tests is rarely, if ever, used. The focus is on imagination, creative thought, critical thinking, nature, art, and music. The child’s entire environment is his classroom, as there is not a designated “class time,” classroom, or curriculum. Parents adopt the philosophy that children learn out of a sense of curiosity and use the world around them as their classroom. This method is purposeful and should not be confused with neglect, laziness, or lacking in education.

Resources

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Eclectic Method

This method is developed over time through experience as a homeschooler. This homeschooler has determined the nature of how each of her children learns and is confident in her knowledge of curriculum and education. Simply put, the homeschooler picks and chooses curriculum and aspects of methods that best fit her family. Please do not misunderstand; one does not develop into an eclectic homeschooler because of her level of ability, confidence, and experience. One does not aspire to one day be an eclectic homeschooler. You can be a mature homeschooler with years of experience and remain faithful to a single method or a mix of two methods. However, becoming eclectic is something that requires time and experience by someone who is naturally driven to tailor make her curriculum and homeschool.

Resources

Book Lists

Eclectic Homeschool Online Book Lists

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Traditional Method

This approach is the closest to what you find in traditional school classrooms. This method uses textbooks, grade levels, tests, reviews, drills, and memorization. Those who incorporate this method provide the student with a full school day, filled with reading and writing. The goal is to prepare the student for graduation by fulfilling preset requirements. Students are provided a school setting in a home environment. This method is primarily teacher driven.

Resources

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Forums listed are not specifically for traditional but homeschooling in general.

Homeschool.com's Homeschooling Discussion Forum
The Homeschool Lounge
Homeschool Spot :: Homeschool discussion forums - chat with other homeschooling educators! (my favorite..I have been a member for years!)

Unit Study Method

Unit studies integrate all subjects into one theme. The approach is hands on and activity based. Often the theme is determined by the child’s interests, literature book, or time period being studied. Science and math are sometimes done outside of the unit study. Unit studies can range from 4 to 9 to 12-week intervals.

Resources

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Waldorf Method

The Waldorf method is also used in some homeschools. Waldorf education is based on the work of Rudolf Steiner and stresses the importance of educating the whole child—body, mind, and spirit. In the early grades, there is an emphasis on arts and crafts, music and movement, and nature. Older children are taught to develop self-awareness and how to reason things out for themselves. Children in a Waldorf homeschool do not use standard textbooks; instead, the children create their own books. The Waldorf method also discourages the use of television and computers because they believe computers are bad for the child's health and creativity.

Resources

Curriculum

Support & Advice

Thomas Jefferson Method

The Thomas Jefferson Method of homeschooling is based in the Idea of Leadership Education and not the conveyor belt system of the traditional school education. The principles are seen in these seven keys:

Classics, Not Textbooks
Mentors, Not Professors
Inspire, Not Require
Structure Time, Not Content
Simplicity, Not Complexity
Quality, Not Conformity
You, Not Them

Resources

Curriculum

Support & Advice

This post is part of the iHomeschool Network Ultimate Guides

The Ultimate Guides

5 comments:

Judy said...: What an extensive article! This is an excellent resource--sharing!; August 9, 2012 at 1:48 PM
Mama Eagle said...: Amazing list ... thanks for posting.; August 10, 2012 at 3:00 PM
Rana said...: Thanks for sharing this list. I'm looking for all the information I can find on Classical education. You have some great resources. Thank you!; August 11, 2012 at 7:18 PM
Annie Kate said...: Wow! Thanks for compiling that list!; August 17, 2012 at 6:10 AM
toady mama said...: Great organization to this article. Thank you!; August 19, 2012 at 7:48 PM