Homeschooling Styles

There are many different styles of homeschooling. This is a place where you can get an idea of what types are out there being used.

CURRICULUM APPROACH:

Using published curriculum for the majority of the subjects studied. Abeka, Bob Jones, Alpha Omega are just some of the more popular curriculum publishers. They provide teacher manuals that are helpful in planning your year and correcting the work.

DISTANCE LEARNING:

Companies and schools that provide teaching assistance as well as learning materials. These schools vary widely in their choice of method, let alone formality. Many times the classes that are taken can count for highschool credit and college credit saving time and money.

ECLECTIC HOMESCHOOLING

Some like to pick and choose among various methods, enjoying the flexibility it affords. There are so many great products available for homeschooling. This method doesn't use one curriculum, but picks and chooses what works best for their family.

MONTESSORI HOMESCHOOLING:

Maria Montessori advocates observing your child, removing obstacles to learning and providing children with real, scaled-to-size tools to use. She was a big proponent of allowing the child quiet time to think through their actions. She was one of the first pioneers of education that encouraged children to lead their education. For more information about Montessori homeschooling check out www.montessori.edu/homeschooling

KEYSTONE HIGH SCHOOL

With Keystone as your partner, you get a solid home study curriculum and the support of certified instructors, so you don't need to be an expert in every high school subject. They are accredited and have 30 years of distance learning experience. Their high school diplomas are accepted at over 140 colleges and universityies. Keystone is there for you if you're interested in obtaining a high school diploma online. Check out their website at www.keystonehighschool.com

LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL:

Where interests, talents and learning styles are honored. They offer distance learning that has been accredited for more than 15 years. They offer online and textbook formats for distance learning. Their teachers grade each and every assignment. For more information check out www.laurelsprings.com

RESOURCE CENTERS & COTTAGE SCHOOLS:

Mini-schools are springing up among homeschoolers all over the world. Several states are beginning to offer co-op classes for homeschoolers Check out your local homeschool groups to see what they offer,

TUTORING:

Hiring a tutor makes a family (and the tutor) fall under the tutoring laws of a state's education code, rather than under homeschooling laws, especially if they intend to hire a tutor full time.

WALDORF METHOD:

Developed by Rudolf Steiner, this method emphasizes arts and crafts, music and movement. Students learn to read and write by making their own books. He used very similar methods that Montessori used. He believed that in addition to having child-sized furniture, there should be no plastic or man made materials in the classroom. Some homeschoolers incorporate these ideas.

UNIT STUDIES:

Available free or for sale to homeschoolers. The concept behind unit studies is that you can choose any particular subject and learn everything about it. There are no time limits on any subject and several ways to incorporate the various subjects in one unit study. You can make your own or buy them ready-made.

UMBRELLA SCHOOLS:

Many state offer umbrella schools for homeschooling. There are advantages and disadvantages to this. The advantage is you know exactly what is required of you to complete their course of study, there is usually a support system in place, and you don't have to go through other legalities. The disadvantage is you are not on your own time schedule, you're obligated to turn in records, and you have to follow their approved curriculum.

UNSCHOOLING:

Many homeschoolers opt for the freedom that comes with unschooling. The students have a huge say in the subjects that are learned. Many time they plan their entire course of study with minimal assistance from the parents. This method works well when there is motivation to learn.