Teaching Methods/Styles & Resources

First a few comments...
(Scroll down to see teaching styles, resources and advice)

Do you need to choose a teaching style?

No, but taking a look at them will give you an idea of the variety out there.

Is there one best approach to homeschooling?

Almost any approach will work as long as parents have the goal of preparing their children for life, are faithful in executing that goal and are willing to make adjustments when it seems necessary.

________________________________________________

SOME OF THE TOP METHODS WITH
Pros and Cons, Suggestions for Success, Resources

A general tip for success, no matter what method or methods you use: Don't let yourself become ideologically tied to any one method. The bottom line is always what's best for your child, not what you like best. Keep that in mind as you read.

PACKAGED PLAN/STRUCTURED.
With this approach, students follow a plan mapped out by a curriculum supplier or correspondence school -- or by parents. Sometimes parents and students can choose from a variety of materials. Either way, specific plans and schedules are usually followed. Courses are available in a variety of formats, including packaged sets of books that you work through on your own, correspondence, video/DVD, satellite, on-line, or a combination of these things.

Advantages: It's all laid out. You know what to do and when to do it. It fends off the possibility of slacking off and doing nothing at all or doing too little. Many students respond well to a certain level of structure and predictability. Some courses offer tutoring or homework help.

Disadvantages: It often lacks creativity and can be boring. Opportunity for children to pursue personal strengths can be limited. It discourages spontaneity. Students aren't afforded the chance to take a subject in hand and squeeze the juice out of it -- they must move on to the next topic at the will of the program. Subjects (especially history) are generally studied from the perspective of events rather than from the perspective of the people who produced those events (see more on this in our history section).

To use it successfully: Be flexible. Work out a time frame that allows for some independence on the part of your student. Make time to smell the roses. Use the program -- don't let it use you.

Most of the resources listed here offer the option of taking all or any of their courses in any format they offer.

Alpha Omega Academy. Options: Packaged, Correspondence, On-line, Video/DVD.
The Morning Star Academy. Options: Books, CD-ROM, on-line. 140 courses, K-12.
The Potter's School. Options: On-line.
Eagle Christian School. Options: On-line.
Clonlara Compuhigh. Options: On-line.
BJU HomeSat. Options: Satellite or DVD, Textbooks, Testing Service.

Griggs University & International Academy. Pre-school – University level, with or without record-keeping & support services.

Blueprint Education. Correspondence courses (220 courses available). Grading and testing included. Accredited.
Keystone National High School. Correspondence or on-line, accredited, general diploma, college prep diploma, single courses avaliable 
A Beka. Options: Packaged, Correspondence, Video/DVD.
Extensive list of on-line and correspondence schools and classes.

_______________________________________________________

UNIT STUDIES.
You take a topic, say American Indians, and tie as many of your subjects into that topic as possible. You may study a particular unit for weeks at a time, fleshing out all of its possibilities and links.

Advantages: It can be highly interesting to children. It doesn't have to incorporate every subject -- you can use it for history and science and use a text for math, for example. Students can learn how all subjects relate to life. You can purchase many ready-made unit studies, reducing the preparation load, lots of opportunity for creativity.

Disadvantages: Often a lot of work for parent. Not all students like this approach. Relating all subjects to one topic can drift into the realm of the absurd and frustrate students. Usually time-consuming. Not rigorous enough for many high school students.

To use it successfully: Be sensitive to your students and make sure you're not overwhelming them with something that's more fun for you than for them. Consider using the method part-time or taking breaks from it if the need seems apparent. Be sure you are sufficiently challenging your older students. Don't feel you need to tie every subject into a unit.

Konos Etc. Unit Studies
HomeSchooling at Sassafrass Grove. 200+ links
Amanda Bennett Unit Studies
Heart of Wisdom. Bible-based unit studies.

___________________________________________________

CLASSICAL METHOD.
This is a highly disciplined approach to homeschooling that emphasizes serious reading, writing, rhetoric, classical literature, Latin and Greek, reason, debate, research, etc.

Advantages: Has the potential to be intellectually rigorous. A dedicated family will turn out what most people would consider very well-educated children.

Disadvantages: May be stifling and overwhelming to students who learn differently or possess their greatest strengths in less academic areas and may frustrate parents of such students. Can lack creativity and flexibility. Can preclude possibilities for developing personal strengths that lie outside the scope of the method.

To use it successfully: As with all methods, be flexible and don't be married to it. Use it -- don't let it use you. Make time for spontaneity and pursuit of interests that may fall outside the scope of the curriculum. If it becomes clear that the method is not working for your student, make changes.

The Well-Trained Mind. Explains classical education and has links to many classical education sites.

Great Books Academy.
Classical Christian Homeschooling.

Classical Home Education.
The Angelicum Academy.Catholic homeschool & liberal arts program based on great books of Western civilization w/optional Socratic discussion seminars.

Tapestry of Grace.

Books about classical education.

_____________________________________________

CHARLOTTE MASON METHOD.
The basic philosophy involves a respect for students and their ability to learn from life, but it is not unstructured like the unschooling method. Students read from real books, study nature in the outdoors, study art and music, and prove their learning through narration -- telling back in their own words what they've read and learned.

Advantages: This method can be fun for students and learning can be more motivating when related to real life. It can produce a well-rounded student, a good and avid reader and can allow for the pursuit of a great variety of interests.

Disadvantages: High parent involvement usually required. Easy to get focused most on things the parent prefers to do. Can prove not sufficiently rigorous for some high school students.

To use it successfully: Stay tuned to your student's interests and be sure to accommodate study in those areas. Be flexible -- if the method seems not to suit a student, make changes.

The A-B-C's of Charlotte Mason
Penny Gardner's Web Site
Charlotte Mason Study Loop

________________________________________________

ECLECTIC.
You pick and choose the materials and methods you like in a mix and match fashion.

Advantages: You have the option of choosing the best you can find and fine-tuning materials and methods to individual students.

Disadvantages: Parent must track down good materials for a lot of different subjects.

To use it successfully: Do your home work, talk to other parents about what they've found useful, read reviews.

Learn more: Take a look at all the resources on this page as well as others on our site.
The Eclectic Homeschooler. Article, links.
Eclectic Homeschool Online: Book Lists page.
The Relaxed Home School/Mary Hood books.
Books by subject and category. Wide variety.

__________________________________________________

UNSCHOOLING.
Students follow their own interests wherever they may lead. Students are usually allowed to learn what they want, when they want and how they want, including basic skills. The method assumes that children are natural learners and will follow that inclination to a logical and fruitful end.

Advantages: Students have the opportunity to become self-directed learners which makes them learners for life. Students can follow an interest to its natural end. Compared to many other methods, less work on part of parent.

Disadvantages: Not all students are motivated enough to direct and control their own education. Many students prefer the predictability of adult-directed education. Families in which parents are not self-educators or families in which entertainment is a main focus (television, video games, going out, sports, etc.) will often find this method less than successful. Assumes the innate wisdom of children in directing their own education (though not necessarily in directing their own character development).

To do it successfully: Parents should love learning and set an example for their children. Keep a sharp eye out for interests your child may exhibit and provide him with plenty of resources to pursue them. Provide opportunity to develop interests by exposing your child to a variety of experiences and resources. As with other methods, don't be married to it. If it becomes apparent that your child would benefit from some structure and direction, provide it to her. Be sensitive to the needs of your child more than to your own ideological bent.

Unschooling.com

Growing Without Schooling

Unschooling: Delight-driven Learning. Lots of links.

________________________________________________________

A final note: Sit down and make a list of the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that you consider important for success as an adult. These are the things you will be helping your child embrace and master as he or she grows up. You will find yourself employing different methods with different children and even different methods at various stages in one child's life. Keep your eye on the goal and adjust your methods according to the progress being made along the path. Your dedication is to your children, not to a teaching method or educational ideology. Do it for the love of your children.

Here's one short list of potential outcomes to help you get started on yours:

• Solid reading skills so all doors are open to him.
• Solid math skills so he can manage his own finances.
• A good sense of history so he knows what produces liberty and how to sustain it.
• A sufficient grounding in science so he can recognize an unlikely claim or a scam when he hears it and so he can determine if his interest is sufficient to pursue a career strong in the sciences.
• A strong work ethic and discipline.
• A strong belief in his ability to achieve whatever he wishes.
• Enough practical skills to fend for himself in life.
• Interpersonal and good communication skills so he will enjoy good relationships.
• Strong ethics so he will not be easily swayed by shysters or the ill-intentioned of the world.