Finding Your Homeschool Style

Let’s talk about homeschool styles! Finding your style may help you to find a curriculum or even a group of like minded people. Or maybe it won’t, either way it is fun to learn about!

First things first, not every child is the same. Now say it out loud, not every child is the same! This includes siblings. Not every child learns the same. Think about it this way, as an adult you know the best way you learn something new. You have had years to figure it out. Kids have no idea they just know what they like and what they don’t like. It is our job to figure out by observing them how they learn and retain information the best. Once you find their sweet spot of learning you will have one less thing to stress about.

Let’s take a look at the different types of styles your family could fall under. Remember you could also be more than one style.

Traditional

A traditional homeschooler will look a lot like a public school. They use textbooks much like a public school teacher, they have a rigid schedule and a dedicated space in their home that they use for only school work. Some traditional homeschoolers use an all in one curriculum also known as a curriculum bundle.

Pros:

-a schedule is nice

-easier to transition back to public school later on

Cons:

-this method can be very dry and boring

-there isn’t any room to explore your child's interests and feed their love of learning

Charlotte Mason

This method is a gentler homeschooling style that is more focused on being interest led. Lessons are done in short periods of time ranging from 15-20 minutes for elementary and 45 minutes for high school. This method has a huge emphasis on classic literature, living books and biographies. Child-led studies include observing nature, narration, memorization, art and music appreciation. You can read more about Charlotte Mason here.

Pros:

-smaller lesson times hold child's attention

-feeds child's need and love of learning

-easy to do and very flexible

-inexpensive

Cons:

-science and math at high school level will need to be supplemented to maintain high school requirements.

Classical

One of the most popular methods of homeschooling. There are three stages of learning and development. This style puts a huge emphasis on “great books” throughout each learning level. The three stages are Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric. Grammar is elementary and is focused on learning facts and memorization. Logic is middle school where students develop critical thinking and logic skills. Lastly, Rhetoric is high school where they focus on communication and putting it all together.

Pros:

-subjects are taught chronologically

-lots of debates, communication and discussion in place of workbooks

Cons:

-this method is very time consuming and requires a lot of reading from the student.

Cyberschool

One of the more recent ways of homeschooling and becoming more popular since the pandemic. This method has the curriculum completely online. You may choose a program or enroll in an online public or private school.

Pros:

-not a lot of work for the parent

-easy to track grades and have report cards

-easy to transition to public school

Cons:

-if the student doesn’t enjoy technology the will tire of computer work

-you have to add in handwriting for elementary students so they still get the practice

-if you choose to go with an online public school you will be bound by their rules and regulations including ones on attendance.

Eclectic

This is the most popular and easiest to do! The freedom of being eclectic is what draws parents into homeschooling. In this method you can pick from all different styles and combine them together to fit your child's needs. For example you could use an online program for math, a classical history and Charlotte Mason literature study. This method lets you use trial and error to find the best fit for your family.

I have absolutely no cons to this way of homeschooling. I am sure some one might but at this time I can’t find any.

Unschooling

This is not a method of schooling as much as it is a mindset. So what does that mean? Well unschoolers use everyday life and their surrounding environment to teach their children. Some may use a curriculum but most don’t. They use a child-led approach and let the child be in charge with no formal schooling at all.

Pros:

-learning takes place everywhere all the time so there is no schedule to follow.

Cons:

-if your child is ever in a situation where they need to take a standardized test (some states require them) they may not do as well as their peers. This isn’t a major concern because children all learn on different timelines and knowledge cannot be measured from a standardized test, however, if you are sensitive to this type of thing you should be aware.

I truly hope all this information was helpful and not overwhelming. The one thing I ask is that you do not stress finding perfection. There is no perfect way to homeschool, homeschooling is fluid and every moving and changing as our children grow. Enjoy it!