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I was put down by a blogger about my "Oh No, I Don’t Think So" post not even about the content of the post itself. I had submitted into the Carnival of Homeschooling, and I was questioned how that had to do with homeschooling. Now I know it may not have had to do directly with homeschooling, but it would affect homeschooling and women just the same. I felt that it was something people needed to know about and it did have to do with researching for my government class.
Anyway, while thinking over this, I questioned myself on what it really had to do with homeschooling. I came to the conclusion that it did have to do with homeschooling, and more specifically my homeschooling. This whole situation brought to my mind the question: What is homeschooling??
I know there are many different ways to decide that. There are many different types of homeschooling and it all depends on the homeschool itself. My homeschooling may be getting the textbooks out and sitting down to learn my math, while yours may be to go outside and take a nature hike and catalog all the insects, flowers, trees and minerals you see. The bottom line is that homeschooling is learning from home. Learning, more specifically, your education at home. Here is what the dictionary gives as the definition of homeschooling:
HOMESCHOOLING - the practice of teaching one’s own children at home, instead of sending them to school. [Origin 1985-1990]
So teaching one’s own children at home is homeschooling. But we all know there are many different genres or methods of homeschooling. How can you decide what homeschooling is for someone else?? You really can’t because of all the different ways there is to homeschool. I thought I would take an in-depth look at the different ways to homeschool.
I found alot of information about methods of homeschooling and what they include and what is the purpose of the specific methods.
Here are "Common Educational Philosophies":
Essentialism assumes that there is a core body of knowledge that must be mastered in order for a person to be considered "educated". It focuses on the "essentials" and is subject oriented. Essentialism could be summed up in this phrase: "Information is the key to a good education."
Perennialism is more "idea" oriented, and considers education to be consisting of becoming acquainted with the great writing and thinking throughout history. To perennialists, "understanding is the key to a good education."
Progressivism seeks to make education practical and applicable to the needs of the students and society. It assumes that making knowledge and skills meaningful are the keys to good education.
Existentialism stresses "authenticity" the commitment to finding true being. To the existentialist, discovering one’s own meaning and purpose in life is the key to a good education.
Here are "Common Teaching Approaches". They are divided up into 2 main curriculum teaching groups: Traditional (Textbook and workbook or worktext categories) and Non-Textbook (Classical, Unit Studies, Living Books, Principal, Unschooling, and Mixed categories)
The Traditional Approach - In the Traditional Approach, graded textbooks or workbooks follow a scope and sequence that covers each subject in 180 daily increments over a span of 12 years. Teacher’s manual’s, tests, and record keeping materials are usually available that correspond with each of the texts. Textbook curricula assume you will run your home school like an institutional school. Worktext programs present textbooks in consumable workbook format. The student learns his lesson, is given assignments, and is tested all in the workbook. The worktexts include tests or check points to ensure that the material in each section is mastered before the student moves on the next.
Worktexts also allow more independent study and require minimal teacher preparation time and supervision. Video programs are also available that are actual classrooms on video. The child follows along with the video as if he or she were attending the class, and uses the accompanying textbooks or workbooks. Traditional curricula are also available on computer. Many satellite school as well as universities now offer computer courses on CD or through the internet.
Non-Textbook Approaches - Although there are a number of excellent textbook and worktext programs available, many home educators object to the fact that textbooks are teacher-directed, chalkboard-oriented, and seldom take into account different teaching approaches or the different way children receive and process information.
John Gatto says, "Real books educate. School books school." With textbooks many parents feel they are "bringing the classroom home" instead of educating their children in a way that is uniquely home-based. These parents have found alternative teaching approaches that allow them to tailor their homeschooling to their family’s particular needs.
The following is a brief explanation of the five most common non-textbook approaches:
The Classical Approach is derived from successful courses of study throughout history and recently revived through the writings of Dorothy Sayers.
The Principle Approach is based on the premise that our nation is a unique and vital link in the westward chain of Christianity.
The Living Books and Life Experiences Approach of Charlotte Mason treats children as persons, not as containers to be filled with information. The Unit Study Approach integrates several subject areas around a comment theme.
The Unschooling Approach assumes that children are natural learners and gives them the resources to do so.
The Eclectic/Mixed Approach is a blend of the all the different approaches.
The Heart of Wisdom Approach is a Bible-based mix of many excellent teaching methods.
The Internet/Computer Class Approach is an internet based study that uses the internet and computer for all its teaching.
The methods descriptions in detail:
The Classical Approach - In the Classical Approach, children under the age of 18 are taught tools known as The Trivium. The Trivium has three parts, each part corresponding to a childhood developmental stage.
The first stage is the Grammar Stage. It covers early elementary ages and focuses on reading, writing, and spelling; the study of Latin; and developing observation, listening and memorization skills. The goal of this stage is to develop a general framework of knowledge and to acquire basic language arts and math skills.
At approximately middle school age, children begin to demonstrate independent or abstract thought (usually by becoming argumentative or opinionated). This signals the beginning of the Dialectic Stage in which the child’s tendency to argue is molded and shaped by teaching logical discussion, debate, and how to draw correct conclusions and support them with facts. The goal of this stage is to equip the child with language and thinking skills capable of detecting fallacies in an argument in an argument. Latin study is continued, with the possible addition of Greek and Hebrew. The student reads essays, arguments, criticisms instead of literature as in the Grammar Stage. History study leans toward interpreting events. Higher math and theology begin.
The final phase of the Trivium, the Rhetoric Stage, seeks to produce a student who can use language, both written and spoken, eloquently and persuasively. Students are usually ready for this stage by age 15.
The Unit Study Approach - A Unit Study takes a theme or topic and delves into it deeply over a period of time, integrating language arts, science, social studies, and fine arts as they apply. Math is usually learned separately. Instead of studying eight or ten separate, unrelated subjects, all subjects are blended together and studied around a common theme or project.
Several fine prepared unit study curricula are available, but it is easy to prepare your own unit studies around areas of interest. History is the logical core curriculum to build ongoing unit studies around. History provides a framework for all the other subjects because it follows a progression and cover every other subject (except possibly math), like art, music, science, literature, and so on.
The Charlotte Mason Approach (Living Books) - Mason’s approach to academics was to teach basic reading, writing, and math skills, then expose children to the best sources of knowledge for all other subjects. This meant giving children experiences like nature walks, observing and collecting wildlife; visiting art museums; and reading real book with "living ideas". She called such books "living books" because they made the subject "come alive" unlike textbooks that tend to be dry and dull and assume the reader cannot think for him/herself.
The Principle Approach - An effort to restore to American Christians three vital concepts: the knowledge of our Christian history; an understanding of our role in the spread of Christianity; and the ability to live according to the Biblical principles up which our country was founded and by which many of the founding fathers were educated.
The seven principles are:
1. Individuality (God has created distinct differences in people, nations, etc.)
2. Self Government (Government starts in the heart of man.)
3. Christian Character
4. Conscience is the Most Sacred of Property
5. The Christian Form of Government
6. How the Seed of Local Self Government is Planted
7. The Christian Principle of American Political Union
Four emphases are unique to this educational approach. First, there is a recognition of God’s Hand (Providence) in history. Second, there is the understand that God has ordained three governmental institutions (the home, the church, and the civil government) through which He unfolds His purposes and manifests Christ on this earth. Third, each Christian is responsible for extending God’s government. Fourth, the student assumes responsibility got learning and applying knowledge to his own life.
The Principle Approach may be applied to the study of any subject with the use of notebooks to record "the 4 R’s" (Researching God’s Word; Reasoning from the researched Biblical truths/principles; Relating the truths and principles discovered to the subject and the student’s character; and Recording the individual application of the Biblical principles to the subject and the student.)
The Unschooling/Relaxed Approach - Defined by John Holt, a 20th century American educator who concluded that children may have an innate desire to learn and a curiosity that drives them to learn what they need to know when they need to know it. Holt believed that both desire and curiosity are destroyed by the usual methods of teaching. In his book, "Teach Your Own", Hold said: "What children need is not new and better curricula but access to more and more of the real world; plenty time and space to think over their experiences and use fantasy and play to make meaning our of them; and advice, road maps, guidebooks, to make it easier for the, to get where they want to go (not where we think they ought to go), and find our what they want to find out."
On the other hand, unschooling refers to any less structured learning approach that allows children to pursue their own interests with parental support and guidance. The child is surrounded by a rich environment of books, learning resources, and adults who mode a lifestyle of learning and are willing to interact with him. Formal academics are pursued when the need arises. Christians who favor less structured schooling, but with definite goals, prefer to be called "relaxed home educators", not unschoolers.
The Eclectic/Mixed Approach - Many homeschoolers use a blend of the different approaches that fit their homeschool and families needs as opposed to using one methods inparticular. Most homeschoolers fall into the category of using a variety of curriculum, books, and methods. This in itself is a method: the "eclectic method" of homeschooling.
Basically, eclectic homeschoolers use a little of everything. This might include workbooks for math, copy work or memorization for studying the Bible, living books for read-alouds, and plenty of freedom to make changes. Eclectic homeschoolers frequently participate in outside classes, field trips, and clubs to round out their child’s education. This method allows parents to choose the best of everything. The only real disadvantage is that some parents become overwhelmed with all the choices and the lack of structure. This can be corrected with some effort.
The Heart of Wisdom Approach - Begins with the Bible as the center of education with all subordinate studies taught through the light of God's word. A Bible framework provides the structure and stability with which to approach all life. Academics play an important part, but they are secondary. This approach is a combination of several popular methods and can be ultilized for all ages with any curriculum.
The Heart of Wisdom Approach uses a combination of the following:
1. Bible first
2. A Return to Biblical Hebraic Education
3. Four-Step Cycle
4. Delight-Directed Learning
5. Charlotte Mason's Philosophy and Methods
6. Unit Studies
7. Lifestyle of Learning
8. Writing to Learn
9. Notebooking
The Heart of Wisdom Approach focuses on the child's knowledge of the Bible and using it to further its education. The name Heart of Wisdom came from Psalm 90:12, which was written by Moses.
Internet/Computer Classes Approach -Many homeschoolers use Internet- or computer-based courses for their education. These can be particularly helpful if you have a child who learns best in a multisensory manner—eyes to see the screen, ears to listen to audio input, and hands to operate the mouse and keyboard. Internet and computer courses aren’t necessarily ideal for all your child’s educational work, since sitting in front of a computer screen for hours at a time can be hard on the eyes, but these courses can be beneficial sometimes.
Most of these resources were taken from "Elijah Company: Searching For The Ancient Paths Resource Guide". I would highly recommend this book. It has so many homeschool book and curriculum resources listed, along with the prices, titles, authors, and what they can be used for. Chris Davis, the author, gives a sort of tutorial on what homeschooling really is. He also goes into detail about many ways to help your child get the most out of his homeschool education. This book will open your eyes to new things or maybe just refresh it with things you have already learned. This is a must have for any homeschool.
Other sources of my research came from Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach by Robin Sampson and also The Homeschooler's Book of Lists by Sonya Haskins. Both of these books I would highly recommend also. They are wonderful.
With all that information in mind, I can gladly say I probably use a "Mixed Approach". It works for me and I learn what I need to when I need to how I need to. I like the way I can use whatever will work for whatever I am learning. That is what homeschooling is all about. Making learning what it needs to be for your family.
I am glad I homeschool the way I do. I am glad to be homeschooled. I am getting the education I need and it will help me to know how educate my children in the future.
I don’t think it is fair to make a judgment on what homeschooling is for another person or family. We are all different and we all need to use different methods. So what’s your method??
As Always,
Thanks for stopping by "Daily" at the "Planet"!!
©AmandaDixon2007
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