Apr. 17, 2006 - Homeschooling Methods, Part 2
Traditional Textbook Method
I was so glad that this chapter was included. Often so many homeschooling books, in thier zeal for promoting the different popular methods, ignore that fact that some of us crave the stabilty and ease of a traditional textbook method. Living overseas, I have found this to be the easiest way to go. I know that when I place my order, I will get everything I need. I really also appreciated that the authors of this section made me feel like this was a good choice for my children-not like so many other things that I have read which imply that you are settling, umimaginative, or not trying hard enough if this is what you use. I also like the rundown of some of the programs that the authors used and the websites to investigate further.
Included in this section was a chapter on co-ops. I waas able to glean many good ideas about what we here would like for our co-op. Currently here in Islamabad, we meet weekly for art and P.E. I'd like to expand on that when we return from furlough with some ideas that I got from this chapter.
Charlotte Mason Method
So many talk about this method that I was eager to learn more about it. These articles were so well written and left me wanting to learn more! I was able to glean some great ideas about living books and nature journals. It has inspired me to try it out this summer while we are in Thailand. We will be spending a month in a seaside village and now I am planning for us to do ocean nature journals.
Unit Studies
As I said in my pervoius post, I have always loved the "idea" of unit studies. However, it is the one method that I have never been able to try due to lack of resources. I thought the best part of this section was the "red flags to beware of" section. How to do a unit study and also how not to do a unit study.
Special Needs
I have not had a special needs child, yet I have several friends who do have one. These articles were well written and so encouraging in tone. There were also many good, practical resources given.
Carschooling
I want this book! These ideas were great and I plan on using them this upcoming year on furlough. Anybody who know missionaries knows that we spend weeks on the road and are always looking for ways to school and entertain the kids! Her website was a must for checking out for me.
Eclectic Method
These articles by Maggie Hogan and Diana Waring were excellent. I have always enjoyed Magie Hogan's wrting style. She is so open about what has worked and not worked in her family. Diana Waring's article about the 7 types of learning should be a starting point for all homeschoolers. When we realize how our children learn, it is so much easier to teach them in a way that they enjoy and can process the information.
Unschooling Method
This was another method that I had heard so much about, yet know hardly anything about. In some ways this approach would work well overseas. Just living here, my kids learn so much about the world around them.
Whole-Heart Learning
The last section in this book dealt with what I had always heard referred to as the "Lterature Method"-using real books and discissions to guide your school day. Overseas this can be difficult as the one thing we lack the most of is -good books! Also included were some wonderful chapters about cultivating the love of learning and discipling your children. I would definitly like to read more books by these authors.
Comments
Apr. 18, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by JeanaG
Thanks for posting these summaries from the book
Apr. 19, 2006 - Untitled Comment
Posted by KarenW
Thanks for letting me know about m-bags. I had never heard of that before and that may be an option for getting some of our things over there!
Apr. 20, 2006 - Around the World
Posted by Phyllis
Did you see that I wrote about you?
