With education becoming increasingly accessible online, homeschooling is a more viable option for families compared to previous generations. If this is the case, what are the different types of homeschooling? Which one is the right fit for your family?
Continue reading below to learn more about the different types of homeschooling and what would be the best fit for your family.
1: Traditional Method
Traditional homeschooling is just like regular schooling, except in the comfort of your own home. The traditional method is a great start for parents who are trying to homeschool their children, as there is a strong online community and a variety of curriculums for homeschooled families. (Source)
- School at home
- This is the most basic form of homeschooling and this method works by having a regular school day at home. Parents will often buy textbooks, desks, or other accessories to simulate a regular school setting. This method is the most efficient for parents who want to be the most involved and give a personalized education to their children.
- Online
- The easiest and arguably best way to access traditional homeschooling is to do it online. This is because the information and classes are already set out, a great fit for parents with a busy schedule but who are not happy with local schools. However, the online method is best for high school students who have already had social experiences with in-person schooling.
Best fit for:
Families that appreciate the structure of traditional schooling but want more involvement or tutoring. Online homeschooling is a good option for older kids who are not wanting to attend in-person school and do not require as much involvement.
2: Unit Studies Method
A catch-all term for homeschooling, unit studies is a popular method because it encompasses all educational-based subjects. Studies even show that children who use unit study methods compared to traditional homeschooling retain 45% more information. (Source)
In ancient Greece, educators decided to break topics into subjects. The unit studies method works to break that stereotype and studies the topic in full. This means connecting a topic to the real world or other relatable subjects.
An example of using the unit studies method would be looking at a topic such as plants, which is traditionally considered a science subject. Here the teacher would look at the topic of plants and connect them to other subjects. Subjects can be plants as art (historical artwork), a hands-on activity (gardening), history (agriculture in Mesopotamia), theology (tree of life), language arts (metaphors describing plants as alive), and geography (best life to plant in your area).
The list can go on, but unit studies give the power to the teacher by sharing their knowledge with the student. It gives power to the student because then the child can begin to see how everything is connected and the double meaning in all of it.
Best fit for:
Families that are starting homeschooling with young children. This method is a great way to help children remember concepts and see how the world is connected. By going through topics or units, your child and get a good grasp of what they need to learn, but still have the freedom to be inquisitive.
3: Eclectic Method
Eclectic homeschooling is a great mix of concepts that attract parents to homeschooling in the first place. Eclectic is extremely individual based, but unlike unschooling, eclectic schooling requires a personalized curriculum rather than none at all. (Source)
Classical
Eclectic classical homeschooling refers to incorporating classical or traditional methods of teaching with the flexibility of doing it at home and considering the child’s educational goals. Traditional methods of teaching are a flexible definition for homeschooling parents, but it generally means understanding classic literature, histories such as Ancient Egypt, cursive handwriting, or other culturally significant topics throughout history. (Source)
This style is a great fit for parents who know their child’s learning style best. This is done by picking out specific education goals and incorporating things that the student is interested in. This can be a combination of online or in person. For example, a child can work on a hands-on project with their parent one day for a book report and complete web-based lessons for math.
Best fit for:
Families that want to focus on the child’s learning style and cultural topics that interest them. This can be a combination of online and in person. Think of eclectic homeschooling as a pick and choose the method that fits the needs of your child.
4: Unschooling Method
Unschooling is an unconventional form of homeschooling where the child’s education is driven by their specific interests and curiosities. Unschoolers feel that a defined curriculum is unproductive and trust that children will learn what they need to through world experiences. (Source)
Unschooling is an active form of learning that is going on at all times, not just during specified hours of the day. Unschoolers trust in the experimentation process that is personalized to the student.
Because of Unschooling’s nature, it is important to check your state laws concerning homeschooling. In some states such as New York and Pennsylvania, parents need to keep a detailed portfolio that has a student’s projects, logs of field rips, books they have read and activities participated in.
Best fit for:
Families that are on the road and want to educate their children through the real-life experiences they encounter along the way. This type of schooling takes a lot of work because you are constantly researching answers to questions and not depending on a true curriculum. Double-check with state and country laws if you are living on the road.
5: Classical Method
Similar to the eclectic classical method, classical homeschooling focuses on traditional education topics. What makes the classical method different is that this homeschool teaching is through a Christian worldview. Common topics taught include grammar, diction, world history, Latin, science, and geometry. In short, classical homeschooling is very similar to the traditional method, but there is a heavier emphasis on Christian theology. (Source)
Classical stages
- Grammar stage
- Logic or dialectic stage
- From ages 9 to 12, children complete compare and contrast exercises. Students will begin to analyze concepts logically and reach out to other classical students for discussions.
- Rhetoric stage
- Teenagers 13 years and older will synthesize facts and learn how to apply them to their lives. Students will learn how to debate and persuade.
The classical method focuses on traditional education topics. One such is Quadrivium, meaning the place of four roads. Those four topics are music, geometry, arithmetic, and astronomy.
Learning Latin is heavily emphasized for students. This is because the dead language will help students learn other languages quicker, appreciate history, appreciate culture, understand medical definitions easily, and understand scientific names. Understanding where the names come from will give the words a deeper meaning for students, according to the classical method.
Best fit for:
Families looking for a conservative and religious homeschool experience. The classical method is heavily based on a curriculum that can be completed in-person or online for older kids. It is also focused on debate, so this would be a good option for families wanting children with innovative minds.
6: Charlotte Mason Method
Born in 1842, Charlotte Mason was an author from England that paved the way for alternative teaching methods. In the mid-19th century, children were taught rigorous rules and perfect cursive. However, Mason challenged this perspective with her famous philosophy to educate the entire person of a child rather than specific aspects. (Source)
When someone says ‘Charlotte Mason’ in terms of homeschooling, they are referring to a method of thought or guidelines for homeschooling rather than a specific curriculum. Her methods include:
- Living books
- Charlotte Mason believed in the power of literature, which would educate the entire soul of a person, not just the academic aspects. Mason focused specifically on ‘living books’, which are typically written in narrative or story form and driven by passion. Book examples today include Charlotte’s Web, Little House on the Prairie, and Where the Red Fern Grows. (Source)
- The goal is to have children choose what they read based on their own interests. In doing so, Mason believed that children will create their own appreciation for the written word, thus seeing learning as a hobby, not a chore. (Source)
- Varied lessons
- When it comes to lesson length, Mason believed that should vary on the child’s age. The older your student gets, the longer and more complex the lessons should become. Despite the length, all lessons should be varied in topic to keep the interest of your student.
- Copywork
- Copywork varies from the spiritual aspects of a child’s education. This means positive quotes, coping skills, and scripture study to fill the student’s mind with positive thoughts.
- Dictation
- Like most schools, Mason believed that dictation is an essential part of education. Dictation also includes spelling, sentence structure, grammar, and writing.
- Narration
- One of the unique methods of Mason’s schooling was retelling what the child has learned. Under the age of 10, children would vocally explain to the teacher or parent what they had learned. After 10, students began to write down their thoughts.
- This is extremely beneficial for social intelligence because this helps children be able to express how they are feeling emotionally and create new ideas educationally. (Source)
- Appreciation
- The final staple of Mason’s work for children was to help them appreciate the beauty of the world around them. This includes nature, music, their cultural heritage, and art. Appreciation also includes spending time playing outdoors.
Best fit for:
Families that want to focus on fostering a child’s appreciation for education as well as articulation within the spoken and written word. These families may want to focus on classic literature, nature, and expression.
7: Waldorf Method
Created by Rudolf Steiner in the late 19th century, Waldorf homeschooling specializes in education that covers the mind, body, and spirit. Textbooks are only used when the children are older and it is necessary. Waldorf focuses a lot on morality and real-life experiences. (Source)
- Early childhood
- Early education is focused on playing, creativity, hands-on learning, and being active. (Source)
- Elementary education
- Once the student enters elementary school, that is when academic instruction is introduced. It is also encouraged to focus on emotion management, creativity, and imagination.
- Art, music, gardening, and foreign language are key studies.
- No textbooks or formal grades, but their progress is diligently charted.
- Secondary education
- This is when students focus on critical thinking and analysis. It is encouraged to focus on free-thinking, empathy, and community service.
In terms of homeschooling, the Waldorf approach focuses less on academics and more on age-appropriate learning and increasing your social intelligence. Curriculums are recommended, but most lessons are based on exploration. Waldorf also emphasizes focusing on one subject at a time, instead of multiple throughout the day.
Best fit for:
Families that want their children to learn through creativity, exploration, and empathy. Morality is a strong presence in the Waldorf method. It is an inexpensive method because a lot is learned through exploration and curriculums are in blocks of 3-6 weeks.
8: Montessori Method
Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor and teacher in the late 19th century who specialized in how a child learns best. Her work changed the education world and influences institutions to this day. (Source)
- mixed-age classrooms
- student collaboration
- hands-on learning
- active learning
- adult role model
- understanding, appreciating, and applying different learning styles
- freedom of choice
- guidance through emotional distress, positive thinking, and conflict resolution
- encourages students to have their own self-discipline and motivation
- find connections between core subjects such as math, history, language, and science
- creating a customized educational plan
When using the Montessori at home, these concepts remain relatively similar. The Montessori method is (like the Mason method) more of a philosophy than a specific curriculum to follow. But like a lot of other homeschooling methods that we have mentioned in this article, this method is very craft-friendly and hands-on.