HOW DO I HOMESCHOOL?

An eclectic homeschooler simply chooses any combination of approaches that suits their needs. As you might imagine, this is a popular approach. One might use a traditional approach with math, a Charlotte Mason approach with science and music, and a unit study approach with art, history, and language arts.

This approach takes many different forms, but purists allow the student to dictate what they will learn, and when they will learn it. If a student is interested in trains, you will provide relevant books, field trips and other educational, train-related experiences. Or if they show a keen interest in earning some money to buy an expensive toy, you might teach them how to raise money by managing a lemonade stand effectively. Obviously this approach can only be effective if you manage the amount of mindless media they engage in. Most children will gladly give themselves an education in video games and the latest Disney shows if given that option!

The following websites and book may shed more light on this approach:

With this approach, every school subject revolves around a single theme or topic. For example, if your topic is the 1849 gold rush of California, you would read books about the event (history), draw a map of key gold rush locations (geography), study the physical/chemical characteristics of gold (science), write a report about methods for extracting gold from the American River (language arts), read historical fiction about the gold rush (literature), and calculate the density of gold compared to other common elements (math).

Ideally, if every subject in school revolves around a specific topic, the information learned will seem more relevant to the student. And that which is relevant is not quickly forgotten! Be aware that different unit study curriculums may cater to different approaches; one may emulate a Charlotte Mason philosophy while another may follow a Classical persuasion. The following Protestant curriculums are popular unit study programs. You can learn more about each of them in Cathy Duffy’s book 102 Top Picks.

In the dialectic stage, children ages 10-12 are learning to understand the “why’s” of the information they have acquired in the grammar stage. They are making connections and beginning to form their own opinions on what they have learned.

Finally, in the rhetoric stage, children ages 13-18 continue to learn diligently in all fields of study, but the focus is on independent/creative thinking and effective written and verbal articulation of their thoughts.

In addition to Cathy Duffy’s book 102 Top Picks for Homeschooling Curriculum, the following websites and book can further expand your understanding of this approach and offer other resources:

Charlotte Mason was a British educator who worked to reform education at the turn of the 20th century. According to her, education was incomplete if it focused only on stuffing a child’s brain with information. She believed that the atmosphere a child is raised in will determine the child’s character and level of self-discipline along with their outlook on the meaning and nature of life and learning. Thus, three things should occur in education: a child must learn good habits and character as modeled and instructed by their educator, absorb their educator’s wholesome worldview, and educate their mind through methods which are “living.”

These “living” methods of education involve reading “living books,” spending time in nature, studying great composers and artists, and learning practical life skills. "Living books" are generally narrative stories written by individuals who are passionate about the topic of study. When children read these types of books, the author’s passion infects them, and they can’t help but be absorbed and interested in learning. From these living books, children narrate, or retell what they have learned while incorporating their own developing thoughts on the particular subject being studied. Spelling and handwriting are also sourced from passages in these books instead of from dry textbooks, workbooks, or lists.

Spending time in nature is a foundational part of a Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling. In the words of naturalist John Muir, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” The Charlotte Mason approach is a way of life. In addition to Cathy Duffy’s book 102 Top Picks for Homeschooling Curriculum, the following websites can further expand your understanding of this approach and offer other resources:

The traditional approach to homeschooling mirrors the approach public schools generally use. If you follow a traditional approach, you will likely choose curriculums that use textbooks and follow up with workbooks, quizzes and tests. The following companies have a Protestant worldview. They are good examples of curriculums that use a traditional approach. As you may have already noticed, many companies that offer traditional-style curriculums also offer distance learning programs which use these same curriculums.

Many proponents of the public education system frown on this excuse for homeschooling. They feel that “indoctrinating” a child with a particular worldview can result in prejudice and bigotry. Although this would certainly be the case if the worldview you hold is full of hatred and superiority, ironically, proponents of the public education system fail to recognize that educating a child within the system runs the same risks. Like it or not, public school teachers, peers, and even curriculum all come with their own worldview and can also greatly influence your child for better or for worse.

For the most part, loving parents who are conscientious neighbors and citizens are likely going to raise up children of the same caliber. If you’re a menace to society and you choose to homeschool, chances are, a concerned neighbor will call child services!

If imparting a specific worldview is important to you, your philosophy of education assumes that curriculum choices and teaching methods should align with your worldview. Fortunately, approaches to education (discussed in step 3.) and curriculum choices which cater to many different worldviews exist nowadays. But technically, even if you choose not to use a specific curriculum, most of the approaches can be made compatible with any worldview.

Traditional public schools generally don’t have the time or resources to accommodate specific learning needs. And parents generally don’t have the funds to acquire specialized, private assistance for their child. But if you are in a position to dedicate time and energy to the cause, you truly are their best option for a quality education.

However, before we continue, let me quickly mention an alternative to both traditional public school and homeschooling: charter schools. Charter schools are unique public schools with specific emphases. Depending on which state you reside in, you may even be able to enroll your child in a home-based charter school. Some charter schools may specifically cater to children who have unique learning needs. If you would like to learn more about charter schools, click on scenario 1 and read the first option listed there. Otherwise, keep reading to explore how you can become your child's best option for a quality education.

With a special needs child, your philosophy of education becomes quite simple: whatever methods/approaches work for my child are the correct methods! But finding methods that work will require research, patience, and a willingness to learn through trial and error.

First and foremost, don’t fall into the trap of comparing your child’s education to the public school standard. Both Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein did very poorly in school and were considered “dumb.” Doing well in public school requires a brain that works in a certain way. Public schools simply can’t accommodate people who think “outside the box.” If you already know that your child won’t do well with a public school-style education, don’t try to emulate a public school approach at home; it won’t work!

For example, if your child is dyslexic, you may think he/she needs special assistance to eventually succeed in life. With most public schools placing such a strong emphasis on reading ability, this is a logical conclusion. But when was the last time students in a public school were tested on their ability to build a 3D object using their spacial intelligence? Many dyslexic children would dramatically outperform the class reading wiz on such an assignment! Children with dyslexia are every bit as intelligent as their peers, but in a realm seldom highlighted by a public school approach to learning. The average young child who performs superbly in public school and starts reading at a young age would likely balk if handed a road map and asked to navigate to the nearest airport. That child may never become good at navigating. Yet nobody considers that a severe handicap. In this era of technology where computers and smartphones can understand spoken language and even read to us, perhaps a child’s ability to read fluently is not as important as we once thought. Although I’m not advocating that children with dyslexia should simply forgo reading instruction, (fortunately, new approaches to teaching reading and spelling exist that can help even severely dyslexic children gain some ability in this area) even if a dyslexic child never learned to read, in this day and age, they could still become a very successful architect, engineer, scientist, author, designer, programmer, or entrepreneur.

Fortunately, we live in an age when people are beginning to study and embrace different intelligences and are devising new approaches for enhancing these intelligences. Unfortunately, as a homeschooler, it’s up to you to research options, approaches, and/or curriculums best suited to your child’s learning needs.

But perhaps you need to reprogram your thinking before you can help your child. Perhaps you are a successful product of the public school system. If so, you may be unconsciously married to a public school philosophy of education. It will be a process, but reprogramming your thinking will be an essential part of avoiding frustration and successfully helping your child. Don't conclude that your child cannot succeed in life if they can’t pass standardized tests and college entrance exams. Although it would be nice if they could complete these culturally recognized measures of intelligence, sometimes having these ultimate goals in the back of our minds unconsciously communicates to our child that they are unintelligent and will never succeed. Begin reprogramming your thinking by researching approaches to learning which cater to your child’s special needs. Approaches that may work well for your child include Charlotte Mason, Unit Studies, Unschooling/Relaxed Homeschooling, or a combination of any of these (often referred to as an Eclectic approach to homeschooling.) All of these approaches are discussed in step 3.

The following websites and books may be helpful places to start the “reprogramming process.” For the books, read their descriptions and user reviews to determine if they will be useful to you. If you find one of these books helpful, make note of other books Amazon cross-references.

If avoiding a particular environment is your primary reason for homeschooling, chances are you would enjoy one of the following three options:

Charter schools are public schools with specific emphases. Although most charter schools operate in a traditional classroom setting, some states allow independent study charters (also called home-based study charters). These independent study charters generally allow parents to purchase approved curriculums and enroll students in specific classes using charter funds. In the independent study charter paradigm, parents generally function as the primary educators from day to day, but qualified teachers oversee student performance. Because charter schools come in many shapes and sizes, you'll have to do research to find one that is appropriate for your family. Be aware, however, that not all charter schools operate in an entirely reputable manner; if you decide that a home-based charter school is the best fit for your family, please read this blog post to help you choose wisely. The following links further clarify what charter schools are and offer assistance in locating a charter school.

What is a charter school, and how does it differ from regular public or private schools?

The links below allow you to search for charter schools available in your area. The search results will include classroom-based charters as well; read each charter's description or call them to locate ones that support independent study. Also, keep in mind that as long as the charter employs qualified teachers who service your area, the actual charter does not have to be located in your county of residence. Be sure to check neighboring counties if you cannot locate a suitable charter near you.

Because these schools are funded by the government, your curriculum may be predetermined by them or at least limited to options they have pre-approved. Thus, although you may research the curriculum options described in step 3, you might want to wait until you learn which curriculums are covered by your charter.

As a final note, many homeschool "purists" do not consider charter schools a legitimate homeschooling option. This is because of the affiliation charter schools have with the government. Amongst other concerns, opponents of home-based charter schools disapprove of the fact that, because the government funds the programs, it can dictate what children should and should not learn. If you are interested in reading more about these concerns, the link below will offer further insight.

Distance learning, independent study, virtual, computer-based, and cyber are just some of the names used to describe correspondence schooling. Basically, you are enrolling your child in a private school that allows you to homeschool but provides appropriate curriculum, advice, and evaluation of your student's performance. Some of these programs operate exclusively online, while others will ship you physical textbooks or computer-based programs. Since different programs offer varying levels of support and involvement, it will be up to you to decide which program best suits your individual needs. Below are some links to help you locate an appropriate correspondence school. The first three links are well-known Christian correspondence schools offering varying levels of support and involvement, while the fourth link can assist you in finding other correspondence schools:

If you opt to homeschool on your own following a traditional approach (instead of using a correspondence school or charter) there are numerous textbook/workbook-style curriculums available to choose from. These mimic a public school approach to education but are entirely overseen by the parent at home. Curriculums supporting this approach will be discussed in step 3.