COMMON TEACHING APPROACHES

The two approaches are rather self explanatory: Traditional and Non-traditional.

Traditional homeschooling curricula is textbook based with Teacher’s manuals, tests, and a scope and sequence covering each subject in 180 daily increments over 12 years.

Where Traditional Homeschooling is simple in it’s description, Non-Traditional approaches are anything but simple in description!  Although there many excellent textbook programs available, a great number of homeschoolers take on a less teacher-directed, scheduled, “school” at home approach.  One of the objections is that the textbook programs seldom take into account different learning styles of children and the creative process of sharing information.

The following is a list of the various Non-Traditional approaches:

THE CLASSICAL METHOD began in the Middle Ages and has recently been revived in the writings of Dorothy Sayers, Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer, as well as Douglas Wilson.   The goal of the classical approach is to teach people how to learn for themselves. The five tools of learning, known as the Trivium, are reason, record, research, relate, and rhetoric. Younger children begin with the preparing stage, where they learn basic reading, writing, and arithmetic. The grammar stage is next, which emphasizes compositions and collections, and then the dialectic stage, where serious reading, study, and research take place.

THE PRINCIPLE APPROACH  looks at each subject from a Christian worldview. Based on the works of Rosalie J. Slater and Verna M. Hall, it seeks to teach using the Bible as a textbook, relating and applying God's Biblical principles to all areas of education. The seven principles associated with this approach include individuality, self-government, Christian character, conscience, government, local self-government and political union. This is not merely a history or Bible course.  This method is seeing all subjects through a Christian worldview and application.

CHARLOTTE MASON APPROACH focuses on Living Books and Life Experience.  It is best summed up in the quote "Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.”

THE UNIT STUDY APPROACH is designed to give both in-depth and broad understandings of subjects revolving around  an entire theme that interests the child. This integrated approach will includes science, math, geography, art, music, history, language, literature and often drama.

UNSCHOOLING philosophy is that the child learns and retains much more when allowed to follow interests, share in real life experiences and exploration.

THE ECLECTIC APPROACH   is a blend of the different approaches. For example, many  use traditional math and science textbooks  but build unit studies around historical periods that include language arts, music, and art.


Do not be afraid of what you do not know! Many veteran homeschoolers will testify of the great joy and strengthening of their relationships that is the result of learning together.