Methods of Home Educating

Here are some of the most widely recognized comprehensive methods chosen by families who home educate. The options within these methods range from do-it-yourself to curriculum packages to enrollment in a distance learning school.

• Classical
• Charlotte Mason
• Waldorf

• Montessori
• Unit Study
• More Information

Classical:

based on the "trivium" which divides learning into three age-related stages:Grammar (memorization of basic facts); Dialectic (logic and critical thinking); Rhetoric (effective communication).

Well Trained Mind

Classical Christian

Charlotte Mason:

Charlotte Mason was an English schoolteacher, lecturer, and founded a college for governesses. She died in 1923, and her educational philosophy became "old-fashioned". She emphasized literature, nature, the arts.

A CM curriculum

Introduction to Practical Charlotte Mason by Catherine Levison

Waldorf:

based on the spiritual philosophy of Rudolph Steiner, who opened his first school in Austria in 1919. Waldorf schools emphasize delayed academics, the arts, crafts (all Waldorf students learn to knit), fairy tales, folk tales, and mythology, avoidance of television and computers.

An Introduction to Waldorf Homeschooling

A to Z's guide to Waldorf Homeschooling

Montessouri:

mainly known in the U.S. for early childhood education, but methods work well into the teen years. Marie Montessori’s work with impoverished children in pre WWI Italy proved that children are capable of learning and doing much more than was commonly believed. "Control the environment, not the child" is the key philosophy.

Questions and Answers by Jim & Susan Stephenson

Montessori Mom

Unit Study:

rather than divide learning into descrete subjects, unit studies wraps subjects around a theme. This approach is one of the most library-intensive of all home education models.

The Joy and Ease of Learning Through Child-led Unit Studies by Kandi Chong

Home Schooling With Frugal Unit Studies by Nannette Gilbert

More information:

Distance Learning: "umbrella schools", pre-packaged curricula, video courses, correspondence courses, online classes. A spectrum of learning opportunities exists for families who home educate. Single courses, comprehensive curricula, records-keeping, assessment, teacher support, even social forums and graduation ceremonies are available. For more information, please see our Distance Learning page.

A to Z Home’s Cool

Previous page: Home Education Styles and Philosophies

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Write to:
NJ Homeschool Association
P.O.Box 1386
Medford, NJ 08055
njha@geocities.com

Or call (609)346-2060

© 1998-2008 New Jersey Homeschool Association

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