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Homeschooling Methods

by Beverly Hernandez

I've been homeschooling since 1985. When I was in high school, my boyfriend (soon to be husband) and I talked about getting my teaching credentials and teaching our (future) children at home. Back then (1974), we had never heard of homeschooling, we just wanted better for our kids. But as things went, I didn't get my teaching credentials and that idea was forgotten.

In 1984, my daughter and I were enrolled in a mommy and me type pre-kindergarten class. At four, she already knew everything they were teaching and was much more mature than the other children in the class. I felt detached and confused about what would happen next year in kindergarten if she was already so far ahead. That's when I heard about the homeschooling movement. I immediately took her out of school and we began homeschooling.

The first homeschooling seminar I attended was a Raymond Moore seminar. I was excited to see so many homeschooling, but I didn't agree with everything I heard. After a few months I stumbled across a homeschooling group that was right up my alley with what I had established as my homeschooling "philosophy".

Over the years, at homeschooling conventions, I have learned about other types of homeschooling. But since I became the About Homeschooling Guide, I've learned of even more philosophies that are out there.

Following is list of some of those methods and links to help you learn more about each method and find resources to meet your needs.

• Charlotte Mason Method - Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) was an innovative educator who developed a unique approach to education. Charlotte Mason Books
• Classical Education Method - Dorothy Sayers well-known essay "The Lost Tools of Learning" is the basis of the new classical Christian education movement. Classical Education Books
• Eclectic Homeschooling Method - An Eclectic Homeschooler is one who looks at the different approaches and methods of homeschooling and takes from each forming his own unique philosophy.
• Montessori Method - According to Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), learning is a natural, self-directed process which follows certain fundamental laws of nature.
• Traditional or School-at-Home Method - Traditional Homeschools would be set up public school style with a complete curriculum, traditional grading system and record keeping.
• Unit Studies Approach - The Unit Studies Approach integrates all school subjects together into one theme or topic.
• Unschooling or Natural Learning Method - Unschooling or Natural Learning is a philosophy of child-led learning.
• Waldorf Education Method - Waldorf education is based on the spiritual-scientific research of the Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). According to his philosophy, man is a threefold being of spirit, soul and body whose capacities unfold in three developmental stages.

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