Homeschoolers cover an entire spectrum of different educational methods. On the one end, you have unschoolers, families that believe in self- or child-led learning. Relying on real world experiences, they learn by living. On the other end of the spectrum, you find parents who have "school at home." They may set up a classroom environment, use structured curriculums, and rely on schedules to keep things moving smoothly. And of course, there is everything in between. There are as many different ways to homeschool as there are homeschoolers. Explore the different methods, ideas, and approaches that make the homeschooling experience so rich.
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| Learning Styles |
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Knowing your child's learning style can help you teach him or her in the best way possible. Explore these diverse ways of learning and get tips on the best way to help your child grasp and learn new material.
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| Eclectic Homeschooling |
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What do you call the homeschooler who doesn't necessarily subscribe to a certain homeschooling method? Well, the term eclectic fits just perfectly. Eclectic homeschooling involves a diverse and unique approach to learning at home.
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| Unschooling |
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Unschooling is more than just not going to school. It is following your child's interests to get the most out of learning through living.
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| Montessori |
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The Montessori approach to education can work very well in the home environment. Learn about incorporating Montessori techniques at home, national support organizations, and how to find resources and materials.
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| Waldorf |
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Explore the Waldorf philosophy of education and see how it can be integrated into learning in the home.
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| Classical/Trivium |
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The classical method of education, based on the Trivium, is a traditional model of learning and teaching. Read more about this method and find out how homeschoolers are using it to teach their children at home.
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| Charlotte Mason |
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Charlotte Mason's philosophy and model of teaching can be used with great success in the home. Explore this method and find ways to incorporate this teaching and learning style into your homeschool.
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| Moore Formula |
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Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore were pioneers in the homeschooling movement and have given generations of homeschoolers inspiration, know-how, and ideas that make learning at home fun, less stressful, and more rewarding. Learn more about their philosophy of education and their methods with these resources.
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| Unit Studies |
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Unit studies are a creative and dynamic way to integrate core subjects into topical learning. They can excite interest in your child and can help you cover a number of subjects in a shorter amount of time. Learn more about unit studies and how to incorporate them into your own homeschooling methods.
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| Co-Ops |
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What do you do when you are overwhelmed and feel like you can't do everything all by yourself? Join a co-op! Co-ops pull together the resources, strengths, and gifts of several people to help provide a more diverse, complete, and rewarding educational experience for your children.
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| Online Programs |
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A virtual school in general refers to a program in which your child is at home, but takes courses over the Internet. These virtual schools offer online programs and often full curricula. They are usually administered by a public or private school. Thus, children enrolled in these programs are effectively enrolled in a school and skirt the definition of a homeschooled student. There are some controversies regarding these programs, but they do provide an alternative that is appropriate for some families. Learn more about how these programs work, what to expect, and how to get the most out of them.
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| Vocational Training |
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Vocational training offers teenagers and yound adults the opportunity to learn a trade, often with on-the-job training.
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| Community Colleges |
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Many community colleges around the country have opened their doors to homeschooled teenagers, giving them an opportunity to start their college careers early, to gain classroom experience and college credit, to challenge them with more difficult materials, and to expand their horizons. Many parents look to community colleges to provide instruction in materials that they are not well suited to teach themselves.
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Jewish Waldorf |
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This group offers a discussion of issues facing Jews who choose Waldorf education, the potentials and difficulties of combining Waldorf with Judaism, ideas for celebrating holidays and festivals, information on traditional crafts, etc. All levels of Jewish observance are welcome, as are all levels of experience with Waldorf education, Anthroposophy, Steiner, etc. Homeschoolers, Waldorf schoolers, Jewish Day schoolers, public schoolers, and all others are invited to join the discussion. |
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Unschooling and The Moore Formula |
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Dorothy Moore |
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The Moore Formula consists of a balance of study and work. It is related to unschooling in that both reject convention or traditional school-type education. |
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Eclectic Homeschooling |
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Marilyn Moll |
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Read about one family's experiences with designing their own learning journey. |
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Michael Olaf Montessori Company |
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The Michael Olaf Montessori Company provides practical advice for using Montessori philosophy in all kinds of settings. "Montessori Materials" are not the most important aspect of this method of education. Too many objects in the classroom or home create what is commonly known as the "supermarket effect," which scatters the child's energy and interferes with concentration and optimum development. The list of essential materials offered by Michael Olaf grows intentionally shorter every year and everything is well tested. They focus on helping parents and teachers create simple, beautiful, educational environments that foster creativity, independence of thought and action, a positive self-image, joy, and a spirit of service to others and to the environment. They also offer two e-books, "The Joyful Child" and "Child of the World," discussing the Montessori method.
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Unschooling Explained Some More |
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Jeanne Musfeldt |
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Unschooling puts the decisions about what we will study into the hands of the children themselves. They have the desire and drive to learn, and God has filled this world with curriculum.
At the heart of our unschooling journey is the belief that children learn best when I am providing them with options in an environment geared toward learning, rather than force-feeding them information.
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