Homeschool Insights
Teaching Methods
How do you make sense of all the numerous teaching styles?
As you become familiar with the homeschool sector, teaching methods will ring in your ears. You will hear terms like: CM, Charlotte Mason, Classic, Curriculum Kits, Unschooling, Eclectic (deriving ideas and style from a broad and diverse range of sources), the Trivium, and Unit Studies (complete study about a specific topic). You can devise your own unit of study by utilizing your library. Look for books, audio tapes, and movies on your topic of study. Think of hands on activities to go with the study. Then if possible, plan a field trip to to complete the learning experience.
The most important part of your decision on how to homeschool is to chose a method or methods, that you as the teacher, and your children feel comfortable with. Many times when just starting out to homeschool, parents chose "kits" just to get started. To see one example of a "kit" click here:AOP! The ultimate homeschool experience!
After discovering while doing a little research, you may decide you like a different approach better. Presently, our family uses the eclectic approach, yet, I try to incorporate many of Charlotte Mason's methods. You can find out more about this by looking at: Ambleside Online- FREE Charlotte Mason Curriculum Online http://www.amblesideonline.org Don't be concerned about mixing them using your own individual approach. Your children will know if you are happy with the method.
Some parents ask, what if I leave something out? I always try to insure them that, there are "gaps" in every education. It is impossible for anyone to know everything. In the end, what's most important, is, that we know where to find information. Many teachers in every walk of life teach about what they know the most about. One teacher may teach a unit study on whales, while another on owls. Teach them what you know. Teach them with curriculum guides and text books. Keep reading together. Always keep learning, adding to what you already know. Many times students will read and do written reports on history and science projects. Yes, sometimes children even teach us. I think it is important to give praise when someone has taken the initiative to be a self learner.
When children are young your excitement will inspire them. As they grow, you might decide to have a weekly conference, and discuss how things are going. Make sure you listen well, and give your older child room to work with you in devising his or her own schedule. Ask them what subjects are close to their heart. Ask them what new things they have always been interested in learning. Encourage enthusiasm it's contagious!
For information about what students learn in each grade level across our nation, check the site map at, www.worldbook.com Look for a Typical Course of Study.