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Homeschooling Methods - Part 1 of 4 by Natasha Campbell |
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Once the decision to homeschool is made, a second decision is faced. How? Families who choose to homeschool can be surprised at the various styles and methods of homeschooling. Words like "electic," "decompression," and "umbrella" are thrown around as if by some magical spell homeschooling parents understand what they mean. What is the difference between the Charlotte Mason method and the Waldorf method? Aren't unschooling and deschooling the same thing? In this first of four articles, formal homeschooling, unschooling, and deschooling with be explained and their pros and cons outlined. Formal Homeschooling AKA: School at Home This style is similar to traditional school. The area set aside to homeschool may resemble a miniature classroom with desks, bulletin board, etc. Each day is scheduled out, and a curriculum of math, science, social studies, language arts, and physical education is followed. The curriculum is either purchased or put together by the family. Grades are given for work, and work is expected to be turned in by a due date. The parent keeps track of grades and makes lesson plans for what needs to be covered. Formal homeschooling works best for a family that needs or enjoys structure, and who have the resources to set up a schoolroom and/or purchase curriculum. Formal homeschooling can ease the worry about missing something important in a child's learning. Pros 1. It is easy to tell what grade the child is in. 2. Grades and lesson plans are available to districts that require them. 3. Formal curriculums are often easier for new homeschoolers to use. 4. A child who has been to public school will be familiar with this type of learning. Cons 1. This style can become boring and limiting. 2. The schedule may not allow for unexpected changes. 3. The parent has the responsibility for creating lesson plans and keeping the child motivated. 4. Extra time must be spent grading, creating lesson plans, and keeping records. 5. A curriculum may not take into account a child's strengths and weaknesses. 6. Failure to keep up with a set curriculum can cause frustration and discouragement for both child and parent. 7. The price of complete curriculums runs hundreds of dollars. Unschooling AKA: Child-directed learning Delight-driven learning This is one of the least formal ways to homeschool, but it can be one of the most controversial. Unschooling doesn't follow a packaged curriculum, but follows a child's interests. Teaching is based on the experiences the child has. A trip to the store is used to "teach" math and life skills; building with blocks could be math and science; and so on. Some families wait until a child shows interest in a subject or asks questions about something before providing answers. Resources come in the forms of books, tapes, hands-on materials, etc, for the child to explore and study with until he tires of the subject. Learning is at the child's pace, and according to his desires, with no set schedules, no grades, and minimal advanced lesson planning. Little or no curriculum is purchased, and if the child rejects it, it is not forced upon them. Unschooling works for a family willing to search out materials for myriad subjects, that has access to resources such as libraries, scientific catalogs and the internet, is creative enough to find learning opportunities in everyday life, and relaxed enough not to worry about other's opinions. Resources should include books, audio and video tapes, manipulative, building blocks, tools, musical instruments, art supplies, and an outdoor place to play and explore. Pros 1. Lower cost for curriculum and school-type materials. 2. Relaxed learning environment. 3. Learning can be at a child's pace. 4. The child takes responsibility for his own learning. 5. A child can learn when they're ready. Cons 1. Parents must be willing and able to provide plenty of opportunities for learning. 2. You may find yourself scrambling to find materials and resources, only to have the child give it up in a day or two. 3. It can be difficult to get a child onto a new subject when they've run through all the material you can find but are still not satisfied in their learning. 4. The parent must be able to promote subjects to a child who does not show initiative. 5. No formal records or grades can make return to public school or college entrance more difficult. Deschooling AKA: Decompression This style is a measure that some families take when they're faced with a child who has become burnt out, or who has become caught up in rigid schedules and too-high expectations. In deschooling, all schooling stops. No books, no expectations, no grades. Deschooling can last from a few weeks or months, up to a year. In most cases a child will tell or show when they are ready to learn again. Children who have been traumatized by a bad school experience benefit from time off from schedules, grades and the pressure to perform for others. Deschooled children should still do regular chores and the participate in family activities. However, deschooling is not a cure for a child who shows signs of depression. Families who feel the need to totally deschool for an extended time must realize that this may lead to loss of basic skills, and classes lost will have to be made up in order to get credit on transcripts. Families may also face problems if they are in school districts that require lesson plans, specific classes and subjects, yearly evaluations and/or portfolios. Pros 1. It allows a child who has had a negative school experience time to rest and recuperate, without pressure. 2. It gives a break to a parent who may be feeling overwhelmed. Cons 1. An extended time off can lead to loss of basic skills. 2. Children may take advantage of a parent and stretch the deschooling time beyond what is needed. 3. It may be difficult getting back into learning again. Every family has to find the method that works best for them, and their children. Usually, this will be a combination of methods, since no one method fits the family perfectly. These three methods, of course, are just the beginning. Electic, unit studies, and the Charlotte Mason methods will be discussed in the next article. © 2002 Natasha Campbell. All rights reserved. Re-printed with permission. Originally published on Suite 101. |
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Natasha Campbell has spent nearly her whole life in California, mostly in the Los Angeles area. She is a published poet, freelance writer, avid reader, and an aspiring children's and young adult writer. She enjoys old movies, techno music, and horseback riding. She has homeschooled her youngest son since kindergarten and homeschooled her middle school son during the summer. | ||
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