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Homeschooling Methods - Part 4 of 4 by Natasha Campbell |
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Although the first three articles (Part 1., Part 2. & Part 3.) discussed the main methods of homeschooling, there are many others to consider. Some of these methods are used in conjunction with other methods, to make sure the child has a well-rounded education.
Independent Home Study Some public school districts have created their own homeschools. In the past, students who attend IHS would be home-bound students with long-term illnesses or those who are unable to attend regular school for diciplinary reasons. More recently, public schools have started offering homeschooling options. Most IHS supply all the books, teacher's manuels, and other supplies free of charge. They give you the support of a teacher, whom you meet either weekly or monthly. Many offer field trips, special classes, clubs, and recreation with other homeschoolers. IHS would be a good choice for a family that has opposition from relatives, or is unsure of how well they would do on their own. However, make sure the books you receive from the program are currently used by the school district. Some his prgrams are not well supplied. Never go with a IHS program where the teachers try to pressure you into re-entering public school. Waldorf Method Developed by Rudolf Steiner, the goal is "to produce individuals who are able, in and of themselves, to impart meaning to their lives." There is no academic content in kindergarten, and minimal academics in first grade. The letters are introduced artistically in second grade, with the children learning to read from their own writing in second or third grade. Art, music, gardening and foreign languages are central in the Waldorf method. In the younger grades, all subjects are introduced through artistic mediums. There are no textbooks in the first through fifth grades. All children have main lesson books, which are their own workbooks which they fill in during the year. They record their experiences and what they've learned. Upper grades use textbooks to supplement their main lesson work. There are no grades given at the primary level. Parents should be aware that the Waldorf method does have a religious affiliation with the religion of Theosophy. The Waldorf method also uses books that encourage mythology, evolution, and occultism. Some parents may find this does not fit with their family's beliefs. Montessori Homeschooling Dr. Maria Montessori advocated observing your child, removing obstacles to learning and providing children with real, scaled-to-size tools to use. The method prepares the environment to help the child act, and think independently, and make intelligent decisions. It breaks down abilities which you want to help your child to develop into manageable sections, each providing a sense of accomplishment and preparing for the next stage. It encourages parents to have patience, take time, and try to respect concentration. It encourages using materials and books which have a practical purpose - cooking, sewing, gardening, and playing a musical instrument. The Montessori method claims math and language will be more successful if the child has developed concentration, careful work habits, completion of cycles of work, cleaning up after himself, responsibility, solving problems, and making decisions. Materials should be made of natural materials instead of plastic. This menthod includes all areas of learning - botany, zoology, art, music, physics, geology, literature, math, etc. Tutoring Homeschoolers may decide to hire a tutor for specific classes, usually for advanced or technical classes, but occasionally to help a child who has some learning difficulties or delays. Tutors can be as simple as a friend of the family who lends their expertise in a subject that you've decided to explore, or as fancy as a nationally known learning center. Tutoring may be a good option for families who wish to continue home learning in the higher grades, but do not have confidence or personal knowledge to handle more advanced classes. However, tutors usually charge by the hour, and if used for most or all classes, it can become quite expensive. Dual Enrollment Dual-enrollment is a situation where the child is partly homeschooled, but also attends a public, private, or church school for some classes. Older or advanced children may be dual-enrolled in college-level courses through their local community college. Dual-enrollment may be a good option for families who wish to continue home learning in the higher grades, but do not have confidence or personal knowledge to handle more advanced classes. Always be sure that your child is taking the classes they need to complete their education, and that the workload is not too much. Distance Learning Companies and schools that provide teaching assistance as well as learning materials. These schools use one of the many methods discussed in these articles. The formality of each school, and the amount of work required, varys from one school to the next, as does the price, which can run high. This is a good option for those in areas where the laws on homeschooling are difficult. These are the most widely used forms of homeschooling, but by no means all. A lot of homeschoolers choose to combine forms, creating their own method, that works best for their children. It doesn't matter which method you use, or even agree with. In the end, all that matters is that your homeschooled child is happy, healthy, and loves to learn. © 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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