Home Schooling Methods

For many people, home schooling only means children sitting at the kitchen table and filling out workbooks. This vision of mom or dad standing nearby but more gainfully engaged in cooking or refinishing a cabinet is pure fantasy.

Home schooling is not independent study. The difference: home schooling requires a full-time teacher with expert teaching skills.

There are different methods of home schooling, and the method you choose will decide the curriculum and your style of teaching.

Here are some of the most popular model of home schooling.

The Charlotte Mason Method:

Charlotte Mason built a reputation as the founder of the home schooling movement. She approached the cause with passion and zeal. This provides a foundation for an effective model of home schooling.

This model makes learning fun and instructive. This method focuses on all the core subjects with emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft.

The Mason Method uses a variety of books from classical literature, which are called "Living Books". Since this method encourages a passion for literature, the teacher reads to the child every day. Then, the child reports on what he or she heard.

This program begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her narrations.

The Mason Method also advocates the use of 'Nature Diaries'. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to Nature and draw observations from Nature. Thus the child also gains a sense of respect for her environment. Mason believed that development of good character and behavior was essential to the complete development of the child's personality.

The Eclectic Home schooling:

This is a mixture of various home schooling techniques. With the Eclectic Method, the teacher innovates, trust own skills, and picks out topics seem to fit a curriculum that is suited for their child. This approach calls for a research and experimenting to find the best curriculum choices. An eclectic home school curriculum is improvised.

The teacher adopts a basic, ready-made curriculum, then makes changes to accommodate the individual child's needs and interests.

The gifts, temperament, learning style and interests of each child dictate specific adaptation to the curriculum.

Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.

Unschooling:

A Boston educator named John Holt started the "Unschooling Method."

He believed that children learned best when they are free to learn at their own pace and when they are guided by their own interests. He advocated a process that "unschools" students.

This is a hands-on approach to learning, where the teacher takes cues from the children as they go.

There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various home schooling techniques, and great care has to be taken to keep records and effort is needed to ensure that all state-required mandates for home schooling are met.

The Montessori Method:

The Montessori Method began in Italy, when Maria Montessori observed that children have sensitive periods when they undergo periods of intense concentration. During these times, children repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction and mastery. The Montessori method depends on a structured environment that facilitates learning. All the materials used in this method are designed to satisfy the inner desire for spiritual development of the child. The materials used progress from simple to complex, and are rather expensive. A teacher needs substantial training to be successful with this method.

These are a few of the paths that home schooling can take. Whatever method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the child's desire for knowledge to further his education.

Now that you plunged into home schooling, get ready for hard work, ecstasy and anxiety. The bumps, ruts and washouts on the road ahead also hold rewards, joys, bonding and happy times to more than make up for the challenges. Building an education of a well-adjusted and well-rounded child a spectacular achievement.

First, check your state laws concerning home schooling. Some states need an affidavit filed with the State's education department. Other states require that you register or work with your local school district.

There are basically 3 categories for home schooling requirements. These are: private school laws, home education laws and equivalency laws. Discover your state laws in each area.

You may also need to maintain a portfolio that records the child's educational progress. It is important to look into the legal requirements before you start home schooling. Some States also stipulate a minimum educational qualification for the parent or teacher.

Next, find a support group. If you live in a friendly or curious neighborhood, well-meaning friends will try to dissuade you from undertaking this challenge. Even their supportive questions create stress in your mind. A support group of like-minded people prepare you for the criticism, pressures and questions of ordinary parents. Many support groups organize fun events like visits to the zoo, museum, tours to the ice cream shops etc. And your children may be able to develop relationships with other home schooled students. Sometimes they build lasting relationships, even when their friends change schools. These groups provide an important avenue for social learning.

The next step is to select a curriculum. You may choose various tools in this process. The Internet is a rich resource for home schooling. Do some research and look into the available material that are online.

Now, set ground rules. Home schooling requires a lot of self-discipline and hard work. Here is a comprehensive list of the things you will need:

• Eagerness to learn


• Hard work and effort


• Discipline


• Time and patience


• Flexibility


• Enthusiasm

And that is just for you!

Consider the reasons that you want to venture into home schooling before you commit. Your motives and your reasons are important support for the stresses that you will face. In addition, ask your children where they stand about the home school issue. Their support is crucial.

Finally, select a curriculum or custom-make a curriculum that best suits your child.

And prepare for record keeping. Boring paper work may not be one of your goals for starting your home school, but be sure that you comply with state requirements. This is important if your child is to receive credit for the courses that you teach.

Explore various record keeping methods and set up a system.

Also, build a schedule. Your child does not have to learn sit in class for six to seven hours a day. So, allow personal preferences to dictate the time spent on course work. Flexibility and fun are the cornerstones of home schooling.

But be sure that your child completes the learning activities. And, space the many skills that your child will practice through the semester or year. Prepare a skill list and check off accomplishments.