Posts Tagged home school
4 of the More Popular Home Schooling Methods
The picture for most of home schooling is 2 or 3 kids sitting at the dining room table writing frantically in their notebooks. This is the not the true picture. There are several methods of home schooling, and the method you choose will decide the material and the way you teach it. Some of the more popular methods are discussed below.
The Charlotte Mason method:
Charlotte Mason is known as the founder of the home schooling movement. A home schooled herself, she was very hopeful in her ability to plan out a program for an effective a complete education. A program that would hold the interest of children and still be educational.
This method focuses on the basics with an emphasis placed on classical literature, poetry, fine arts, classical music and craft. Mason used several of books from classical literature; she called these ‘Living Books’. This method encourages a passionate awareness of literature. The child is read to daily from the ‘Living Books’. Then the child is asked to give an opinion on what was read. This process begins at the age of six, and by ten the child is expected to write her opinions in her book. Mason also suggests the use of a nature diary. After each short and interesting lesson, the child is asked to go to on a nature walk 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. Here, the parents trust their own judgment and pick out the topics that make the best curriculum for their child. Such parents are continuously on the watch for the best products that will meet the needs of their home schoolers. Most Eclectic home schooling studies are improvised. This means that the basic curriculum is provided. The parents then make changes in the curriculum to meet the needs and interests of their children. The childrens gifts, impermanent, learning style and interests determine the curriculum. Eclectic programs include visits to the museum, libraries and factories.
Unschooling:
A Boston public educator name John Holt laid the beginnings of 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. His message was to ‘unschool’ the child.
This method is a hands-on approach to learning, where the parent takes definite cues from the children. There is no definite curriculum, schedules or materials. This method is the most unstructured of the various homeschooling techniques.
The Montessori Method:
This method began in Italy, when it was observed that children have acute sensitive periods, during which they undergo periods of intense concentration. During such phases, a child will repeat an activity till he gains a measure of self-satisfaction. The Montessori Method depends on a prepared environment to facilitate 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.
These are just a few of the methods of homeschooling. Whatever the method, the underlying factor is flexibility and a keen interest in the desires of the child. The secret is to use the childrens desire for knowledge to further his education.
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Home Schooling – Summer is Over
Summer schooling for us usually consists of a lighter than normal workload, but we do have a routine. Typically we will continue with reading, writing and language skills. This summer we decided to have a complete and total respite, so we will soon be back to school like the mainstream families.
Traditionally we follow a classical curriculum approach but more in the style of Charlotte Mason, although I do like Susan Wise Bauer, and her books very much, I find her schedule much too ambitious for our routine. I admire Susan’s intellect, organized approach and ambition, but I do find the schedule and very demanding for both the children and myself. I do find she sets the bar extremely high. Charlotte Mason’s style is looser, the edges a little softer, with the scope of the depth more dependent on the family and their expectations.
With the nearing of the school season, I am formulating my approach for this year. Our situation has changed in the past year with me spending more time pursuing other endeavors, and my husband taking on more responsibility with the schooling. I want things to continue to run smoothly, with the children being inspired, my husband staying under control, and the educational bar remaining above average height.
Tough order, but not impossible!
In past years we have used interest driven learning, or motivational approach, and have found it extremely effective. This year, this interest based approach will fit the bill perfectly.
My daughter loves her animals, and has begun to inadvertently collect rabbits, of which I have posted other articles. I will have her expand on that interest, with an extensive book report on rabbit’s and their origin, habits, physical anatomy, family and social structure and so on. She will be able to expand into geography, and biology through this as well.
If we can purchase a secondary computer at an inexpensive price, we will have her post to the pet stuff and develop her skills in writing, communication, computer, and enhance life skills.
Our son is a nature buff and adores all natural wildlife. He as well loves to draw and admires Robert Bateman. Being younger than his sister, he can delve into drawing, biology and anatomy and whatever interests him in his chosen field.
We will join the largest, big city, English dominated library, closest to us and make a pilgrimage every three weeks to stock up on a variety of books, videos, and tapes.
The children are huge hockey fans and have each chosen their favorite team to study this year. In that subject we will be able to study, history, geography and if we want to we could research how ice is made, prepared and maintained, the amount of time and electrical power is used, what are the differences between hockey ice, speed skating ice and figure skating ice, the possibilities are endless.
Implementing their favorite things, their passions into the curriculum, stimulates their drive to learn exponentially.
We will have a few subjects that will remain dry, but that is not a bad thing. Children need to learn discipline. There are always things in life that we have to do even though we don’t want to, it will be an opportunity to learn more life skills.
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Multi-Age Home Schooling – Legal Requirements
Multi-age home schooling is a very popular type of education these days. Whatever the age, the pupil can be educated in his own home after a schedule that is convenient for the family.
Knowing the legal terms is the first step you need to make if you wish to home school.
In the United States of America, homeschooling is legal in all the states, with every state having its own rules and guidelines. A good way to find out the rules that apply to your state is to check with a local public school for trustworthy information.
In the majority of states, the parents or tutors are required to write a letter of intent to their local public school and even take part in several preparation lessons which help them get started on the right track. Also, some states require you to send a copy of the lesson plans for their approval, before you can begin to home school.
Your child/pupil may be required to take several tests supervised by qualified teachers on an annual basis, but this only applies in some states and it’s not mandatory, only recommended.
It is better to be safe and take these tests as they will give you better general understanding of your child’s/pupil’s level of preparation.
Another thing that differs with each state is the graduate guidelines, as some have graduation requirements while others don’t.
A good idea would be to find a local homeschooling community in your area and seek guidance, as there can be no better help than that of experienced multi-age home schooling families.
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Montessori Home Schooling
Fostered from the work of Dr. Maria Montessori, this manner of imparting motivation at duplicating intrinsic laws that a boy faces in state of affairs. Thus the ambition of the teacher is to persuasion the conditions and not the lad. It was noted that kids who are left minimal cost to relate with their conditions Promoted an distinctive self-discipline, rejoice in for order and inherent enthusiasm.
The Montessori program of educating is chiefly admissible to the preschooler who ask for to do a to z by himself. Encountering ways in which your children can share in the cleaning, washing, cooking, gardening and accessory ‘adult’ activities set the appropriate background for the education undergo. By offer such enhancement for independence, the lad’s self-personal identity furthermore gets a massive forge.
Artistic, informative and scientific activities abound in the Montessori 3-6 lesson. There is no TV, junk food, or digital computer. Information is selected carefully. The adolescent is never demanded to work. Willingly he is encouraged to do things that interests him, and the teacher picks up the educating from cues supplied by the adolescent. The Montessori approach hones in on the girl’s inborn adequacy to attend school from his atmosphere. Thus the instructor reasons to encourage the inherent wonderment of the offspring. He is never commanded to broaden the mind or hunt. When the adolescent understands why he needs to comprehend something, he will grasp the learning journey.
Remember, there are very many types of home schooling and Montessori is just one type. It’s important that you do as much research as possible in order to find the best method that works for your and your children. Often times, parents find themselves combining two or more different types of home schooling to suit their needs and their child’s needs. This is what is so great about home schooling; you get to decide!
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