Mom Is Teaching

I read a great article calledHomeschool Goes High Tech from Homeschool World. While the point of the article is to remind us not to get so wrapped up in all the glitz of the computer age, it did remind me that many homeschoolers are embracing the modern ways with a gusto.

Online programs are popping up all over the place to help homeschoolers who want to gettheir education online. From the K12 or Progress Academy or even Laurel Springs the number of places to go for online homeschooling are growing each day. Secular, Christian, relaxed, or structured there is something for everyone. Don’t believe me? A Google search for “online homeschooling” produced 1,590,000 results.

But why are so many parents looking towards using an online homeschooling program? I was looking for an answer to that queastion and came upon a great article, How - To Choose And Use An Online Homeschool Curriculum. In the article I found this quote on why some parents may prefer to use an online curriculum for their homeschooling needs.

An online homeschool curriculum can work to supplement your own individualized curriculum, and can also provide a complete learning solution for a variety of subjects. While homeschooling can sometimes feel like a lonely endeavor, online homeschooling resources provide plenty of ways to feel connected.

I also found this interesting short article on The Benefits Of Cyberschooling. Though that article clearly points out that there can be drawbacks to using online homeschooling as well as benefits.

These cyberschools are a great way to ensure that your child is learning what they need to know. This can provide you with a little help if you need it. At the same time you will also be able to place your values into the hands of your child. However, you will not be able to teach your child what you believe that she should know. So, as you can clearly see, there are both benefits and drawbacks to having your child attend a cyberschool.

Do you use an online school for homeschooling? I would love to hear why you made that choice and if there is anything you think other parents should know.

homeschool, homeschooling, cyberschool, online homeschooling, online school

This week I wanted to explore the Prinicpled Approach to homeschooling. This is one method that I am really not familiar with at all, so it was interesting to learn more about. The Principled Approach is a Biblical homeschooling method with a heavy Christian worldview. It is a philosophical method that focuses on teaching child how to think and reason, as well how to be self-goverened. The curriculum is modeled both after the Bible and also from the colonial period of American history.

In the Principled Approach students use notebooks to “research, reason, relate, and record” what they are learning. The notebooks then become permanent records of their education and can be reflected upon later on. Students are required to use their notebooks to research each subject thoroughly, reason by finding the leading idea and the basic principles, relate the subject and deas to other areas of learning and to the world around them, and finally record what they have learned and wehat conclusions they have come to.

Principle Approach Education:

Is characterized by the supremacy of the Bible and its teaching methodology in all instruction.
Applies Biblical principles in scholarship, reasoning, character formation, and developing Christian self-government.
Acknowledges America’s Christian history (Christ, His Story) and Biblical form of government, teaching them in every subject.
Uses Webster’s 1828 Dictionary to provide the vocabulary of liberty in learning that is consistent with Biblical truth.
Acknowledges parents as those mandated by God for the education of their children and helps form homes and schools into communities of learning.
Values the worth and dignity of each student and nurtures each one to achieve his fullest potential in Christ.
Cultivates the teacher to be the “living textbook.”
Employs a “Biblical-classical,” curriculum.
Acknowledges individual learning styles and aptitude.
Produces a Biblical Christian worldview.
Holds the student accountable for his learning.
Places the responsibility of the character and preservation of our Republic upon the parent and educator by demonstrating the consistent classroom government and self-government that respond to the admonition of America’s founding father, Samuel Adams, “to teach our little boys and girls the exalted virtues of the Christian system and the art of self-government.” (Boston, 1790)

Some blogs of families using the Principled Approach:
Principled Discovery
Honey from the Hive
Me and My House Musings
Our Home
Principally Principled
Principle by Principle
Principled Pacific
PrincipledMom
Shepherd’s Fold
Under His Construction

Links:
The Noah Plan Academy
The Principle Approach to Education - audio tapes
Homeschooling with the Principle Approach
Principle Approach to Education
Bible Principles Group

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, Principled Approach, Biblical homeschooling

I got some great methods that I hadn’t even thought of last week to explore a little with you all. If anyone has any other homeschooling, or teaching, methods that they would like to see written about here please drop me a note.

This week we are looking at literature based homeschooling. This style is similar to Charlotte Mason in that it uses literature as a basis for learning instead of textbooks. Often textbooks are written rather blandly and can turn off a child towards reading, so parents who choose to use a literature based method let their children learn through reading books that were made to be enjoyed. Historical fiction, science fun books, biographies, and many other books fill the curriculum. This style certainly helps promote a love of reading and many children find that they enjoy learning about the subject better from a lively book than a textbook.

Another part of literature based curriculum that many parents love is that there is more interation between the parents and children. Books are read together and discussed together. Ideas are shared and new information is thought about together. Plus, there is nothing better than curling up on the couch together to enjoy a gook book.

However, some parents do not like the fact that lines can be a bit blurred between fact and fiction in some books. Often the parents have to do an extensive amount of research in finding books that they feel will fit. If you choose to go through a prepackaged curriculum most that you will find are Christian in nature, which can be a problem for those who prefer a secular approach.

Curriculum:
Five in a Row
Heart of Wisdom
Sonlight
Moving Beyond the Page (Not exactly literature based, but uses quality literature extensively.)

Links:
Homeschool Library builder
Thomas Jefferson Education
Literature-Based Learning for Homeschoolers

homeschool, homeschooling, literature based, literature, curriculum, Method Madness Monday

OK folks, help me out here. I’m sure that I’ missing something, but what could it be?

Enki Education
Waldorf (And a part 2 here)
Unschooling
Montessori
Classical
Charlotte Mason
Unit Studies
Eclectic
Literature Based
Principled Approach
Homeschooling Online

So what do you think? What special method am I missing? Once I’ve covered all the specific methods I’ll go over the various curriculums out there.

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, Method Madness Monday

Its that day of the week again, Method Madness Monday! This week I’m going to be talking about the Eclectic aproach to homeschooling.

Eclectic is considered ahving the best of all world. There is no set curriculum or guidelines or rules. It is more of a “take what works for you and leave the rest behind” style. Eclectic homeschoolers may use unit studies along side Classical education, through in some Waldorf rhythm, and mix with unschooling philosophy. Or anything else that works for their family. Often those who prefer an eclectic aproach have their own ideas and beliefs on what a child needs to learn and in what way. Rather than following a plan that might not fit all of their ideas they will mesh together many different things in order to find a style that is all their own.

A drawback to using an Eclectic approach is that many children thrive on routine, which is sometimes lacking in Eclectic homeschooling families. Though the diversity allows for parents to change things to fit their children’s needs and still be open in other areas of their teaching plan.

Here are some great links to read about taking an Eclectic approach to homeschooling.
Portrait of a Home School Parent: The Eclectic Homeschooler
Eclectic Homeschooling Online - For Begginers
Eclectic Homeschool Online - Main Site
The Best of All worlds: Eclectic Homeschooling
Putting Together an Eclectic Curriculum

And some great online grousp to join:
Basically Beechick
EclecticHS
Eclectic Homeschool Online Newsletter

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, eclectic homeschool, eclectic

Well here we are at another Monday. This week I want to talk about a fun method that many homeschoolers dip into from time to time. The Unit Studies aproach. Sometimes called thematic units or integrated studies, the unit studies approach is teaching everything in one unti rather than spread out as several different subjects. There is a common theme running amoung every thing you do and all the areas are blended together. What is great about this is children get to experience how the world around them in interconnected rather than solitary.

Choosing to do with units is easily adapted to almost anyother style of teaching that parents choose to use. You can loosely mesh things together or neatly tie everything into one package. With a little creative adjusting on the parents part you can change any pre-packaged curriculum to fit a more “themed” aproach. If you ahve children of various age groups you can also create units that everyone can learn in their own ways.

So, how do you explain unit studies to someone who might not be familiar? My personal favorite analogy is the pizza. Take a topic, say the ocean, this is the crust. Now add some sauce all across it with some science on how the oceans came to be, some biology on what lives in the oceans, and maybe some math by plotting the low and high tides during a month. Next we sprinkle on the toppings by reading books and poems about the ocean, research sea battles, learn about various island nations, learn about the effects of commercial whaling, find out why the ocean is so salty, … The possibilities are endless and yet all still piled together on that same crust.

Some great links for you to explore are:
Unit Study Helps
The Joy and Ease of Learning Through Child-led Unit Studies
Learning Success with Unit Studies and More
Home Schooling With Frugal Unit Studies
Unit Study Ideas
A collection of great Unit Study links

This week we are looking at the Charlotte Mason method.

“Never be within doors when you can rightly be without.” - a quote from Charlotte Mason

Charlotte Mason (1842-1923) was a British educator who also was a lecturer at Bishop Otter Teacher Training College in Chichester, England, wrote many books and pamphlets, started a training school for governesses which became Charlotte Mason College, became a popular public lecturer, established the Parents National Education Union (PNEU), and was Editor of it’s magazine, “Parent’s Review”. Charlotte Mason also taught parents, held retreats and classes on building the family, and believed that all would benefit from a rich education and life.

“Education is a life; that life is sustained on ideas; ideas are of spiritual origin, and that we get them chiefly as we convey them to one another. The duty of parents is to sustain a child’s inner life with ideas as they sustain his body with food.” (Volume 2, pg. 39)

Charlotte Mason curriculum is very adaptable and easy to follow. It involves a lot of writing and copying. There is an emphasis on penmanship, starting with learning to write the letters up to words and sentences. The copywork gradually moves into narration and creative writing. Books are also very important in Charlotte Mason. Rarely, if ever, are workbooks or textbook used for learning. Instead children read, read, read; reading as much literature as is needed to cover what is being taught. English is not taught as a subject but instead incorporated into the other subjects being taught. Literature and history are usually put together by reading plays, novels, poems, and collections pertaining to the point in history you are studying. Nature is important with Charlotte Mason as well. Nature walks and keeping a nature journal are a regular part of studies. Children are encouraged to draw, write about, and study everything they find in nature. There is no set curriculum or set of books required, which makes this very adaptable for parents and children. Charlotte Mason is more a philosophy than a set of rules.

A-Z Homeschooling : Charlotte Mason
Simply Charlotte Mason
Ambleside Online
Charlotte Mason for Special Needs Students
Charlotte Mason for the Early Years
Charlotte Mason Study Loop

Charlotte Mason, homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, Method Madness Monday

Classical Education. I’ll admit that this is one method that I am not very familar with, so this will be a learning experience for both os us. If anyone has any more info on classical education please share it!

What is classical education? There is a great article here that describes it quite well. Classical education is a literature based learning process, the written word is taken very seriously as the basis of learning. Also all subjects are taught as interrelated. Nothing is taught in isolation, but instead is braided together with everything else.

In Classical Education there are three phases that children are taught though. In the younger years the time is spent absorbing facts and building up a knowledge base for the child to use. In the middle years this knowledge base is used as the child begind to learn more abstractly and analytically, instead of just absorbing facts now the child is learning “Why”. And in the final phase children are taught to express themselves, to be able to write and speak intelligently.

Many homeschoolers love using the Classical Education method because it teaches children how to learn rather than just expecting them to be able to do so on their own. This is a great article on why some use classical Education.

In searching through the web it does seem to be a predominately Christian method, though it can easily be adapted to secular needs.

The stages of Classical Education
The Grammar Stage
The Dialectic Stage
The Rhetoric Stage

Some helpful links
Classical Homeschooling
Classical Curriculum Guide
Classical Tutorials
Suggested Course of Learning
Classical Conversations
The Lost Tools of Learning
A gallary of work

Suggested books: The Well Trained Mind - Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer, The Trivium - Miriam Joseph, Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum - Laura Berquist, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning - Doug Wilson

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, Classical Education, Method Madness Monday

Yes folks, its that day of the week again! This week I thought we might delve into Montessori and learn some more about this fascinating approach.

“The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed.”

Dr. Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Lets start with the basics. From the FAQ page at www.montessori.edu:

Q. Where did Montessori come from?

A. Montessori (pronounced MON-tuh-SORE-ee) education was founded in 1907 by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first woman in Italy to become a physician. She based her educational methods on scientific observation of children’s learning processes. Guided by her discovery that children teach themselves, Dr. Montessori designed a “prepared environment” in which children could freely choose from a number of developmentally appropriate activities. Now, nearly a century after Maria Montessori’s first casa dei bambini (”children’s house”) in Rome, Montessori education is found all over the world, spanning ages from birth to adolescence.

Q. What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education?

A. Montessori emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning. Montessori classes place children in three-year age groups (3-6, 6-9, 9-12, and so on), forming communities in which the older children spontaneously share their knowledge with the younger ones. Montessori represents an entirely different approach to education.

Q. Can I do Montessori at home with my child?

A. Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development at home. Look at your home through your child’s eyes. Children need a sense of belonging, and they get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. “Help me do it by myself” is the life theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child’s self-esteem.

The same site also has a page with basic information for homeschoolers interested in Montessori that you can read here.

As with any other method how much parents choose to use varies from one family to the next. Some prefer to buy packaged curriculums and special supplies. There are many stores that offer everything a Montessori homeschooling parent could need. Online stores such as Montessori Research and Developement, the Montessori Print Shop, and Montessori For the Earth. Of course you can also download free materials to use from http://www.montessorimaterials.org/

Many parents love Montessori because it teaches children how to learn as well as what to learn, and it teaches them independence and self-guidence. Part of the lesson is also cleaning things back up. Another aspect that parents love is that they can step back and allow their children to learn at their own pace. Often parents are amazed at their children learning thigs they thought they would not be able to grasp.

There are local groups for Montessori homeschoolers in a few states. A listing can be found here. Online there are many groups for parents to join to talk with other Montessori homeschoolers. Playschool6, Livable Learning, MM Share, Montessori Preschool at home, and Montessori Beginnings are some great groups to look into for more information. There is even a Montessori Swap group for swapping materials.

Books by Maria montessori include The Absorbent Mind, The Discovery of the Child, Dr. Montessori’s Own Handbook, and The Montessori Method

homeschool, homeschooling, Montessori, curriculum, Maria Montessori, Method Madness Monday

This week we’re delving into unschooling.

This method is a bit trickier to discribe, because it looks so differetn to everyone! Unschooling, or child-led learning, is style that really isn’t a style. Largely influenced by the writing of John Holt, unschooling is allowing the child the freedom to grow and explore at his or her own drive. There is almost no formal teaching done, no curriculum, lesson plans, work books, nothing. Unless, of course, the child asks for it. It takes a leap of faith. Faith that your children really do want to learn and grow, and that they will in their own time and with their own reasons. With unschooling the families just live their lives and let learning be a natural part of it.

Of course this style does not work for everyone. Some people prefer a structured and controled learning environment rather than the freedom allowed with unschooling. It can be a bit unsettling for those who are used to the planned education found in most public schooling. In fact a period of “de-schooling” is often required for parents and children to adjust.

From HoltGWS.com

This is also known as interest driven, child-led, natural, organic, eclectic, or self-directed learning. Lately, the term “unschooling” has come to be associated with the type of homeschooling that doesn’t use a fixed curriculum. When pressed, I define unschooling as allowing children as much freedom to learn in the world, as their parents can comfortably bear. The advantage of this method is that it doesn’t require you, the parent, to become someone else, i.e. a professional teacher pouring knowledge into child-vessels on a planned basis. Instead you live and learn together, pursuing questions and interests as they arise and using conventional schooling on an “on demand” basis, if at all. This is the way we learn before going to school and the way we learn when we leave school and enter the world of work. So, for instance, a young child’s interest in hot rods can lead him to a study of how the engine works (science), how and when the car was built (history and business), who built and designed the car (biography), etc. Certainly these interests can lead to reading texts, taking courses, or doing projects, but the important difference is that these activities were chosen and engaged in freely by the learner. They were not dictated to the learner through curricular mandate to be done at a specific time and place, though parents with a more hands-on approach to unschooling certainly can influence and guide their children’s choices.

Unschooling has become noticed rescently after radical unschooler Dayna Martin was seen on the Dr. Phil show as an example of homeschooling, though nearly all homeschoolers and unschoolers willtell you that radical unschooling is a rather extreme example of homeschooling. You can learn more about her and how her familiy works with unschooling at her site. http://www.unschoolingamerica.com/

Here are some sites dedicated to unschooling.

http://www.unschooling.com/
http://www.unschooling.org/
http://www.afamunschool.com/
http://www.livefreelearnfree.com/

Here are some great articles on unschooling.
What is Unschooling?
Radical Unschooling
The legacy of John Holt and the unschooling movement.
Unschooling: What it is and isn’t
Unschooling: What is it and is it right for you?

And here are some great groups online you can join to talk with other unschoolers.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlwaysUnschooled/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/unschoolingbasics/
http://groups.msn.com/unschooling
http://www.homeschoolzone.com/unschooling/

homeschooling, unschooling, radical unschooling, curriculum, no curriculum, John Holt, Method Madness Monday

This week we’re going to be looking at Waldorf curriculum for homeschoolers.

Waldorf Education is based on the work of Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner. Its premise is that the human being has three aspects: thinking, feeling and willing, and that education has to come from experiencing the world from all three aspects. Waldorf Education does not use textbooks. The children make their own based on their experiences.

Waldorf Education is a very popular choice among homeschoolers who prefer a looser aproach with their children. Although it is originally designed to be a school based education it is actually quite adaptable for homeschoolers. There is a lot of emphasis on rhythms and the seasons and seasonal holidays are celebrated as part of the education. For younger children there is a lot of free-play to allow them to learn by doing. As the children age the emphasis turns to the arts and the imagination. There are no set textbooks, instead the children create their own books as they learn which helps them understand the subjects on a deeper level. One large piece of common ground for homeschoolers is that in Waldorf Education the goal is to have a single teacheraccompany the class through their elementary school years. Always having the same teacher that stays with them, like the parent does, allows them to build bonds and to be connected with the person responcible for teaching them.

Here are some great links if you are interested in learning more:

Live Education
Waldorf Without Walls
Waldorf Homeschoolers

Next Monday I am planning on explaining unschooling.

homeschool, homeschooling, curriculum, Waldorf, Waldorf homeschooler, Waldorf Education, Method Madness Monday

Let’s face it, one of the hardest desicions for a parent looking to homeschool is choosing what kind of curriculum to use. There are dozen of styles, methods, and branches out there to choose from. It can be a daunting choice. So I’ve decided to introduce Method Madness Monday, or MMM for short. Each Monday i am going to showcase a different curriculum/method/style and explain it in some detail. Maybe you will find something new that will work for you.

So without further ado,

I wanted to start the first week off with a person favorite of mine, one that is not very well known. Enki Education. Enki is a beautiful method, one that is rich with multi-cultural stories and a love of the natural world. The homeschool curriculum is Waldorf based (Don’t worry, I’ll cover Waldorf nex week) with a holisitc approach. It is a very flexible method, easily adapted to fit each family. Those who use Enki say it is more than a curriculum, it is a way of life. Rhythm, community, and family are very important to Enki users.

Enki Education is a unique and innovative approach to holistic education, for both the classroom and homeschool. We offer a multicultural, arts integrated education for the children, as well as conferences, discussion groups, and training programs for parents and teachers.

Enki is an independent program that weaves together many rich and diverse elements, nurturing the integration of body, heart, and mind. This is key to cultivating educational excellence, confidence, and competence.

The down side? Some Christian families may be turned off by this method. To being with the name Enki comes from the Sumerian God Enki, who was the god of wisdom and water. And secondly the Enki method leans toward Budhism in thought. Though some Christian familes find it flexible enough to adapt to their needs, others choose not to work with it at all.

homeschool, curriculum, Enki education, Method Madness Monday