Choosing Your Homeschool Style

Homeschooling is a diverse educational approach, and there are several types of homeschooling methods and philosophies that parents and educators may choose to follow.

The choice of homeschooling method often depends on the child’s learning style, the family’s values and lifestyle, and the resources available. Many homeschooling families adapt and evolve their methods over time to meet their changing needs and goals.

Some of the most common types of homeschooling include:

1. Traditional Homeschooling: In this approach, parents typically follow a curriculum that closely resembles what is taught in traditional schools. They cover subjects like math, science, literature, and history, and may use textbooks and workbooks. Its high structure and accountability are appealing to some families, but others may find it too restrictive. It can limit opportunities for going on field trips and enrolling in classes offered by homeschooling co-ops, colleges, and other providers. Due to the intensity of this structure, it can cause burnout.
2. Unschooling: Unschooling is a child-led, interest-based approach to education. Instead of following a structured curriculum, children are encouraged to pursue their own interests and passions. Learning happens through everyday experiences, and there is less emphasis on formal lessons and assessments. Learning activities are typically based on hands-on learning. It is immensely flexible and allows for customization. However, some families find the lack of structure difficult to teach effectively which some resolve by creating accountability in their approach.
3. Charlotte Mason Method: This method is inspired by the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason. It emphasizes the use of living books, nature studies, art, and short, focused lessons to encourage children’s love for learning. Nature walks, fine art activities, and time spent learning outside the home are common learning activities. Learning assessments rely on portfolios, journals, and parent discussions.
4. Montessori Method: Montessori homeschooling is based on the principles of Maria Montessori. It focuses on providing a prepared environment where children can explore and learn at their own pace, with an emphasis on hands-on, self-directed learning. The Montessori method is rooted in early childhood psychology and bases its educational approach on values, principles, and techniques. It emphasizes physical, hands-on learning activities with students moving, playing, and touching. Many parents are not certified Montessori teachers, but the method is found attractive for its techniques and principles for educating children. Montessori is primarily for younger students. As students age, your homeschooling curriculum will need to switch to another relevant program.
5. Classical Education: Classical homeschooling follows the classical model of education, which includes three stages: the Grammar Stage (learning facts and language), the Logic Stage (developing critical thinking skills), and the Rhetoric Stage (communicating effectively). The Classical approach often incorporates the study of classical literature and history.
6. Classical Trivium: The classical trivium approach consists of practicing three broad skills: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. It emphasizes learning practical skills that help students succeed. Practicing grammar is thought of as inputting data. That would involve memorization of terms, ideas, and concepts. Dialectic is processing that data. In other words, asking questions and thinking logically. Rhetoric is the output of the processed data. It would be expressing, explaining, or persuading others of the idea. The grammar skill is elementary level, dialectic is the middle and early high school years, and rhetoric is late high school. Content is high-quality literature and resources on important subjects. It is a highly adaptable and customizable method that is thought to equip students with the general knowledge and skills to succeed in all areas of life.
7. Waldorf Method: Waldorf homeschooling is based on the educational philosophy of Rudolf Steiner. It emphasizes holistic, arts-based education, and a strong connection to nature. Subjects are taught in an integrated way, and there is a focus on artistic and practical activities.
8. Religious Homeschooling: Some families choose to homeschool for religious reasons and use religious curricula to teach subjects in alignment with their faith.
9. Online or Virtual Schooling: In this approach, families use online resources and virtual schools to provide structured curriculum and instruction. Students often have a teacher or facilitator who guides their progress.
10. Eclectic Homeschooling: Many families use an eclectic approach, combining elements from various educational methods to create a customized homeschooling experience that suits their child’s needs and interests. This broadly termed homeschooling style defines the mixing and matching of various resources to create one whole learning environment. Each subject could have a different producer and may not be related in style, learning approaches, or grade levels. This method tends to be a highly specific and deliberate plan with definite curriculum resources customized by their parents (or an outsourced consultant). However, those with children with disabilities or defined IEPs or 504 plans can focus on the strengths and weaknesses of their students and can cater to their instructional needs. It takes a great deal of time to plan and prepare for learning activities. It also tends to be more cost-effective since it can be designed to fit any budget.
11. Cooperative or Group Homeschooling: Some families join or create homeschooling cooperatives or groups where multiple families come together to share resources, expertise, and socialization opportunities.
12. Unit Studies: Unit studies focus on learning activities centered on a specific theme, switching subjects as they relate to the theme and changing the theme when it previous one has been completed. The theme could be historical events, geographical regions, ideologies, or other unifying concepts. The primary benefit of this interdisciplinary approach is that it demonstrates to students that subjects aren’t confined boxes to be studied in isolation. This encourages students to view subjects about each other, look at the world holistically, and make connections between what they learn. In general, this method lacks clearly defined goals until there are defined goals. It can be a challenge to assess students’ learning, what to study next, or whether students will develop the necessary skills to succeed in life.
13. Hybrid Homeschooling: This combines homeschooling with part-time enrollment in a traditional school or learning center. Students may attend school a few days a week and homeschool on the remaining days. It is styled similarly to a private school classroom for 2—3 days a week. The remaining educational days are spent attending courses at a local university-modeled school offering extracurricular activities. Typically, these schools offer smaller class sizes than public or private schools; therefore, students receive more one-on-one attention. This model works for families that cannot afford one parent to teach students daily. Professional guidance and accountability are assuring for some.
14. Worldschooling: Worldschooling involves traveling and experiencing different cultures as a way of learning. Families may homeschool while traveling the world, incorporating global experiences into their children’s The choice of homeschooling method often depends on the child’s learning style, the family’s values and lifestyle, and the resources available. Many homeschooling families adapt and evolve their methods over time to meet their changing needs and goals.