Buffet-Style Homeschooling5 min read

One of the main advantages of homeschooling is its variety of options. There are also many challenges that it can bring. One of these is finding the right teacher. With the rise of homeschooling, educational options became flooded with hundreds of different offerings. The resulting flood of choices caused by the increasing number of families opting out of traditional schools has caused many new students to explore the school options market. Below are summaries of the various leading homeschool styles. They help you narrow down the search and determine what fits your needs. Homeschooling can be as traditional as a school-at-home program where students study the same topics at home. It can also be as radical as a method of education where the lessons are entirely student-directed.

The three basic learning methods

1. Through visualizing
Organize information using various pictures, shapes, and colors. enjoys reading charts and graphs, and enjoys coloring pictures and maps.

2. Through hearing
Learn through listening. It needs to be able to hear or speak to people, to create audio recordings, to read or listen to books, to quiet surroundings, to use headphones to block out noise and to talk about what is happening in the world.

3. Doing/Kinesthetic
When the child is physically active, she/he learns best. She/He likes to move while thinking, and she/he uses his/her body language to communicate. He/She also enjoys making crafts and building blocks.

There are roughly seven main approaches to homeschooling

Classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Un-schooling, School-at-Home, Unit studies, and Eclectic education methods.

1. The classical method

The classical method is a favorite among homeschooling parents. It draws on the wisdom of ancient Greek and Roman educational practices. The roots of the classical education go back even further, to the concepts of the Old Testament. The emphasis on grammar, logic and critical thinking are among the hallmarks of the classical method. The subject areas are organized into chronological reading plans so that students can keep track of the various topics they’re studying. This method is different from other homeschooling methods, as it allows students to develop their own ideas over time. Socratic dialogues are another prominent feature of classical education. They are designed to encourage robust discussion and debate, which can help students develop an understanding of themselves and the world.

2. The Charlotte Mason method

Based on the teachings of Charlotte Mason, this style of homeschooling is focused on short periods of study that are usually 15 to 20 minutes long. This method consists of writing and observation journals, as well as practice in memorization and storytelling. The Charlotte Mason method borrows elements from various other established methodologies. It is also cheaper than Montessori or School-at-home. It has many distinctive features, making it a good option for modern homeschoolers.

3. The Montessori

The concept of Montessori schooling was refined by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori. This method is a hybrid of a humanistic teaching style and multi-grade classes. It involves free movement, large-unstructured time blocks, and individual learning plans. Teachers only instruct indirectly, using manipulatives. This method is not only controversial but it is also very well-documented. The problem is that many people are not aware that Montessori schools are also known as homeschool methods. This is because they often incorporate a wide variety of materials and activities into their classrooms. In her journals, Montessori describes a planned classroom that mirrors a typical working home. This makes the Montessori method the best fit for homeschooling.

4. The Unschooling method

Unschooling is a model that draws on the principles of John Holt. Learning plans and study projects are usually focused on the student’s interests, but they also consider various options for developing a comprehensive and engaging education. Unschooling usually consists of a variety of strategies and methods to help the student develop basic literacy and math skills. Unschooling allows parents to question the conventional wisdom about education. Instead of being bound by rules or regulations, they can choose to be their own teachers. Unschooling is an unusual choice for parents. Since it’s not a school-at-home model, it can be a bit challenging to get used to. But, it can also be the most organic fit for your child’s personality.

5. The School-at-Home method

School-at-home is a type of homeschooling that is implemented at home. It is similar to Unschooling, but it’s also implemented at home. School-at-Home education typically consists of complete curriculum packages that are arranged around a school year. These packages can be arranged for various reasons, such as, but not limited to, private school or public school. School-at-Home education is a method where a parent-teacher can independently oversee it. This method is usually not as expensive as traditional school-based curriculum sets. However, it requires the use of open-source software to create the curriculum.

6. The Unit studies

Unit studies are often related learning plans that combine various subject areas into one. For instance, students might study the book “Out of Egypt” in Reading class and the theories of human origins in Science. Unit studies can be used for various purposes, such as education, planning, and assessment. They can also be considered as an instrument for developing more comprehensive educational methodologies. Unit studies are typically focused on a few subjects. They can be used to transform lessons into multi-purpose projects that engage different learning styles.

7. The Eclectic education method

Eclectic homeschooling is a method that allows parents to create a variety of curriculum and methods. Their goal is to educate their child as unique as they are. Eclectic homeschooling is a method that is child-directed, non-curriculum based and doesn’t follow a set curriculum. You can customize the number of days you spend in a Classical classroom, the activities you choose, and the classes you take.

Conclusion

Homeschooling is a growing message in the educational world. Its message is that every parent and amateur teacher can make great education. Hope this article helped you clear any confusion about buffet-style homeschooling. As you can see there are many homeschooling methods. You can now choose the best for your child.