Homeschool Styles: What are the Most Popular Styles?
Homeschool Styles
After making the exciting decision to start homeschooling, you may first think how to recreate traditional school at home.
Let me tell you, you will MOST likely decide this isn’t the right approach (ask me how I know ha!)
It can also be so confusing with all of the homeschool styles out there to know where to start.
Researching and learning more about the various types of educational styles & philosophies is a great next step. Kind of like a stepping stone to the big, wide world of all the homeschool opportunities out there!
Or you may realize that you didn’t decide to take the wonderful adventure of homeschooling your kiddos to only focus on the school. As off as that may sound, homeschool is way more than “school”.
Another reason you’ve come here to this page may be if you’re a seasoned homeschooling family, but realizing the “style” of schooling you thought you aligned with, isn’t quite working for you anymore.
Whatever category (or categories) you fall into, you may be overwhelmed by all the terminology and styles you come across.
Below is a helpful explanation of some of the most popular homeschool styles!
Some of the Most Popular Homeschool Styles
Charlotte Mason
Classical
Unschooling/interest led
Montessori
Unit Studies
Waldorf
Outsourcing
Gameschooling
Roadschooling
More Details On Each Homeschool Style
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason: Charlotte was a British educator in the late 1800s/early 1900s who believed in creating a natural way of learning focusing on the child as a person.
Her method focuses on providing a comprehensive approach with nature studies, art & music appreciation as well as academic studies.
A big focus is on creating lifelong good learning habits. Living books is also a big part of the Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling.
Meaning books that are full of life – heavy on nature, rich literature and arts as the main “spines” used rather than traditional textbooks.
Nature studies, book clubs to discuss literature and picture studies (to learn about great artists) are some of the parts of the Charlotte Mason method that set it apart from other styles.
Family learning can be easily adapted with this homeschool style – if that’s something you would like to incorporate into your homeschool.
Learning to balance and homeschool multiple aged kids can be tricky, leading a lot of families to embrace family studies as much as possible.
Classical
Classical: Classical education is based on teaching children in three stages, referred to as the Trivium. The three stages are:
- The Grammar Stage (ages 6-10), spent largely in part learning facts and building a foundation for future learning.
- The Dialectic Stage (ages 10–12) focusing on “why” and logic rather than fact memorizing.
- The Rhetoric Stage (ages 13–18), the stage is described as when students begin to learn how to express themselves, academically and for future endeavors like college or to research possible careers.
Communication is a big focus of the classical education style. Teaching students how to be well rounded in all aspects of communication, mainly writing, and verbal, is the belief here to set them up for success in life.
Unschooling/interest led
Unschooling/interest led: Unschooling was a term brought to life by educator & homeschool advocate John Holt. Holt believed that children are natural learners.
The idea behind this style is to allow your child to follow their interests as the guide for their learning.
The basis for this homeschool style is exactly how it sounds: the child determines what they are interested in learning more about.
There is no set curriculum. No requirements to be met (always check with your state’s legal homeschool laws, whatever style you choose!). No workbooks or textbooks to be had, unless your kiddo has interest in them.
As you can probably imagine, this style of homeschool may have more critics than others.
However one of the biggest attractions for some to this style, is the partnership between the child and parent when it comes to learning.
The idea that joy or interest in a topic or subject will be more enticing to learning and retaining knowledge. Rather than simply learning to pass a test, is a driving force behind this style.
Montessori
Montessori: Maria Montessori was an Italian physician in the early 1900s. She believed in the importance of real life, choice based learning integrating movement.
Hands-on, real life work is the foundation in this homeschool style. The concept is a lifelong one, from birth through adulthood. Focusing one’s life on “doing” and helping others, encourages real learning to take place.
The ever hot topic in the homeschooling world of socialization is clearly addressed with this style too.
The belief is that a child interacting with all members & ages of their community.
Which is viewed as more enriching than being in a traditional school setting of 15-30 students all the same age.
Unit Studies
Unit Studies: Unit studies are basically a set amount of time planned to study one main topic of interest. Think learning about one subject in great depth.
The difference between a unit study and just researching or learning more about one topic, is that a unit study can encompass multiple subjects like math, science, history, geography, language arts, music and/or art.
Unit studies can be a stand-alone homeschool style, or they can easily be added into whatever style or curriculum you are currently using.
Field trips, documentaries, food/cooking/baking, games, crafts and more are just some of the ideas to add to your unit studies.
The possibilities for learning are truly endless when it comes to unit studies! In fact I have a whole post here dedicated to all the ways unit studies can add to your homeschool 🙂
Waldorf
Waldorf: a holistic style of schooling where all subjects meld together and the whole student is focused on, mind, body and spirit.The focus is not solely academic based.
In fact, reading is not taught until the child appears ready, which is around the age of 7 according to most Waldorf followers.
As the child grows, academics become more rigorous, focusing on spiraling subjects & topics, leading to mastery rather than memorization.
Technology is limited overall and art & storytelling are key aspects of this homeschool style.
Outsourcing
A style of homeschooling that can offer a hybrid approach to your child’s instruction.
Flexibility is a staple of homeschool in general, but this specific homeschool style really syncs well with flexibility.
Outsourcing can be interpreted in many ways. One being participating in a homeschool co-op, where your children may learn certain subjects from other parents/teachers.
One popular option that is available in some areas is an actual hybrid school. Hybrid school is where your kiddos attend a school for a few days a week, then you homeschool the other days, using their curriculum.
More ways to outsource
Another way to outsource your homeschool is by embracing any of the so many online schooling options available these days. This can be done for one subject or for many.
As children get older, dual enrollment with a local college or community college can provide additional education. The teaching is then carried out by someone other than yourself.
The main idea here is that your child’s educational needs will be met through an avenue other than you being their sole educator.
Since the whole world changed a few years ago (understatement of the century!) this style of homeschooling may be an easier transition to homeschool from public or private schooling.
Especially true for working parents or for those who aren’t sure they want to take on the whole responsibility of teaching their children.
Gameschooling & Roadschooling
Gameschooling & roadschooling are also big homeschool styles “trends” (for lack of a better word!) right now.
They are exactly what they sound like – learning through games and learning while on the road.
You can easily incorporate either of these style into any type of homeschooling easily. Think geography or math games and field trips combined with road trips.
Finding your groove
As I’ve said before, homeschool like parenting, is most definitely not a one size fits all way of life.
Through trial and error and not being afraid to switch things up when they’re not working, you will find what homeschool style or combination, works best for you & your family.
And when you do, it’s a magical, beautiful thing. Which will remind you of why you chose this amazing lifestyle you did 🙂
Do you have a favorite homeschool style? Or a combo of a few that works for your family? If so, comment below, I’d love to hear!
