Homeschooling 101: How to Start Homeschooling

A classical homeschool education is divided into three basic segments: the grammar stage, the logic or dialectic stage, and the rhetoric stage. The program is language based, both written and spoken, with a heavy amount of reading and writing. Subjects tend to be intertwined and show the relationships between the different studies.

A classical education typically follows a four-year pattern repeated three times for history and science. History consists of a study of the Ancients, Middle Ages, Renaissance and Reformation, and Modern Times. Science includes Biology, Earth Science and basic Astronomy, Chemistry, and Physics and Computer Science.

Is a Classical Homeschool Education Christian? Usually, in homeschooling circles, the answer to this is yes. Although many topics are discussed such as myths and mythological people, many private Christian schools and homeschools do follow some form of the Classical Education method. It is common for textbooks and workbooks to adhere to Christian beliefs.

For a more in-depth look at what goes into a classical education, I highly recommend the book, The Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise. The book contains a great amount of detail regarding what subjects are covered in a classical homeschool education program and how to follow it from the early years all the way through high school.

It would be hard to talk about homeschooling without mentioning this popular style. The Charlotte Mason method places a focus on educating the entire person, not just the mind. It views education through the lenses of the Atmosphere, Discipline, and Life.

The atmosphere includes the surroundings where the child grows up. The discipline includes building good habits. And the life applies to academics where the focus is on “living books” rather than textbooks that are fact based only. Through habits, books, and discovery, it is believed that the child will foster a lifelong desire for learning.

Typically considered a Christian method of homeschooling, many families tend to shy away from the Charlotte Mason method. However, I believe that whether you are looking for a secular method or a different religious preference, any style of homeschooling can be tailored to fit your needs.

There are a series of books by Charlotte Mason books to delve into called The Home Education Series. If this style seems interesting to you, I would recommend starting with the first book in the series, Home Education.

Although many people think of younger preschool aged children when referencing a Montessori philosophy, the Montessori method is for children of any age. It is a unique style that promotes self-growth through independent learning based on interests. With Montessori, it is more of a lessons-based approach with a lot of flexibility rather than a strict curriculum to be met in a specific timeframe.

“Education is a natural process carried out by the child is not acquired by listening to words but by experiences in the environment.” Maria Montessori.

While introducing children through a certain scope or sequence of concepts, students are given the time and freedom to learn at their own pace and meet individualized goals. According to Melanie Thiesse of the American Montessori Society, a Montessori education “strives to nurture each child’s natural desire for knowledge, understanding, and respect.”

If you are interested in learning more about the Montessori method, you might enjoy The Home Education Series.

Like with the Montessori method, Unschooling Homeschooling typically places the focus on student-led learning. Without the use of a structured curriculum, children are given a great deal of independence to learn on their own from their surroundings. Testing is not common with unschooling nor is learning through a linear approach.

Unschooling truly rebuts the traditional style of learning that public school emphasizes and trusts that through life experiences, children will in fact learn all they need to know. Motivation of the child plays a key role in unschooling. When the desire is there, a child will learn something, such as reading. With unschooling, socializing and the surrounding environment play a large role in the child’s education.

Since unschooling is more of a life process than a school process, children who are unschooled may also have more freedoms in other areas of their life such as bedtimes, screen times, food, and clothing choices.

To learn more about unschooling and whether it is the right fit for your family, you may enjoy: Unschooling Rules: 55 Ways to Unlearn What We Know About Schools and Rediscover Education or Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom.

Schooling at home is exactly how it sounds. Children are taught in their homes in a similar manner that they would be learning in a classroom. There is usually a set curriculum with standards that are based around traditional grade levels or even state standards. Sometimes a classroom is setup in the home with a desk, wall décor, and all. Of course, this is not a requirement, but many families enjoy having this designated space. 

Subjects covered will likely include English, Reading, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Science and/or History. Art, music, foreign languages, and extracurriculars may also be used.

An eclectic homeschooling method is simply taking the parts of different homeschooling styles to make it your own. With eclectic homeschooling you can borrow the best parts from each style and blend them to fit your family’s lifestyle and schedule.

As your family grows and changes, your homeschooling methodology may evolve as well. There is no set of rules that says once you start a specific method, you are stuck for the next x number of years. Try out what feels right and if it doesn’t seem to be working, try something else!