{"id":1067,"date":"2021-07-27T23:05:28","date_gmt":"2021-07-28T09:05:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/?page_id=1067"},"modified":"2026-03-11T20:26:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T06:26:56","slug":"educational-approaches","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/educational-approaches\/","title":{"rendered":"Educational Approaches"},"content":{"rendered":"

EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES <\/strong><\/h1>\n

aka TEACHING METHODS<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Selecting a curriculum (basically the teaching materials) for the homeschool is probably a top priority for homeschooling parents.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And rightly so!\u00a0 But with a plethora of educational programs in the market, how do parents choose the curriculum that is the best fit for their child?\u00a0 \u00a0Becoming familiar with the different education approaches, also known as teaching methods, can help parents narrow their options to make wise decisions.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that parents often pick and choose across the different methods to individualize and customize a program for their child.<\/p>\n

Traditional \/ Textbook<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The traditional\/textbook approach is teacher directed and uses textbooks with a scope and sequence for 180 days of instruction.\u00a0Programs usually cover all subject areas and include a graded textbook, workbooks, tests and teacher manuals.\u00a0 Many programs now include video and online programs. Umbrella programs often fall under this category.<\/p>\n

Teacher manuals provide lesson plans.\u00a0 Record keeping is relatively simple as tests provide means for charting a student\u2019s progress.\u00a0 This method may be a good way for parents new to home educating to start.<\/p>\n

The approach may be less flexible for the student.\u00a0 Because a specific body of knowledge is taught, there is often less depth; reading additional books can help to supplement the program.\u00a0 Although textbooks are grade specific, adaptations can be made to teach multi age levels.<\/p>\n

Examples: A Beka Books, Accelerated Christian Education (ACE), Alpha Omega Publications, BJU Press Homeschool, Christian Liberty Academy, Christian Light Education, Rod and Staff<\/p>\n

You may find this method attractive if you prefer structure with prepared lesson plans and easy record keeping and grading.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Unit Study<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The unit study approach centers around a theme or topic and integrates several subjects including Bible, language arts, reading\/literature, social studies\/history, art, and science.\u00a0 (Phonics and math are usually taught separately.)\u00a0 Lessons tend to be multi-sensory and usually involve hands-on activities; information retention is good.\u00a0 Books (not textbooks) and the internet often serve as sources of information.<\/p>\n

Unit studies are appropriate for multi-level teaching so the entire family can study a topic of interest at the same time; assignments are given to the students according to their abilities.\u00a0 Flexibility in the pace and depth of instruction can be adjusted as appropriate for the family.\u00a0 A number of prepared unit studies are available.<\/p>\n

Unit studies require more parent preparation and involvement; parents will definitely be learning alongside their children.\u00a0 Progress maybe more difficult to track; a traditional scope and sequence is not followed.<\/p>\n

Resource: Amanda Bennett\u2019s Unit Studies<\/p>\n

Examples: Five in a Row, Gather \u2018Round Homeschool, My Father\u2019s World, Tapestry of Grace<\/p>\n

You may be attracted to this method if you prefer the flexibility to plan your own lessons for multi-level teaching with hands \u2013learning.<\/p>\n

Charlotte Mason<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Charlotte Mason was a turn of the century English educator, who emphasized educating the whole child through experiencing real life situations, cultivating good habits, and reading \u201cliving\u201d books (books that are narratives or more conversational in style)\u00a0 Narration, copy work, and dictation along with nature walks and notebooks are characteristic of this approach.<\/p>\n

Parents teach their children the basics in reading, writing, and math and then expose them to good books and the fine arts.\u00a0 The children are encouraged to draw their own conclusions.<\/p>\n

Parent involvement and discussion is required for the nature walks, read a-louds, narration.\u00a0 There is an emphasis on the arts rather than higher level subjects.\u00a0 Progress may be more difficult to assess but the notebooks can provide feedback on a student\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n

Resources: A Charlotte Mason Companion<\/em> by Karen Andreola; A Charlotte Mason Education: A Home Schooling How-To Manual<\/a>,<\/em>Catherine Levison<\/p>\n

Examples: Ambleside Online, Beautiful Feet Books, Five in a Row, Simply Charlotte Mason, Sonlight<\/p>\n

You may find this method attractive if you prefer teaching through real life experiences, read-a-louds, narration, copy work and dictation.<\/p>\n

Classical Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Classical education uses three learning stages referred to as the Trvium. \u00a0In the Grammar stage, the elementary school student learns the rules for reading and language arts, mathematics facts, etc. primarily through memorization.\u00a0 In the Logic stage, the middle school student is ready for logic and abstract thinking in algebra, writing, reading and other subjects so as to analyze information and make connections.\u00a0 In the final Rhetoric stage, high school student uses his foundational skills to express his own ideas in eloquent and persuasive communication, both written and oral.<\/p>\n

Classical approach follows stages of mental development and seeks to develop good thinkers and communicators.\u00a0 It is academically rigorous and includes the reading of classics and original works.<\/p>\n

Classical education requires much parent involvement and interaction; there are some programs that are set up for parents to share responsibilities.<\/p>\n

Examples: Classical Conversations, Memoria Press, My Father\u2019s World, Peace Hill Press, Tapestry of Grace, Veritas Press, Well-Trained Mind<\/em> (Susan Wise Bauer),<\/p>\n

You may be attracted to this method if you prefer a structured program with memorization and rigorous academics including reading the classics and original works.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Unschooling Approach<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Unschooling is a less structured approach but does not mean schooling does not take place.\u00a0 It assumes children have an innate desire to learn so parents can follow the child\u2019s natural curiosity.<\/p>\n

A rich learning environment of books and other learning resources are accessible for the child to explore his interests.\u00a0 Parents are mindful of what the children are learning and provide guidance as needed.\u00a0 Little lesson planning is required.<\/p>\n

Parents model a love for learning.\u00a0 They determine how learning takes place and need to be aware of any neglected subject areas because the child may not show an interest.\u00a0 Progress can be difficult to assess.<\/p>\n

Examples: The Relaxed Homeschool<\/em> (Mary Hood)<\/p>\n

You may be attracted to this method if you prefer a less structured approach where your children can learn independently through real life experiences.<\/p>\n

Getting Started Next Step: Almost Ready – Organize & Schedule<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

EDUCATIONAL APPROACHES aka TEACHING METHODS Selecting a curriculum (basically the teaching materials) for the homeschool is probably a top priority for homeschooling parents.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 And rightly so!\u00a0 But with a plethora of educational programs in the market, how do parents choose the curriculum that is the best fit for their child?\u00a0 \u00a0Becoming familiar with the different<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1067","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1067","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1067"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1067\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2138,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1067\/revisions\/2138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1067"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1067"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mail.christianhomeschoolersofhawaii.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1067"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}