You can check out Ambleside Online to get a sense of what the Charlotte Mason home schooling method is all about.

Though the following are generalizations, this home schooling method tends to work well for you if you (in no particular order):

• want to create a learning environment that encourages your child to explore and appreciate the world around him, perhaps not rigidly sticking to a schedule,
• see a value in evaluating your child’s learning on things other than formal written tests,
• want to offer a well-rounded education, including enjoying art, nature, music and of course lots of books,
• don’t mind being very involved in the process of your child’s education – discussing books, giving dictation, listening and encouraging narration, and enjoying poetry, art and music together,
• have a child who is doesn’t mind not having lots of boxes to check off

Based on the philosophy of education used in ancient Greece and in Europe during the Middle Ages, this is a rigorous style of education that views education in three phases. These stages correspond to the development of a child’s ability to reason. Also known as the Trivium. The first stage is when the student learns how to learn and has the ability to memorize many facts. The second stage is when connections are made of the facts already learned. The third phase is when the student is able to use the connections of facts and formulate and articulate his own opinions. Grammar, logic and rhetoric are all important components of the Classical method, as is Latin, usually. The Socratic method and the Great Books of Western tradition are also key parts of this method. Tapestry of Grace is one Classical method curriculum that is geared for using with a broad range of ages of children. Veritas Press Classical Home School Curriculum also offers tutoring services for their Omnibus I and II courses.

Though the following are generalizations, this home schooling method tends to work well for you (at least you’ll have less stress persevering) if you:

• like structure,
• desire to evaluate your child’s learning based on academic standards,
• see the value of an education that places primacy on the written word, both in reading and writing well,
• believe that developing good study skills fairly early on in your child's life will benefit him greatly as time goes on,
• want to concentrate on classics of Western literature as a tool to develop critical thinking,
• don’t mind being fairly involved in the process of your child’s education – discussing books, giving dictation, encouraging the reaching of academic goals,
• have a child who is academically oriented.

Here, too, though the following are generalizations, this home schooling method tends to work well for you if you:

• want to have your child follow a set scope and sequence,
• want to have step-by-step accountability for your child,
• see a value in using modern technology and don’t have concerns for its over-use,
• need to find a way to not be involved so much in the day-to-day process of your child’s education, though you would be available to give help and general guidance,
• have a child who likes being able to work at his own pace and use the computer.

Once again, though the following are generalizations, this home schooling method tends to work well for you if you:

• don’t mind spending the time to find the materials that will suit your child’s unique interests and learning styles,
• don’t mind not following someone else’s scope and sequence, and thus not mind the possible “gaps” in their learning that might come from jumping around from one curriculum to another,
• see the value in using various curriculum and home school methods because through different methods, your child gets a more full picture of the subject at hand,
• have a child who likes flexibility in her learning, who doesn’t mind not using the same materials over again

Resources: http://www.enkieducation.org/index.htm

Usually a literature-based home schooling method will work quite well for you (at least you’ll have less stress in continuing on) if you:

• want to have your child follow a set scope and sequence,
• want to have general accountability for your child,
• see a value in having your child love to read by reading books he or she will love to read,
• want to be involved in the day-to-day process of your child’s education, through discussion that will draw out what your child is learning and perhaps controversial issues raised through the books.

Maria Montessori noticed that the children had sensitive periods. During these sensitive periods the child works within one area of the environment at a time. Sensitive periods bring on intense concentration, so intense that the child will be almost unaware of the rest of his surroundings. The child during sensitive periods will also continuously repeat an activity until an inner satisfaction is met. The Montessori method calls this process of repetition normalization.

Montessori explained the accomplishments of the child's highly developed cognitive skills with a description of what she called the absorbent mind. Montessori often said, "Impressions do not merely enter his mind; they form it" (Absorbent Mind, 1995). The absorbent mind first prepares the unconscious. The mind then slowly awakens to the conscious level, establishing memory, and the power to understand and reason. The knowledge that the child is internally seeking is then absorbed.

The Montessori method was created so that Maria Montessori's philosophy could be implemented. Montessori believed the environment was second to life itself. She said, "it can modify in that it can help or hinder, but it can never create" (The Montessori Method, 1912). The Montessori environment is called the prepared environment. There are six essential components to the prepared environment: freedom, structure and order, reality and nature, beauty and atmosphere, the didactic materials, and the development of community life.

A child having freedom in a prepared environment will be able to develop physically, mentally, and emotionally to his or her full potential. The child uses this freedom to work with the educational materials and to socialize with others. All the materials are designed to fulfill the inner desire for self-construction and spiritual development of the child. The materials indirectly prepare the child for future learning by capturing the child's attention and initiating concentration. The materials at first are concrete and gradually become abstract. Each set of materials progresses from simple to complex. The prepared environment and its atmosphere must be pleasant to encourage positive growth and spontaneity. The environment must be cheerful, relaxing and warm, inviting the child to participate so he can fulfill his inner will.

Implementation of the Montessori method can be expensive, especially if you are planning to purchase Montessori materials. Fortunately there are many books, retailers, and Web sites that can help. A wonderful book for Montessori homeschool implementation is Teaching Montessori in the Home by Elizabeth Hainstock. Hainstock has also written books for Montessori homeschool implementation by age or grade. These books give detailed instructions on how to build or make your own materials and how to use them. The books are available in most bookstores and public libraries.

Additional Resources:

• North American Montessori Teachers Association - Information for Homeschoolers A list of resources and information on integrating the Montessori philosophy and methods into a home educational program.

  Shu-Chen Jenny Yen's On-Line Montessori Albums free of charge

• Montessori Research and Development Montessori R&D develops, produces and sells Montessori curriculum materials and manuals designed for children three to twelve years old since

• The Montessori Foundation A Great website with resources, links, libraries, school directories, articles and general information.

• Montessori Centre Internationale Periodicals, articles, parent information, training information for a London University.

• American Montessori Society Montessori teacher training information in the United States, FAQ's, publications, links, ect.

• Micheal Olaf Montessori Company Contains Montessori Quotes, information, as well as, books and materials and periodicals for purchase.

• Montessori Connections Montessori Connections is a web site planned especially for the Montessori Community. A site where all who are interested in Montessori education can find everything related to it and more.

The Moores believe in a homeschool method that allows the child to develop at his own pace through informal education until the age of eight. Between the ages of eight and ten years (depending on developmental readiness) the child begins formal education. Following the Moore formula, the child trains in good habits and obedience, and cultivates a sense of togetherness within her family, as well as at church and in society at large.

The Moore formula is based on a balanced approach that includes study, work and service. The child's interest is the focal point for learning. Depending on the child's developmental level, she studies each day for a few minutes to a few hours. Work, called entrepreneurship by the Moores, is considered key to the curriculum. Whether in the family home or in a home-based business, work should be incorporated within any unit of study. Service, either in the home, the church, or out in the community, is also a key component of the curriculum. By providing service to others, the child is learning patience and the moral value of helping others. The Moore Formula is a Christian-based program, so Bible study and memorization is essential and should be done daily. It is believed that through this curriculum, and the guidance and examples set by parents, children will become practical, productive, disciplined, responsible, mature leaders and have excellent character.

The Moore curriculum was specifically formulated for the homeschooled student. It is considered to be a low-cost and low-stress curriculum that provides the homeschool community with a highly successful work-study and behavior program.

Additional Resources:

• The Moore Foundation The Moore website that includes FAQ, books, seminar information and books and manuals for purchase.
• Homeschool. Com - Virtual Homeschool FAQ's on the Moore Formula

Usually the notebook method of home schooling works well for you (at least you’ll have less stress in continuing on) if you:

• want your child to have the freedom to follow her own interests,
• have enough confidence in the process of learning that you don’t mind if not all of your child’s learning can be documented by a written test (see Unschooling),
• see a value in having your child develop expertise in an interest, and are willing to let other activities take second place, at least for a season,
• have a child who has interests, hobbies or collections they want to pursue,
• you want to document their learning by a written record of a notebook,
• your child is willing to learn to let his creativity out in his learning. Note: he doesn’t necessarily have to start off with skill, but at least willing to learn.

Self-learning home schooling may work well for you over the long haul if you:

• want your child to develop the ability to learn on his own,
• see a value in having your child develop good study skills apart from your involvement,
• are willing to work with a younger child enough until he is able to take on more and more work independently.
• would rather have your child develop good learning strategies and time management on his own than be accountable to someone outside of the family (such as in an Umbrella School).

Usually the textbook home schooling method works well for you if you:

• want your child to be studying material in a similar scope and sequence as other public or private schools,
• value the style of a classroom school and want your child to experience that at home,
• want your child to be able to do well and learn through fill-in-the-blanks and quizzes,
• have definite ideas about what content you want your child to learn, and it matches well with the textbook you have chosen.

One of the most significant differences between Thomas Jefferson Education and other classical styles of education has to do with the belief that people, especially children, learn differently at different ages. Thus, there are different phases for learning certain lessons.

Some of the greatest researchers in childhood behavior (Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, and Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore) agree that children pushed academically at an early age tend to burn out early in adulthood, or long before. Young children do soak up learning like a sponge, but at what cost are children pushed into academic work too soon?

A hate of learning is developed when children are forced to perform at a young age and blooms precisely at the time when non-pressured young minds have the potential to be the most curious and inquisitive! And if children of a very young age soak up knowledge so easily, shouldn’t they be learning the most important lessons of love, work, and faith during their most formative years, rather than filling their heads with random facts and figures their minds are unable to yet comprehend?

Children normally are not mature enough for formal school programs until their senses, coordination, neurological development, and cognition are ready. Piagetian experiments have shown repeatedly that cognitive maturity may not come until close to age twelve. Interestingly, the ancient Orthodox Jews, known over the world for their brilliance, provided little or no formal schooling until after age twelve for girls and thirteen for boys when children were considered able to accept full responsibility for their actions.

Dr. Raymond and Dorothy Moore, The Successful Homeschool Family Handbook, page 44

 

Resources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Thomas_Jefferson_Education

                   http://www.tjed.org/

                  

Unschooling can be similar to the Notebooking Home Schooling Method in many ways, though you don't have to do notebooks to do Unschooling. This may be an excellent choice of home schooling methods if you:

• don’t mind not having a set scope and sequence and structure to your child’s learning,
• want your child to have the freedom to follow her own interests,
• have enough confidence in the process of learning that you don’t mind if not all of your child’s learning can be documented by a written test,
• see a value in having your child develop expertise in an interest, and are willing to let other activities take second place, at least for a season,
• have a child who has interests, hobbies or collections they want to pursue.

Unit studies for home schooling may work well for you if you:

• want your children of different ages all studying similar subjects at their own level,
• have enough time to interact with your children about the materials they are studying and how they relate,
• see a value in taking the time to do hands-on-projects and group learning around a central theme,
• or your child don’t not following a traditional scope and sequence.

• Grades K-1 - Fairytales and folktales
• Grade 2 - Fables and stories of the saints
• Grade 3 - Old testament of the bible stories
• Grade 4 - Norse & Native American legends and sagas
• Grades 5 & 6 - The Indus Valley cultures, Egypt, Greece, & Rome
• Grade 7 & 8 - The Middle Ages, Renaissance, Age of Enlightenment and Revolutions
• High school - The modern world and their future.

Lessons consist of in 2-3 week long Blocks or thematic units in which all subjects - Math, science, history, language arts - are related back to the main theme.

Steiner also believed in educating the "whole" child and integrated a strong arts and movement based teaching style into Waldorf Education. Each morning is begun with movement and recitation exercises designed to stimulate the child's mental functioning and alertness. This is followed by the main lesson - an intensive 1-2 hr lesson on the main topic being studied. The Waldorf curriculum also includes regular weekly lessons in geometric form drawing, water color painting, crafts, and movement arts.

An important aspect of the Waldorf philosophy is that if the curriculum is properly laid out that the children will learn the main concepts on their own. Students are not told the main concepts, but guided to discover them on their own thus stimulating their creativity and higher thinking skills.

Steiner also believed in the importance of the child having a strong and long lasting relationship with their teacher. In the Waldorf lower school teachers stay with the same class, often for eight years (Grades 1-8). The belief being that a child can develop a trust for that teacher and the teacher will know on a much deeper level what is best for that child. This depth of understanding goes one step further in the homeschooling parent.

Waldorf Education in a school setting is often expensive, depending on the social philosophy embraced by the individual school. Steiner himself believed strongly that schools should implement a sliding scale based on ability to pay, but few schools have been able to make that work today.

Additional Resources:

            Steiner Schools in Australia This site contains lots of information on Waldorf Education in Australia, and beyond.

           Waldorf World This is a great site to come learn about Waldorf Education. Included are school directories, articles, teacher training and employment links, plus links to other sites.

          Live Education! Here you'll find commercial homeschooling supplies for families inspired by a Waldorf perspective.

         An Introduction to Waldorf Education by Rudolf Steiner, 1919 (translated from German)