Homeschool Methods: A Look Into Traditional Homeschooling

What does one picture when one thinks about homeschooling?
Children sitting at the kitchen table surrounded by books and workbooks?
Kids lounging on a couch reading a really good book?
A child counting out her change in the grocery store while paying for her own toy?
A family giggling and laughing while having fun at a museum?

Believe it or not, these are all bits and pieces of homeschooling. Learning doesn't just stop once the books are closed, it continues on endlessly.

Different homeschooling techniques use different methods to reach the initial learning, and in this series I will delve deeper into several of them.

My ultimate goal is selfish, I must admit. I am hoping that through writing these posts I will come to a better understanding about different techniques and be able to make a better informed choice about which method will best fit and benefit our family.

Today, I begin a study on the traditional homeschool method.
There are actually several branches of traditional homeschooling, some of which include Classical Homeschooling and Charlotte Mason, among others. Some are more rigid than others, but they all encompass the same basic premise.

First, all traditional homeschooling methods are based on curriculum.

This can be store bought or home made, but it will have at least reading, writing, and math - and many also include science and history. This curriculum may include everything from books to workbooks and worksheets.

Now, when it comes to curriculum, there are SO MANY out there!! From Sonlight to A Beka, from Charlotte Mason to Saxon, not to mention the HUNDREDS of  homemade curriculums out there that one can find on the internet. It's mind boggling, to say the least. So how would you pick one? Read and research! Do you know someone that has a certain type of curriculum that you're looking into? Ask to see one of their books! Most homeschooling families will be more than happy to lend out items to those just starting out. If that's proving to be too hard, try visiting your local library or even your local  book store to get a glimpse. Also, some companies will allow you to download a sample lesson plan for you to get a feel for what they're about.

Most traditional homeschoolers have a set schedule (some more relaxed than others), and almost all keep some kind of record. A typical day for a traditional homeschooler might look something like this:

9am Math, 9:30 am Spelling, 10:00 am, Language arts, 10:30 am Break, 11:00 am Reading, 11:30 am History/social studies, 12:00 pm lunch, 12:30 pm break/recess, 1:00 science, 1:30 pm music, 2:00 language . . .
so on, so forth.

Others may be more relaxed, with only a to-do list that the child needs to accomplish that day with the freedom to complete each assignment whenever the child wants, so long as it's finished by the end of the day.
How you decide to schedule your day really depends on you, your child, and your families needs. If your child is someone that can work independently, then a more relaxed schedule might work really well for you. If he/she needs a little more one on one help, a more fixed schedule might be your thing. The important thing to remember is that, really, there are no rules!

So, after reading a LOT and talking to other homeschoolers, I have come up with pro's and con's of traditional homeschooling.

Pros:
There is no doubt that your child is learning exactly what he/she "needs to know".
Many children thrive on structure.
There is little doubt on "what" to teach - most curriculums have it planned out for you.
IF (God-forbid) your child ever has to return to public school for WHATEVER reason, you can be certain that they will most likely be on-par with (if not ahead of) their peers.
Having a set schedule and assignments prepares kids for the future, weather it be in the workplace or in college.
Having a good curriculum also ensures that your child is getting the requirements needed for college entrance

Cons:
Time consuming - not only do you have to research curriculum and write lesson plans, but you have to be readily available 24/7 to help your children with whatever subject they may have difficulty with.
Some children can get into a mindset that learning only happens at certain times of the day.
Some children don't do well with too much structure
Some people believe that traditional homeschooling hinders a child's learning process
Some also believe that the "educational standards" we have for children is based on the government's standards, not necessarily what is right for the child, and that traditional homeschooling fosters these standards.

Who is traditional homeschooling right for?
Anyone that wants more structure or a set standard for learning.
Also, children that have set goals in mind for their future would benefit from having a structured curriculum with those goals in mind.
Children that work well by themselves also do well with traditional homeschooling.

So there's my take on traditional homeschooling! The next post in this series will delve into a method called Unschooling (that you may have heard me talk about).