This post contains Part 2 in a series.
This post continues answering the question, “How do I start homeschooling?” which I’ve broken down into 3 questions. “What does my state require?” and “Where do I get my curriculum?” were covered in Part 1 of this article/series of posts. (This post also will continue to answer the “Where” question.) My final question, which is actually the most important and first one you need to consider is, “What else do I need to know to begin homeschooling?”. The answer to that question is a question to you. “What are YOUR goals in home education?” “WHY are you home schooling?” Your goals will determine the methods and the resources (“curriculum”) you use. Below is an introduction to styles of home education using “real books”; other information on various educational approaches is on our “Introduction to Lifestyle Education through Discipleship” audio. And of course, much more on the method and resources we’ve chosen to base Lifestyle Education through Discipleship™ on is on our website, in our seminar (see below), through this blog – and of course in our publications.
Lifestyle Education through Discipleship combines the best, most family friendly aspects of many of the “Real Books” types of philosophies/methods listed below, for a Christian Worldview education of excellence in Freedom & Simplicity. You may wonder why books on various styles of home education are available from Me and My House ministries when we have our “own” Lifestyle Education through Discipleship. Because L.E.D. utilizes aspects from varying philosophies, we believe it is helpful to understand those philosophies themselves, that you also can glean from them what is best, to design the unique curriculum God desires for your family. There are a very few actual curricula that we make available to you, not as our personal “ideal” recommendations, but for those that choose to stay with a specific style in more purity; for those that feel they need a transitionary “published curriculum” to ease them into designing their own personal L.E.D. for their own unique family, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the discipleship of Me and My House.
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In Part 1 I explained that there is no “set” curriculum, and your answers to my third question will help determine what TYPE/STYLE of curriculum is right for your family. I’ve already covered Textbooks/Workbooks, and won’t give any further explanation of its”philosophy”. In this post I will cover different types of philosophies and methods that utilize “Real Books” for their curriculum and some of the prominent curricula available that utilize those methods. The generalizations made here may not apply to all that follow a certain method. They are just that, generalizations. But, for the sake of this being an “article” not a “book”, and because the purpose is to quickly open the eyes of a beginning home educator to “what is out there”, these descriptions need to be brief – though to cover just what we do here this post is lengthy. Therefore, this won’t include even all TYPES/STYLES of “real books” educational ideas – just a few prominent ones, let alone all resources and their providers – which could not be done even in a book. But it should give you some ideas of where to begin to look, once you’ve decided what you’re looking for. It begins your research for you. And in the vast amount of material available to home educators today, this “narrowing the field” is a great start to helping decide your curriculum. Also, you need to realize that there is much “cross-over” – many curricula incorporate one than one type/style of education. Again, these categorizations are generalizations.
Obviously, we prefer and recommend the philosophy and methods of Lifestyle Education through Discipleship, but we give these others so you will have an idea of what is out there, and also so you will see how L.E.D. incorporates various aspects from most of them. ** items are available through Me and My House ministries.
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a) UNSCHOOLING or “DELIGHT DIRECTED”
Unschooling or delight directed learning is a “child led” education, focusing on the interests of the child. Usually the “real books” and resources utilized in this type of education are whatever the child finds in the library or on the internet or perhaps his family’s library that is of interest to him. Obviously, there is no written curriculum or book list for this. It flows as the child’s interests come and go, in whatever the topic may be – not just “recognized” school “subjects”. Some parents help guide the child into turning these interests into a type of Unit Study (see below). “Relaxed Home School” by Mary Hood gives a good overview of this style of education.
Aspects of Delight Directed education, that are present in Lifestyle Education through Discipleship are, that a child’s interests and learning styles/abilities should be taken into consideration when planning his curriculum. Those interests are God-given and indicators of God’s design for his future. However, this can be done without sacrificing the more “family friendly” methods of other styles. And we do not agree with the philosophy that a child can appropriately direct his own education. Proverbs tells us that a child left to himself brings shame to his mother. And Deuteronomy, Proverbs, and Ephesians instruct us to diligently teach our children, guiding and directing their education.
Before I move on to the next styles, I want to give you a brief introduction to two names you will see repeatedly below. 2 women have greatly influenced the usage of “Real Books” in education – Charlotte Mason and Ruth Beechick. Charlotte Mason was an educator in England in the late 1800’s who “believed that children needed to experience and observe creation, live full lives, and feed their minds and hearts on lofty ideas and Living Books, not twaddle.” Dr. Ruth Beechick is a current proponent of home education whose philosophy is very similar to Miss Mason’s. She helps parents to teach the basics (reading, writing, and arithmetic) in “a very simple straightforward method and use Living Books for everything else.” The methods used are gentle, natural, and time proven. The teachings of these two have greatly influenced our own L.E.D., as well as many of the programs listed below.
b) UNIT STUDIES
Unit Studies are catching on even in institutional classrooms, as a more effective way to teach. Unit studies integrate subjects through the study of a certain topic, usually including some hands-on experiences. Unit Studies can be parent designed (meaning YOU make them up for your family) or a “written program” you purchase (probably written by another home school mom).
Because a Unit Study can be based on virtually ANY topic, there is a wide difference in published Unit Studies, and their philosophies and differences. Some, NOT ALL, Unit Study programs can be perceived as labor intensive for mom. Most are multi-level, rather than individual grade-level based, meaning your whole family is learning together – everyone learning the same topic, each on their own level. This makes them much more family friendly than textbooks/workbooks or delight directed learning. Mom is not forced to keep up with the many different subjects and topics of many different grade levels. Many of the “full curriculum” Unit Studies (as opposed to just individual units) are based on a 4 year rotation plan, and cover all topics in all subjects within that rotation. There are no specific resources listed here on learning about the “Unit Study” method in general. The resources listed below are first – resources for helping you design your own Unit Studies, and second – “published” Unit Study curricula.
“Published” Unit Studies give recommended book lists of “real books” to read, to go along with the activities/assignments (and any background information or other “lesson”) they suggest. Some list mainly books you can find at your public library and note that you can substitute any book your library has. Others list (and possibly include) books that would be harder to find in your public library, but are more assuring of providing appropriate content than just choosing any library book on the topic. The descriptions of these Unit Studies resources is a little more detailed, because we have used or thoroughly researched them. My opinion is sometimes included, although they still aren’t “our recommended choice” of method/philosophy.
**”Unit Studies Made Easy” – (An updated and expanded version of “How to Create a Unit Study” and Valerie’s other 3 “unit study” books) – http://www.valeriebendt.com/unit_studies_made_easy.asp – is a guide to creating your own unit studies just for your family. Mrs. Bendt helps you create literature based unit studies. Many of her educational ideas are based on Charlotte Mason’s and Ruth Beechick’s philosophies.
**”Design-A-Study” guides by Kathryn Stout – http://designastudy.com/ – help you design your own studies/curriculum in most “subjects”. They can be helpful guides for those just starting out on their own.
We have used both of these sets of resources (Bendt’s previous edition) in the past, when we were beginning to form our own “style” and designing our own Unit Studies. They may be helpful, but are not
necessary for those following the Lifestyle Education through
Discipleship methods.
Below (toward the end of this post) you will find a couple of books
listed that are “books of books”, that can help you choose books to use your own Unit Studies or ANY type of study.
A few of the most popular Unit Study programs are:
“KONOS” – http://konos.com/ – is a more “hands-on” activities oriented Unit Study program, that covers all grades up to 8th, in 3 Volumes covering 2.5 years each. Separate KONOS “History of the World” is available for high school students to complete through independant study. KONOS is especially good if you have active boys/children that like to DO things to learn. The Units are based on Character traits, and cover “everything”, including writing, except no upper level grammar instruction. Original KONOS relies on library books or getting your own, the newer “KONOS In a Box” includes books, and a more structured, detailed layout. We loved many aspects of KONOS (original). Drawbacks, IMO! – too much activity oriented for ME. Too much time at the library and hunting down good appropriate books, and planning and completing “fun” but not necessarily directly educational activities.
“Weaver” – http://www.aop.com (This is the Alpha Omega website, you’ll have to click through to “Weaver”) – More structured, workpage, grade level oriented assignments. It has a supplement to add high school to it. Good if you are transitioning from textbooks/workbooks and your kids learn well that way. Not to say there aren’t activities but it is more seatwork oriented. Units are Bible based, chronological through the Bible, but the program covers “everything” including writing. This was our first non-text/workbook curriculum. I really liked the Bible base, and everyone learning the same topics together. It was probably the beginning of the development of our philosophy away from “school at home”. Drawbacks, IMO! – too “schoolish”, individual grade level assignments, and slow moving.
“Tapestry of Grace” – http://www.tapestryofgrace.com/ – is Biblical Worldview based, utilizing classic books of Western Civilization. It covers all grades through high school. Progresses chronologically through history. Science is not included, but history of science is intertwined. Writing program is integrated.
**”Heart of Wisdom” – http://heartofwisdom.com/ – is Bible based, utilizing Charlotte Mason type methods (living books, copywork, narrating and notebooking). It’s written for grades 4-12, but can also be used for K-3, (I heard that add ons for K-3 are being added.) It includes Bible study, chronological history, and days of creation order for science. There are three tracks of units – History, Science, and adds on Life Skills for High school. The studies are Internet linked, and it also builds a good home library of real books. This is the Unit Study that most lines up with our philosophy and style, and what we would possibly use if we went back to published unit studies. Drawback – only year one currently available.
“Far Above Rubies” & “Blessed is the Man” – publisher/supplier not online – are gender specific unit studies for high school students. We used these when they first came out, when our oldest was in high school because they integrated all the books we wanted her to read anyhow. They are based on Scripture – girls, Proverbs 31:10-31, and boys, Psalm 1. They are very “Christian life” prepatory. They may be considered too “Conservative Christian” for some, but the author does not make your decisions about these issues for you, she urges you to research and come to your own conclusions. But she does present issues that you may not otherwise consider. Like I mentioned, what we loved most about this curriculum is it used all the books we had already determined we wanted our daughters to read, by integrating them into a full curriculum. What I didn’t like was that nothing was really presented in a systematic fashion, “line upon line”. I felt some “subjects” weren’t getting the thoroughness of systematic study that they needed at a high school level.
There are many other Unit Studies programs available. Some are full programs integrating all subjects, covering “everything your child needs” K-12. Others are single units, covering one topic, utilizing a few of the subjects (sometimes just history or science and writing) and applicable for only 1 or 2 “grade levels”.
The aspects of Unit Studies that Lifestyle Education through Discipleship incorporates are: focused topics of study (providing greater depth of understanding); family study (everyone learning the same topics together); integrated subjects (where applicable – this is one “negative” about many published “full-curriculum” Unit Studies, they tend to “force” integration where it doesn’t naturally fit, and you scratch your head and say “What does this have to do with that?” It’s a stretch.)
c) “LIVING BOOKS”/ LITERATURE BASED/CLASSICAL
This has possibly become the largest “new”/old method and philosophy, or at least the fastest growing. There is a lot of variation within this category, but the primary unifying factor is that the curriculum is not based on a textbook nor a “unit” integrating all subjects into a certain “topic”, but rather on reading GREAT real literature. Within this category is the GREAT BOOKS or CLASSICAL method, the CHARLOTTE MASON “LIVING BOOKS” method, as well as other methods utilizing “Classical Literature” or other Living Books as their base. This method, and the one below, “DISCIPLESHIP/ CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW” are probably the most “picky” in the actual resources they utilize. Though the Classical and Living Books styles utilize only very well written, “excellent” books, not “dumbed down” insignificant “twaddle”, their choices do not always present an accurate Christian Worldview.
Charlotte Mason methods utilize an environment of excellence, – in literature, music, art, languages, nature – and gentle, natural methods – such as narration, copywork, dictation, and notebooking – to instill a love for learning. Classical methods utilize the “Trivium”, giving the tools for learning, logic (proper thinking), and rhetoric (debate).
This type of curriculum, like unit studies, can be parent directed or a “written program” by others. It is “literature” based (as opposed to “activity” based) and generally is not as interested in integrating the subjects as Unit Studies, and is usually more “grade level” oriented.
These resources explain the philosophies and methods of Charlotte Mason, Ruth Beechick, and Classical education:
**”For the Children’s Sake: Foundations of Education for Home & School” by Susan Schaeffer McCauley – Charlotte Mason style.
**”A Charlotte Mason Companion: Personal Reflections on The Gentle Art of Learning” by Karen Andreola – Mrs. Andreola’s and Mrs. McCauley’s books are foundational understanding of Charlotte Mason’s ideas. Of course, you can also read Charlotte Mason’s own works, but some find them too long and detailed for most modern readers who have not had an excellent literary education themselves.
**”A Charlotte Mason Primer” (and other works) by Cindy Rushton – a short, easy read on the basics of the Charlotte Mason method.
**”The Three R’s” series by Ruth Beechick
**”How to Teach Your Child Successfully” by Ruth Beechick – two very important guides for getting started in providing a “real books” education for your children.
**”Teaching the Trivium: Christian Homeschooling in a Classical Style”
by Harvey & Laurie Bluedorn of Trivium Pursuit – http://triviumpursuit.com/ – understanding Classical Education from a Christian viewpoint. We met them many years ago as side-by-side vendors at many conventions and curriculum fairs, as well as had them come to North Platte to speak.
The Well Trained Mind – http://www.welltrainedmind.com/ – is a
currently very popular book (but not one we recommend) on the classical method of home education.
A few LIVING BOOKS/LITERATURE based/CLASSICAL programs are:
“Ambleside Online” – http://amblesideonline.homestead.com/index.html – is a free online curriculum for individual grades k-6 that utilizes Charlotte Mason methods.
“Living Lessons” – http://www.bereanbookshelf.com/ – Here’s a more
specific link to the Living Lessons pages:
http://www.bereanbookshelf.com/Living%20Lessons%20-%20Home%20Page.htm – from Berean Bookshelf – a classic literature based curriculum, with a strong Christian Worldview and critical thinking emphasis for individual grades pre k-12. Booklist not available online, but publishers of the books used are listed. No questionable books included, some textbooks used.
Tanglewood – http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/index.htm – a classical and Charlotte Mason homeschool designed curriculum for individual grades k-8. Available in “kits” or “create your own curriculum” format.
Great Books Academy – http://www.greatbooksacademy.org/ – Classical, liberal arts program for individual grades nursery-12.
Veritas Press – http://www.veritaspress.com – is “a full service curriculum provider with a classical specialization”. Veritas Press has written many of its own classical curriculum programs.
Lifestyle Education through Discipleship utilizes Living Books and an environment of excellence and gentle, natural learning methods to instill a delight in learning, narration, copywork, dictation, and notebooking (like Charlotte Mason), and emphasizes “right reasoning” and the ability to communicate it effectively (logic and rhetoric) and also divides learning into 3 Seasons (like the Classical method, but not completely the way they do).
d) DISCIPLESHIP or CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW
The Discipleship and Christian Worldview philosophies generally go hand in hand. These are methods that concentrate on providing a thoroughly Christian education as directed by God in Deuteronomy 6:7, Isaiah 54:13, and other places in Scripture. The examples given here utilize “real books” of high caliber/excellence (as opposed to “twaddle”) just like the Living Books and Classical methods do, but the resources for these methods are decidedly by those with a Christian Worldview (or for older students, to contrast with the Christian Worldview through the guidance of the “curriculum”). Many Discipleship/Christian Worldview curricula also utilize aspects of “Classical” education.
The Discipleship aspect of these styles is in the fact that the children are learning step-by-step through the guidance of the parent, as indicated in Deut. 6:7. Lifestyle Education through Discipleship is primarily a Discipleship/Worldview philosophy, which has also incorporated many valuable aspects from other philosophies/methods that make home education in “Freedom & Simplicity” a reality.
The Principle Approach is a Discipleship/Worldview method that teaches principles of reflective thinking and reasoning that produce a Christian Worldview. This is truly a method of excellence with a strong Biblical Worldview. In its purity, it is also an individual grade level, individual subjects curriculum to be taught by a “Master Teacher”. IOW, the parents become Master Teachers, to teach their students. We agree this is the ultimate in discipleship, but believe it is not practically feasible for full time parents of many children of many differing ages to become Master Teachers of every subject before they begin home educating. The Principle Approach utilizes “4 R-ing” to study a topic (Research, Reason, Relate, and Record, and “notebooking”, a truly excellent method of learning, also used by the “teacher” as she learns to teach the topic.
These resources explain the philosophies and methods of education based on DISCIPLESHIP and CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW:
**”Homeschool vs. Discipleship” (and others) by Jonathan Lindvall, – http://www.boldchristianliving.com/ – a Christian homeschool speaker and dad. Spending time with Mr. Lindvall through conventions, his seminars, and hosting his seminar was very influential to us in the area of the philosophy of Discipleship Education. Tapes and videos
from his seminars and workshops are available.
**”Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview” by Israel Wayne – http://www.biblical-worldview.com/ – a good introduction to this philosophy.
**”Let Us Highly Resolve” (and others) by David Quine. (See “Starting Points” below.)
Marshall Foster of the Mayflower Institute – http://www.mayflowerinstitute.com – for restoring Christian families, and in turn our nation, to our Christian worldview heritage – with his “king size bed” approach to home education greatly influenced us. The
philosophy of the “king size bed” approach is basically this, the
family gathering together daily for a time of the parents sharing –
discipling in – the ways of God. Also that 80% of education has nothing to do with your “curriculum” that you use during “school hours”, but rather is what you do all day long with your children by your side. In addition to the time we spent with him at conventions, and his workshops there, his tape series “World Changers” and “Battle for the 21st Century” are among our favorites. (See also his Worldview resource below.) Mr. Foster’s views align with the Principle Approach. (Mr. Foster’s resources are recommended but not available through Me
and My House ministries.)
Jeff Myers of the Myers Institute – http://myersinstitute.com – is also a speaker/educator on Biblical Worldview and communication whose workshops and tapes are excellent in this area. (Mr. Myers’ resources are recommended but not available through Me and My House ministries.)
“Come Let Us Reason” by Kris Bayer is a great overview of the Principle Approach, in an easy to understand way for homeschooling families to use. Written by a friend of mine. (Mrs. Bayer’s book is recommended but not available from Me and My House.)
**”A Guide to American Christian Education for the Home” is THE book on learning about the Principle Approach and how to implement it – big and detailed.
All the resources listed in this section (above) are recommended by Me and My House ministries.
A few DISCIPLESHIP/WORLDVIEW programs are:
**”Starting Points” and “Worldviews of the Western World” – from Cornerstone Curriculum – http://cornerstonecurriculum.com – Worldviews… is a Christian classical three-year program (for use by those in grades 8-12) that is “built largely around the works of Francis Schaeffer. Students still read Homer, Socrates, and Machiavelli. But these are balanced not only by Schaeffer’s works, but also by St. Augustine, Luther, and Calvin.” Starting Points is a one year Introductory Course to World Views. Math, Science, Art, and Music programs also available from Cornerstone Curriculum.
Foundation for American Christian Education – http://face.net/ –
publishes classical education materials based on the Principle
Approach. The “Noah Plan” is FACE’s complete curriculum. Subject specific Curriculum Guides and many other recommended resources are also available.
**”Understanding the Times” by David Noebel
**”Thinking Like a Christian” by David Noebel
“Christian Home Learning Guide” by Marshall Foster
are all good Biblical Worldview curricula. (The “Christian Home Learning Guide” is recommended but not available through Me and My House ministries.)
The “PEERS” test from Nehemiah Institute – http://www.nehemiahinstitute.com/ – is an excellent assessment of your student’s (and your!) worldview. They also provide worldview training. (The “PEERS” test is recommended but not available through Me and My House ministries.)
“Far Above Rubies” and “Blessed is the Man” unit studies listed above are also very discipleship oriented and Christian Worldview based.
Our Lifestyle Education through Discipleship fits best into the DISCIPLESHIP/CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW style, (incorporating aspects of Unit Studies and Living Books). We are NOT grade level oriented and we do integrate the subjects as much as is natural (like Unit Studies). (However, we don’t believe in forcing every subject into every topical study just because it is “required”.) We do utilize only “excellent” literature (no twaddle), the importance of “right reasoning” (logic), excellence in environment (the liberal arts), and many gentle, natural methods (like Classical and Charlotte Mason, Living Books styles.) We utilize much of the Principle Approach’s study methods and notebooking, as ADAPTED for use in the multi-level homeschool FAMILY setting. We also incorporate the “Better Late than Early” philosophy of Raymond Moore (as mentioned below.)
Although we do not publish a “curriculum”, you can read about the Freedom & Simplicity of designing your own based on “Real Books” on our website or attend our “Freedom & Simplicity” seminar or utilize our other L.E.D. resources. Wisdom’s 7 Pillars framework is a broad overview of Lifestyle Education through Discipleship based on “Real Books/Resources” from Me and My House.
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Again, we are not specifically recommending all the particular programs listed above, except for Lifestyle Education through Discipleship. The others are listed as good examples of these types of curricula.
Here’s a few resources for helping you implement any of the “Real
Books” styles:
**”Let the Authors Speak” by Carolyn Hatcher – a “book of books” – listing good “real books” and their time and place setting, to help you choose appropriate books to study, as you travel through God’s HisStory throughout the “time and space” of the earth. We can’t vouch for the worthiness of ALL the books listed in this resource.
**”Books Children Love” by Elizabeth Wilson – another “book of books”, this one giving more detailed decriptions of the books.
**”Encyclopedia of Bible Truths: for School Subjects” by Ruth Haycock – Scriptures categorized and outlined for use in teaching from a Biblical Worldview. Very helpful for incorporating a Biblical Worldview/Priniciple Approach in your studies of any style and highly recommended.
Other resources and speakers that greatly influenced us and L.E.D. are:
**”Better Late Than Early” by Raymond Moore – Dr. Moore is considered the father of the modern home education “movement”. It was Dr. Moore’s research for the US government, that brought to light the fact that the institutional school setting and its methods are not the best way for children to learn. Dr. Moore’s conclusions, among other things, indicate that it is best for children (up to 10 or 12 years old) to learn informally, without being “pushed”. Our L.E.D. philosophy incorporates Dr. Moore’s ideas.
“Wisdom’s Children” by Blair Adams and Joel Stein
“Far Above Rubies” by David Mulligan
These 2 books were very instrumental in formulating our L.E.D. philosophy. They build a Christian educational philosophy on the foundation of Knowledge, Understanding, and Wisdom. We also learned of Marilyn Howshall’s “Wisdom’s Way of Learning” along the way, which includes several similar elements, such as integrating Principle Approach and Classical methods with relaxed, real life.
Part 3 of this post will answer probably the most important aspect of this question, “WHY should I teach my children at home?” Part 4 will summarize the first 3 Parts of this article.
** items are available though us.
