Homeschool Curriculum Guide
TYPES OF HOMESCHOOL APPROACHESComparing Popular Teaching Methods |
TRADITIONAL
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Traditional homeschooling is most similar to today’s classrooms. This method uses published textbooks and workbooks as the main source of teaching materials. The traditional approach is typically intended for a twelve-year learning timeline from beginning student to graduation.
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CLASSICAL
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This is a highly disciplined approach to homeschooling that emphasizes the study of classical literature, reasoning, logic, writing, Latin and Greek, research, debate, public speaking, etc. Each of these skills are practiced in the study of every subject to prepare the students to become future leaders. There are three phases of classical learning: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric.
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CHARLOTTE
MASON |
The basic philosophy behind this teaching method is encouraging students to learn from real life. They read from living books, which teach lessons in a conversational tone with an emphasis on emotional engagement, often exploring a topic through storytelling. Traditional textbooks are rarely used as they are viewed as more “dry” and not as easy to remember. Students also study nature in the outdoors, create art and make music. They prove their learning through narration -- telling back in their own words what they’ve learned. Narrating can be done through writing and verbal conversation.
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UNIT STUDIES
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Unit Studies keep a consistent theme across all subjects of study. Through this approach, a topic is chosen for study and children learn all subjects as they relate to the unit. For example, in a vehicle unit study, a child may learn math through the costs and upkeep of a car, science through how an engine operates, history through the study of when and where the first cars were introduced, literature through reading about famous race car drivers, and vehicle-themed vocabulary words.
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UNSCHOOLING
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Unschooling is the idea that children are learning through all interactions. Instead of a set structure or curriculum, parents provide an abundance of learning opportunities. This would include access to a variety of books, learning activities such as field trips, and hands-on manipulatives to assist in the learning process. In this method, children follow their own natural curiosity while the teacher guides them to the appropriate answers.
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ECLECTIC
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Eclectic homeschool is a hybrid of two or more of the above options. Utilizing this method, teachers or curriculum writers use aspects of multiple approaches to best fit the child’s learning style. This method is the most customized approach of all while still maintaining a more relaxed style of teaching.
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VENDOR
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CHRISTIAN PERSPECTIVE
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HOMESCHOOL APPROACH
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GRADES AVAILABLE
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SUBJECTS AVAILABLE
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A Reason For
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Yes
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Eclectic, Traditional
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K-6th
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Handwriting, Spelling
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Abeka Academy
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Yes
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Traditional
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K-12th
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English, Math, History, Science, Bible, Electives
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Apologia
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Yes
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Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Unit Study
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1st-12th
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Science, History
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BJU
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Yes
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Traditional
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PreK-12th
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Handwriting, Spelling, English, Reading, Math, History, Bible
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Christian Liberty Press
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Yes
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Eclectic, Traditional
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1st-12th
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Handwriting, Reading, History, Spelling
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Classical Academic Press
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Yes
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Classical, Eclectic
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K-7th
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Spanish, Latin, Bible, Writing
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Classical Conversations
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Yes
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Classical
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PreK-12th
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Classical Studies, Literature, Math, Handwriting, Science
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Critical Thinking
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No
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Eclectic
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K-12th
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English, Math
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Easy Grammar Systems
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No
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Eclectic, Traditional
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1st-12th
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Grammar/English only
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Explode the Code
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No
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Eclectic, Traditional
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PreK-4th
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Reading only
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Hooked on Phonics
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No
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Traditional
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PreK-2nd
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Reading only
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Learning Without Tears
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No
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Traditional
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PreK-4th
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Handwriting Only
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Master Books
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Yes
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Charlotte Mason, Eclectic, Traditional
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PreK-12th
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English, Science, History, Math, Writing, Electives
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Math Mammoth
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No
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Eclectic, Traditional
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1st-7th
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Math Only
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Memoria Press
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Yes
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Classical, Traditional
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PreK-12th
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Latin, Handwriting, Classic Literature, History, Classical Studies, Science,
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Mystery Of History
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Yes
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Eclectic
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K-12th
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History
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Progeny Press
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Yes
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Unit Study
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K-12th
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Literature Only
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Ramsey Education
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Yes
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Unit Study
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3rd-12th
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Electives (Financial Only)
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Rod and Staff
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Yes
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Traditional
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PreK-10th
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English, Math
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Saxon
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No
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Traditional
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K-11th
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Math, Writing, Grammar
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Singapore Math
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No
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Classical, Eclectic, Traditional
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K-7th
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Math Only
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Story of the World
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Yes
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Classical, Eclectic, Traditional, Unit Study
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1st-8th
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History Only
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Wordly Wise
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No
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Eclectic, Traditional
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2nd-12th
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Vocabulary Only
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Information About
ACCREDITATION |
• The recognition of a particular academic program’s ability to meet or exceed set educational standards is referred to as accreditation. This achievement is granted by an authorized and unbiased external committee comprised of those who demonstrate excellence in the field of education.
• This status may only be applied to educational establishments and not on curriculum material alone. Therefore, a certain book cannot be considered accredited, but the same book may be used in an accredited program.
• Many schools or homeschool vendors have complete online programs available that have received accredited status. While Mardel sells many materials that can be used in these accredited programs, enrollment in these programs cannot be done through Mardel.
• Because accreditation is dependent upon outside assessment to ensure that certain standards are met, many colleges may be more receptive to this achievement. Some families may choose to participate in an accredited program to improve college admission potential. However, each college will make its admission decision as a sum of varying outside factors and not solely on the presence or lack of an accredited education.
• In lieu of an accredited homeschool diploma, higher learning institutions will often accept a parent’s records of their child’s educational studies and scores along with an ACT or SAT score.
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TYPES OF HOMESCHOOL APPROACHES & VENDORS USED |