Before we begin, you don’t have to be a homeschooler to gain some knowledge from this. Whether your child is homeschooled or attends a private or public school, this would only enhance their education.
Charlotte Mason was one of the original pioneers of homeschooling. She valued children and did not hesitate to discuss the important topic of the home. She stated that everything starts in the house, and we, as parents, are responsible for our Child’s education. Charlotte believed there was no greater calling than teaching our children to have good values and habits. It is our duty and privilege to teach our children. I wholeheartedly love the Charlotte Mason method; there is something so organic about her teaching that it can be implemented solely through library books. Her approach incorporates parenting teachings that are unmatched in their effectiveness.
Considering how much education has become a business with a lot of added “fluff,” I can appreciate her timeless approach. Education is now commonly outsourced, placing our children in the care of government agencies. Understandably, we may not have access to the “best” schools, but Mason’s method puts the tools back in the hands of parents to give our children the best education we can. Her method can be used both to provide our child with a formal education and as a guide for parenting.
There may be some tradeoffs in selecting a particular curriculum; the curriculum you choose may only cover some areas you want to teach. The beauty of homeschooling is that you can customize your curriculum and teaching method!
“But to avoid any unsavory creations, it’s probably best to get a good working knowledge of your teaching materials and methods before splicing them with others.” – TBS Staff.
One of the advantages of homeschooling is the autonomy we have in selecting our children’s education styles. When choosing the best teaching method to fit your needs, it’s best to narrow down the search. I have chosen the top-rated homeschooling styles and provided a brief description for each.
For reasons I am unsure of, many modern writers write broadly to avoid claiming a specific bias. I want to make it known that I am partial to the Charlotte Mason method, as I find it complete and without void. I also want to make it clear to the reader that I am including other methods for comparison. There are many resources available to help you research them further.
7 Top-Rated Homeschooling Styles
1. The Classical Method
The classical approach is a history-based, idea-oriented educational model that exposes students to the great minds of the past through literature, essays, philosophy, and other disciplines, utilizing the canon of Great Books, classics, and masterpieces. It is one of the oldest, dating back 2500 years, and proven methods have produced many of history’s great thinkers. Many educational trends do not stand the test of time. The classical is timeless; students are taught how to think, not what to think.
- Grammar School – Logic
- Middle School – Critical thinking
- High School – Rhetoric and self-expression
2. Montessori
Montessori is a method of education based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning, and collaborative play. Maria Montessori (1870-1952) developed this teaching style through her work with children with special needs. Children learn interest-based personalized lessons in large blocks of time, up to 3 hours. These individualized lessons are designed to help students discover their passions and foster curiosity. The Montessori method focuses on students not sitting for long periods and teaching in small classrooms. This method was not initially designed for homeschool programs, but it has proven to be a good fit for homeschooling.
3. School-at-Home
This is a simple method for transitioning students from public to private school to homeschooling. Using the School-at-Home method, parents educate their children at home instead of sending them to a conventional public or private school. Parents often use the same curriculum as local public or private schools do. Students also have the option of teacher-facilitated, school-administered online; some online schools provide transcripts.
4. Unschooling
Unschooling would be considered the opposite of a conventional public or private school. Using this model, parents take the role of facilitators rather than lecturers or instructors. Unschooling will focus on basic skills such as reading, writing, and arithmetic, utilizing various techniques and materials as teaching tools. Students are not tested conventionally. This method also consistently drives the student’s interest and curiosity, rather than relying on a defined curriculum.
5. Unit Studies
Unit Studies Method, also known as “thematic units,” are time-specific overviews of a defined topic or theme that incorporate multiple subject areas into the study plan. Students will study the same event from the perspective of each area. Subjects are linked together, and a theme is created. Students can view the subjects from a practical standpoint.
6. Eclectic education methods
Eclectic homeschooling is the most popular method of homeschooling. Eclectic homeschooling is non-curriculum-based; parents share ideas and resource methodologies, and their focus is not on having a rigid curriculum. They use highly individualized materials by mixing and matching various homeschooling resources. It is an exceptionally personalized approach based on the Child’s strengths, learning styles, and interests.
7. Charlotte Mason
The Charlotte Mason method is a Christian-based homeschool style created in the 19th century. Students are presented with living books, nature walks, nature journals, history portfolios, memorization, and narration. The CM method emphasizes reading at a young age, focusing on biographies, classics, and other “living books,” while prioritizing time spent outside for observation and discovery. Typically, subjects are studied in increments of 15-20 minutes, with a maximum duration of 45 minutes for elementary students and 45 minutes for high school students. Charlotte Mason can be considered a classical educator as she focuses on classical principles. The difference may lie in the approach; the classical approach is widely known for its rigorous approach, while the CM method focuses on a gentle approach.
What is Unique about Charlotte Mason?
Charlotte Mason’s works are based on educating children while safeguarding them for their first six years of life. She valued this time and spent it developing the child through free play, exploration, and family life. She encourages parents to wait until the child is six years old to begin formal lessons.
I find her work fascinating! Many of her teachings can be used for parenting, even if your child is not homeschooled or using another curriculum. Her lessons create a foundation for a child to develop a love for learning, so that school is not endured but rather enjoyed.
Who Is Charlotte Mason?
Charlotte Mason was born in England (1842); she was home-educated by her parents and later orphaned at sixteen after their death. She decided at a young age to dedicate her life to education. Mason wrote a six-volume book series entitled The Original Home Schooling Series.
Her works were well received, and she later established a training college for governesses. During this time, PNEU created the Parents’ National Education Union. Charlotte had day schools in England, and her homeschooling teachings were led using the same approach. She was and is known for being the “founder of the homeschooling movement.”
She was loved by many, a devoted Christian, and loved her children dearly. Her method has proved to be timeless.
What is the Charlotte Mason theory?
Charlotte Mason was a keen observer of human nature and understood the unique connection between mother and child. Her motto was “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life.” Therefore, we are limited to three educational instruments:
- The atmosphere of the environment
- The field of habit
- The presentation of living ideas
Mason believed that children could handle ideas and knowledge, and that they are not blank slates or empty vessels to be filled with information. She thought children should be responsible for dealing with ideas and knowledge, rather than the teacher acting as a middleman, dispensing filtered wisdom. Her approach emphasized the effective use of narrative literature, time spent outdoors exploring, and the development of an appreciation for art, music, and the natural world.
Mason did not complicate the education process. She structured the day around the atmosphere and the Child’s simplistic nature.
Honestly, when I read her writings, she is someone I would have loved to have a coffee with and sit back and listen to!
1. The Method in Brief
Charlotte Mason advocates for a liberal, generous education and believes children are born persons; they are not blank slates or embryonic oysters, but rather have the potential to become persons. She wants them to love education, and we, as parents, lead them to self-education. She emphasizes using the best books, relying on narration rather than comprehension questions. We are to test to see what they know, not to expose what they do not know.
She distinguishes between teaching styles and books to engage the child.
- The Whole book is entirely about the author.
- An anthology book is the opposite of a whole book. It is comprised of selections of different writers’ works. A blend of other authors following a central theme.
- Living books have lives and emotions; it is typically narrative in style.
- Textbooks are the opposite of living books. They contain just facts. She highly discourages the use of textbooks. She compares them to eating food that has already been digested. They are watered down, often losing the message the original writer intended.
Charlotte emphasizes whole books and living books. Whole books expose the child to great authors, and living books engage the child; the child can easily remember a person’s experience versus a fact. Living books also enable children to relate to the characters in the book.
Charlotte believed children are fatigued by spending hours on one subject, and their minds are invigorated by switching to different subjects often. Children were taught using short morning lessons of 15-20 minutes with various subjects. In middle and high school, students are taught subjects in 30- to 45-minute increments, depending on the subject. During Charlotte’s lessons, children are not allowed to dawdle; she requires the students’ full attention and focus. Evenings can then be spent playing and pursuing hobbies; homework would not be assigned.
Charlotte’s motto is “Education is an atmosphere, a discipline, a life.” Her motto has a strong foundation in the formation of good habits. She states that the habit is not formed if you continuously repeat the same action.
Charlotte outlined habits in five broad categories:mental, moral, decency and propriety, physical, and religious. She states that the habit is not formed if you continuously repeat the same action.
The student’s motto is “I am, I can, I ought, I will.”
- A child can say “I am” because they are a child of God, a gift to their parents.
- A child can say “I can” because they have the power of God to complete the task.
- A child can say “I ought” because they must complete the task.
- A child can say, “I will,” giving them a choice to make the right decision.
Part ONE of TWO ends.