| There are many misconceptions about | | | | principles of a Montessori education are |
| homeschools. Some people think that children who | | | | observation, individual liberty and preparation of |
| are homeschooled miss out on socialization, | | | | the environment.The Unit Studies method used in |
| learning opportunities and that their parents are | | | | homeschools integrates all school subjects into |
| radicals. More often than not, soccer moms start | | | | one theme or topic. For example, if a child shows |
| homeschools. The average homeschooling parent | | | | particular interest in butterflies then all aspects of |
| has a college degree and is simply looking for a | | | | schooling could be applied to this unit; math, |
| better way of education their children.There are | | | | science, English and history.The Natural learning |
| many methods that parents can choose from | | | | method is child-led learning. The child's interests |
| when starting a homeschool. The methods include | | | | determine which direction the learning will take. |
| eclectic, Charlotte Mason, Christian, classical, | | | | This doesn't mean that the child designs the |
| Montessori, unit studies, natural learning and | | | | curriculum; rather you can expand upon topics of |
| Waldorf education. It may take a parent or child a | | | | special interest when teaching.The Waldorf |
| year or more to decide which category they fall | | | | education method is gaining in popularity in |
| into. Many parents find that they take the eclectic | | | | homeschools. Its basic tenets are to balance |
| method approach because they can combine | | | | academic subjects with artistic and practical |
| several methods to teach their children.The | | | | activities. It also teaches that children should enjoy |
| Charlotte Mason method is defined as an applied | | | | learning and there is no need for competitive |
| philosophy, which is individualized by the family to | | | | testing and grading. Central to the teaching are |
| best suit their child. Charlotte Mason stated, "The | | | | classes, which are considered expendable by public |
| duty of parents is to sustain a child's inner life with | | | | schools. These include music, art, gardening and |
| ideas as they sustain his body with food." Ideas | | | | foreign languages. Children also learn practical |
| children have are as important as the lessons | | | | activities such as knitting, toy making and |
| found in books. Lessons are kept short and | | | | sewing.Families that are just starting their |
| children learn by doing activities and by reciting | | | | homeschools are going to have fun deciding which |
| what they have learned back to the teacher. | | | | method best suits each individual child. Parents |
| There is no grading or competition in this type of | | | | may choose one method for a child and a |
| homeschool. This method also focuses on | | | | different method for a second child. Each child |
| humanities, unedited literature and a favorite of all | | | | learns differently and that is the beauty of |
| children, free afternoons with no homework.The | | | | homeschooling children.To stay abreast of the |
| Christian method is simply teaching children | | | | current trends, information and resources available |
| classically but with emphasis on teaching Christian | | | | for homeschool parents, teachers and students |
| moral values. This method is a favorite among | | | | subscribe to Homeschool Success Newsletter and |
| parents that don't want to send their children to | | | | other homeschool related publications.If you need |
| parochial schools but don't approve of public | | | | an online tutor, courseware or wish to offer your |
| schools that appear to be anti-Christian.The | | | | services as a paid online tutor contact our |
| Montessori method builds on each previous lesson | | | | website. Magic Learning Systems also provides |
| so that a student masters each aspect of their | | | | excellent products to enhance the homeschool |
| education before moving onto the next. This is | | | | experience for teachers and students. |
| also a form of child-led education. The three | | | | |