What's the best teaching method to use if you plan to home-school?

Question

So far, I've studied Vygotsky, a little Piaget, and Montessori. I have to say I find Montessori's method more complete, although relying onto only one method is kind of risky.

What would you recommend?

Answer 1

You really have to choose a method based on what's right for your child.  You have to think about your long term goals for your child and the way he/she learns best.  

Here's some info on montessori homeschooling:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

It also has info on books you can find about homeschooling montessori style.

This is a great montessori supply company that I've used:

http://www.forsmallhands.com

Here's some info on other homeschooling methods:

http://www.successful-homeschooling.com/...

Answer 2

Right now I am doing Time4Learning (15.00 bucks a month).  It gives the kid something to do while I check out other approaches.

Answer 3

You need to experiment a bit and be open to any and all methods, ideas, and suggestions. The "best" method will not be the same for every student. This is why public school doesn't work as well as it could for so many students. Try a healthy mix of methods with your child and see what he/she is responding to the most (and in the most positive way). And remember that some methods may work well in some subject areas, but not in others. Don't be afraid to teach Math one way, Science another, and Reading and Writing still another. Good luck!

Answer 4

every child is unique but there is much to be said for the classical model. there are some good books on it and a great web site to get you started is:

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/classed.h...

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/

Answer 5

I agree - there is no "one best way" to homeschool.  The whole point of it is that you tailor your teaching style and curriculum to your child(ren)'s needs.  Since children all learn differently, you need to take that into account.

We're pretty eclectic...we use a bit of Charlotte Mason, notebooking, lapbooking, literature-based for history, manipulative-based for math, and science in any form we can get it :-) because that's what my son needs.  He's dyslexic, so we hit language arts from all angles - books, audiobooks, IEW for writing, a computer program for spelling, lapbooks for reference and lit analysis, and Shurley for grammar.  There's more, but that's the main stuff.

It seems all over the board, but his learning style dictates that he needs to have information in several different forms, on an in-depth level, in order to really "get" it.  Unfortunately, no one method works for him, so I attack it from a number of directions.

Hope that helps!

Answer 6

The one that suits the student best!

Answer 7

What works best for the family and student. Most homeschoolers' approach can't be defined as a method. And I wouldn't call Vygotsky and Piaget "methods".

If you are looking at homeschooling methods, try doing a search online for homeschool method. There are a bunch of popular approaches.

And remember: there's no such thing as perfection. There's not one method that is going to be perfect and provide the perfect education. Especially since it's we fallible humans implementing them. :)

Answer 8

The one that fits your child's learning style and your educational goals.  Is your child a visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or global learner?  Do you want grammar taught early or late?  Do you want to follow your state's standards?  Do you want your children to decide what they learn, on and on and on.

My son is a global learner and we're a strange mix of "school in a box" meets unschooling.  For 2-3 hrs a day he has a structured, mastery-based curriculum.  For the other 4-5 hrs he does independent learning, research, experiments, etc.

I would look into homeschooling methods, not the ones you mentioned, although you can do Montessori HS'ing.

Answer 9

The one that fits your family best is the best method. The ways you mentioned I've never heard of for Home School. We buy a curriculum and use it. We also do a lot of hands on stuff to round out the workbooks they do.