Homeschool Methods

A friend compiled the majority of this information when she was researching homeschooling. I hope it will prove useful for you. Thank you, Melanie!

If you find any links that are not accurate, please email me and let me know. Thanks!

Links were last tested on May 1, 2022.

METHODS

Charlotte Mason Method

This method is based on the writing of a 19th century educator who felt children should learn from real books and not from textbooks. In this method, after a child reads, he narrates back what he has learned. This takes the place of quizzs and tests. It is characterized by no homework, no grades, short lessons, and few lectures, along with morning classes, copy work, and nature study.

Resources:

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Charlotte Mason Research & Supply Co.

PO Box 936
Puyallup, WA 98373

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Charlotte Mason Communique'tions

4441 So. Meridian Suite 221
Elkton, MD 21921-0936

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Teaching Children by Diane Lopez

https://www.amblesideonline.org/

Ambleside Online is a free curriculum designed to be as close as possible to the curriculum that Charlotte Mason used in her own PNEU schools. Their goal is to be true to Charlotte Mason’s high literary standards. The curriculum uses as many books as possible, and there is no cost to use this free online information or join their email support groups.

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Some books used as guidelines:

A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
For the Children’s Sake by Susan Macaulay

METHODS

Literature-Based Curricula

This method also relies on “real” books with some help from teaching manuals. There is very little workbook or textbook work, but there is more structure. All of the reading ties together in various subjects, but it requires less prep time than a unit study.

Resources:

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Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.

8121 S. Grant Way
Littleton, CO 80122-2701
(303) 730-6292
www.sonlight.com

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Five in a Row

14901 Pineview Dr.
Grandview, MO 64030-4509
(816) 331-5769
https://fiveinarow.com

METHODS

Classical Education

This method is based on the medieval model of education consisting of two parts: the Trivium and the Quadrivium. The Trivium contains three phases: The Grammar period (ages 9-11) – acquisition of facts and language, particularly Greek or Latin; The Dialectic period (ages 12-14) – understanding what has been memorized and asking questions; and the Rhetoric period (ages 14-16) – learning how to present arguments in a persuasive and pleasing form.

Resources:

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Dorothy Sayers' essay "Lost Art of Learning"

In her book “Are Women Human” or on the web at:
https://gbt.org/text/sayers.html

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The Well-Trained Mind

by Jessie Wise & Susan Wise Bauer
https://welltrainedmind.com/

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Trivium Pursuit

Teaching the Trivium Magazine
Laurie Bluedorn
139 Colorado St. Suite 168
Muscatine, IA 52761
http://www.triviumpursuit.com/

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Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson

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Wisdom's Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall

METHODS

Unit Studies

Unit Studies mean that all subjects point back to the topic. The theory here is that repetition builds retention, and students have a “big-picture memory file” for topics giving them a fuller understanding. They also claim that it allows greater discovery for the student causing them to be better thinkers. Here there are no textbooks and workbooks and it is heavy on activities, which means they usually require significant prep time. Unit studies can be used for all children at all different levels, tailoring it to their own level. This can help build family togetherness. Some examples are KONOS, based on character traits, and The Weaver based on Biblical passages. Many people make up their own unit studies.

Resources:

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KONOS, Inc.

PO Box 250
Anna, TX 75409
(972) 924-2712
e-mail: info@konos.com
https://konos.com

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The Weaver

PO Box 7438
Chandler, AZ 85246-7438
(888) 367-9871
https://www.aop.com/curriculum/weaver

METHODS

Unschooling

This method is also known as relaxed homeschooling or flexible homeschooling. The belief is that the child’s natural curiosity about the world, and natural desire to learn should be the motivating factor in education. They believe it is the parent’s job to guide and help the children explore and pursue their own interests at their own pace.

Resources:

METHODS

Structured Curricula

This method is closer to a traditional textbook and workbook approach. Many of the popular curricula are used in Christian schools. These can be accelerated or normal paced.

Resources:

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Abeka Book

PO Box 18000
Pensacola, FL 32523-9160
(800) 874-2352
https://www.abeka.com/

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School of Tomorrow

PO Box 299000
Lewisville, TX 75029-9000
(800) 925-7777
https://www.schooloftomorrow.com/ 

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Calvert School

105 Tuscany Rd.
Baltimore, MD 21210
(410) 243-6030
https://www.calvertschoolmd.org/

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Alpha Omega Publications

300 N. McKemy
Chandler, AZ 85226-2618
(800) 622-3070
https://www.aop.com/home

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Christian Liberty Academy

502 W. Euclid Ave.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(800) 348-0899
http://www.christianlibertypress.com/

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Bob Jones University Press

Customer Services
Greenville, SC 29614-0062
(800) 845-5731
e-mail: bjup@bju.edu
https://www.bjupresshomeschool.com/

ORGANIZATIONS

Homeschooling Organizations

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Home School Legal Defense Association

Mr. Michael Farris, president
PO Box 159
Paeonian Springs, VA 22129
(540) 338-5600
https://hslda.org/
(On this page, click on “State Homeschool Laws” and then on that page, choose & click on your own state.)

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Texas Home School Coalition (THSC)

Tim Lambert, President
PO Box 6982
Lubbock, TX 79493
(806) 797-4927
e-mail: staff@thsc.org
https://thsc.org/

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HEART of Texas

P.O. Box 211882
Bedford, TX 76095-1882
info@heartoftex.org
https://www.heartoftex.org/

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Texas Home Educators

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National Home Education Research Institute

PO Box 13939
Salem, OR 97309
(503) 364-2827
e-mail: mail@nheri.org 
https://www.nheri.org/

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North Texas Home Educators Network

PO Box 830207
Richardson, TX 75083
(214) 804-8516
e-mail: info@nthen.org 
http://nthen.org/

CATALOGS

Catalogs

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Timberdoodle Company

E. 1510 Spencer Lake Rd.
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 426-0672
https://timberdoodle.com/

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Christian Book Distributors (CBD)

Home Learning & Schooling Resources
PO Box 7000
Peabody, MA 01961-7000
(978) 977-5000
https://www.christianbook.com/

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God's World News

PO Box 20001
Asheville, NC 28802
(800) 951-5437
e-mail: mailbag@gwpub.com 
https://gwnews.com/

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Usborne Books

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Pennywise Learning

The Book Peddler has now been changed to PENNYWISE LEARNING and incorporated into christianbook.com.
https://www.christianbook.com/page/info/pennywise

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Rainbow Resource Center

8227 Ulah Rd.
Cambridge, IL 61238
(888) 841-3456
Voice Mail: (800) 705-8809
https://www.rainbowresource.com/

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Bluestocking Press

P.O. Box 1134
Eagle, ID
83616-1134
800-959-8586 (U.S. calls only)
email: customerservice@bluestockingpress.com
https://www.bluestockingpress.com/

COURSES & SERVICES

Homeschool Qualifying Courses & Testing Service

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Barb Shelton

182 N. Columbia Hts Rd.
Longview, WA 98632
(360) 577-1245
http://www.homeschooloasis.com/

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Bob Jones University Press

Greenville, SC 29614-0060
(800) 845-5731
https://www.bjupress.com/

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Family Learning Organization

PO Box 7256
Spokane, WA 99207-0256
https://www.familylearning.org/

WEBSITES & BOOKS

Interesting/Helpful Websites & Excellent Books

Check the library!

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School is Dead, Learn in Freedom

(actually a very comprehensive site!)
https://learninfreedom.org/

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Jon’s Homeschool Resource Page

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TAFFIE - Texas Homeschooling Resources

Lots of great links: support groups in TX,
statewide events, FAQs, etc.
https://sites.google.com/a/jsoft.com/www/archive/taffie

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Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manual by Cathy Duffy

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The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling by Debra Bell

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The Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride

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The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias

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How To Home School by Gayle Graham

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Any books by Ruth Beechick

Example: You can Teach Your Child Successfully

MISCELLANEOUS

Miscellaneous Homeschooling Helps

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Crosswalk

The Intersection of Faith and Life
https://www.crosswalk.com/family/homeschool

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Design a Study ~ Teaching Helps

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Diana Waring ~ Newsletter

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Lynn Dean

http://www.hands on homeschool resources.com

Please be aware that although the majority of resources listed are Christian sites, several are not.

All materials are listed as resources only, neither recommended nor not recommended.