Educational Methods & Philosophy

There are many ways to educate your children, and, if you're just getting started in home schooling, just choosing the approach you wish to take can be overwhelming, never mind the curriculum itself! If you're interacting with more experienced home school families, the stuff they're doing might intimidate you into thinking you can't possibly home school your kids, but stop! Take a breath. You just need to sit down, ask yourself a few common sense questions about what you want to accomplish, and get a handle on what options there are.

As we see it, all approaches to education should fall under a broad "covenantal approach," in which parents deliberately focus on training their children to love and reverence their God, respect their parents, and explore their world. From our perspective, that's the main reason to home school. But when one talks about "approaches," one typically means the philosophy driving the way you educate your kids. There are limitless methods to teach your kids, but they seem to fall under five main philosophies.

These are: 

 "Eclectic" home schooling, explained conservatively, is to blend elements of all of them (generally what we recommend). "Eclectic" can also refer to a much more liberal, anti-Christian education; We obviously suggest steering clear of that approach.

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940 Saturdays
by Harley A. Rotbart
for Adult
in Parenting (Location: XFA-PAR)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
A to Z Guide to Home School Field Trips
by Gregg Harris
from Noble Publishing
for 1st-8th grade
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
All-Day Charlotte Mason Seminar - DVDs only
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$25.00 (1 in stock)
America First updated
by Lawton B. Evans, Updated & Revised by Rachel Lebowitz
from Charlotte Mason Plenary LLC
for 4th-6th grade
in American History Reference (Location: HISA-REF)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
American Presidents & Presidential First Ladies Notebooking Pages
from Notebooking Pages
for 3rd-8th grade
in American Presidency (Location: HISV-PRE)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Big Book of Books and Activities
by Dinah Zike
from Dinah-Might Adventures, LP
for 2nd-5th grade
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Big Book of How to Make PROJECTS
from Dinah-Might Adventures, LP
for Kindergarten - College
in Classroom Teacher Resources (Location: HSR-CTR)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Charlotte Mason's Living Math - DVD
by Richele Baburina & Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Miscellaneous Math Curriculum (Location: MATR-MISC)
$15.00 (3 in stock)
Civil War
by John & Patty Carratello
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 6th-8th grade
in American Civil War (1860-1865) (Location: HISA-19CW)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
Classic Konos Character Curriculum - Obedience
by Jessica Hulcy and Carole Thaxton
from KONOS
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in KONOS Unit Studies (Location: CUR-KON)
$45.00 (1 in stock)
Classic Konos Character Curriculum - Orderliness
by Jessica Hulcy and Carole Thaxton
from KONOS
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in KONOS Unit Studies (Location: CUR-KON)
$40.00 (1 in stock)
Classical Education Made Approachable
from Classical Conversations
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$5.00 $6.00 (4 in stock)
Classical Me, Classical Thee for Homeschoolers
by Rebekah Merkle
revised for homeschoolers from Canon Press
for 5th-12th grade
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$11.99 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Delightful Handwriting: D'Nealian and Zaner Bloser - Teacher Book
by Lanaya Gore
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Preschool-2nd grade
in Handwriting Resources (Location: HAN-REF)
$10.00 (1 in stock)
Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum
by Laura M. Berquist
3rd edition from Ignatius Press
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$15.00 $10.00 (2 in stock)
Discovering Doctrine: A Personal Bible Study Grades 7-12
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 7th-12th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$9.50 (1 in stock)
Echo in Celebration
by Leigh A Bortins
1st edition from Classical Conversations
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Educated Child
by William Bennett
from Simon and Schuster
for Preschool-8th Grade
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Enjoy the Poems: Robert Louis Stevenson
by Robert Louis Stevenson and Sonya Shafer, Compiled by Ruth Smith
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Poetry Curriculum & Resources (Location: LIR-POET)
$8.50 (1 in stock)
Enjoying the Early Years - 2 DVD set only
by Sonya Shafer & Karen Smith
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Charlotte Mason Education (Location: HSR-METCM)
$13.00 (1 in stock)
Everything You Need to Know About Flapbooks
by Jennifer Steward
from Steward Ship
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$10.00 (2 in stock)
Everything You Need to Know About Homeschool Unit Studies
by Jennifer Steward
from Steward Ship
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$19.95 $14.00 (1 in stock)
Explorers
by Mary Ellen Sterling
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 4th-6th grade
in Age of Exploration (1450-1700) (Location: HISA-16EXP)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Free Range Learning
by Laura Grace Weldon
from Hohm Press
for Adult
in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Galloping the Globe
by Loree Pettit & Dari Mullins
3rd edition from Geography Matters
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Geography Matters products (Location: GEO-GEOM)
$29.95 $20.00 (2 in stock)
Galloping the Globe - Lapbook
from Geography Matters
for Kindergarten-4th grade
in Geography Matters products (Location: GEO-GEOM)
$15.00 (1 in stock)
Guide to American Christian Education for the Home and School: The Principle Approach
by James Rose
1st edition
for Adult
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$24.00 (2 in stock)
Habits: The Mother's Secret to Success
by Charlotte M Mason
from CreateSpace
for Adult
in Charlotte Mason Education (Location: HSR-METCM)
$6.99 $4.50 (1 in stock)
Home Grown Kids
by Raymond & Dorothy Moore
from Word Publishing
in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR)
$2.00 (1 in stock)
Home-Spun Schools
by Raymond & Dorothy Moore
from Word Publishing
for Adult
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$3.00 (1 in stock)
How To Tutor
by Samuel Blumenfeld
from Paradigm Publishing
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$16.00 $7.50 (1 in stock)
Ignite the Fire!
by Terri Camp
from Noble Publishing
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Individual Studies: Lesson Plans for Grade 7
by Sonya Schafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 6th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$12.00 (1 in stock)
Introduction to Classical Studies - Student Guide
by Cheryl Lowe
2nd edition from Memoria Press
for 3rd-5th grade
in Memoria Press Classical Studies (Location: HISCUR-MP)
$20.95 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Introduction to Classical Studies - Teacher Guide
by Cheryl Lowe
from Memoria Press
for 3rd-5th grade
in Memoria Press Classical Studies (Location: HISCUR-MP)
$20.95 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Jack's Insects: Narration & Nature Study Notebook
by Karen Smith
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 4th-6th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$13.00 (1 in stock)
Journaling A Year in Nature
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Nature Study (Location: NAT-GEN)
$15.00 (2 in stock)
Journey Into Africa
by Ann M. Jansen
from GeoDeo Educational Resources
in Africa (Location: HISMC-AFR)
$28.00 (1 in stock)
Learning and Living Workshop - DVD set
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$65.00 (2 in stock)
Lost Tools of Learning - Audio CD
by Dorothy Sayers; narrated by Victoria Twigg
from Classical Academic Press
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$7.95 $4.00 (1 in stock)
Managers of Their Homes
by Steven & Teri Maxwell
from Communication Concepts
in Clearance: General Interest (Location: ZCLE-GEN)
$5.00 (1 in stock)
Math Lessons for a Living Education Level 1
by Angela O'Dell
from Master Books
for 1st grade
in Math Lessons for a Living Education (Location: MAT-MB1)
$39.19 $28.00 (4 in stock)
Math Lessons for a Living Education Level 2
by Angela O'Dell
from Master Books
for 2nd grade
in Math Lessons for a Living Education (Location: MAT-MB1)
$39.19 $28.00 (1 in stock)
Mathematics: An Instrument for Living Teaching
by Richele Baburina
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Math Reference & Teaching Aids (Location: MATR-TA)
$13.00 (2 in stock)
Matthew Through Acts & Ancient Rome: Lesson Plans for Grades 1-12
by Sonya Schafer
2nd edition from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$17.50 (1 in stock)
McGuffey's New Second Eclectic Reader
by William McGuffey, with new content by Janice Campbell
from Everyday Education
for 1st-3rd grade
in McGuffey's Readers & Workbooks (Location: REA-MCG)
$5.50 (1 in stock)
Middle Ages, Renaissance, Reformation, & Epistles
by Sonya Shafer
2nd edition from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Millstones & Stumbling Blocks
by Bradley E. Heath
from Fenestra Books
for Adult
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$12.50 $9.00 (1 in stock)
More Charlotte Mason Education
by Catherine Levison
from Champion Press
for Adult
in Charlotte Mason Education (Location: HSR-METCM)
$14.99 $9.00 (2 in stock)
My Reading Logbook - Journal
from Peter Pauper Press
for 3rd-Adult
in Recommended Book Lists (Location: LIR-REC)
$2.80 (1 in stock)
Native Americans
by Leigh Hoven
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 3rd-6th grade
in Clearance: History & Geography (Location: ZCLE-HIS)
$1.00 (1 in stock)
Noah Plan Lessons: 2nd Grade
by Rosemarie Ricciardi & Barbara Keller
from Foundation for American Christian Education
for 2nd grade
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$40.00 (1 in stock)
Noah Plan Lessons: 3rd Grade
by Rosemarie Ricciardi & Barbara Keller
from Foundation for American Christian Education
for 3rd grade
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$40.00 (1 in stock)
Noah Plan Lessons: 4th Grade
by Barbara Keller with Martha Shirley and Rosemarie Ricciardi
for 4th grade
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$20.00 (2 in stock)
Noah Plan Literature Curriculum Guide
Noah Plan
by Rosalie Slater
from Foundation for American Christian Education
for Kindergarten-12th grade
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$39.95 $24.00 (1 in stock)
Old Western Culture Year 1 Volume 3 - Workbook
from Roman Roads Media
for 9th-12th grade
in Old Western Culture (Location: LITCUR-OWC)
$12.00 $8.00 (1 in stock)
Olympic Games
by Charlene Notgrass with Mary Evelyn Notgrass
from Notgrass Company
for Kindergarten-8th grade
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
Punished for Dreaming (ARC)
from St. Martin's Press
for Adult
in Secular vs. Christian Education (Location: HSR-PE)
$8.00 (1 in stock)
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
by Doug Wilson
from Crossway Books
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$9.00 (3 in stock)
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning
by Doug Wilson
2nd edition from Canon Press
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$9.00 (1 in stock)
Renaissance
by Linda J. Larsen
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in Renaissance & Reformation (Location: HISW-REN)
$2.50 (2 in stock)
Repairing the Ruins
by Doug Wilson, editor
from Canon Press
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$14.50 $6.00 (3 in stock)
Sarah's Secret 90 Day Pocket Planner
by Sarah Janisse Brown
from Funschooling Books
for Adult
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$2.50 (1 in stock)
Stories of the Nations Volume 1 - Narration Notecards
by Crystal Hildreth
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$7.00 (1 in stock)
Strong Start in Language
by Ruth Beechick
from Arrow Press
for Kindergarten-3rd grade
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$1.50 (1 in stock)
Studying to be Quiet
by Laurie Bestvater
from Underpinning Press
for Adult
in Charlotte Mason Education (Location: HSR-METCM)
$11.00 (1 in stock)
Success With Unit Studies
by Valerie Bendt
from Common Sense Press
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Successful Homeschool Family Handbook
from Thomas Nelson Publishers
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$3.00 (2 in stock)
Teaching and Learning America's Christian History
by Rosalie Slater
from Foundation for American Christian Education
in Principle Approach (Location: HSR-METPA)
$42.95 $15.00 (4 in stock)
The Conversation
by Leigh Bortins
from Classical Conversations
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$16.00 $12.00 (1 in stock)
The Core
by Leigh Bortins
1st edition from Palgrave MacMillan
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$17.99 $11.00 (4 in stock)
The Question
by Leigh Bortins
from Classical Conversations
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$16.00 $10.00 (4 in stock)
Thematic Unit: Medieval Times
by Cynthia Ross
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in Middle Ages (Location: HISW-MID)
$3.00 (4 in stock)
Thomas Jefferson Education Home Companion
by Rachel DeMille, Oliver DeMille, & Diann Jeppson
from George Wythe College
for Adult
in Thomas Jefferson Education (Location: HSR-METTJ)
$17.50 $9.00 (2 in stock)
Trivium Mastery
by Diane Lockman
from Outskirts Press
for Adult
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$21.95 $12.00 (1 in stock)
Ultimate Lap Book Handbook
by Tammy Duby & Cyndy Regeling
from Meggie Dee Press
for 1st-5th grade
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$16.00 (1 in stock)
Understanding Waldorf Education
by Jack Petrash
from Gryphon House
for Adult
in Classroom Teacher Resources (Location: HSR-CTR)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Unit Study Idea Book
by Valerie Bendt
3rd edition from Common Sense Press
in Unit Studies & Lap Books (Location: HSR-METUS)
$6.00 (1 in stock)
Visits to the Middle East
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 1st-12th grade
in Geography Curriculum (Location: GEO-CUR)
$14.00 (1 in stock)
Well-Educated Mind (old)
by Susan Wise Bauer
from W. W. Norton and Co.
for Adult
in Clearance: Home School Resources (Location: ZCLE-HSR)
$10.00 (2 in stock)
Well-Trained Mind
by Susan Wise Bauer & Jessie Wise
4th edition from W. W. Norton and Co.
in Classical Education (Location: HSR-METCE)
$28.00 $19.00 (1 in stock)
What Do I Do Monday?
Innovators in Education
by John Holt
from Heinemann Educational Books
in Unschooling (Location: HSR-METUN)
$4.00 (1 in stock)
World War II Thematic Unit
by Julie R. Strathman
from Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
for 4th-8th grade
in World War II (1939-1945) (Location: HISA-20WW2)
$3.00 (3 in stock)
You Can Teach Your Child Successfully
by Ruth Beechick
from Arrow Press
for 4th-8th grade
in Practical Home Schooling (Location: HSR-PRAC)
$7.50 (1 in stock)
Your Business Math Series: Sports Store - Set
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for 3rd-6th grade
in Simply Charlotte Mason (Location: CUR-SCM)
$23.00 (1 in stock)
Your Questions Answered: Narration
by Sonya Shafer
from Simply Charlotte Mason
for Adult
in Charlotte Mason Education (Location: HSR-METCM)
$17.50 (1 in stock)