Types of Home Schooling                                  to the top

Classical   http://www.classicalhomeschooling.org/

This approach is loosely based on the assumption that "all that is old is necessarily good."  Teaching, according to this method, is divided into two segments, Trivium (primary and secondary education) and Quadrivium (university level).  There are three subparts to the Trivium stage: Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric. "The Grammar stage teaches basic facts and skills, the Dialectic stage steeps children in logic and helps teach them reasoning behind many of the facts they learned in the Grammar period, and the Rhetoric stage focuses on the children's ability to present their worldview in a pleasing and logical manner."[4]  Much emphasis is placed on major works of western civilization such as, Homer, Plato, Shakespeare, Milton etc.   While the Classical approach does not necessarily imply a religious bent, many who subscribe to this method incorporate religious teachings into the curriculum. 
 

Unschool  http://www.holtgws.com/whatisunschoolin.html

John Holt who encouraged home schooling families to avoid the pitfalls of formalized schools popularized this method. Typically, he believed schools stifle the natural learning impulses of children by adhering to rigid timetables and curriculums. This method actually began in the 18^th century by philosopher and writer Jean Jacques Rousseau who believed the child should initiate the learning experience. He also believed no formal learning was necessary before age 12-unless the child’s natural curiosity lead him down a path. 

Eclectic  http://eho.org/

This sort of home school is directed by a goal, but has no plotted course. The parent may start with a particular curriculum but supplements that very liberally. The home schooling parent seems to always be searching for the best way to learn a concept. 

Delayed Academic Approach  http://www.moorefoundation.com/

Dr. Raymond Moore champions this type of home school. He believes that children need nothing formal until somewhere between 8 and 10 years old. He places service and work interests before bookish academics. 

Charlotte Mason Approach  http://www.homeschoolingnb.com/charlottemason.html

Charlotte Mason lived between 1842 and 1923. She believed that children should love to learn. There should be regular academic courses every day, but those could take as little as one hour per day. The remainder of the day should be spent cultivating the different areas of the fine arts and humanities.

Classical / Trivium Approach  http://www.homeschoolingincolorado.com/howto/methods/classical.aspx

The Classical / Trivium approach believes there are three roads of curriculum:

• Grammar-interpreted as the basic rules of any curriculum area (mechanics)

• Logic-this is the areas of learning and adds critical thinking to it.

• Rhetoric-this area integrates the mechanics and the critical thinking (synthesis)

Principal Approach  http://www.face.net/203345.ihtml

This is the approach used by many Christian home schooling families.

Its Biblical Principals include:

1. God-given individuality

2. Christian self-government

3. Character (New Testament)

4. Conscience

5. Christian form of government

6. Local self government

7. Restoration of unity in government (Christian)

All academics are taught from a Biblical perspective.  A key element of the Principal Approach is the use of notebooks with the 4 R's.
1. Research the Bible for principles
2. Reason - what is the Biblical and governmental significance of this subject?
3. Relate principles to character issues
4. Record personal application of principle

Unit Approach  http://www.loveathome.com/homeschool/frugal.htm

http://www.unitstudy.com/

These home-schoolers take a topic and study it for a month or longer. But, as they study it all content areas are included in the study-history, math, reading, writing, language arts, art, music, etc.

Religion / Faith Based

This approach, as the name implies, has a religious focus to the learning process.  Often, parents who choose this method will incorporate study of religious doctrine and attempt to instill the moral values in their children that they see so lacking in traditional schooling.

Montessori Method   http://www.montessori.edu/homeschooling.html

According to Dr. Maria Montessori (1870-1952), learning is a natural, self-directed process which follows certain fundamental laws of nature. 

Waldorf Education Method   http://www.awsna.org/education-intro.html

 Waldorf education is based on the spiritual-scientific research of the Austrian scientist and thinker Rudolf Steiner (1861-1925). According to his philosophy, man is a threefold being of spirit, soul and body whose capacities unfold in three developmental stages.

Co-Op Homeschooling   http://www.awsna.org/education-intro.html

Distance / Virtual Schooling  http://www.slais.ubc.ca/courses/libr500/03-04-wt2/www/k_johnson/virtual_schooling.htm

Cyberschools provide online courses as either a complete grade-based or interest-based curriculum. The best are accredited, and can be customized to your child's interests and abilities. You must have fast, reliable internet access to best utilize these courses. Some require specific software.

The down side is that many rely on new technologies, such as white boards, that aren't always reliable or beyond the capabilities of some home computers. Also, some have been known to vanish, leaving no valid URL online. Always make sure you have non-net ways of contacting these businesses.
 

Also, be aware that students who are enrolled in e-schools (virtual schools) are not excused from compulsory attendance. They are enrolled in publicly funded schools, either district owned or for-profit.

Vocational Education

Vocational courses are ideal for homeschool kids. Not only can they be taken during the day, and do not have to always be held during the evenings or weekends, but they also stretch the kids' minds by giving them hands-on experiences.  Some of the popular vocational courses are:

• food science and nutrition
• culinary arts
• electronics
• healthcare
• automotive technology
• construction
• agriculture
• home maintenance
• metal fabrication
• home economics
• animal science
• gardening science
• graphic design

Community College Education
 

Homeschoolers of all ages enroll in community colleges. Each college has its own requirements as to who may enroll, at what age, cost, maximum number of units, etc.

College classes may count as high school credit as well as college credit.

Some homeschoolers transfer to universities based on their transcripts and credits at the community college, obviating the need for a high school diploma, or as an addition to homeschool records.

Some four-year universities offer similar opportunities for high school aged students through their regular program or extension classes. College can be used as enrichment or for basic subject matter. Some homeschoolers participate in study abroad programs, lab sciences, languages, basic core studies, arts and sports. There are as many ways to use the community college system as there are homeschoolers!

Ohio Home Schooling                                                              to the top

In Ohio, a parent or legal guardian must notify the local school district of their desire to homeschool. In that letter parents must state in writing that they will cover the following curriculum areas: language, reading, spelling, writing, geography, history, math, science, health, physical education, fine arts/music, and first aid. They will also be asked to provide an outline of their curriculum.

 DOAHS   - DOAHS serves homeschool educators (including unschoolers, e-schoolers, charter schoolers, etc.) that live in and around Dublin, Ohio.

OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network) http://www.oplin.lib.oh.us/  From the OPLIN home page choose education and training from the choose a topic menu then choose home schooling in the choose a subject menu Really good Ohio Home schooling links, other home schooling links, school notification form. Lots of support, events, people, lesson plans and other links. Another one site fits all spot.

Home schooling in Ohio http://www.h-i-o.org/index.php  a site listing many homeschool organizations throughout Ohio. (approximately fifty-ranging from statewide to local areas) If you are creating a home schooling packet, this site will give statewide and local choices to include.

Christian Home Educators of Ohio  http://www.cheohome.org/

Ohio Home Educators Network   http://www.ohiohomeeducators.net/   Ohio Home Educators Network, PO Box 38132, Olmsted Falls, Ohio 44138. This group
serves Northeast Ohio.  OHEN’s purpose is to provide interested parents with
accurate information about home education in Ohio. OHEN welcomes all
homeschooling families regardless of educational philosophy or teaching
style. OHEN holds informational meetings and publishes a monthly electronic
newsletter.
 

Ohio Home Education Coalition   http://www.homeschoolfreedom.org/ohec.shtml   The Ohio Home Education Coalition is an open, inclusive coalition of interested homeschoolers who come together to raise awareness of issues facing homeschoolers in Ohio.
 

Ohio Board of Education  http://www.fessler.com/SBE/index2.htm

The Ohio Department of Education  65 South Front Street,  Columbus, Ohio 43226-0308  614-466-2937

Christian Home Educators of Ohio (5000 attendees)  Columbus, Ohio Contact: Bruce Purdy  740-687-5474

Christian Parents’ Educational Fellowship (130 families)  Findlay, Ohio  Contact: Shari Wiseman  419-422-9371

Mansfield Christian School  Mansfield,Ohio  Contact: Linda Hoefilch  419-756-5651  (curriculum fair)

*(Information from: Leppert, Mary and Michael. Homeschooling Almanac 2000-2001. Rocklin, CA, 95667. pp. 579-580

Web Links:                                                                                    to the top

 Homeschooling   
Guide to getting the most out of Homeschooling and the internet. Links to over 700 sites.

Tumblebook Club: an online library of animated, talking picture books which teach kids the joy of reading in a format they’ll love! includes online stories, language instruction, and games.  $29.99 per year - great for homeschooling families!

A to Z Home's Cool - from a homeschooling mom in California 
http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling

Homeschooling Resources and Books http://www.henty.com/

Five in A Row  provides students with a unit-study approach to early education based on outstanding children's literature.  http://www.fiveinarow.com/fiar/

Sassafrass Grove Home Schooling  http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/homeschool/index.html   Information concerning home schooling with a nice section on how to handle ADD/ADHD, Curriculum topics, magazines, newsletters, laws, and lesson plans—and lots of other good information

Heather’s Home schooling Page http://www.madrone.com/home-ed.htm -good section on deciding whether or not home schooling is right for a particular family/situation.

The Home schooling Zone http://www.homeschoolzone.com/  - This is a meeting place for home schoolers, parents, etc. connect. Usage is world-wide.

About Home schooling   http://homeschooling.about.com/  there is a section for home schooling with all sorts of information. Among the links are curriculum, record keeping, games, gifted, and getting started.

Kaleidoscapes Home schooling Bulletin Board http://www.kaleidoscapes.com/-a bulletin board link on all sorts of related topics.

iVillage  http://parenting.ivillage.com/gs/gslearning/0,,8r9lcf1z,00.html - Another good site for home schooling parents to chat about topics of interest.

School is Dead, Learn in Freedom http://learninfreedom.org/  - award winning site developed by a proponent of Karl M. Bunday’s advocacy of home schooling. Lots of really good information. One really nice section is concerning colleges accepting home schoolers.

Internet Home School http://www.internethomeschool.com/   The site is a virtual school. Curriculum guides, texts, tests, activities, support, and interacting with other home schooling families are all parts of this page. Enrollment via the net will give you a user id and password to access your curriculum and tests. Looks really good.

Books & Resources                                                    to the top

Holt Bookstore / Growing Without Schooling Magazine   http://www.holtgws.com/  2269 Massachusetts Ave. Cambridge, MA 02140 $25/yr.

Homefires: The Journal of Home schooling http://www.homefires.com/   This site has great resources and educational links for the home schooling family.  180 El Camino Real, Ste. 10, Millbrae, CA 94030, (888-446-6333)

Homeschool World / Practical Home Schooling Magazine  http://www.home-school.com/   This site offers state by state information and a variety of home schooling products.  Home Life. P.O. Box 1250. Fenton, MO 63026-1850. $19.95/yr.

Unit Study Adventures http://www.unitstudy.com/  -Units and links. Units are completely planned complete with supplementary material bibliographies.

Jon’s Homeschool Resource Page http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/ - This is the granddaddy page. It is an award winner from the Nov. 1997 Yahoo Internet Life magazine. If you want a one page search all site--this is it.

Brady, Vicki A. The Basic Steps to Successful Homeschooling. Lafayette, LA : Vital Issues Press, 1996.

Brostrom, David C. A Guide to Homeschooling for Librarians. Fort Atkinson, WI : Highsmith Press, c1995.

Colfax, David and Micki. Homeschooling for Excellence. Warner Books, 1988.

Dinsmore, Mark and Wendy. Homeschool Guide to the Online World. Elkton, MD : Homeschool Press, c1996.

Dobson, Linda. The Homeschooling Book of Answers. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1998.

Dobson, Linda. Homeschooling: The Early Years-Your Complete Guide to Successfully Homeschooling the 3-to-7 Year-Old. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1999.

Dobson, Linda. The Art of Education. Holt Associates, 1995.

Duffy, Cathy. Christian Home Educators' Curriculum Manual: Elementary Grades. Westminster, CA : Home Run Enterprises. 1995.

Field, Christine M. A Field Guide to Home Schooling. Grand Rapids, MI: Revell Publishers, 1998.

Gorder, Cheryl. Home Schools: An Alternative. 4th rev. ed. Mesa, AZ: Blue Bird Publishing, 1996.

Griffith, Mary. The Homeschooling Handbook: From Preschool to High School, A Parents Guide. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1997.

Guterson, David. Family Matters: Why Homeschooling Makes Sense. San Diego, CA : Harcourt Brace & Company, 1992.

Halverstadt, Julie. "Catering to Students: a Public Library Serves Alternative Schools." School Library Journal, July 1995 v. 41, n. 7, p. 16.

Hood, Mary. The Home-Schooling Resource Guide and Directory of Organizations. Cartersville, GA : Ambleside Educational Press, 1996.

Hood, Mary. The Relaxed Home School. Cartersville, GA: Ambleside Educational Press, 1994.

Hubb, Don. Home Education Resource Guide. Third Edition. Tempe, AZ : Blue Bird Publishing, 1994.

Kenyon, Mary Potter. Home Schooling from Scratch. Birmingham, MI : Gazelle Publications, 1996.

Klicka, Christopher J. Home Schooling in the United States: A Legal Analysis. Paeconian Springs, VA : Home School Legal Defense Fund, annual or more frequent revised editions.

Lande, Nancy. Homeschooling: A Patchwork of Days. Wynnewood, PA: WindyCreek Press, 1996.

Leppert, Mary and Michael. Homeschooling Almanac 2000-2001. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing, 1999.

Lockwood, Annette. "Bookmobile Provides Home-Schoolers with Regular Period." American Libraries, November, 1996, v. 27, p. 32.

McIntire, Deborah et al. Homeschooling: Answers to Questions Parents Most Often Ask. Cypress, CA: Creative Teaching Press, 1995.

Moore, Raymond and Dorothy. Home Grown Kids: a Practical Handbook for Teaching Your Children at Home. Dallas : Word Publishing, 1981.

Pelullo-Willis, Mariaemma, et al., Discover Your Child’s Learning Style. Rocklin, CA: Prima Publishing,

Pride, Mary. The Big Book of Home Learning (4 volumes) Wheaton, IL : Crossway Books, 1990-1991.

Rupp, Rebecca. The Complete Home Learning Resource Book. New York: Three Rivers Press, 1999.

Voetberg, Julie. I Am a Homeschooler. Morton Grove, IL : Albert Whitman, 1995.

Wade, Theodore E. The Home School Manual: Plans, Pointers, Reasons, and Resources. Birmingham, MI : Gazelle Publications, 1996.

Arnold, Kevin D. The All New Passing the Ohio Ninth Grade Proficiency Test. Columbus, OH : E & A Publishing, 1996.

Axtmann, Marilyn...Show What You Know on Ohio's Fourth Grade Proficiency Test. Columbus, OH : The Ohio  Proficiency Test Review, Inc., 1995.

Braddon, Kathryn L. ... Math through Children's Literature. Englewood, CO : Teacher Ideas Press, 1993.

Brams, Jolie S. ...Show What You Know on Ohio's  Sixth Grade Proficiency Test. Columbus, OH : The Ohio Proficiency Test Review, Inc., 1996.

Butzow, Carol M. ...Intermediate Science through Children's Literature: Over Land and Sea. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1994.

Science through Children's Literature: an Integrated Approach. Englewood, CO Teacher Idea Press, 1989.

Durica, Karen Morrow. Literature Links to Phonics: a Balanced Approach. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1996.

Englebaugh, Debi. Art through Children's Literature: Creative Art Lessons for Caldecott Books, Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1994.

Fredericks, Anthony D. Social Studies through Children's Literature: an Integrated Approach. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1991.

Katzer, Sonia. From Scribblers to Scribes: Young Writers Use the Computer. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1991.

McElmeel, Sharon L. Educator's Companion to Children's Literature (vols. 1 & 2). Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1995 & 1996.

Polonsky, Lydia...Math for the Very Young: a Handbook of Activities for Parents and Teachers. New York : John Wiley & Sons, 1995.

Robinson, Dindy. World Cultures through Art Activities. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1996.

Rupp, Rebecca. Good Stuff: Learning Tools for All Ages. Holt Associates, 1993, 1994, revised 1997.

Tuten-Puckett, Katharyn. ...Using Wordless Picture Books. Englewood, CO : Teacher Idea Press, 1993.

AERO-gramme--Alternative Education Resource Organization. 417 Roslyn Road. Roslyn Heights, NY 11577. $15/yr.

The Drinking Gourd: Multicultural Home-Education Magazine. P.O. Box 2557. Redmond, WA 98073. $15/yr

Home Education--P.O. 1083 Tonasket, WA 98855 <www.home-ed-press.com >$24/yr

Home School Digest--Wisdom’s Gate. P.O. Box 374. Covert, MI 49043. $18/yr. (4 issues)

Homeschooling Today--P.O. Box 9596 Birmingham, AL 35220 $19.99/yr.

SKOLE: The Journal of Alternative Education—72 Philip St., Albany, NY 12202 (518-432-1578) quarterly-issues dealing with alternative education homeschool or existing schools)

The Teaching Home--P.O. Box 469069 Escondido, CA 92046-9069 (1-800-395-7760) $15/yr

NEWSLETTERS

The Relaxed Homeschooler—P.O. Box 2524, Cartersville, GA 30120 (produced by Mary Pride "the Christian unschooler.")

FUN News—1688 Belhaven Woods Court, Pasadena, MD 21122-3727 (410-360-7330) http://members.aol.com/FUNNews -- focuses on unschooling but something for everyone.

Organizations                                                                to the top

American Homeschool Association http://www.americanhomeschoolassociation.org/

National Home Education Network http://www.nhen.org/

ERO-Alternative Education Resource Organization. http://www.edrev.org/  -  This is a site that investigates educational change to empower learning in nontraditional ways.

Home School Legal Defense Fund  http://www.hslda.org/ - An organization devoted to parent’s rights and legalities. The group also acts as a lobby group advocating rights of home schooling families.

Distributors                                                                                      to the top

Holt Bookstore / Growing Without Schooling Magazine   http://www.holtgws.com/

The Back Pack http://www.thebackpack.com/   This is an online store for used curriculum.

The Boston School http://www.bostonschool.org/   Another homeschool bookstore with educational links.

Growing Without Schooling http://www.holtgws.com/   This is a company site that offering home schooling consulting and John Holt’s online bookstore. 

Abeka Publishers  Box 18000 Pensacola, FL 32523 (800) 874-2352  www.abekaacademy.org

Alpha Omega Publications  300 North McKenny Avenue Chandler, AZ 85226-2618 (1-800-622-3070)

American School  2200 East 170^th St. Lansing, MI 60438 (1.708.418.2800)

Bluestocking Press Catalog  P.O. Box 2030, Shingle Springs, CA 95682 (voice 916-621-1123, fax 916-642-9222)

Calvert School 105 Tuscany Rd. Baltimore, MD 21210 (1.410.243.6030) fax 1.410.366.0674

Celestial Products (astronomy resources) P.O. Box 801, Middleburg, VA 20118-0801 (800-235-3783)

Christian Book Distributors (Home Learning & Schooling Resources) P.O. Box 7000 Peabody, MA 01961-7000 (1-508-977-5000)

Christian Light Publications (CLE Curriculum) P.O. 1212 Harrisonburg, VA 22801-1212. (1-540-434-0768)(e-mail orders@clp.org)

Education Connection P.O. Box 1417. Tehachapi, CA 93581

God's World Publications P.O. Box 2330 Asheville, NC 28802 (1-800-951-5437)

Dover Children's Book Catalog 31 East 2nd Street Mineola, NY 11501

Eagle’s Nest Educational Supplies Catalog (religious and secular homeschoolers) 1411 Standiford Ave., Ste. A, Modesto CA 95350 (209-529-7720, fax 209-529-1715)

Educator’s Exchange (curriculums through 12^th grade) 60 W. Ministorage, 10755 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23235  (804-794-6994) www.websvirginia.com./edex

Family Unschoolers Network / FUN  (all sorts of products for homeschooling and unschooling-particularly crafts, software, ;history, geography) 1688 Belhaven Woods Court, Pasadena, MD 21122-3727 (410-360-6265) www.iqcweb.com./fun

God's World Book Club P.O. Box 2330 Asheville, NC 28802 (1-800-951-2665)

Grace Publications 23740 Hawthorne Blvd., P.O. Box 2853 Torrance, CA 90509-2853 (1-800-421-5565)

Home Education Magazine  (and Homeschooling information and Resource Guide) P.O. Box 1083 Tonasket, WA 98855 (1-509-486-1351)

Homeschool Discount Warehouse 229 South Bridge Street P.O. Box 8000. Elkton, MD 21922-8000 (1-800-775-5422)

Indiana University (distance learning for secondary grades 105 courses) 1.800.334.1011 www.extend.indiana.edu

Master Books P.O. Box 727. Green Forest, AR 72638. (1-800-999-3777)

Moody Press 820 N. LaSalle Blvd. Chicago, IL 60610-3284 (1-800-678-6928)

Nasco Science 901 Janesville Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI 53538-0901 (1-414-563-2446)

Pathway Book Catalog Pathway Publishers. 2580N 250W. LaGrange, IN 46761 (Amish Texts--no phone)

Rainbow Resource Center  http://www.rainbowresource.com/index.php   Since 1989, our family business has worked hard to help homeschooling families stretch their budgets while providing worthwhile products. We currently offer over 35,000 quality products in all subject areas, for grades PK through 12 - and beyond!

Rod & Staff Publishers, Inc. (Christian based-used a lot by Mennonites and Amish) P.O. Box 3, Hwy 172, Crockett, KY 41413-0003 (606-522-4348)

Saxon Homeschool Products 
http://saxonhomeschool.harcourtachieve.com/en-US/saxonhomeschool.htm 
Saxon Math Homeschool  provides a structured series of levels to guide your child successfully from lower grades to high school algebra and advanced mathematics.  Saxon Phonics and Spelling K-3 is a success-oriented series that enables most children to develop a solid foundation in phonics and thus become successful readers and spellers.

Schoolhouse Rock Collection (4 CD Roms for supplemental k-6 curriculum) Learning Services. PlO. Box 10636, Eugene, OR 97440-2636 (1.800.877.3278)

University of Arizona (grades 4-12 distance learning) 888 North Euclid Avenue, P.O. Box 210158, Tuscon, AZ 85721-0158 (1.800.772.7480)  http://www.ceao.arizona.edu/dist/options.html