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Progressive homeschooling
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People unfamiliar with homeschooling tend to lump homeschoolers into one category. However, homeschooling families come from all walks of life and in many flavors. Some families homeschool because of religious beliefs; others because of academics; and yet others, because of special needs issues. There are probably other reasons as well. Just as there are many different reasons to homeschool, there are also numerous ways to approach homeschooling. On one hand some families opt for the “school at home” approach where everything from a traditional school is brought into a family’s little red school room, including a globe, chalkboard, desks, and an American flag. And then on the other side of the spectrum, there are families who embrace the polar opposite to “school” which is referred to as “unschooling.”
So what is progressive homeschooling? A family committed to homeschooling is already thinking out-of-the-box. In that sense they have landed on the progressive track. However, any steps toward the progressive end may be in vain depending on the approach a family uses. If a family uses the “school-at-home” approach, also known as the textbook or school model approach, they have placed themselves squarely back in the traditional camp. This is especially true if students’ learning styles are not taken into account; parents follow a prescribed syllabus without modifications; multiple choice tests are the norm for assessments, and grades are used as external motivations for learning. As a result, the homeschool program is not progressive in nature.
So, here is a quick overview of some of other homeschooling approaches that are rooted in one or more values underpinning progressive education. Adding elements of these approaches into a homeschooling program also adds a progressive element to the learning process.
Unit Study: This approach is easily tailored to a child’s interests and learning style. It also emphasizes that learning is integrated and thus allows an interdisciplinary angle. Many times students contribute to their own curriculum by choosing their own topics and projects.
Charlotte Mason: Charlotte Mason, herself, avoided viewing children as empty vessels to fill. This approach encourages children to use their curiosity and creativity to help them enjoy the learning process. It encourages learning through real-life experiences such as nature walks, museum and zoo trips. It also takes into account the child’s ability and developmental stage.
Unschooling: The term was coined by the educator/writer John Holt and within this approach, there is great diversity. But essentially, unschooling is based on the belief that a child has an inner desire to learn when they are encouraged to follow their interests and engage in real-life experiences. As a result, parents plan the learning experiences based on their children’s interests and abilities by providing the tools and resources for understanding a topic in depth. Modeling parents is also encouraged.
Waldorf and Montessori: These philosophies are well known in among private school arenas. These approaches are not the norm among traditional schools and fall on the progressive spectrum. Both approaches have their set method of teaching and both take a developmental approach to learning and can be adapted for homeschooling.
The Eclectic Approach: This is a catch-all term describing a uniquely designed homeschooling program for an individual child. Parents pick and choose from various approaches to design a curriculum that fits a particular student or family very well. The result is a thoughtful combination of educational activities that fosters a child’s personal learning journey.
There are other aspects of a homeschooling program that, if present, can be regarded as progressive. For example, some homeschooling groups call themselves progressive because they are inclusive of all religions, ethnicities, and lifestyles. Others are progressive because they remain secular and teach evolution instead of creationism or intelligent design.
If a family decides to homeschool in a progressive manner, it is possible to hook up with like-minded people and join a homeschooling network that is either inclusive or secular. It may take some hunting and probably a little more travel time, but it is possible!
For an introduction to homeschooling, see the book: Complete Idiot's Guide to Homeschooling by Marsh Ransom. For more detailed info on homeschooling, see LA Homeschool Examiner and the Long Beach Homeschool Examiner.
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