Homeschooling can be a great adventure of learning, both academically and as a family. Just as every family is different, so are their homeschool journeys. However, there are some broad categories of how people implement homeschooling (described below). The important thing is to find the right fit for your student and your family. Don’t be afraid to try a technique or curriculum and don’t be afraid to change that approach if it does not actually end up fitting your needs. Many families find that a mix of these approaches gives them the best experience over time. The teacher that you choose as your homeschool evaluator can help you with these decisions.
Schooling at home: This approach involves mimicking the classroom experience at your home. Many families in public and private schools experienced this type of homeschooling when in-person schools shut down in the spring of 2020. Usually this involves students having preset times for classes with a live lesson, and traditional text-book based instruction with tests and grades.
Virtual Schooling: Instruction is provided over the internet. It is usually self-paced with limited interaction with a live teacher. An example of this would be FLVS (Florida Virtual School).
Parent-led homeschooling: Instruction is provided by the parent using their own or prepared curriculum. This may be a traditional textbook approach (Abeka, Saxon Math) or unit studies on a particular topic.
Co-op or Support Group: Students meet weekly (1-3 days/week) for classroom instruction and parents are responsible for making sure homework is completed the rest of the week. Examples of this would be RISE, Shining Stars, or Classical Conversations.
Private Tutoring: A private tutor is a certified teacher who meets with the student on a regular basis to oversee assigned work, assist with instruction, and grade assignments. The private tutor collaborates with the parent to choose curriculum, determine pacing, and provide an assessment of the student’s work, work habits, and progress.
Unschooling: Students are allowed to explore their environment and learn according to their own inner promptings.