The Journey Begins
Imagine that you are about to begin a journey. The van is packed, seat belts are fastened, and you're ready to go. As you pull out of the driveway, you realize that you have no map to your destination. You can only head off randomly and ask directions as you go.
Most people would feel more secure having a clear path marked out. A map that shows alternate routes is even more appealing. Some prefer the scenic route, while others go straight for the expressway.
Homeschooling is a journey parents begin every year. Unfortunately, many families who wouldn't even think of traveling without a map begin this homeschooling journey on their own, asking for directions along the way.
Three Core Educational Questions
This website will help you design a map to take you along the route that's right for you and your students. You will discover that route by clearly answering the "Three Core Educational Questions." They are:
1. What is education?
2. What are the roles of the teacher and the student?
3. What is the role of the curriculum?
Your answers to these questions will help you reach your destination with confidence. If you do not clearly define these beliefs, however, you will go through your journey aimlessly, trying one route and then another, like a traveler without a road map. You will move from one curriculum to another, and from one method to another, possibly ending up frustrated and disappointed with homeschooling. This guide will help you stay on course.
Three Major Approaches to Education
To help you define your beliefs, here are some answers to the Three Core Educational Questions as they apply to the three major approaches to education. These approaches can be considered routes on the road map. Click on one of the three choices below to find information on that approach as well as how that approach answers each question.
Imagine that you are about to begin a journey. The van is packed, seat belts are fastened, and you're ready to go. As you pull out of the driveway, you realize that you have no map to your destination. You can only head off randomly and ask directions as you go.
Most people would feel more secure having a clear path marked out. A map that shows alternate routes is even more appealing. Some prefer the scenic route, while others go straight for the expressway.
Homeschooling is a journey parents begin every year. Unfortunately, many families who wouldn't even think of traveling without a map begin this homeschooling journey on their own, asking for directions along the way.
Three Core Educational Questions
This website will help you design a map to take you along the route that's right for you and your students. You will discover that route by clearly answering the "Three Core Educational Questions." They are:
1. What is education?
2. What are the roles of the teacher and the student?
3. What is the role of the curriculum?
Your answers to these questions will help you reach your destination with confidence. If you do not clearly define these beliefs, however, you will go through your journey aimlessly, trying one route and then another, like a traveler without a road map. You will move from one curriculum to another, and from one method to another, possibly ending up frustrated and disappointed with homeschooling. This guide will help you stay on course.
Three Major Approaches to Education
To help you define your beliefs, here are some answers to the Three Core Educational Questions as they apply to the three major approaches to education. These approaches can be considered routes on the road map. Click on one of the three choices below to find information on that approach as well as how that approach answers each question.
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The Classroom Approach
The most common approach used by teachers with a classroom of 25-40 students. Many homeschoolers also use this approach.
What is education? In this approach, the student takes in information, usually through a textbook or lecture. The student then gives the information back to the teacher through a project or test. Often, the textbooks will teach the same material year after year, adding a bit of new information each year. For example, American History may be taught for six consecutive years, adding new information each year. This approach sees the student as a learner who is able to take in bits and pieces of information, and put them together to form the big picture. Short term retention, via making a good test score, is stressed and rewarded. What are the roles of teacher and student? The teacher's main job is to follow the curriculum. These teachers believe that the curriculum creators know more about the students than the teacher does. If the student has difficulty, most proponents of this approach will recommend that the teacher force the student to conform to the curriculum. In that sense, it is a "one size fits all" approach. What is the role of curriculum? In The Classroom Approach, curriculum is the most important part of education. Pros & Cons of the Classroom Approach:
Let's look at the study of ducks from the Classroom approach. The study will begin because it is the next chapter in the science book. The student will read the section about ducks in the textbook, answer the questions at the end of the chapter, and perhaps create a project on ducks. The teacher will give the student a test to complete, which will determine if the student remembers certain facts about ducks. It is probable that the student will never see an actual duck. |
The Life Approach
Also known as "Unschooling" or "Relaxed homeschooling," those who travel this route believe that education takes place primarily through life itself.
What is education? In this approach, education is accomplished by developing a student's interests. Proponents of this approach believe that the skills of life will be learned as the student develops and grows, being allowed to discover life at his or her own pace. Often, this education includes a business or service project. Specific skills are not usually targeted, but will be focused upon as needed. What are the roles of teacher and student? The student is seen as a naturally curious learner who will learn in the proper environment. The teacher is primarily a resource to the student. The teacher's main job is to create an atmosphere of learning and to be a learner as well. The belief is that the student will model the teacher's life as an effective learner, thus the student will become an effective learner. Beyond that, it is somewhat difficult to define the teacher's role, because every teacher is so different in this approach. What is the role of curriculum? There is usually no curriculum in The Life Approach. If curriculum is used, it is for reading and math only. The Pros & Cons of The Life Approach
Let's look at the study of ducks from the Life Approach. In the Life Approach, the study will begin because the teacher or the student has an interest in ducks. The student and teacher may go to the library to find books on ducks, build a pond, hatch eggs, and even raise ducks for food or to sell. The student will read for comprehension as he or she learns what ducks need to survive. The student will write and think in order to create a schedule for feeding the ducks and cleaning after them. There will be education in math (food cost calculations), science (hatching of eggs), social sciences (the need for ducks in our world), and much more. |
The Applied Approach
In this approach, "Application" is the main emphasis in education.
What is education? This approach emphasizes the application of knowledge. A student who can complete a math sheet on subtracting money should also be able to make change in the store. Of course, not all information is so readily applied to life. This is overcome by actually doing the things being taught or by finding a context in the student's life for the new information. The age, development, and "readiness" of the student is always kept in mind. Reading may be taught in 1st grade or 3rd grade depending on the child, for example. What are the roles of teacher and student? The student is an individual to be treated in an age appropriate manner. It is believed that a student will better learn a new concept if he or she is walked through it and then allowed to do it or apply it, rather than just being told about it. The teacher's role is very important because the teaching parent knows the student better than anyone else. This approach gives the teacher the power to discern where students need help and how to give it to them. What is the role of curriculum? Curriculum is seen as a means to an end, not as the end itself. It is used in a manner that is best for the student. Actual curriculum choices can make the teacher's job easier or harder. An age appropriate, flexible program is best. The Pros & Cons of the Applied Approach
Let's look at the study of ducks from the Applied Approach. The study of ducks may begin because the teacher has decided that it is time to learn about ducks, whether the child has expressed interest in them or not. The teacher will find books on ducks and maybe a read-aloud novel that includes a duck character. A published curriculum on ducks may be used. The teacher will present certain facts about ducks that she determines are important. Age-appropriate activities will be included to reinforce this information. The family may visit a duck pond and then write Grandma a letter about the trip. The student will be working on math and language arts or reading while this study is taking place. These subjects may or may not have anything to do with ducks. |
