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.
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
- Students are aware of interests and abilities.
- Students develop thinking skills and become independent thinkers.
- Little pressure on teachers.
- Possible low standardized test scores in early years.
- Opinions vary as to whether or not students will learn all they need.
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.
