Sunday, March 7, 2010

The Home School Hop #5


If you haven’t checked out The Home School Hop, you really should, it is a lot of fun, and a great way to discover new home school blogs. Kylie at Our Worldwide Classroom hosts this weekly blog hop, so go on over and check it out!

This week’s theme is “What’s Your Style?”

I know that there are fancy names for all sorts of different styles. I am a person that does not like labels, so I don’t refer to anyone style. I teach within what feels comfortable to me, and try to use teaching methods that will achieve success for Selena. If I were to refer to a particular style or styles I would have to say I am somewhere in between them all. After homeschooling my older children I have already learned that learning is as individual as the student is. My job as a teacher is to learn my child’s learning style and teach accordingly.

I do order a complete curriculum every year. Do I use it all? No, I do not, but I do like having the resources at hand for inspiration. I never expect that we will work all the way through a workbook or textbook. I don’t think it is always necessary for the countless hours of such repetitive work that is found in workbooks or textbooks. Yet, I do like to have these as resources for new concepts.

I really prefer to teach to my child’s interests. While I love to do themes, I have discovered that Selena is not. Her learning style is once I know it lets move on! Themes do not work very well here, as generally by the second day Selena is sick of the theme and detaches from her school work.

I love to use life experiences to teach by, I feel sometimes these are the best ways to learn for anyone, however I feel the structure of having assignments that are due in a particular time frame is in itself a great tool that will be needed throughout life. I also am a firm believer that learning is a 24/7 event, therefore I home school year around, with breaks from formal learning as deemed needed on either my part or Selena’s.

With all that said, I guess my style is a blend of “School at Home”,  “Relaxed or Eclectic” “Unschooling” and “The Charlotte Masson” styles.


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13 comments:

  1. I think your learning style is great and it's reflected in Selena's accomplishments. I like it how you "listen" to her needs and adjust. She thrives so much under your care. Great post, Debbie!

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  2. I love this post! I agree the mix of ways you teach and Selena learn have to match up :-)

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  3. I love the way you summerize your style. I strongly use life experiences to teach also.

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  4. Sounds like our styles are similar - I completely agree that learning is 24/7 not just for a few hours a day. :)

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  5. So, I didn't comment yet. I couldn't remember.....
    I loved this post. It's always fun to see how other people teach, and why.
    I'm with you I really need a curriculum to work from, and love teaching that way, and it seems to mostly work for my kids. And, I'm pretty lucky that my kids let me get away with themes.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your style! It is nice to see what works for other families. I am in love with the Montessori Method, but have to be flexible at the same time!
    Thanks again,
    Jody from Mommy Moment

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  7. Great job adapting your teaching style. I think Hudson is better at adapting than I am sometimes and I struggle with seeing what he really thrives on.

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  8. I love your teaching style! My son is the same way- when he knows it he will refuse to go back! Selena and Fast Eddy would be great friends. lol! Relaxed is a great style to have!

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  9. Whatever your style, it seems to be working!

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  10. Glad to have had a chance to read about your "style." Sounds like what we will end up being.

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  11. Thanks Debbie, you have just put my mind at ease!

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  12. I do agree. Whatever works best for the kiddos. I have noticed that A Beka Spelling is a bit much..so my 3rd grader does Spelling City and uses a dry erase board for practicing and tests. He is definitely more hands on than my 6th grader.

    Also, lapbooking is becoming popular at my house!! :)

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  13. I really enjoyed your post. I love unit lessons, too. I am interested that Selena doesnt and that you were able to pick up on that. Of course, now I am looking forward to the post about what curriculum you DO use :).

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