1. Charlotte Mason Method
This method is based on the writings of a 19th century educator who felt children should learn from real books and not from textbooks. In this method, after a child reads, he narrates back what he has learned. This takes the place of quizzes and tests. It is characterized by no homework, no grades, short lessons, and few lectures.

Resources:
Charlotte Mason Research & Supply Co.
P.O. Box 936
Elkton, MD 21921-0936
Ask about Karen Andreola’s articles in Practical Homeschooling Magazine

Charlotte Mason Communique’-tions
4441 So. Meridian Suite 221
Puyallup, WA 98373

A Charlotte Mason Education by Catherine Levison
For the Children’s Sake by Susan Macaulay
Teaching Children by Diane Lopez

Website:
http://members.aol.com/BeeME1/index.html
Charlotte Mason Method Bulletin Board:
http://www.insidetheweb.com/messageboard/mbs.cgi/mb12035
Other Sites:
http://homepage.bushnell.net/~peanuts
http://www.angelfire.com/nj/libertyandlily/index.html

2. Classical Education
This method is based on the medieval model of education consisting of two parts: the Trivium and the Quadrivium. The Trivium contains three phases: The Grammar period (ages 9-11) - acquisition of facts and language, particularly Greek or Latin; The Dialectic period (ages 12-14) - understanding what has been memorized and asking questions; and the Rhetoric period (ages 14-16) - learning how to present arguments in a persuasive and pleasing form.

Resources:
Dorothy Sayers essay Lost Art Of Learning in her book Are Women Human?

or on the web at: http://www.gbt.org/text/sayers.html

Wisdom’s Way of Learning by Marilyn Howshall
Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning by Douglas Wilson

Trivium Pursuit
Teaching the Trivium Magazine
Laurie Bluedorn
139 Colorado St. Suite 168
Muscatine, IA 52761
http://muscanet.com/~trivium
http://members.aol.com/Fritztutor

3. Literature Based Curricula
This method also relies on real books with some help from teaching manuals. There is very little workbook or textbook work, but there is more structure. All of the reading ties together in various subjects, but it requires less prep time than a unit study. Some examples are Sonlight Curriculum and Five In A Row.

Resources:
Sonlight Curriculum, Ltd.
8121 S. Grant Way
Littleton, CO 80122-2701
(303) 730-6292
http://www.sonlight.com

Five In A Row
14901 Pineview Dr.
Grandview, MO 64030-4509
(816) 331-5769
http://www.fiveinarow.com

4. Structured Curricula
This method is closer to a traditional textbook and workbook approach. Many of the popular curricula are used in Christian schools. These can be accelerated or normal paced.

Resources:
ABeka Book
Box 18000
Pensacola, FL 32523-9160
(800) 874-2352

Alpha Omega Publications
300 N. McKemy
Chandler, AZ 85226-2618
(800) 622-3070
http://www.home-schooling.com/

Bob Jones University Press
Customer Services
Greenville, SC 29614-0062
(800) 845-5731
http://www.homeschool.com/Resources/curriculm_materials/bob_jones_university_press.htm
e-mail: bjup@bju.edu

Calvert School
105 Tuscany Rd.
Baltimore MD 21210
(410)243-6030
http://www.calvertschool.org

Christian Liberty Academy
502 W. Euclid Ave.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(800) 348-0899
http://pages.prodigy.com/christianhmsc/cla.htm

School of Tomorrow
P.O. Box 299000
Lewisville, TX 75029-9000
(800) 925-7777
http://www.schooloftomorrow.com

5. Unit Studies
Unit Studies mean that all subjects point back to the topic. The theory here is that repetition builds retention, and students have a “big-picture memory file” for topics giving them a fuller understanding. They also claim that it allows greater discovery for the student causing them to be better thinkers. Here there are no textbooks and workbooks and it is heavy on activities, which means they usually require significant prep time. Unit studies can be used for all children at all different levels, tailoring it to their own level. This can help build family togetherness. Some examples are KONOS, based on character traits, and The Weaver based on Biblical passages. Many people make up their own unit studies.

Resources:
KONOS, Inc.
P.O. Box 250
Anna, TX 75409
(972) 924-2712
http://www.konos.com/
e-mail: info@konos.com

The Weaver
P.O. Box 7438
Chandler, AZ 85246-7438
(888) 367-9871
http://www.weaverinc.com/WRWelcome.htm
Unofficial Weaver website
www.geocities.com/Heartland/Prairie/4214/index.html

6. Unschooling
This method is also known as relaxed homeschooling or flexible homeschooling. The belief is that the child’s natural curiosity about the world, and natural desire to learn should be the motivating factor in education. They believe it is the parent’s job to guide and help the children explore and pursue their own interests at their own pace.

Homeschooling Organizations:

Home School Legal Defense Association
Mr. Michael Farris, president.
P.O. Box 3000,
Purcellville, Virginia 20134
(540)338-5600
http://www.hslda.org/

Christian Home Educators Association
P.O. Box 2009
Norwalk, CA 90651
(800) 564-2432
http://www.cheaofca.org

Catalogs:

Usborne Books
Ask at your local support group
http://www.usborne-usa.com/

Christian Book Distributors (CBD)
Home Learning & Schooling Resources
P.O. Box 7000
Peabody, MA 01961-7000
(978) 977-5000
http://www.christianbook.com

The Edutainment Catalog (Computer Software)
P.O. Box 21210
Boulder, CO 80308
(800) 338-3844
http://www.edutainco.com

Elijah Company
Route 2, Box 100-B
Crossville, TN 38555
(888) 2-ELIJAH
http://www.elijahco.com

God’s World Book Club
P.O. Box 2330
Asheville, NC 28802
(800) 951-2665
http://www.GWBC.com/bookclub/home.asp

Rainbow Resource Center
8227 Ulah Rd.
Cambridge, IL 61238
(888) 841-3456
Voice mail (800) 705-8809
e-mail: RAINBOWRES@aol.com

Shekinah Curriculum Cellar
101 Meador Rd.
Kilgore, TX 75662
(903) 643-2760
FAX (903) 643-2796
http://www.shekinahcc.com

Timberdoodle Company
E. 1510 Spencer Lake Rd.
Shelton, WA 98584
(360) 426-0672
http://www.timberdoodle.com

Homeschool Qualifying Courses and/or Testing Services:

Family Learning Organization
P.O. Box 7256
Spokane, WA 99207-0256
http://www.familylearning.org/

Barb Shelton
182 N. Columbia Hts. Rd.
Longview, WA 98632
(360) 577-1245
(360) 423-4912

Bob Jones University Press
Greenville, SC 29614-0060
(800) 845-5731

Interesting or Helpful Websites:

School is Dead, Learn in Freedom (strange name, but actually a very comprehensive site!)
Homeschooling - Who me?
Homeschool Resource Guide
Homeschool Train Up A Child (HSTUAC)
Fred Worth’s Home Page
Jon’s Homeschool Resource Page
Christian Homeschool Fellowship
Homeschooler’s Curriculum Swap
Finding Homeschool Support on the Internet
Homeschooling Used Curriculum Sites (extensive list!)

On-Line or E-mail Homeschooling Magazines:

Teaching At Home e-zine
To SUBSCRIBE send a blank e-mail to:
TeachingAtHome-subscribe@onelist.com.
Teaching At Home Archives

The Hope Chest
To subscribe to their wonderful HS newsletter ~ send a email to
HopeChest - subscribe @ onelist.com

Crosswalk (with Mike Farris)
Quotes to Ponder
Kaleidoscape digests
Design a Study ~ Teaching Helps
Diana Waring ~ Newsletter
Kings Harvest

Excellent Books (check the library):
Christian Home Educators Curriculum Manual: Elementary Grades by Cathy Duffy 1998 edition
The Ultimate Guide To Homeschooling by Debra Bell
The Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride (new edition scheduled for release soon, if not out yet)
The Way They Learn by Cynthia Tobias

Posted by Melanie - WA in January 2000.