RESOURCES

Curricula | Education Styles | Tools

EDUCATION STYLES

REGGIO-EMILIA

This style began in post-World War II Italy. It’s designed to provide a co-learning environment where teachers learn alongside the children and work in a lateral relationship vs a hierarchical one. Reggio Emilia revolves around the five senses to assist with learning. Classrooms look different than the average preschool with large common spaces, natural elements, and materials that invite curiosity. Includes:

Learning based on children’s interests and what teachers observe is needed
Hands-on projects for in-depth learning
Promotes creative expression
Community building through collaboration between students and teachers

CHARLOTTE MASON

Charlotte Mason was a British author, educator, and lecturer who lived in the late 1800s. She emphasized that teaching should involve the whole body, not just the mind. This style takes a holistic approach to education and learning self-discipline. Includes the following:

Abundant use of high-quality narrative literature
Plenty of time to explore outside
Developing an appreciation for art, music, and nature
Journaling, narration, dictation, and copywork

MONTESSORI

Maria Montessori was an Italian doctor and educator who lived in the late 1800s/early 1900s and focused on early childhood. This style is a child-centered approach that teaches children to value knowledge and seek it on their own by fostering curiosity and creativity. The Montessori approach involves:

Teachers as facilitators, not instructors
Mixed-age classrooms
Hands-on activities
Cooperation and collaboration
Ability to choose when to do certain activities
Developing self-regulation to help children build life skills.

WALDORF

This educational philosophy began in the early 1900s. It focuses on the whole child through mind, body, and spirit. Elements that characterize this education model:

No formal grades
No textbooks in the early years
Focus on one subject at a time (versus switching gears throughout the day)
In-depth study, three- to six-week units
Integrate natural world

UNSCHOOLING

This is a student-led approach to learning based on the child’s interests. Parents can start here. This style includes:

Flexible lessons that vary by family and according to state laws
Experimental approach that nurtures a child’s curiosity and love of learning
May integrate structured curricula as needed
No time constraints

WORLD SCHOOLING

This method educates children by interacting with the world around them. This style includes the following:

Holistic approach to learning
Traveling to introduce children to the world around them
Flexible schedule
Gain understanding and sensitivity to other cultures

UMBRELLA SCHOOL

Legal only in certain states (including Florida), umbrella schooling provides legal cover for homeschool families. It is a good option for students who want to officially be considered part of a school but does the work off campus with parental oversight. This style features:

Access to a community and resources such as co-ops, enrichments, and parent support groups
Students are considered enrolled in private school
Parents interact with the umbrella school rather than provide all documentation to the school district

UNIT STUDY

This is a mastery-based method of learning that incorporates multiple subject areas to learn about various themes and topics. Unit study includes:

Multi-sensory learning
Mixed age groups
Low cost
Caters to autistic spectrum with interests in very specific subjects
Short-term unit studies offer more variety than traditional schools

CURRICULA

THE GOOD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Started in 2015 by Jenny Phillips, a Christian singer-songwriter who could not find a homeschool curriculum that worked for her family. This method offers:

Low cost and free curricula
No daily prep time
1:1 and multiple age learning
Combined subjects for more meaningful learning and shorter school times
Emphasizes family, God, good character, nature, and wholesome literature
Academically strong and thorough
Visually pleasing, engaging, and meaningful

WILD AND FREE

This approach combines quality education with a sense of freedom and adventure. This style encourages:

Sense of adventure
The beauty of nature
Nurtures a love of learning

HOMESCHOOL RESOURCES

WHERE TO START?

We strongly encourage families who home educate to join HSLDA.

Membership provides parents with:
A personal legal advocate and state attorney that can guide them through any legal questions
Teacher ID
Discounted access to multiple homeschool resources, curriculums, grants, and more

TIPS FOR BEGINNERS

Areuvut's curriculum director is Ahava McLaughlin. She answers questions and guides parents through the homeschool process. You can reach her at Am@alelc.org.
Cheryl Trzasko has been a Florida Home Education Evaluator since 2003. She decades of experience in teaching and homeschooling her children. Over the years she has guided many parents through home education and answers the most common questions here.