What is the Family-Style Homeschool Curriculum Method?
By Crystal Gammon
When you picture homeschooling, what do you envision? Do you imagine your children pouring over curriculum books and reading materials separately at their desks? Every child is a different age, learning different things, and needing different subjects to explore. Can you imagine the cost of providing books and curriculum for every child in your family? Can you imagine the time and effort you will need to support each learner as they learn different topics and subjects?
Choosing to homeschool does not mean you have to invest thousands of dollars in different curriculum and supplies for your children. Instead, try using a family-style homeschool curriculum method.
The Family-Style Homeschool Curriculum method is a great way to learn about topics together while still meeting every child’s individual intellectual needs.
There are many things to consider when you implement the family-style homeschool curriculum method.
Same Topic, Different Goals
With the family-style homeschooling curriculum method, your entire family will explore the same topic together, but each student will have different goals. Younger children will be able to engage in discussion, and the independent practice is aligned directly with each child’s current academic ability. Older children will engage in the same readings and discussions as the younger children, but the independent practice will require a deeper understanding of the same topic.
Collaboration That Brings the Entire Family Closer Together
With the family-style homeschooling curriculum method, children and families of all ages will work together to explore topics and themes that will bring your entire family closer together.
One benefit of family-style learning is that your entire family can collaborate on deepening their understanding of concepts and ideas. Older siblings and parents can help support younger children as they learn and respond to themes and topics. When families learn together, they are building and strengthening bonds that will last a lifetime.
Unit Studies and Thematic Learning
Family-style homeschooling often (but not always) focuses on thematic learning and unit studies. Together, families will explore different topics and participate in activities tied to specific themes. The activities are designed to be covered over a set timeframe and focus on developing skills and abilities specific to each child’s differentiated learning and developmental needs.
Themes usually incorporate different subjects and allow students to deepen their understanding of the topic using multisensory activities. Activities combine math, science, social studies, and language arts. These subjects are tied to the thematic idea. Thematic units are a great way of keeping students engaged while helping them make real-world connections between all subject areas.
This thematic or unit approach is not a requirement of Family-style homeschooling, just the most common application. Any approach, be it textbooks, workbooks, or any other option, can be used.
No Standardized Testing Needed
Your children are not standard. Their curriculum does not have to be either. While it is entirely possible to meet every child’s needs, regardless of their age or learning need, it is unnecessary to adhere to strict standards. The family-style homeschooling curriculum method takes the focus off of age and grade-level standards and emphasizes collaborative learning.
Family-Style Homeschooling Saves You Time
It can be exhausting for homeschooling parents to plan different lessons on different topics for every child. With the family-style homeschool curriculum method, you no longer have to focus on different topics, themes, and content instruction. When everyone is learning the same topic simultaneously, you have more time to focus on meeting each child’s individual learning needs. It is easier to observe, assess, and give each student corrective feedback when they are all learning the same topic together.
Before you begin, you need to ask yourself a few questions:
What does my child need to be successful? No one knows your learner better than you. Every child learns differently. When planning a family-style homeschool curriculum method, consider your children, and include the activities and materials each child needs to optimize their learning potential.
Does my child have any special learning needs? If you have any children with special learning needs, be sure to equip them with all the materials or supplemental learning activities they will need to succeed. You can easily add extensions and accommodations in your family-style homeschooling lessons.
Can my children work well together? Family-style homeschooling requires family cooperation. Everyone in the family must work together on the lessons. Make learning fun and engaging so that your children want to learn together each day
What subjects are best for family-style homeschooling? The most common subjects taught in a family-style include science, language arts, history, art, and music. But any subject can meet these needs!
Conclusion
Family-style learning saves you time. Instead of spending hours planning different lessons for each of your children to complete independently, you have more time to spend engaging in studies together.
Family-style homeschooling saves you money. Rather than spending thousands of dollars on a different curriculum for each child, you can invest in one curriculum that you can use together.
So, why would you want to choose a family-style curriculum method? Family-Style learning includes the whole family. Everyone is together learning, growing, and strengthening family bonds.