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What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Knowing what are the top 5 homeschool styles is key to narrowing the overwhelm in choosing curriculum. Then matching homeschool styles with learning styles is a seasoned veteran tip. You’ll love the tips on the Homeschool Learning Styles page.

Learning a few features of each homeschool style and how to pair it with curriculum saves you money.

I will not only explain styles of homeschooling, but help you to identify which is best for your family.

What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

In addition, what is most important for your children to learn and how they learn it will affect your choice of homeschool style.

And terms like homeschool approach and teaching style are used to talk about homeschooling style. This may or may not be clear.

What is the Definition of Homeschool Styles

So, what is a homeschool style?

Simply put, a homeschool style is an educational approach. An approach is a method to how you teach which is also called your teaching style. It includes your goals and your values. An approach is how you will implement what you want your children to learn. Using curriculum as a tool helps you meet your homeschool style. There are 5 top or major homeschool styles or approaches.

There are no right or wrong, better or worse, or smarter or dumber approaches. I’ve seen success stories and failures with each approach. Part of deciding a homeschool approach is to determine what are your family’s priorities and what is your teaching style.

10 Questions to Ask About Your Teaching Style

Look at these questions to help you identify your homeschool style.

  1. Do you want a consistent schedule or a framework of what to teach?
  2. Is testing a necessary part of your curriculum or do you want your child to demonstrate learning through hands-on and conversations with you?
  3. Will memorization and notetaking be essential parts of your teaching? And will learning be done according to the age of the child or his maturity?
  4. How important is studying nature, being outdoors, and studying art?
  5. Should subjects be learned in isolation or tied together as a unifying theme?
  6. Are you going to follow your child’s lead in everything they want to learn, give them day to day guidance, or use both features?
  7. Does your choices for reading including, textbooks, novels, biographies, classics, or all of them? And how much emphasis will be put on learning about the past?
  8. Which subjects are most important to you to cover?
  9. Where should learning take place?
  10. What emphasis will you place on family learning projects versus one-to-one time with each of your children?

From your general answers above, pair your answers or goals with homeschooling styles or homeschool approaches.

Although these are not all the homeschool styles, these are the popular ones you want to know about right away.

Homeschool Styles

Here are the top five homeschool styles in no particular order of popularity.

  1. Unit Study
  2. Classical
  3. Textbook/workbook
  4. Charlotte Mason
  5. Unschooling

Next, look at some of the features of each homeschool approach and a few examples of curriculum which follow that approach.

As you mull over the differences, look for one or two which fit your idea of how to teach your children.

Features of Homeschool Teaching Styles

First, look at the Unit Study Approach. I didn’t start with a unit study approach, but this is the one I switched to after a few years into my journey.

Unit Study Approach

The Unit Study approach is a method where you teach all your children together on one topic covering as many of the basic subjects as possible. Hands-on application and projects are a huge part of learning with this homeschool style.

For example, take the topic the Amazon Rain Forest and since it’s a science heavy topic, tie in a history slant like I did about Theodore Roosevelt on my Amazon rain forest unit study.

Too, art by Henri Rousseau was my slant on art. There are endless ways to tie in bodies of knowledge and you learn how to tie them in naturally.

Considerations

  • Some subjects don’t fit naturally into some of the topics which interests your children.
  • It can take a while to know how to lesson plan for multiple ages.
  • There aren’t as many curriculum providers for this approach as there are for others.

Curriculum Options

Classical Approach

Another popular approach is the Classical approach.

I loved it because of its emphasis on history and classical books. The Classical approach follows the trivium method. Learning is divided into stages according to the ages of the child.

Besides emphasis on history like Ancient Greece, books are chosen based on the great minds of the past.

Considerations

  • Because the emphasis is on heavy language arts, some educators feel the subjects are not balanced.
  • Not all families want heavy emphasis on learning about the past.
  • Learning Latin is emphasized.

Curriculum

Textbook/Workbook (School At Home) Approach

Next, the Workbook/Textbook approach is one most familiar to us because it’s the same one used in public schools.

And a term all-in-one homeschool curriculum means curriculum which has lesson plans laid out with scripted teacher’s manuals and tests. Look at my posts 21 Fun All-In-One Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum and Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed).

Considerations

  • Laid out lesson plans may feel comfortable to new homeschoolers.
  • If your child struggles in public school this may not be a good fit for you.
  • If you need accountability in a state which keeps records, this may make it easier.

Curriculum

  • Major companies like Abeka, Bob Jones, and Calvert follow this approach.
  • Easy Peasy All in One is a free online laid out curriculum.

Charlotte Mason Approach

Further, Charlotte Mason approach is another one that is popular. With emphasis on nature and art, the approach to language arts is gentle. Gentle does not mean rigorous, but it’s more relaxed in the early years unlike the Classical approach.

Charlotte Mason was a popular British educator who influenced the homeschool world through her lifetime of teaching.

Consideration

  • Known for the use of living books which are opposite textbooks, her approach is popular because of the beautiful literature it uses.
  • Some curriculum providers do not provide as much structure as others.
  • Too, the gentle approach to language arts does not appeal to all.
  • And emphasis on fine arts may not be your goal.

Curriculum

Unschooling Approach

Moreover, the Unschooling approach is another popular approach although it has not always been that way. The Unschooling approach seemed to get a bad rap in the early days of homeschooling and still does because some feel it lacks structure.

However, unschooling proponents vary from little structure to none in their day. In the basic definition, it means to follow the leads of the child. Trusting the natural learning process, proponents tout that a child will learn all he or she needs to if we create a learning rich environment.

Considerations

  • Because this learning process is child-led there is concern that some kids won’t be introduced to subjects that may seem unappealing to the child.
  • Additionally, since it’s child-led learning there is no laid out curriculum. Curriculum is chosen based on the child’s likes.

Curriculum

How to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style for Your Family

Lastly, the most important part of learning about an educational approach or teaching style is maintaining the focus on YOUR goals. Through the years I’ve learned it’s easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and not think about my family’s needs.

For example, when I started homeschooling I felt the Classical approach embodied how I wanted my children to learn.

Quickly, I learned that the Classical approach didn’t meet the needs of my children.

Above all, when you’re looking at these tips below remember you can change anytime as different needs come up in journey.

6 Ways to Identify the BEST Homeschool Style For You

  • Do not think you have to limit yourself to ONE homeschool style. The most successful homeschoolers mix and match homeschool approaches. For that reason, you’ll notice curriculum which hails to two or even three approaches.
  • Know that you do not have to stick with one or a combination of two teaching styles for your whole journey. In other words, do not buy curriculum too far ahead. You may change your mind, or the needs of your children will change.
  • Ask curriculum provider questions about the approach they take in their curriculum if you don’t know it. Most curriculum provider welcome questions, but be aware that a lot are homeschooling families. They need time to return the call or answer your question.
  • In addition, do not think you have to implement every facet of that teaching method.
  • Then, one of the best tips is to also recognize your child’s learning personality. As parents, we tend to teach only to our homeschool style. And although we homeschool to fit our children’s unique needs we tend to forget.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
What Are the Top 5 Homeschool Styles

In summary, these other tips and posts I have will help you to learn more about homeschool styles.

MORE HOMESCHOOL LEARNING STYLES TIPS

Critical Thinking Homeschool Curriculum | Free 1 Year Inquiry Based Worksheets

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

I’ve rounded up some critical thinking homeschool curriculum. Also, look at my page Homeschool Learning Styles to learn more about homeschool approaches.

And look at my page The Best Homeschool Curriculum by Grade Level for more ideas. Too, I have a free year long inquiry based worksheets to help your child develop critical think skills.

A critical thinking homeschool curriculum is a set of lessons, activities, and resources designed to help students develop the ability to think logically.

Critical Thinking Homeschool Curriculum | Free 1 Year Inquiry Based Worksheets

You can use curriculum alongside your current curriculum or you can use it stand alone.

It uses what is called a Socratic method of discussion. This means curriculum is built around dialogue, questions and discussion and not worksheets.

The worksheets I have today are to guide discussions.

FEATURES OF CRITICAL THINKING HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM

Next, look at a few more of the features of critical thinking curriculum.

  • It uses problem-solving strategies
  • Also it evaluates sources and arguments
  • Emphasis is based on the ancient ways of history meaning it uses logical reasoning
  • Encourages independent learning
Critical Thinking Homeschool Curriculum | Free 1 Year Inquiry Based Worksheets

Finally, look at these resources for critical thinking curriculum.

HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM CRITICAL THINKING

7 Critical Thinking Homeschool Curriculum

In homeschool, a critical thinking curriculum can be a standalone, a specific course or workbook just for logic or reasoning. Or it can be integrated into other subjects like history or science.

Also, look at a few tips of how to choose curriculum by learning style or homeschool approach.

MORE HOMESCHOOL CURRICULUM BY LEARNING STYLE

Finally, look at how to grab your free year long inquiry based worksheets.

HOW TO GET THE FREE 1 YEAR INQUIRY BASED WORKSHEETS

Now, how to grab the freebie. It’s a subscriber freebie.

1) CLICK HERE ON THIS LINK TO SIGN UP ON MY EMAIL LIST & TO GET THIS FREEBIE.

2) Grab the freebie instantly.

3) Last, look for all my emails in your inbox. Glad to have you following me!

Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

When choosing workbook style homeschool curriculum, some families don’t realize they are choosing a homeschool learning style.

Homeschool learning styles are not the first things some families understand about homeschooling.

However, all curriculum or resources are divided into homeschool learning styles.

Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids

Once you know which learning style fits your family best, it’s easier to conquer the overwhelm of choosing homeschool curriculum.

What is the workbook homeschool learning style or approach?

Basically, it’s the traditional homeschool approach which includes workbooks.

Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum

Further, understanding what is traditional homeschool curriculum ensures that you’re making the right decision for your homeschool.

Too, not only will you save hundreds of dollars by not buying the wrong curriculum, but you meet your homeschool goals.

So, the workbook style or traditional homeschool approach has these characteristics.

  • A workbook, textbook, or worktext can be used for one subjects or combined subjects in an all-in-one.
  • Normally, these workbooks are written for a classroom setting although many more have popped up since the pandemic for instruction at home. However, their main underlying use is still to teach a group.
  • They are divided up by grade so that children are studying what other children their grade level are studying.
  • Some workbooks have teacher’s manuals, answer keys and sometimes test so they are designed for a drill and kill approach.
  • Some new homeschoolers like using workbooks because it gives them a sense of security because it’s what they used in public school
Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids

In addition, some families choose a traditional homeschool approach because they work and may need the accountability for their kids.

In addition, some states have stricter homeschool laws than other states, and it may make it easier for record keeping.

Also, look Big Ol’ List of All-In-One Homeschool Curriculum (a.k.a Boxed) if you’re wanting a traditional curriculum put together already.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources

In addition, it’s important to know what is a workbook versus a worktext.

Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids

A worktext is different from a workbook although they may appear similar.

The Difference Between Workbook and Worktext

Unlike a workbook, worktext does some teaching right in the workbook.

Worktext are great for teaching kids to be independent. You don’t have to do all the teaching.

Usually some background information along with activities are all built into the lesson plan. I t’s like having the textbook and workbook in one spot.

Furthermore, a worktext teaches by example, models, and illustrations. A worktext not only has a place for your student to record his work, but gives explanations, samples, and even background information right in the book. It’s like writing in a textbook.

I have one kid that really likes that concept.

Now, that you have a better description of the workbook or traditional homeschool approach look at these lists I’ve created.

This first list has middle school and high school workbooks.

Middle and High School Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum

Too, some series of workbooks works great across the boards for many grade levels.

Mega List of Workbook Style Homeschool Curriculum For K to 12 Kids

Look at these series of workbooks below which normally cover many subjects and many grades.

  • Carson Dellosa 
  • The Mark Twain media series of books are beautiful for geography and history especially, have other subjects and loved by older kids.
  • Spectrum is another loved series with multiple subjects and grades.
  • Evan-Moor too has multiple subjects and grades and has been around for a long time. Many homeschoolers have used them to supplement or as stand alone.
  • MacGraw-Hill is another timeless favorite especially for language arts.
  • Kumon is also one loved for younger kids too.

Now at some of these beautiful resources for middle and high school kids.

Workbook Style Curriculum for Middle School & High School

Although not all workbooks style curriculum will have enough content mixing and matching curriculum at this age will benefit your children the most.

Next, I’ve roundup workbooks for the younger grades too.

Keep in mind to look at the whole series if you find one type of workbook or worktext you like.

Workbook Style Curriculum for Kindergarten to Elementary

Some kids learn better through workbook type of curriculum.

You'll love this selection to either supplement your curriculum or use stand alone.

High School Geography Curriculum Resources

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles.

A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling.

However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

And although a lot of resources exist about learning styles, I like simple explanations.

Instead of using the technical terms in the educational world, I find using the term learning personality is more beneficial.

It’s easy to understand that each child has a different personality and it affects how and what they learn.

Some children are more language arts focus, others more craft focus, and still others relationship focus.

Styles of Homeschooling

For example, when I started homeschooling, I used only a workbook approach. It’s the only learning style I knew from my experience in public school.

However, as I homeschooled longer, I researched the other learning style approaches besides just workbook approach.

The other four approaches besides workbook approach are

  • the Unit Study approach,
  • Classical approach,
  • Unschooling approach and
  • Charlotte Mason approach.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Determining which learning style works for your family helps you to choose curriculum that works for your family.

Look at these questions which will help you to determine the best homeschool approach for your family.

  1. Do your child learn best by doing? Charlotte Mason, the Unschooling and Unit Study approach all focus on hands-on activities. Of course the topics you study about will be applicable, but each of these approaches advocates hands-on learning.
  2. Are you wanting your children to model great minds of the past? Then you’ll want to learn about the Classical approach.
  3. If your child prefers to stay on topic and you want to cover all school subjects through the one topic then research a Unit Study approach.
  4. Some families prefer that learning is child-led and the parent is only the facilitator. Then research the Unschooling approach.
  5. Maybe you live in a state where strict record keeping is necessary. Then, can you combine a workbook approach which makes test taking and record keeping easier with another approach loved by your family.

Why Your Child’s Learning Personality is Important Too

Because teaching styles are only part of choosing curriculum easily, I’ve included a link to my online course Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality.

How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child? Determining the best learning style approach is much easier when you know about homeschool learning styles. A learning style is not something I thought about when I started homeschooling or even when my kids were struggling. However, had I taken time to learn what is the best learning style for each of my children, I would have saved myself unnecessary stress.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.
How to Determine the Best Learning Style Approach for Your Child?

Other Homeschool Learning Style Resources:

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Knowing what are the homeschool main 5 learning styles is essential to success in knowing Homeschool Learning Styles.

There are more learning styles, but today I’m focusing only on the top 5 homeschool learning styles.

Besides, understanding how a child learns is one of the best things we can do to empower kids to learn.

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles

Kids are born with an incredible desires to learn.

And we’re homeschooling because we want to be the best coach in helping our children understand themselves.

Most of us have either struggled with the way a teacher teachers or one or more subjects.

Barring the fact a special need exists, we could even think we may have a learning disability.

Worst yet, we may infer by our actions to our children that they may have a learning problem.

Styles of Homeschooling

It’s important to know the difference between preferences in learning style and special needs.

Because you are the only one to know if it’s special needs, I’m focusing on educating you about what is a learning style.

So, it’s important to understand what is a learning style or personality.

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles. Knowing what are the homeschool main 5 learning styles is essential to success in knowing how to homeschool. There are more learning styles, but today I'm focusing only on the top 5 homeschool learning styles. Besides, understanding how a child learns is one of the best things we can do to empower kids to learn. Kids are born with an incredible desires to learn. #homeschoolstyles

First, let me back up to share just a few points about the approach of the public school system.

You need to know that public school has only one way they approaching teaching your child.

And although they tout that they provide many different teaching styles, they do not.

No, I’m not going to clump all teachers together because nobody likes that done to them. There are wonderful caring public school teachers who try to focus on different approaches.

However, traditionally public school has only used one methodology and one environment.

This one size fits all obviously leaves out children who do not learn with the public school methodology.

Thinking about it, not much has changed in the public school system for abut one hundred years or since it’s institution.

Memorization and conformity are encouraged and individualism is minimized or kids receive discipline and labeled trouble makers.

Also, look at my book Homeschooling 31 Day Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers: When You Don’t Know Where to Begin.

Therefore, learning about homeschool learning styles will help you tap into the way your children learn best.

Besides, when you know the way your child learns best, you can choose curriculum matched to your child’s learning style.

Too, understand that homeschool approach is the best way to identify the learning style of not only you but your children.

It’s easier to identify the type of learner you have by the homeschool approach which fits your child.

Five Learning Styles or Homeschool Approaches

Look below at the 5 learning styles or homeschool approaches.

1. Unit Study Approach for Families Who Want Free Exploration

2. Workbook Approach for Families Who Want Memory Work and Workbooks

3. Classical Approach for Families Who Put Emphasis on Learning from Ancient Minds of the Past

4. Charlotte Mason Approach for Families Who Nurture a Love of Nature and Living Books

5. Unschooling Approach for Families Who Want Child-Led Learning Without Bounds

Look at these four ways to understand teaching styles.

4 Ways Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful

  • You can plan a successful course with your child’s strengths and weaknesses in mind;
  • Specific goals can be set and met because your leaner will know how to meet them;
  • There is individualized education; and
  • Your learner will be eager to learn lifelong instead of struggling with why he doesn’t understand some subjects as well as he does others.

Identifying Your Homeschooled Child’s Learning Personality

Finally, after years of putting the pieces together, I have created an online self-paced course on how to identify your homeschool child’s learning personality.

This course will give you solid beginning points and look what you will learn.

How Understanding Homeschool Teaching Styles Makes You Successful. Do you wonder why it seems like one child understands exactly what you mean when the other one seems clueless? You know it's not because that child is not trying to understand you. It can be frustrating and discouraging to feel like you're not getting your point across. So instead of focusing on trying to funnel all people to categories or labels, I focused on understanding learning personalities.

YOU WILL LEARN:

  • How to understand the way your child prefers to learn so that you can teach him in a way that he enjoys learning;
  • How to pinpoint your child’s learning personality;
  • A starting point in understanding (barring any special learning challenges or disabilities) and accepting your child’s preferred way of taking in information;
  • Understanding when the learning personality emerges; and
  • Teaching tips for each learning personality to stop the head-butting.

Tapping into the way a child prefers to learn is essential to success.

What Are the Homeschool Top Main 5 Learning Styles

Finally, look at some other learning styles resources below.

Other Learning Styles Resources