| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp |
| Copyright 2006 Julie Shepherd Knapp. All rights reserved. |
| about the book |
The Homeschool Diner's
Click-O-Matic Guide to
Choosing a Homeschooling Approach
by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright, 2006
Student's Personality
(15 questions)
Does this statement describe your student?
1. Enjoys academics, and likes to spend time learning.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Classical Education; Independent Research;
Distance Learning.
2. Wants or needs to spend minimal time on academics.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; The Moore Formula; Distance Learning (programs
vary, check with each as to time commitment needed)
3. Is a "reluctant learner". May say that he or she "hates school".
The student may be disillusioned with traditional school methods/goals, or
possibly suffering from temporary "burn-out" after a bad school experience,
or may be (by nature) a fiercely independent learner who doesn't like to
be "taught" anything by anybody.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Educational Games; Audio-Visual Materials;
Independent Research.
Try to find educational activities that are fun, short, and do not "feel" like
school. You may see improvement in attitude over time, and be able to
gradually add more structured learning... but do not rush it. The important
thing is to give them time to discover (or re-discover) the joy in learning.
4. Likes to learn from parents. Wants parental participation.
Take a look at these approaches:
Charlotte Mason; Literature-based; Classical Education;
School-at-Home (when used without enrollment in online programs).
5. Prefers to learn independently. Likes open-ended learning
experiences, with lots of flexibility and freedom.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Independent Research;
Computer-Based Instruction; Eclectic Homeschooling.
6. Works well independently, can take assignments to completion
with little or no help, and is able to manage time and stay on
schedule.
Take a look at these approaches:
Workbooks; School-at-Home; Independent Research;
Eclectic Homeschooling; Distance Learning.
7. Likes variety and a flexible schedule, with a choice of
assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Eclectic Homeschooling; Unit Studies; Waldorf Homeschooling;
Montessori Homeschooling; Independent Research.
8. Is overwhelmed by too many options. Prefers low-stress,
predictable assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Charlotte Mason; Workbooks; School-at-Home
(School-at-Home programs vary in intensity. Consider using a curriculum
independently, without enrollment in online programs, to eliminate stressful
deadlines).
9. Prefers to follow a daily routine. Would enjoy a checklist for
assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Workbooks;
Many purchased curricula provide daily lesson plans and assignments.
Remember that parents can set a routine and put together a checklist for
any homeschool approach.
10. Is more comfortable learning at a slow steady pace.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Delayed Instruction; Montessori Homeschooling.
Remember that one of the benefits of homeschooling is that parents can
allow their students to learn at their own pace -- you have the right (and
the responsibility) to modify the approach you choose in order to best meet
your child's needs. You can adjust the pace of any curriculum that you use
independently. Consider avoiding curriculum that is labeled by grade-level
so that your child can feel proud of his or her accomplishments, no matter
what level he or she is working at.
11. Learns quickly and breezes thru assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Eclectic Homeschooling; Classical Education; Distance Learning;
explore Gifted Enrichment options
Find ways to add depth and breadth to whatever homeschooling approach
you choose. If you choose a pre-packaged curriculum - you will likely need
to seek out supplements to use along with it. Avoid any curriculum that is
sold strictly by grade-level -- your child may go thru the material very
quickly, but not be allowed to advance. Get used to the idea that you will
probably have to modify and/or improve upon any approach you choose.
Consider Distance Learning (possibly gifted enrichment options) but check
that they allow students to progress (even thru grade levels, if needed) at
their own pace.
12. Thrives on challenge. Seeks out new assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Classical Education; Thomas Jefferson Education;
Independent Research; Eclectic Homeschooling; Distance
Learning; explore Gifted Enrichment options
13. Needs drill and repetition to remember. Memorizes facts
easily. Learns sequentially.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Workbooks; Classical Education.
14. Needs to fully understand the concept to remember. Needs to
see the big picture. Is a "whole to part" learner. May be a
Visual-Spatial Learner.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unit Studies; Audio-Visual Materials; Hands-On Learning;
Eclectic Homeschooling.
Avoid traditional school methods, including School-at-Home and most
workbooks -- they are very sequential and tend to focus on the
memorization of facts, rather than "whole to part" concepts. Examine all
resources before buying to be sure new concepts are explained in a way
your child will understand. You may have to pick and choose from
different approaches to best meet your child's style of learning.
15. Needs hands-on involvement to remember. Learns by doing.
Take a look at these approaches:
Montessori Homeschooling; Hands-On Learning; Educational
Games.
Back to the Click-O-Matic Quiz
Click-O-Matic Guide to
Choosing a Homeschooling Approach
by Julie Shepherd Knapp, copyright, 2006
Student's Personality
(15 questions)
Does this statement describe your student?
1. Enjoys academics, and likes to spend time learning.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Classical Education; Independent Research;
Distance Learning.
2. Wants or needs to spend minimal time on academics.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; The Moore Formula; Distance Learning (programs
vary, check with each as to time commitment needed)
3. Is a "reluctant learner". May say that he or she "hates school".
The student may be disillusioned with traditional school methods/goals, or
possibly suffering from temporary "burn-out" after a bad school experience,
or may be (by nature) a fiercely independent learner who doesn't like to
be "taught" anything by anybody.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Educational Games; Audio-Visual Materials;
Independent Research.
Try to find educational activities that are fun, short, and do not "feel" like
school. You may see improvement in attitude over time, and be able to
gradually add more structured learning... but do not rush it. The important
thing is to give them time to discover (or re-discover) the joy in learning.
4. Likes to learn from parents. Wants parental participation.
Take a look at these approaches:
Charlotte Mason; Literature-based; Classical Education;
School-at-Home (when used without enrollment in online programs).
5. Prefers to learn independently. Likes open-ended learning
experiences, with lots of flexibility and freedom.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Independent Research;
Computer-Based Instruction; Eclectic Homeschooling.
6. Works well independently, can take assignments to completion
with little or no help, and is able to manage time and stay on
schedule.
Take a look at these approaches:
Workbooks; School-at-Home; Independent Research;
Eclectic Homeschooling; Distance Learning.
7. Likes variety and a flexible schedule, with a choice of
assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Eclectic Homeschooling; Unit Studies; Waldorf Homeschooling;
Montessori Homeschooling; Independent Research.
8. Is overwhelmed by too many options. Prefers low-stress,
predictable assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Charlotte Mason; Workbooks; School-at-Home
(School-at-Home programs vary in intensity. Consider using a curriculum
independently, without enrollment in online programs, to eliminate stressful
deadlines).
9. Prefers to follow a daily routine. Would enjoy a checklist for
assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Workbooks;
Many purchased curricula provide daily lesson plans and assignments.
Remember that parents can set a routine and put together a checklist for
any homeschool approach.
10. Is more comfortable learning at a slow steady pace.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unschooling; Delayed Instruction; Montessori Homeschooling.
Remember that one of the benefits of homeschooling is that parents can
allow their students to learn at their own pace -- you have the right (and
the responsibility) to modify the approach you choose in order to best meet
your child's needs. You can adjust the pace of any curriculum that you use
independently. Consider avoiding curriculum that is labeled by grade-level
so that your child can feel proud of his or her accomplishments, no matter
what level he or she is working at.
11. Learns quickly and breezes thru assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Eclectic Homeschooling; Classical Education; Distance Learning;
explore Gifted Enrichment options
Find ways to add depth and breadth to whatever homeschooling approach
you choose. If you choose a pre-packaged curriculum - you will likely need
to seek out supplements to use along with it. Avoid any curriculum that is
sold strictly by grade-level -- your child may go thru the material very
quickly, but not be allowed to advance. Get used to the idea that you will
probably have to modify and/or improve upon any approach you choose.
Consider Distance Learning (possibly gifted enrichment options) but check
that they allow students to progress (even thru grade levels, if needed) at
their own pace.
12. Thrives on challenge. Seeks out new assignments.
Take a look at these approaches:
Classical Education; Thomas Jefferson Education;
Independent Research; Eclectic Homeschooling; Distance
Learning; explore Gifted Enrichment options
13. Needs drill and repetition to remember. Memorizes facts
easily. Learns sequentially.
Take a look at these approaches:
School-at-Home; Workbooks; Classical Education.
14. Needs to fully understand the concept to remember. Needs to
see the big picture. Is a "whole to part" learner. May be a
Visual-Spatial Learner.
Take a look at these approaches:
Unit Studies; Audio-Visual Materials; Hands-On Learning;
Eclectic Homeschooling.
Avoid traditional school methods, including School-at-Home and most
workbooks -- they are very sequential and tend to focus on the
memorization of facts, rather than "whole to part" concepts. Examine all
resources before buying to be sure new concepts are explained in a way
your child will understand. You may have to pick and choose from
different approaches to best meet your child's style of learning.
15. Needs hands-on involvement to remember. Learns by doing.
Take a look at these approaches:
Montessori Homeschooling; Hands-On Learning; Educational
Games.
Back to the Click-O-Matic Quiz