Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many parents deciding to take an active role in their children’s education and providing a supportive learning environment to foster their learning and development. One of the most popular homeschooling styles is classical homeschooling, a method of homeschooling which has been practised for centuries and has seen a resurgence in recent years.
In this article, we will explain what classical homeschooling is, the benefits of this approach to learning, and the type of parent whose ideals best fit this particular style of education.
1: What is Classical Homeschooling?
Classical homeschooling is an educational model that can be traced back to the Renaissance era and even before this. This approach focuses on giving students a strong foundation of core knowledge and skills that they can build their other learning on.
Classical homeschooling categorizes students’ knowledge and teaches them three different skills – the Trivium. These skills are: – Grammar: This is focused on facts and specifics. It’s the memorizing of facts and knowledge and also includes the teaching of language.
– Logic: Focusing on the application of knowledge and using theory to create logic and understanding – Rhetoric: Allowing a student to develop their own opinions, debating and communication skills. Classical homeschooling also focuses on providing a rich, diverse education across different subjects such as literature, history, mathematics and the sciences.
2: The Benefits of Classical Homeschooling
There are several benefits to classical homeschooling, which leads to its growing popularity and why it has seen a resurgence as a method of education, especially for homeschoolers. Firstly, classical homeschooling gives children a strong foundation of knowledge across different subjects and it also allows students to better understand the information that they learn. This, in turn, leads to improved long-term memory, better test scores and an improved ability to reason and understand concepts generally.
Classical education also introduces an early appreciation of the Arts. In traditional schooling, the arts may only be introduced later, but in a classical style of homeschooling, the introduction, explanation and appreciation of the arts can be taught from a young age.
Another benefit of classical homeschooling is that it develops a strong work ethic in students. By developing good, disciplined study habits and focus, it encourages a high level of work ethic and instills the importance of education, both intellectual and practical, at a young age.
3: The Ideal Parent for Classical Homeschooling
While anyone can include elements of classical education in their homeschooling curriculum, it is important to note that there is an ideal type of parent or guardian who would be well suited to the approach. Firstly, the ideal parent would be highly organized and able to provide a structured routine for their child’s education. This includes providing interesting lectures with detailed and accurate information, weekly testing for information recall and forming a good understanding of the material being taught and where it fits within the scope of classical education.
The ideal parent for classical homeschooling would also be able to provide a passion for learning and by example, encourage their child to appreciate and become as passionate about what they learn. As smaller chunks of learning are processed over time, it is important for the parent to keep the student motivated, especially with age-appropriate topics that relate well to their interests.
Lastly, it would be beneficial for the parent to be comfortable with their own knowledge, experienced in teaching their own children, and also willing to stay on top of the material they teach.
4: The Benefits of a Classical Education Over Traditional Schooling
For some, the decision of which educational path to follow comes down to whether to choose traditional schooling or homeschooling, especially with classical homeschooling. There are many benefits of a classical education over the traditional school system, mainly because the approach focuses on students’ core skills, knowledge and understanding.
Unlike traditional schooling that has a sole purpose of focusing on test scores, classical education has a different focus. By introducing and developing three core skills, Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric, it helps to develop a foundation of core knowledge, as well as helping to create an appreciation for the Arts. This allows for more diversity in the knowledge being taught and more opportunities for learning a broad range of topics.
Another major benefit of classical education is that it is often more flexible and student-focused than the traditional education system. It is easier for classical homeschoolers to tailor the curriculum and lesson plans to the individual needs of each student and focus on their interests and strengths.
5: The Role of the Parent in Classical Education
Parents obviously play a key role in any homeschooling journey, but in classical homeschooling, the role of the parent is even more important. Parents are essentially the lead teacher in a classical homeschool, meaning that they need to provide the right kind of structure, support, and materials to enable the best learning opportunities for the student. To effectively provide a classical education, the parent needs to both understand their child’s individual needs and be familiar with the method of teaching.
This entails being comfortable with the topics they are teaching, having a deep understanding of the material and being able to adjust the curriculum and lesson plans to meet the specific needs of the student. Classical homeschooling also requires a certain level of order and discipline, so having a well-structured routine and regular testing for information recall and establishing strong work habits are a priority for parents.
6: The Advantages of a Classical Education for Different Age Groups
Being able to tailor the curriculum to the individual needs and interests of the student is one of the key advantages of classical education, especially for different age groups. For example, younger students can benefit greatly from a classical education as it teaches them to appreciate the arts, encourages curiosity, and promotes critical thinking.
For older students, classical education can be especially beneficial as it allows them to dig deeper into their core knowledge, helping to develop their analytical and writing skills as they become more knowledgeable in their area of study. The ongoing tracking and assessment of student’s understanding, their ability to think logically, and the support that classical education provides can also be extremely beneficial for students of all ages.
7: How to Incorporate Classical Education into Your Homeschool Curriculum
Incorporating classical education into your homeschool curriculum can seem daunting at first but it’s not as complicated as it may appear. To maintain the structure and focus needed for classical education, parents should invest in a classical homeschool curriculum.
This is likely to include materials, tools and resources to help in teaching the Trivium, as well as clear, detailed lesson plans and assessments. Having a dedicated study space also helps to create a suitable environment for learning and staying focused. The use of organizational tools, such as tracking and recording students’ progress, and having a consistent schedule for study, readings and tests can also help parents to stay on top of their home-schooling.
Cross-curricular teaching and exposing students to a variety of topics and subjects such as literature, history, science, and mathematics can also be incorporated into the curriculum. This helps to ensure that the student develops a good understanding and appreciation for different topics and subject areas.
8: The Best Resources for Classical Education
Due to classical education’s growing popularity, there are now more resources available to help with structuring and preparing classical home-schooling lessons. Firstly, there are dedicated classical homeschool curriculum packages, with many offering all-inclusive materials, resources and lesson plans, so it’s worth taking a look at those. There are also plenty of online resources and apps that can help to structure and guide classical home-schoolers, such as Grammar Planet, Socratic, Instaread and Prodigy Math Games.
These can offer additional resources, guidance and support in teaching the Trivium. The best thing to do is research different curriculum packages and resources that are available and see which would be the most suitable for the student’s learning needs.
9: How to Write Classical Homeschool Lesson Plans
Knowing how to write lesson plans for a classical education approach is a key skill for classical homeschoolers. It’s important to build lesson plans around the Trivium, focusing on Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric, as this will ensure that the student’s core skills are developed effectively.
When writing lesson plans, it’s important to break down topics into sections and ensuring that each plan is detailed and covers all the required information. Good notes will also be beneficial. The use of visual aids, such as diagrams and detailed examples, can also make understanding the material easier.
In terms of structure, lesson plans should always follow a clear plan to ensure students are fully engaged in the material. This should involve the introduction of the topic, presentation of the material and practice exercises at the end.
10: The Challenges of Teaching Classical Education
Like with any method of homeschooling, there can be challenges associated with teaching classical education, such as knowing the right topics to cover, how to structure the curriculum, and knowing how to assess the student’s understanding. It’s important to be aware of the individual needs of each student and be flexible with the material being taught.
It’s also important to think about how much material to cover and how quickly the student should advance. Making sure the student has a structured and organized approach to their education is important. This involves having a good understanding of the topics being taught, as well as understanding the student’s needs and interests.
11: Classical Homeschooling Tools and Resources
There are plenty of tools and resources available for classical home schoolers in terms of structuring and teaching the Trivium. Online resources, such as Grammar Planet, Socratic, Instaread, and Prodigy Math Games, are particularly useful for teaching the key skills, as well as offering additional practice activities and support. Organizational tools, such as tracking systems, can also be beneficial for tracking and recording the student’s learning progress.
Having a consistent schedule and teaching schedule, and studying in a dedicated study space, can help with focus and staying on track. Different types of teaching materials, such as books, audio material, videos, and hands-on activities, can also be beneficial when teaching classical homeschool curriculum.
12: How to Find a Support Group for Classical Homeschoolers
Having a support network is essential for any homeschoolers, so it’s important to try and find a support group of other classical homeschoolers. There are a few ways to find a support group.
Firstly, looking online is the most efficient method, with social media groups, forums and blogs being popular sources for finding a support group. Reaching out to local homeschooling organizations and attending events can also help find like-minded homeschoolers, which can be especially beneficial for classical homeschoolers who may need a more active support network for their approach to homeschooling.
13: Is Classical Homeschooling Right for You?
Deciding whether classical homeschooling is right for you and your child is an important decision. As with any homeschooling approach, it is essential to do your research before committing to classical homeschooling, so you can ensure it is the best fit for you and your child. It is important to be aware of the requirements of classical homeschooling, such as a strong work ethic, organization and routine, and the need for dedicated teaching for the student’s progress.
But the results and benefits, such as improved knowledge and understanding, as well as appreciation for the Arts, can be highly beneficial for many students.
Conclusion
Classical homeschooling can be an incredibly beneficial approach to education for many, especially as it gives students a strong foundation of core knowledge and understanding, while also allowing the parent to provide a student-focused education. Classical Homeschooling requires a passionate and committed parent, so it’s important to really consider if the method will be right for you and your child. However, with the right resources and support network, the benefits of classical homeschooling can be truly remarkable.