What is the Eclectic Homeschool Style?

What is the Eclectic Homeschool Style?

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What is the eclectic (flexible) homeschool method?

  1. It’s a mix and match of multiple curriculums
  2. It’s child centered and geared towards each child’s learning style
  3. It’s flexible and adaptable, changing when needed
  4. It’s arranging and adapting to each child based on their needs

What does this mean in the day-to-day?

Eclectic homeschooling means it’s going to vary from family to family depending on their life and child needs.

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Example: You can start school day once children wake up with reading materials like Charlotte Mason texts, classical style in the afternoon such as Latin and Writing, then multiple intelligences or Waldorf style for arts and sciences. There may be online supplemental activities for math or reading and more.

Example: Start school in the evening or later in day after informal learning, chores, activities and nature walk. Then music and science experiments in the afternoon and a journaling and math workbook.

Why Our Family Uses This Method

Our family has a lot of reasons for being eclectic when it comes to homeschooling. Mainly it stems from my husband growing up with this style. He was homeschooled with multiple resources including standard text workbooks, videos and online practice, outside homeschool co-op classes and job site learning.

This method of homeschooling may not be for everyone, but it works for our family because it adapts to our lifestyle as we moved multiple times, attended college and have had seasons of major financial restraints.

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How to Implement Eclectic Homeschool Method

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  • Find a co-op: local groups or small group tutoring
  • Utilize your resources: Documentaries, library, games, STEM
  • Find curriculums that suit you child’s needs: Story based, all-in-one units, arts focused or classical
  • Make your own curriculum: mix and match free resources with texts
  • Find good reading texts: look up books and sites for engaging reading
  • Ask your child what they like and enjoy: Such as coding, art, writing, sciences etc.
  • Test and try different curriculums or units: Try different ideas for a year or two to find favorites.

(1) Find your Rhythm:

  • Do you have early risers or late risers? You can let everyone start their school when they get up.
  • Are you homeschooling multiple children or extended family? You can figure out block times for each age group.
  • Do you work from home or are single parent? Find a good times and curriculum for independent learning.
  • Is your schedule busy with travel or extracurriculars? Find ways to learn while out or traveling.

(2) Research & Find What Suits Your Teaching Needs:

  • Look at online learning that is supplemental
  • Research curriculums that have video instruction or activities
  • One curriculum may work for a strong reader and another better for a special needs child
  • Mix and match different homeschool methods that you like: Waldorf, Montessori, Classical etc.
  • Do you and your child want more activities/games or more text and visuals?

(3) Map out Goals/Expectations:

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  • Create a general outline of the year or semester for your child
  • Find what subjects you want them to learn
  • Research your state’s guidelines/expectations for grade level competency
  • Do you want to teach all subjects or use co-ops for some subjects?

(4) Create a Flexible Environment:

  • Let the natural day-to-day differ depending on when they wake, what their focus is and if you are busy or slow paced that week. (Our ADD children struggle some days so we take breaks and do review in the evening if they can’t get through a lesson in the morning)
  • Provide stations or resources in a school room or small area
  • Create lots of places to learn and engage: bean bags, tables, couch, computer, resource room
  • Slowly incorporate curriculum and subjects to guide the child towards learning
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(5) Adjust and Modify As You Go:

  • Try and test curriculums and activities
  • Modify checklists, content or subjects if necessary
  • Adjust your schedule or subjects day-to-day
  • Take some days to just learn by “play”
  • Reevaluate as often as you need to keep child engaged with content

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