Homeschooling Philosophy and Approaches

1. Homeschooling Philosophy

Type: Core Principles and Convictions

  • The Long Game (Leah Boden):

    • Play the long game; avoid pulling kids in/out of school for instant gratification.
    • Scripture as a source of wisdom.
    • Primary reason for homeschooling: your children.
    • Develop and own your principles over time.
    • Stay curious, hungry, and open to changing how you see the world.
    • Find your community/tribe.
    • Schools should be ready for kids, not kids for schools.

  • Helen Lees:

    • Homeschooling is better than school; it’s a “gateless gate” free from undue pressure/social demands.
    • Education without schools: natural learning, independent thinkers, non-conformists.
    • Focus on raising the whole child, fostering identity, joy, and cross-generational communication.
    • Homeschoolers are philosophers resisting dehumanization, celebrating freedom and responsibility.
    • Hidden, unspoken value in homeschooling; confidence in your choices.
    • Research “silence” and Peter Grace for deeper insights.

  • Juliet English:

    • School works for some, but not all; embrace your natural skills as a parent.
    • Homeschooling benefits: community, intuition, and personalized education.

  • Julian Black (Lights On Learners):

    • School can “switch off” children’s natural talents; homeschooling fosters passion-led, purpose-driven learning.
    • Design learning around ownership and intrinsic motivation.
    • Children have a right to learn in their unique way; grades don’t equal success.
    • Build portfolios as evidence of learning, not reliance on grades.
    • Neurocoaching and the “learning carousel” to unlock potential.
    • Four Cs: Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration.

  • Jenny Wells (Dreaming Spires Home Learning):

    • “Light the fire, not fill the bucket” – inspire a love of learning.
    • Support the weakest learner using Charlotte Mason methods.
    • Mistakes are part of learning; model resilience and kindness to self.
    • Motivate from the inside out; avoid labeling or comparing children.

2. Charlotte Mason Approach

Type: Philosophy and Methods

  • Leah Boden (Modern Miss Mason):
    • Inside-out, upside-down educational approach; children are whole from the start.
    • Education for all, encouraging children to “dig up knowledge” themselves.
    • Education is an atmosphere, discipline, and life:
      • Atmosphere: Adjust how you see a child.
      • Discipline: Build habits like attention and narration.
      • Life: Living and laughing, fostering a natural desire for knowledge.
    • Avoid lectures and “compression/recompression” that destroy learning desire.
    • Narration (oral, then written) is key; living books are central.

Type: Practical Advice

  • Living Books:

    • Defined as books connecting reader and author through passion and original thought (not diluted textbooks).
    • Questions to identify living books:
      • One author, not too much dialogue.
      • Draws you in, makes you want to read on.
      • Can you narrate what you’ve read?
    • Acronym (Leslie Mailloux): L.I.V.I.N.G (Literary power, Ideas, Virtuous, Inspiring, Narrative, Generational).
    • Trial and error to develop discernment; book lists are helpful but not definitive.
    • Examples: Story-driven books about butterflies vs. encyclopedia entries.
    • Resources: Charlotte Mason’s School Education (pg. 177–181), Ambleside Online’s 21 Principles.

  • Starting with Older Children:

    • Begin with one living book daily, read aloud enthusiastically, and have the child narrate (oral or recorded).
    • For reluctant writers (e.g., dysgraphia), use technology or scribing; focus on oral narration.
    • Gradually integrate living books and narration into existing routines.
    • Resources: A Delectable Education podcast (Episode 65), Charlotte Mason Poetry, Simply Charlotte Mason.

Type: Resources

3. Unschooling and Self-Directed Learning

Type: Philosophy

  • John Holt (How Children Learn):
    • Children are natural learners; they invent games and learn through flow.
    • Most kids want to learn the “right” (safe) way.
    • Focus on engaging one-on-one with young learners.

Type: Resources

Type: Practical Advice

  • Julian Black:
    • Encourage children to own 100% of their learning; ask what they love (e.g., woodworking, building).
    • Build portfolios to showcase learning journeys.
    • Project-based, real-world learning with an authentic audience.
    • Avoid critiquing to preserve interest; extend invitations to explore passions.

4. Practical Homeschooling Tips

Type: General Advice

  • Juliet English:

    • Trust your abilities as a parent; you’re the best person to raise your child.
    • Homeschooling fosters community and intuition.

  • Jenny Wells:

    • Use hands-on activities: build forts, chicken coops, or use children’s own tools.
    • Teenagers communicate differently; adapt to their style.
    • MEP Maths for structured learning.
    • Model mistake-making to teach resilience.

  • Billy Walden’s Story:

    • Home-educated from age 11, pursued self-directed subjects.
    • Earned qualifications in carpentry, bricklaying, and plumbing.
    • Featured on Channel 4’s Amazing Spaces for narrowboat conversion.
    • Resource: billyarthurwalden.com

Type: Courses and Programs

  • Dreaming Spires Home Learning (Jenny Wells):

    • Summer courses (art appreciation, geography, classical civilization, grammar, foreign language studies, CAIE/Edexcel English Language revision).
    • Link: Dreaming Spires Summer Courses

  • Lights On Academy (Julian Black):

5. Miscellaneous

Type: General Inspiration

  • Make the work you were born to make; create what you visualize.
  • When you fail, you’ve found one way it doesn’t work.
  • Ask “why” before starting a task.
  • Focus on the one thing that makes future tasks easier or unnecessary (The One Thing by Gary Keller).

Type: Social Media and Communities

  • Twitter handles: @unschoole, @homeschoolcouk, @beerwah, @glasshousecountry.

Type: Personal Notes

  • Choosing a Good Wife (for Julian):
    • Collection of advice for a young man in his late teens.
    • No specific details provided; intended as guidance.

Type: Resources

  • Helen Lees’ books: Silence in Schools (2012), Education Without Schools (2014, free download via Bristol University Press, May 2020).
  • Journal: othereducation.org (Helen Lees, editor-in-chief).
  • Book recommendation: Read 5 books to become an expert (e.g., How Children Learn by John Holt).
  • Video: Dailymotion link.

Type: Quotes and Reflections

  • “Lighting the fire, not filling the bucket.” – Jenny Wells.
  • “Homeschooling is a never-ending adventure of discovery.” – Helen Lees.
  • “Children source when they own 100% of their learning.” – Julian Black.

This organization groups the notes by key themes (philosophy, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, practical tips) and types (principles, advice, resources), with miscellaneous items capturing unrelated or standalone points. Let me know if you’d like further refinement or specific sections expanded!