Traditional homeschooling is also known as the “school-at-home” method. Where the parent implements the use of a set curriculum, textbooks, tests, and quizzes to educate and monitor their child’s progress.
This method also follows a traditional annual academic schedule, teaching Fall through Spring with summers off. Traditional homeschooling often replicates the public and private school setting with a classroom, writing board, desks, and chairs. This is often a popular method of choice for first-time homeschooling parents.
Traditional homeschooling does not have to be mundane and rigid. This approach offers HIGH structure and accountability while still allowing the parent to be in charge and create their child’s school schedule. The most important thing to remember with the traditional homeschooling method is YOU’RE IN CHARGE!
Traditional homeschooling can be a mix of parent-led instructions and online classes taught by an expert teacher in a specific subject. No curriculum is set in stone. Modify, change, adapt, and supplement where needed. Do not feel you need to complete the entire boxed curriculum.
Homeschooling provides the ultimate freedom and flexibility in education.
Let’s look at some of the perks of traditional homeschooling.
1. It all comes in a box
Parents have a plethora of options to choose from when it comes to buying curriculum.
The guesswork of figuring out what your child should be learning is removed. You can purchase a complete grade-by-grade curriculum set with lesson plans.
Parents often use a single curriculum program but sometimes will swap some subjects with another program.
If your curriculum came with a Saxon math textbook and your child is struggling with it swap it out for a different math text.
2. It’s familiar
Traditional homeschooling follows a lecture-teaching style with a solid schedule and frequent use of tests and quizzes.
Your child’s homeschool coursework is easily mapped out. The predictable routine and structured guidance of provided lesson plans remove the stress of not knowing what to do and wondering, “Am I doing enough?”
Some children thrive off the structure of a school-at-home environment without all the social distractions accompanying public and private school settings.
3. Short term
Traditional homeschooling is great for short-term homeschooling.
If you are moving, between schools, or have experienced an abrupt change where you need to pull your child out of school immediately. Traditional homeschooling is an excellent method that provides that school-like structure your child is used to.
Some families use the same books as their local public school to teach their children, especially if they know that their child will be going back into the public school system at some point.
4. Guidance and Support
Most boxed curricula come with a lot of guidance and support. Included in some curriculums are lesson plans with scripts on exactly what to say and what to teach your children.
These detailed lesson plans make homeschooling easier when first starting.
Most curriculum comes with contact support. You can call and speak to a real person to answer any of your questions.
Some boxed curricula also offer an online option for some or all of their subjects.
Whether you decide to teach the subjects yourself or opt to enroll your child in an online course, extra support is only a phone call away.
5. Assessments and Grades
Like the public and private school systems, traditional homeschooling often incorporates assessments, tests, and grades to measure your child’s progress. Tests and quizzes are either incorporated into the textbook or packaged in a separate booklet.
These assessments can be useful in identifying comprehension and feedback on your child’s overall academic performance.\
Traditional homeschoolers sometimes will keep track of attendance and keep a portfolio of completed academic work. If the plan is to return to public school, then the traditional approach will make this process easier.
6. Academic Rigor
Many parents feel that the public school system is not challenging their children enough. Homeschooling can be as flexible or as challenging as you make it.
Some families prefer a more rigorous academic schedule for their children and thrive on this approach. Others prefer a more relaxed method. There is room for both.
Some curriculums are a bit more robust than others, however, teaching and expectations are what define excellence, not the curriculum.
Remember any curriculum can be modified to adapt to your family needs. You’re in charge!
Here are some box curriculums and online educational options that may help you get started on your journey going the traditional homeschool route.
Know of some other traditional homeschooling perks? Share them with me below!