"Relaxed" or "Eclectic" homeschooling is the method used most often by homeschoolers. Basically, eclectic homeschoolers use a little of this and a little of that, using workbooks for math, reading, and spelling, and taking an unschooling approach for the other.
Typical Relaxed or Eclectic Homeschooling Schedule
For the family who practices "relaxed," or "eclectic," homeschooling, mornings are often used for more formal, "have to" work, and afternoons are used for hobbies and other special projects. There are no specific times set up for each subject, but instead the child is expected to meet their educational goals.
- Reading: Read one chapter a day from a book the child has chosen. The parent will also often read challenging books to the children at night, like Jane Eyre, Phantom of the Opera, The Three Musketeers, and other classics.
- Writing: Eclectic families usually center their writing around journals, essays, letters to friends, and the occasional report. Some families also participate in a "young writers" club, available through their support group.
- Math: Each child will have the math materials that best suit their learning style. One child may use math software, one child may use math manipulatives like rods, shapes, and counters, another child may use a math textbook. The parent then evaluates the child's retention by periodically making up a sheet of problems that review all the math concepts the student has learned.
- Science: The emphasis is on hands-on experiments that the family does at home or through community science classes (like those put on by MadScience.com).
- History/Geography: The family will use workbooks, software, educational games, and historical fiction. Some families also make up time lines and history notebooks like those used in the classical and Charlotte Mason approaches.
- Special Interests: Afternoons are generally spent doing special projects, pursuing hobbies, and participating in community classes and teams like soccer, gymnastics, Boy Scouts, and 4-H.