Lesson 2: How We Learn, Teach, and Tailor a Unit Study to Fit

2-3 Basic Styles of Teaching

There are many different methods that home schoolers can choose from to educate their children; some of the most common are: Unschooling, Structured, Classical, and Unit Studies. Each of these different methods are merely tools in the hands of the home educating parent.

The Educational Resources Info Center Eric Database:

• Classical - teaches the basic tools of learning a subject so they will be able to teach themselves as they grow.

• Lifestyle of learning - promotes teaching and learning as an integral part of daily living.

• Schooling at home - encourages parents tend to teach the way they were taught in schools. This approach basically brings the school's highly structured system into the home.

• Structured/mastery learning - presents topics for study in a step-by-step manner giving quick feedback.

• Unit studies - emphasizes interrelationships between subjects centered around a common theme or project.

• Unschooling - gives children freedom to explore and learn about the world in a more unstructured, informal manner.

• Worldview - teaches that all education is motivated by one's values and beliefs.

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  Felder-Silverman Model

  
  North Carolina State University
  http://www2.ncsu.edu/unity/lockers/users...
  The following suggestions from Dr. Felder (see previous section) are especially helpful for a balanced teaching approach to technical topics:

• When teaching theoretical concepts introduce them with concrete phenomena and problems related to the theory.

• Balance intuitive information with concrete information.

• Use visual aids whenever possible. Along with oral and written material use lots of diagrams, computer graphics, physical demonstrations, etc.

• Abstract ideas or problem-solving algorithms should be emphasized with at least one numerical or concrete example.

• Use physical analogies and demonstrations to illustrate the magnitudes of calculated quantities (sensing, global).

• When possible before introducing a principle have experimental observations followed by student groups working to try to infer the general principle involved.

• Allow adequate time for student reflection and active participation.

• Encourage cooperative learning. If it's just you and one child, discuss and collaborate together as much as you can.

• Besides teaching the logical flow of individual course topics, point out connections between the current material and other relevant material from not just that subject but other disciplines and everyday experience.

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  Brain/Body Interaction

  
  http://www.crosshome.com/healthyhome6.sh...
  This idea comes from an article in Healthy Home "Brain to Body -- Move It!" by Diane H. Pitts, nurse and physical therapist. She states that movement is closely linked to brain function. Not only does the heart benefit from physical activity but the brain as well. She suggests frequently staggering your directed, focused teaching time with physical activities:

  • Restful background music improves both ability to learn and retain material.

  • If your children are getting frustrated don't insist on completion. Instead take a break, then come back to it refreshed.

  • At least once an hour, let your children take an activity break. Also, when possible, include movement to reinforce learning.

  • Explore methods to engage your students' styles of learning.

  • As much as possible, for quiet study time:
    • have a tone-setting place free of distractions,

    • institute few but fair rules,

    • set a clear goal for such times.

  • This one may surprise you: Water is a brain drink! Water conducts electricity aiding the brain in its cell-to-cell communication. Research indicates that the brain's retention is 68% better about ten minutes after a glass of water.

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  Choosing a Teaching Strategy

  It helps to decide in your own minds what view of education fits your family. What are the most important values you want your children to get from the home learning environment? How do you want to prepare them for the world of their futures? What are your strengths and weaknesses, interests and preferences as a parent and a teacher?

  Now apply the same analysis to each of your children as students.

  Develop favorite home ed websites to help you in your cause --especially those with discussion boards or other feedback channels allowing you connect with other home educators.

  Check your local library for books, tapes, and periodicals to help you develop your signature style of teaching.

  Consider joining a local homeschool support group and subscribing to home ed newsletters and magazines with similar philosophies to yours. Or just meet with other local homeschoolers casually to swap ideas and support one another.

  If your children have special educational needs, contact appropriate organizations for their particular situations. Your support groups, networks and many major home ed sites will have contact information.

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  Teaching strategies generally evolve as you and your children progress. In the beginning you're more apt to try new techniques. Eventually you see what works best, what needs changing, and so you all get comfortable over the years with teaching and learning methods that seem to work well for everyone.

  Well, that's the ideal anyway.

  The truth is, your children will be changing in what approaches work best as they mature. Down days for both teacher and student will make the best of approaches tough to handle. We get stressed, rushed. The better techniques give way to efficient ones. And sometimes students just feel like mules, balking at every good effort on your part. At least that's the way it seems at times. The methods and evaluating techniques in this lesson are good as occasional helps to keep your efforts and your students on track. But in the trenches of daily schooling we tend to fall back on what's easiest and comes most naturally.

  This is where having open lines of communication and an arsenal of resources that work for each child really help. If the message isn't getting through, do your children feel free to ask questions? Do you get together to brainstorm a different approach as needed? If you are just too tired to bend over backwards accommodating a learning style do you have some "instant wonder" books, activities or other resources to come to your rescue (kind of like that emergency bag of activities for long car trips)? Remember to let older children devise their own learning aids and teach themselves as they show the willingness and maturity to do so. It'll take a big load off your shoulders and delight them with new-found freedom and responsibility all rolled into one.

  
  
  

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