What does the School at Home Method Look Like?

Not unlike many homeschoolers I come in contact with, when I started homeschooling I used a traditional school at home approach. I was raised in the public school system, and with my youngest in first grade there were many onlookers that had concerns and expectations surrounding my decision to homeschool. So the more I could make our homeschool look like (and align with) the traditional public school system, the less I felt scrutinized.

That is not to imply school at home is bad or negative in any way. It is a widely used and much loved method of homeschooling! What I am saying is that you often find families starting out homeschooling this way, and then with time and experience it ebbs and flows to look like something all their own.

More often than not I find homeschool families define their homeschool method as eclectic. This is because we start picking and choosing from all the homeschool methods to find a combination that works for our family.

Let's take a look at what doing school at home might look like and what resources you would want to have to use this homeschool method.

What exactly is the School at Home Homeschool Method?

A traditional, or school at home approach, is essentially trying to replicate the learning experience of a public school classroom at home. You may use specific workspaces such as desks, along with textbooks and workbooks, as well as graded assignments. Your days will most likely be planned out with structured study times and trying to match up to the same curriculum outlines set out by the government education system.

Pros and Cons of the School at Home Method

Pros

It’s most likely familiar for you because it follows a similar format of the common experience in school.
Since their is a set schedule, it makes preparation, planning, and use easy.
If you are buying a grade specific boxed curriculum you get everything all in one with a collective schedule and plan. Making it so you can open and go!
It’s easy to know your child is meeting all their grade expectations.
If you change your mind about homeschooling or you suddenly need to put your children into public school, you can feel pretty confident they are at grade level with their public school peers.

Cons

Has the highest rate of burnout for both parents and kids because the high workload and stringent schedule.
Boxed curriculum can be very expensive.
Using textbooks all the time can become monotonous.
There is often a lot of busy work which can lead to stress and frustration due to the workload.
Lacks flexibility for interests or schedules since there are deadlines and a specific schedule.

Resources for the School at Home Method

All in One / Boxed Curriculum

The most common and easiest way to implement the school at home method in your homeschool is via an all in one boxed curriculum. While there are tons of them out there, I have listed some of the more popular ones.

Mix and Match Curriculum Options

Another option is to mix and match curriculum. Using this method allows you to still use curriculum, but you can pick and choose what it right for your child.

You may choose an English curriculum that is a grade lower than other things because your child struggles with reading/writing. Or you may love a certain math program so you pair that with a popular science program. The possibilities are endless when you choose to mix and match curriculum.

To find top notch curriculum in all the major subjects, check out our Ultimate Guides Series:

HERE’S SOME HELP FOR CHOOSING CURRICULUM

Sometimes choosing homeschool curriculum is the basic, overwhelming task facing families each academic year. This Ultimate Guide to Choosing Homeschool Curriculum comes alongside you, offering many resources.

This homeschool advice is gathered from our archives here at Curriculum Choice, from the wisdom of our team of review authors and from fellow homeschoolers around the web.

In this Ultimate Guide to Choosing Homeschool Curriculum you will find all the advice and tips on Choosing Curriculum from our veteran team of homeschoolers both past and present here at The Curriculum Choice.

HOMESCHOOL METHODS SERIES

Be sure to bookmark or Pin this What do Homeschool Methods Look Like in Real Life Series? and check back each month as we add another method!

What do homeschool methods look like in real life? Come with us as we take a look at how the various methods play out in real homeschools, going beyond just a basic definition and supplying you with tons of resources for each homeschool method.

Heidi Ciravola (143 Posts)

Heidi Ciravola is mom to three kids who were all homeschooled. Two have graduated college and one is finishing homeschooling high school. She spends much of her time navigating the high school waters (from electives to college prep) and reviewing homeschool curriculum for all ages. You can find her writing about these things as well as her love of books and homeschool life in general over at Starts At Eight.