Well, I looked at the poll, and most folks here seem to call themselves eclectic homeschoolers.
For us, that means MOSTLY unschooling, with some Singapore Math and mom-directed reading (he picks a book, I decide that it's reading time). My guy also goes to a gifted pull-out once a week in the PS, so they cover some other bases there.
I'm sure there are "schoolier" eclectic homeschoolers out there, and also some "unschoolier" (new vocab - hey, if making up words was ok for Shakespeare, then it's good enough for me, too.)
What is YOUR eclectic homeschool like (today? <g>)
1) I make my own curriculum program by pulling from this source and that source.
Pros: Lots of freedom to use what "works."
Cons: Having so many choices is exhausting. Really. And you know what? I don't know if it's the same for everyone but I think eclectic folks end up spending WAY TOO MUCH money on curriculum. And you know what else? You end up feeling (even after you've spent all that money) that you didn't get exactly what you needed or enough. You are never satisfied. I used to think "curriculum in a box" was horrible. Now? Now I think the folks that buy the whole program live with a lot more peace than I do. They buy their things, they do it and it's over. No more wondering.
Our prescription for this past year has been THE WELL TRAINED MIND. I read it and it cleared up a lot of things for me. No, I do not agree with everything in this book or the whole philosophy in general. But you know what I loved? I loved their approach to history, I loved the extensive resource list that's included in the book, and I loved their no-nonsense approach. The schedule that is recommended for each age group is very, very "doable" and children walk away with a rich education.
"Eclectic" also means to me that:
2) I do not have to follow any one philosophy of education throughout our whole homeschool journey.
We started out unschooling (which was WONDERFUL for that period in our lives) and now we delving into classical education. What seems like a huge change in mindset and philosophy for some people, seems only natural to us. We are "eclectic". We do whatever works for that period in time.
Giovanna
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FAITH IS NOT BELIEVING THAT GOD CAN--IT'S KNOWING THAT HE WILL!
For now, that means Singapore and Miquon math, Easy Grammar for the oldest, Explode the Code all round, Italic for the younger, A Reason for Writing for the older (she wanted to write like her friends), various homemade put together mini unit studies, Spelling Power, Writing Strands, and a bunch of good books. I am starting to look into using a prepared unit study for next year. Knowing me, I will probably just use it as a guide book.
I don't mean just that I don't use a "curriculum in a box" - but that the curriculum I do use, I use however it works best. I've used Miquon Math with all three kids, for example, but haven't used it the same way twice.
Eclectic in our house, right now, means that the 'school year' is virtually over, giving way to serious spring sports schedules, and lots of gardening, outdoor play, and other home projects.
It means that the most important "to buy" on my "school list" is a bike for me so that I can ride along with my youngest daughter, who wants to take longer daily runs but lacks a sibling to run with right now. (And mom Definitely Doesn't Run!)
It means that, at many times, and for different reasons, we have been unschoolers, school-at-homers, relaxed homeschoolers, and probably a host of labels I can't even think of. It means that sometimes, one child has been homeschooling one way, while the others go a different path.
It means that our time frame is way out of sync with "normal" people's - both our school year, and our daily routine. Right now, my 9yo does most of what looks like "schoolwork" between 9pm and midnight. Seriously. And it works for us.
Homeschooling seems to be such an evolving thing. It changes constantly in our household. To me, being "eclectic" means that our work can be anything that "works" for us.
What 'works' keeps changing too and that's ok, we move with it. The process of discovery is what its about, for both of us.
We're working with a math curriculum - SRA Applications and Explorations (the title belies its fun quotient,) reading everyday, writing sometimes, science this week is the Liberty Science Museum to scratch the 'electricity' itch my daughter has right now, and using "The Story of the World" (from The Well Trained Mind) for history with whatever supporting activities we can come up with. Art, Music and Sports are haphazard but ongoing.
As a single mom "eclectic homeschooling" is giving me the opportunity to go on with my life as a theatre and film artist with my daughter by my side. Janine
...using what ever method works at the time. Our homecsohol journey has taken many turns and twists in our five short years. We have used some text books, some "schooly stuff" lots of unschooling, some church activities, 4-H, the Police Explorers, city sports programs, and some 'outside' classes. This year, for the 9th grade, my son is attending the local community college and earning college credits (for free). For me, this is what true education is, it most closely mirrors real life. I have pulled from every area of society to aquire all of the skills that I have.
When I think of eclectic homeschooling I think of a quilt. Thousands of little bits of material all sewn together to create a truly beautiful work of art.
I'm glad I scrolled down and read this. Awhile back, a mom at a support meeting, said to me, Oh you're an eclectic hs. I didn't know what it meant, so said nothing. I'm glad to see your (everyone) insights on what this means, I feel proud to be one! Mia
taking what works.... from whatever method, curriculum, text, class, etc. and using that. We toss (w/o guilt) what does not work for our family. We use some unschool ideas, Charlotte Mason, some text based subjects, whatever works. I'm happy, the kids are happy, and most important they are enjoying learning, and learning how to teach themselves.
Being eclectic means that I use Miquon (and am looking for 1-2 min. drills) for math, that we used Bob Books to learn to read (we are now done and using trade books for reading), and that we will be using Critical Thinking Skills--Beginning Figural & Beginning Verbal (k-1) because I have concerns about ds' visio-spacial skills. Also that science consists of visits to the Aquarium, the zoo and the Natural History Musuem, nature walks, DK videos, Bill Nye, The Wild Side, raising fish, watching tadpoles grow into frogs, and planting seeds. It means that Social Studies meant learning about our holidays, correct social behaviour, and family life this year. Also that writing is totally phonetic and spontanious. Oh, and that "school" is not everyday and can be on any day. We try to do math 3-7 times a week depending on the week and reading on most days, but anything can be skipped if ds is too moody or we are too busy. I have dreams of doing school at home, but this seems to work for us and ds is doing great.
