Our FAV Resources by Learning Approach
At one of our recent parent workshops, we had a great discussion about the importance of homeschooling parents to educate themselves about different educational approaches and philosophies.
This article is here to help you in that pursuit, with some of our favorite resources from Charlotte Mason, Montessori, Project-Based Learning and more!
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason was a 19th Century British educator who believed that education must teach to the whole child, not just load their minds with information.
She cared about:
relationships between ideas, not just memorizing facts
how atmosphere and environment impact learning
pursuing knowledge that benefits the mind, body, and soul
exposing your child to a wide variety of subjects and experiences along their learning journey
Our favorite aspects of the Charlotte Mason approach:
1. Strong Emphasis on Nature Studies
Thanks to Charlotte Mason, Nature Studies became a staple in our homeschool. It wasn't just about being in nature, but exploring it, analyzing it, drawing it, bringing it inside to sit with for long periods, and appreciating it all as a sign of Allah's creation and wisdom. These studies brought a calm and peace to our homeschool journey in a way that other subjects didn't.
2. Active Incorporation of Religious Studies
While Charlotte Mason herself was Christian, and many Charlotte Mason resources follow suit, her approaches to studying religion as part of everyday life can easily (and very naturally) be adapted for Islamic learning. For example:
Bible Study -→ Qur'an Study
Scripture Copywork + Dictation -→ Quranic Ayah or Hadith copywork + dictation
Scripture Memorization -→ Qur'an + Hadith Memorization
3. Art Studies
Charlotte Mason art studies expose your children to a variety of well-known artists, their unique artistic approaches, and activities that encourage your children to recreate those pieces. This approach helps your children hone their skills and attention by copying masters, and producing beautiful pieces
4. Living Books
Charlotte Mason approach is KNOWN for their living books selection. Living Books are books in a wide variety of topics that are authored in a way that is highly engaging, passionate, and full of life. Whether you're reading non-fiction or fiction, choosing a living book is a great way to go for tales that will draw you in, stir your emotions, and help your child fall in love with reading and learning.
Get Started with Charlotte Mason Here:
Simply Charlotte Mason (website dedicated to helping you build a comprehensive Charlotte Mason homeschool)
Ambleside Online (FREE online Charlotte Mason curriculum you can use in full or follow as a skeleton to get ideas)
Living Books List (searchable website of 600+ living books!)
Waldorf
Similar to Charlotte Mason, Waldorf Education aims to stimulate and grow the whole child, but it does so in a different way. Developed by philosopher Rudolf Steiner, the Waldorf approach aims to nurture children's unique potentials to benefit others.
Waldorf Emphasizes:
low tech/ no tech approaches to learning, especially in the early years
activities and lessons that stimulate the imagination
artistic skills and pursuits integrated into academic subjects
Our favorite aspects of the Charlotte Mason approach:
1. Encouragement of Excellence and Beauty
Waldorf lessons and creations really stand out in their aesthetics because the children are taught to apply themselves with great care, attention, and skill. This helps slow your child down, grow their attention to detail, and appreciate the pursuit of quality in what they do.
2. Whimsical Take on Education
Waldorf is really special in it's whimsy. Fairy houses, jump rope rhymes, color everywhere, children running barefoot in the grass or harvesting crops. This is not your traditional classroom setup and we LOVE that!
3. Main Lesson Books
Main Lesson Books are a staple in Waldorf education, and exist to compile and preserve your child's work in a specific subject or area of learning. These books are hand made by each child and hold weeks worth of original writings, drawings, notes, diagrams, and more. By the end, you have a beautiful, unique portfolio of your child's learning that you’ll love to keep forever.
Get Started with Waldorf Here:
Pepper and Pine (Islamically inspired Waldorf resources for homeschooling families and more)
Waldorfish (Online waldorf learning by class)
Oak Meadow (Complete Waldorf homeschool curriculum)
Classical Education
Classical Education is a content-rich approach to homeschooling that aims to strengthen your child's academic foundations and critical thinking skills through the Trivium, a three-stage approach to processing information that adapts as the child grows.
Classical Education Emphasizes:
thorough study of core academic subjects including math, languge arts (reading, writing, spelling and grammar), history, and science
deep, organized, structured learning
foundational skills building that grow over time
Our favorite aspects of the Classical approach:
1. Organization of Learning
Classical homeschool resources tend to be very well organized with a clear path that homeschool parents can easily follow with their families. With classical curricula, there is very little guesswork or orginal creating needed. They also carve out a clear path so parents can find comfort knowing exactly where they are headed within specific subject areas.
2. Depth and Detail
Classical curriculums cover A LOT. I used both classical history and science curricula in our homeschool because I knew they would be well thought out, dive deep, and give my children a thorough understanding of concepts rather than just brushing the surface.
Get Started with Classical Learning Here:
The Well Trained Mind (hands-down, the BEST resource out there for Classical Education instruction and curriculum recommendations by subject)
The Montessori Method
The Montessori Method gently introduces your child to formal learning through hands-on, sensory rich experiences. Rooted in letting the child lead, Montessori education encourages children to follow thier interests while gradually building their skills and understanding academically, socially, physically, and more.
Montessori Education focuses on:
a prepared environment where every material is purposeful
multi-sensory, full-body learning
freedom within limits
gentle approaches to discipline
Our favorite aspects of Montessori:
1. Manipulative-Based Math
Math learning the Montessori way builds excellent math foundations, especially in mental math. Children learn to SEE the math and really understand how it works, instead of just rote memorizing.
2. Gentle Introduction to Academic Learning
With the prepared environment, children naturally explore, absorb and learn. This let's parents take a more relaxed approach to introducing formal academics. Instead of worksheets, you have manipulatives. Instead of lectures, you have great stories. Instead of drills, you have games and playful activities. This helps children learn to grow not just in their ABCs but in their love of learning for life.
Get Started with Montessori Here:
The Montessori Notebook (expert advice for homeschooling the Montessori way)
Montessori for Homeschoolers (resources to help you adapt Montessori methods and materials to your home)
Project-Based Learning
Project Based Learning is an active, child led approach to education where children learn through engaging, meaningful projects to answer big questions, address real-world issues, or bring their big ideas to life.
Project-Based Learning helps develop:
critical thinking
child-driven inquiry and problem solving
child voice and ownership of learning
deep understanding and self-reflection
Our favorite aspects of Project Based Learning:
1. Sustained Engagement Over Time
When kids get to choose the work that matters to them, and problem-solve and create along the way, their engagement level soars in ways that teacher-directed learning often can't replicate. This is where curiosity, passion, and personal drive really shine. This learn by doing approach creates an environment that helps foster a solid growth mindset and allows children to take risks and learn from their mistakes while being fully supported.
Get Started with PBL Here:
PBL Explained (youtube video)
10 Benefits of PBL in Homeschool (article with resources)
Project Based Homeschooling (a simple guide to helping your child become a self-directed learner)