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Homeschooling » Homeschool Basics » Eclectic Homeschool – How to Create Your Own Curriculum

Eclectic Homeschool – How to Create Your Own Curriculum

April 18 By Kim Sorgius 13 Comments

18 Apr
Eclectic Homeschool

Homeschooling isn’t a one-size-fits-all gig. Every child is different and every family unique. An eclectic homeschool is a great fit for when one homeschool method isn’t working. See why in this post.

You know the story of Goldilocks.

She goes into the house of the 3 bears and tries out all their stuff. At first, the porridge is too hot, then too cold, and finally just right. Next up are the chairs: too little, too big, and again, just right. Finally, she gets to the beds. The first one is too hard, the second is too soft, and as you know, she finally finds the one that is just right.

I tell you this story because I think we all need a reminder that it usually takes a few tries before we find the right thing.

Eclectic Homeschool

This is certainly true in homeschooling. Most families I meet try several different methods, curriculum choices, schedules, and more. It’s hard to know if something is too soft, too bumpy, too hard, or too hot until you’ve tried it!

I think this is true about homeschooling methods. Generally, when homeschoolers are new to this gig, they are told to figure out what method best suits their family. Most pick, but few actually stick with it. Why? Well, it’s hard to know what is going to fit with your family until you’ve tried it. (Thus making the argument for an eclectic approach much stronger.)

Click below to watch a light-hearted video where I nominate each of the homeschooling methods and host the Homeschool Method Academy Awards. I promise it’s cute and inspiring.

So, if you are one of those homeschoolers who feels like some things are working and some aren’t, know this: you’re not alone. This is a normal part of the process. Experimenting with what works for your kiddos is a part of the process. And no, it’s NOT HARMING THEM.

I’ve literally tried every homeschooling method. Serious. I’ve done unit studies, Charlotte Mason, Classical, traditional textbook approach, and even some unschooling. My friend Sonya does an awesome job teaching you about each of these styles here. (She gives you in-depth info much better than my little award ceremony above, in case you aren’t familiar with them.)

Here’s the thing you need to know: none of these homeschooling methods hurt my kids. Even when we were learning how to homeschool. All of my kids are excelling academically, socially, and spiritually. (Isn’t that reassuring?!) In fact, I think we are better for the journey. We are better off having explored and found things that work than to have kept doing one thing that was a little too “bumpy” to be comfortable.

Table of Contents

  • Why I Won’t Pick ONE Homeschooling Method
    • 1. We choose eclectic homeschool because kids aren’t all the same.
    • 2. We choose eclectic homeschool because seasons change.
    • 3. We choose eclectic homeschool because labels can be restrictive.
  • The Melting Pot: Eclectic Homeschooling
  • How to Create Your Own Eclectic Homeschool Curriculum

Why I Won’t Pick ONE Homeschooling Method

I’m not saying it’s wrong to pick a single method and stick with it. By all means, if you pick something that works for your family, please stick with it. (Remember, Goldilocks gobbled up the perfect porridge, sat in the perfect chair, and slept in the bed that was just right for her.)

homeschool methods

This post is for homeschoolers who are still looking for the right fit. Don’t worry, we are not being sent to the Island of Misfit Toys. In fact, it’s quite possible that MOST homeschoolers fit in this category. Here’s why I think this is true:

1. We choose eclectic homeschool because kids aren’t all the same.

Kids have unique needs, gifts, and interests. Charlotte Mason might be a great approach for one of them, while another thrives on colorful workbooks (yes, some kids do like those). It’s totally normal for kids with different needs to live in the same family! Allow your kids the freedom to be who they are. They will learn so much better if you do.

kids different choices

In our family, both of my boys were completely unschooled for kindergarten and much of first grade. My oldest boy was completely unable to sit still, so any form of bookwork was not at all a fit for him. In late first grade, he moved into Charlotte Mason (a great fit for active boys). Despite “missing out” on the traditional learning style most try to force on young boys, he’s now poised and ready for middle school ABOVE the curve and excelling in all subjects. Both unschooling and Charlotte Mason proved to be great fits for him, wouldn’t you say?

On the other hand, my oldest is a traditional textbook lover. Give her a book and a lesson plan, and she will learn it. She’s been like that since she was 4. Other methods don’t jive with her because they are too loose and don’t challenge her enough. She thrives on reading and busywork.

busy schoolwork

Even though I don’t prefer that and her siblings aren’t big fans, it’s OK for her to continue using the method that works for her!

2. We choose eclectic homeschool because seasons change.

Over the 15 years I’ve homeschooled, our lives have been through many different seasons, dictating the need for different methods. When I first started with my nephew, we used very traditional textbooks. That’s what he was used to, and I knew he’d be going back into the school system, so we stuck with it.

textbooks

Next, I started homeschooling my own children with unit studies featuring awesome literature, field trips, and all kinds of adventures revolving around a single topic. However, when their dad left and I was pregnant with #4, I had to back off of this method and find something less mommy-intensive!

We then moved into the Classical method, which we adored. However, a move 3 years later to a new town and my need for a steady stream of income caused us to leave Classical Conversations and find an alternative.

Can you see how seasons change the way we need to homeschool sometimes? Hopefully, your life doesn’t transition quite as crazily as mine, but you still might need to be flexible. Whatever season you are in, it’s OK to make changes if your family needs them. Don’t be afraid! You might find that another method works even better.

eclectic homeschooling

3. We choose eclectic homeschool because labels can be restrictive.

Honestly, the biggest reason we haven’t stuck with one single method all these years is that I’m the restless type. I’m the girl who thinks it’s fun to rearrange the living room and considers moving to a new town to be a fun challenge. I’m OK with change and get a little restless when things are boring and stale.

I find that sometimes labeling myself ties me down and becomes restrictive in unhealthy ways. For example, one of my favorite parts of Classical Conversations is the memory work CD. The kids and I still LOVE to sing the timeline song for fun. We enjoy knowing the history and challenging ourselves to remember what comes next.

We haven’t stopped doing this simply because we aren’t in CC anymore. On the flip side, we love a little unit study action before we go on a family vacation or after we find something cool on a nature walk (which actually is a component of Charlotte Mason). Wouldn’t it be silly to drop these things just because of a “label?”

Nature walk

It would, which brings me to my next point. For us, our homeschool looks a lot more like a melting pot of all of these really great methods. We’ve taken our favorite parts, the strategies that worked best, and put them together to form the “Goldilocks perfect fit.”

The Melting Pot: Eclectic Homeschooling

You’ve probably already heard of the idea of eclectic homeschooling. By definition, it’s simple. The eclectic homeschooler picks the parts that work for them, even if it’s not all one method. Here’s a sample eclectic 4th grader’s curriculum:

Language Arts: living books (books about real people, places, things) paired with the Reading Journal (Charlotte Mason)

History: Classical Conversations CD Cycle 1 (Classical model)

Science: Apologia’s Flying Creatures with Journal (Combo of Traditional and Unit Study)

Math: Teaching Textbooks (Traditional model)

See how easy it is to combine different methods, even within one day and one kid? The sky is the limit on possible combinations. The main idea behind the eclectic style is being able to choose the specific elements that work for your family. This might mean you all use the same kind of math, but not the same kind of language arts. Or it might mean you all use the same things for each subject, but they aren’t all the same method. Either way, you are an eclectic family.

Being eclectic in your homeschool choices DOES NOT leave you open to gaps or susceptible to “holes” in your child’s education. 

Don’t fall into the trap of believing that. The truth is your child is going to learn whatever they learn regardless of the method you use. Even if you stick with the same method and same curriculum for 12 years, you will find gaps in learning. It’s a natural part of the process.

Remember that education is more about the process than the product!

learning letters

We aren’t looking for our kids to know a bunch of facts. We want them to understand how to learn things. The process we teach them is the key to this. It’s okay if they forget who the 31st president was. They can always learn that again or look it up. (And for the record—do you even know who the 31st president was? Yeah, me neither. And I have a master’s degree and a pretty good job/life. Trust me, they will be okay even if they forget some things.)

How to Create Your Own Eclectic Homeschool Curriculum

The most common question I am asked is how to create an eclectic curriculum. I meet homeschool families who want to get out of the box and know certain methods aren’t working for them, but they are nervous to give it a try. Don’t give in to the fear that you aren’t qualified to know what your child needs or that the state knows better.

Start by knowing your vision and putting it in writing. Once you have that, inventory the strengths and weaknesses of each child. Consider their learning styles and challenges. Also, consider your season of life and/or circumstances that may hinder your school year.

Homeschool Curriculum planning

So don’t get boxed into needing to list a curriculum vendor under each subject for each child in your family. You don’t have to do that. You just need a plan for what you will do!

If this all seems overwhelming or foreign to you, I can help! In my Homeschool Planning Boot Camp, you can plan your entire year! In 5 days you will be ready for your best year ever! (More info below.)

I pray this post is a blessing to you and that it frees you to educate your kids in a way that is a perfect fit for them (even if your way is too cold, too bumpy, too hard, or too small for others).

When you seek to meet the needs of each of the kids in your family, you’ll all live happily ever after. (Couldn’t resist the corny pun.)

Need help with eclectic homeschooling?

I’d love for you to join me in my Homeschool Planning Boot Camp! I’ll help you dig deeper into laying an excellent foundation for your homeschool.

Click the image below to learn more about the Homeschool Planning Boot Camp! In 5 days you will have set your vision, determine schedules, choose curriculum, and so much more.

Homeschool Planning Boot Camp
kim sorgius
Kim Sorgius

Through practical tools & Bible-based resources, Kim Sorgius is dedicated to helping your family GROW in faith so you can be Not Consumed by life’s struggles. Author of popular kid’s devotional Bible studies and practical homeschooling tools, Kim has a master’s degree in education and curriculum design coupled with over 2 decades of experience working with kids and teens. Above all, her most treasured job is mother and homeschool teacher of four amazing kiddos.

Comments

  1. Laura says

    April 19 at 7:49 am

    Our vote is for “Classical”, BUT.. we’re really Eclectic.

    Reply
  2. Laura says

    April 19 at 9:35 am

    I tend to lean toward the Traditional because all my kids are coming out of the public school system and that is what they are used to. The eclectic sounds fun though. I want to show my kids different ways to learn and teach them how to have fun learning.

    Reply
  3. Jenifer says

    April 19 at 9:43 am

    Oh Kim….thank you, thank you for your work on this. It’s always an encouragement reading your posts. I will never look at spaghetti in the same way:) Well done!!!

    Reply
  4. Bridgette Robertson says

    April 19 at 10:12 am

    Well said!! Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  5. Heidi says

    April 19 at 11:49 am

    Wonderful! Loved the video. I’m a second generation homeschool mama. I loved your point about what is ultimately important.

    Reply
  6. Colette says

    April 19 at 1:56 pm

    We are definitely eclectic here. We use different curriculums for reading, math and Bible studies. Science and history are whatever we cook up daily in the kitchen, during play time, and on our Friday Fun Days.

    Reply
  7. Becky says

    April 19 at 2:56 pm

    We always used the eclectic method. I never wanted to be tied to one style and never found a single curriculum that was everything I wanted. I tried to find curriculum that worked best for our family as a whole and for each individual student. That also meant that what I used for my oldest was not necessarily what I used for my younger. Both have graduated and are thriving.

    Reply
  8. Felicia Johnson says

    April 19 at 5:22 pm

    Been homeschooling for 15 years and couldn’t agree more! Ha ha! I’ve done it all too.

    Reply
  9. Susan Berndt says

    April 21 at 8:13 am

    Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I needed this message so much. I am always afraid, that trying different curriculum, is hurting my children.

    Reply
  10. Stephanie says

    May 2 at 9:19 am

    Nice share, Kim. I completely agree with you on season changing. My life was completely transitioned like a roller-coaster when I made the decision of homeschooling. Somehow, I believe that homeschooling has taught me many lessons.
    -Stephanie @ https://smiletutor.sg/

    Reply
  11. Nikki says

    May 15 at 8:13 pm

    Thank you for the article. After my first day of practium I just want the CC CD until essentials or challenges. When a community is necessary. Now I know I’m not crazy and I can use just the CD. So thank you for saying the cd can be used alone. So they started off with this chart and that CC is ALL you need to have a Christ centered fully integrated education. http://faithfulhomemaking.blogspot.com/2013/09/classical-conversations-conference-part.html?m=1. So…. my question of course was after seeing the curriculum sale ummmm how does math, history, geography, reading, writing and spelling. Integrate back to God and integrate together in FOUNDATIONs. Does it tie in missionaries like George Muller who travelled the world in said time period? Is GEORGE MULLER on the time line? No and it doesn’t really integrate until Challenge, right now the focus is focusing on getting the learning pegs into the CHILD. You JUST showed me the fancy, very convincing, charts saying child centered education, with no integration is a POOR CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. All my subjects except math are currently ALL integrated and all biblical except math sadly. Which I try to integrate and bring back to God as much as possible. I want the pegs from the CD and App. But our vision for our children’s education is God first.

    Reply
  12. Tammy says

    October 7 at 2:45 am

    It’s not an easy task, definitely I would always prefer not to go for home schooling as I would rather them being able to make friends and social and experience life, It’s a part of childhood that shouldn’t be ignored.

    Reply
  13. Aja says

    July 12 at 2:13 pm

    THANKS for helping me understand what I’m already doing!! We too use to do Classical Conversations, but b/c of moving a lot (military family) and just our family size, we chose not to do it any longer with our littles. We still love it for our older girls, so thats what they will be doing . I’ve allowed myself to be put into a box, and although I’d be the first one to say we do a little bit of EVERYTHING- I did not know it had a name! We are definitely eclectic in our methods!

    Reply

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