Homeschool Glossary
The Homeschool Glossary is a comprehensive resource designed to support homeschooling families and educators by defining key terms, concepts, and abbreviations commonly encountered in the homeschooling world.
Whether you’re new to homeschooling or looking to deepen your understanding, this glossary offers clear, concise definitions for a variety of topics, including educational approaches, curriculum types, learning methods, and legal terminology.
Explore the glossary to gain confidence in navigating the homeschooling journey with informed decisions and practical insights.
Unschooling
A child-led approach to education that allows learning to happen naturally based on the child’s interests, without following a set curriculum. It emphasizes learning through life experiences and exploration.
For more information check out Karla Willians on Youtube and on Facebook at Homeschool Gone Wild – UNschooling Community
To understand the diffrence between unschooling and deschooling, check out our Deschooling and Unschooling page.
Deschooling
The process of transitioning from a traditional school mindset to a homeschool mindset. It involves letting go of school-like structures and expectations, giving children and parents time to adjust to new learning methods and rhythms.
The Homeschool mom has a great series to help with this!
To understand the diffrence between unschooling and deschooling, check out our Deschooling and Unschooling page.
Co-op (Cooperative)
A group of homeschooling families who come together to share teaching responsibilities and resources. Co-ops often meet weekly and can offer classes, social activities, and support for both students and parents.
You can find some area Co-Ops on our website!
Micro-School
A small, usually private school, sometimes formed by homeschoolers, that combines the benefits of homeschooling with a structured environment. Classes are typically small, and the curriculum is flexible.
Unit Study
A teaching method where multiple subjects are connected around a central theme or topic. For example, a unit study on space might include science (learning about planets), math (calculating distances), language arts (reading about astronauts), and art (creating space-themed projects).
You can find some great Unit Studies using our custom-built Curriculum Finder!
Lapbook
A hands-on educational tool that involves creating a folder with flaps that students fill in with facts, pictures, and notes about a particular subject. It’s a creative way for children to organize and present what they’ve learned.
HOMESCHOOL SHARE has all the directions and a great selection of freebie ones!
Accreditation
A process of certification for schools and programs that ensures they meet certain standards. In homeschooling, accreditation doesn’t apply because parents are the primary educators. Accreditation is not necessary for homeschoolers, as colleges, universities, and employers typically accept homeschool diplomas and transcripts without accreditation, as long as the student meets other admission or qualification standards.
Accredited Homeschool Program Not Required – the whys and what fors
Portfolio
(Not required, but sometimes helpful.) A collection of a student’s work over time, used to demonstrate progress and learning. This can include written work, projects, photos, and other evidence of learning. Portfolios are often used for assessments, especially in states that require homeschoolers to submit work for review.
Standardized Testing
(Not required in AL, but sometimes helpful) Some states require homeschoolers to take standardized tests to assess their academic progress, though this varies by location. These tests can be used to measure learning and compare it to traditional school students’ levels, but many homeschoolers use alternative assessments.
Check out these Testing Options.
Hybrid Homeschooling
A combination of homeschooling and traditional school, where students split their time between learning at home and attending a school part-time. This can offer the flexibility of homeschooling with access to in-person instruction or activities.
Check out these pros and cons.
Boxed Curriculum
A pre-packaged set of lesson plans, books, and materials designed to cover a full year’s worth of education. This option is popular with families who want a structured, all-in-one approach without having to design their own curriculum.
You can find some great curriculum using our custom-built Curriculum Finder!
Elective
A subject that students choose to study beyond core subjects like math and reading. In homeschooling, electives can be highly personalized to the child’s interests, such as art, coding, photography, or a foreign language.
Dual Enrollment
A program that allows high school students to take college-level courses and earn both high school and college credit simultaneously. This is often a popular choice for homeschooling families looking to give their high schoolers a head start on college.
We have an excellent Dual Enrollment resource on our Homeschooling Through the Years page under the College tab.
Socialization
A common concern about homeschooling is the perceived lack of socialization, but should not be especially in our area. Homeschoolers often socialize through co-ops, extracurricular activities, sports, and community events, which can provide a wide variety of social interactions outside of a traditional classroom.
Check out our Homeschool Connections page for many ways for socialization!
Worldview
A homeschool family’s philosophy or approach to education, often influenced by religious beliefs or secular perspectives. This can shape the curriculum choices, teaching styles, and overall goals for the child’s education. This is helpful to know when you ask for curriculum suggestions.
Learning Styles
In the homeschool context refer to the various ways in which students most effectively absorb, process, and retain information. Understanding a child’s learning style allows homeschooling parents to tailor their teaching methods and curriculum choices to best suit their child’s natural preferences, making education more engaging and effective.
Learning styles encompass a wide range of preferences, and individuals often exhibit a combination of these styles.
Here are the seven primary learning styles:
Visual (Spatial) learners prefer using pictures, images, and spatial understanding to grasp concepts. They benefit from seeing information presented in a clear and organized manner.
Aural (Auditory-Musical) learners thrive through sound and music. They often prefer lectures, discussions, and audio resources as their primary sources of learning.
Verbal (Linguistic) learners prefer using words, both in speech and writing, to absorb and communicate ideas effectively. They excel in written assignments, reading, and discussions.
Physical (Kinesthetic) learners learn best through hands-on experiences and physical activities. They need to engage their sense of touch and movement to grasp concepts effectively.
Logical (Mathematical) learners prefer using logic, reasoning, and systematic approaches to learning. They excel in problem-solving, mathematics, and analytical thinking.
Social (Interpersonal) learners thrive in group settings and prefer learning with others. They enjoy collaborative projects, discussions, and teamwork.
Solitary (Intrapersonal) learners prefer to work alone and use self-study methods. They often excel in self-paced learning environments, reading independently, and reflective activities.
Understanding and accommodating your child’s learning style is a valuable tool in your homeschooling journey. By catering to their unique preferences among these seven learning styles, you can create a more effective and enjoyable learning environment. Remember that many children may have a combination of learning styles, so flexibility in your homeschooling approach is key to their success.
Here are some key benefits:
Enhanced Engagement
Tailoring your teaching methods to your child’s learning style increases their engagement and interest in the material.
Improved Retention
Customizing your approach enhances your child’s ability to remember and apply what they’ve learned.
Boosted Confidence
Success in learning bolsters a child’s self-esteem and confidence, motivating them to embrace education enthusiastically.
Traditional Parent-Led Homeschooling
This form of homeschooling is where parents take full responsibility for their child’s education. They choose or create the curriculum, set the schedule, and tailor the teaching methods to fit their child’s individual needs, interests, and learning pace.
Key Features of Traditional Parent-Led Homeschooling:
- Parents are in charge of selecting materials and planning lessons.
- Education laws vary by state, but parents typically report progress directly to their state or local homeschooling authorities.
- Highly flexible, allowing for customized approaches like unschooling, unit studies, or classical education.
- Not tied to a specific online or physical school system.
- Families have the freedom to incorporate personal beliefs, values, or cultural education into their teaching.
Public School at Home (Online or Virtual Schooling)
Public school at home refers to a system where students are enrolled in a state-run or district-run virtual school program. These programs are technically public school, but students complete their assignments from home rather than attending a physical campus.
Key Features of Public School at Home:
- The curriculum is provided by the public school system or state-sponsored program.
- Students are required to follow the public school schedule and meet specific attendance requirements.
- Instruction is delivered by certified teachers through online platforms, with parents acting as facilitators rather than primary educators.
- Often includes standardized testing and assessments, similar to traditional public schools.
- Typically free of charge, as it is funded through taxpayer dollars.
