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Teaching Method
Traditional
Teacher-centered curriculum commonly used in classrooms that may include a text, teacher manual, tests, etc.
Charlotte Mason
A methodology based on the work of a 19th century educator who maintained that children learn best from literature (Living Books), not textbooks.
Classical
A methodology based on the Latin Trivium (three stages of learning), including the grammar stage (memorization and facts), logic stage (critical thinking), and rhetoric stage (developing/defending ideas).
Unit Study
A thematic or topical approach centered around one topic that integrates multiple subject areas.
Montessori (Discovery)
A methodology based on the work of a 20th century educator that emphasizes student and sensory-driven discovery learning and real-life applications.
Other
Other methodologies
Religious Content
Secular
Contains content contrary to common Christian beliefs (i.e. evolution).
Neutral
Avoids religious or theoretical topics or presents multiple viewpoints without preference.
Christian/Religious
Faith-based or including instructional religious content.
Learning Modality
Auditory
Learns through listening, talking out loud or reading out loud.
Visual
Learns through seeing, prefers written instructions and visual materials.
Kinesthetic/Tactile (Hands-On)
Learns through moving, doing and touching.
Multi-Sensory
Curriculum that employ a variety of activities/components.
Presentation
Sequential
Curriculum progresses through well-defined learning objectives. Emphasizes mastery before moving to the next topic.
Spiral
Topics and concepts are repeated from level to level, adding more depth at each pass and connecting with review.
Conceptual/Topical
Focus is on the “why,” often with a unifying concept as well as specific skills; coverage may be broader.
Teacher Involvement
Low Teacher Involvement
Student-led materials; parent acts as a facilitator.
Medium Teacher Involvement
A mix of teacher-led time and independent student work.
High Teacher Involvement
Teacher-led lessons; may utilize discussions, hands-on activities and working together.
Additional Materials Required
No other materials needed
Everything you need is included.
Other Materials Required
There are additional required resources that are a separate purchase.
Other Materials Optional
There are additional resources mentioned or recommended but are not absolutely necessary.
The Sign of the Beaver Discovery Guideis
a literature unit study with Charlotte Mason inspiration. Guides like this
allow parents to customize a student’s language arts. You can select novels
together!
It is typical to complete 3-5
guides in a traditional school year.
This one includes 8 units for
students working at a 3rd-7th grade level in ELA.
Depending on your student’s pace,
each unit will take 1-2 weeks to complete.
The reading assignment per unit
runs between 21-25 pages.
Discovery Guides (formerly Total Language Plus
guides) are customizable learning units centered around a work of classic
literature. As you read a novel, you work through organized ELA
(English/language arts) units. Units include reading comprehension questions,
vocabulary, spelling, grammar in the form of dictation, and enrichment writing
with a range of prompts you can choose from. Answers are in the back. ~Sara
Publisher's Description of Sign of the Beaver Discovery Guide
Too many months have passed and Matt's family still hasn't returned. Should he join the Beaver tribe heading north, or try to survive the coming winter alone?
The Total
Language Plus study guides are immediately recognizable with their bright
yellow covers, but it’s the inside of the guide where you will find gold! These
comprehensive study guides written from a Christian perspective focus on
teaching thinking and communication skills using literature as a base.
It is
typical to complete 3-5 novels with guides in a traditional school year. Each guide
contains 5 to 8 units and will take about 8 to 10 weeks to complete.
In addition
to reading comprehension and literary analysis, TLP guides offer practice in
