Homeschooling

Homeschooling
www.avko.org

AVKO's materials and resources are perfect for homeschooling: the easy-to-use materials, the low cost, the unbelievable customizability and versatility of the materials, and the effectiveness. There are many different "flavors" of homeschooling or pedagogical paradigms; we'll show you how AVKO compares to those and how AVKO's methodologies and philosophies are related.

If you are unfamiliar with the various schools of thought for homeschooling, please read Oklahoma Homeschool's Homeschool Teaching Methods for a great side-by-side outline of the various tenets of each.

A Few Notes for Comparison and Contrast

Orton-Gillingham

• AVKO's philosophies and methodologies are Orton-Gillingham-based, using a systematic and multi-sensory approach to teaching the language arts. Immediate student self-correction is employed.

Charlotte Mason

• Quality is more important than quantity
  AVKO absolutely believes that quality is more important than quantity, as does Charlotte Mason. In fact, we recommend that language arts instruction be limited to 15 minutes at a time.
• Children learn through copywork
  AVKO does not believe in copywork as Charlotte Mason does. Copywork is fine for learning information that must be learned by rote memorization (math formulas, names and dates, etc.). Additionally, copywork may be an effective method for learning language arts material if the student is a "natural speller," and has no delays, disabilities, etc. Copywork for language arts, though, for many students is boring, a waste of time, predicated on the memorizing each and every individual "picture" of the words, and exacerbates problems with low self-esteem when the student inevitably fails.
• Fine arts and foreign language are studied
  AVKO absolutely recommends the fine arts and foreign language instruction. Fine arts can teach dedication and discipline; they also tap into the creative sides of students. Foreign language instruction is not only practical for an increasingly globalized community and commerce, but can make learning English easier (especially when learning a Germanic or Romance language).
• Journaling, oration, and narration are very important
  Though AVKO doesn't focus on the outdoors or nature, writing and verbal fluency are very important skills to master. AVKO recommends daily writing to engage with the language, increase fluency, improve the organization of thoughts, and correct mistakes as they occur (teachable moments).

www.avko.org