Styles of Homeschooling (Part 2): Classical & Charlotte Mason

If you missed traditional homeschooling in Part 1, we talked about the traditional homeschool approach—what it looks like and why many families start there.

Now let’s look at two other very popular styles:

Classical Education

Charlotte Mason

These are often talked about separately, but many homeschool families use a mix of both.

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Classical Homeschooling

Classical homeschooling follows a structured approach to learning based on three stages:

Grammar Stage (younger kids):
Focus on learning facts, memorization, and building a strong foundation

Logic Stage (middle grades):
Focus on understanding ideas, asking questions, and thinking through information

Rhetoric Stage (older kids):
Focus on writing, speaking, and clearly expressing thoughts

This method is very organized and builds skills step-by-step.

What it usually includes:

Memorization (math facts, grammar rules, history facts)

Chronological history (learning events in order)

Strong focus on reading and writing

Structured lessons and routines

This style works well for families who want a clear plan and strong academic structure.

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Charlotte Mason Homeschooling

Charlotte Mason is a very different approach.

Instead of focusing heavily on textbooks and worksheets, it focuses on how children learn best.

The idea is simple: children learn more when they connect with what they’re learning.

What it usually includes:

Living books (engaging, story-based books instead of textbooks)

Narration (kids tell back what they learned in their own words)

Short lessons (especially for younger kids)

Nature study (time outside observing and learning)

Art, music, and poetry built into learning

Habit training (building responsibility, focus, and character)

This style feels more relaxed, but it is still very intentional.

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Classical vs. Charlotte Mason

Here’s a simple way to think about the difference:

Classical:

More structured

Focus on memorization first

Clear academic progression

Charlotte Mason:

More flexible

Focus on understanding and connection

Learning through books and experiences

One is more structured.
The other is more relational.

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Why Many Families Combine Them

This is where most homeschool families land.

You don’t have to choose just one.

A lot of families use:

Classical structure

Charlotte Mason methods

For example:

Study history in order (Classical)

Use living books instead of textbooks (Charlotte Mason)

Practice memorization (Classical)

Use narration instead of worksheets (Charlotte Mason)

This gives you structure without feeling overwhelming.

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What This Can Look Like in Your Day

A simple day might look like this:

Morning:

Reading (Bible, history, or literature)

Narration

Copy work or writing

Midday:

Math

Grammar or language arts

Afternoon:

Nature time

Art or music

Independent reading

It’s structured—but still flexible.

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Is This a Good Fit for Your Family?

This approach may work well if you:

Want strong academics without constant worksheets

Like using books as the main way of learning

Want structure, but not a rigid schedule

Care about building good habits along with academics

It may not be the best fit if you:

Prefer completely child-led learning

Want a very strict school-at-home setup

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Final Thoughts

Most homeschool families don’t stay in just one style forever.

You’ll adjust as your kids grow and as you figure out what works best.

Classical and Charlotte Mason together give you:

Structure

Flexibility

Strong academics

A love of learning

And that’s usually the goal.

Stay tuned for blog post 3 in the near future!