“Peppermint Stick” (PSLC) is more than just a selection of curriculum resources – it is actually also a unique methodology, a style or approach to education with some specific characteristics!
All of our products in our shop are previewed and selected with our general approach to education in mind instead of being a business selling any options. All of the products that we design and publish fit our approach/style too, of course!
While there are various ways to teach the “school subjects”, we think that the “Peppermint Stick” style is a great balance that includes the best aspects of some of the other styles plus our own flavour to that combination!
If you want to see our Statement of Faith, please click here.
Our Twist – (a link to the Overview page)
Much of developing and using PSLC in our homeschooling continues to be lots of fun. I know that I’m to share these ideas with others, to present a different option out there that works really well!
“Why would you NOT just follow a popular style like most other writers and companies?”
- I truly respect people who choose to teach in a method that I might not think is best or might even totally groan over. But I disagree with some methods and philosophies and have found some typical curriculum options quite honestly, lacking. I know I’m not the only parent (or teacher) who has been frustrated by those methods or philosophies or curriculum options.
- Disagreeing with a method or promoting a new method that we find better or wider reaching in effectiveness is not the same as disrespect or being arrogant. I have a lot of respect for others who write and design resources and I am NOT the only one who can make things that are refreshing to use.
- However, with the background the God has given me, and the work He has led me (and my family) to do in the field of education, we present some less-common distinctions for effective learning to parents and teachers.
Flexible for Customers!
I also want to assure you that our curriculum is very flexible to the extent that families from a variety of approaches/styles do enjoy using our materials and can adjust them to fit well with their other choices!
For example –
- You could quite easily use a PSLC resource in a traditional setting or as a book that is strewn in an unschooling environment!
- Charlotte Mason fans love the gentle approach to a number of our subjects and those struggling with literacy in the C.M. method can be very happy with our reading methods while continuing C.M. for other subject areas!
- Other customers love the flexibility of our style and incorporate our materials into their eclectic lifestyle!
- “Traditional” families also like the flexibility and the inclusion of hands-on, home-centered fun activities!
Comparison Charts
(The Canadian Centre for Home Education also describes the more well-known approaches/styles of homeschooling. A “Peppermint Stick” style is less-known, thus it is not described there.)
I have a variety of people in my audience – anywhere from those who just want a brief answer to those who would love a deep philosophical discourse.
But many of you have wanted some sort of answer on comparing our style with “the others”. Therefore, here is what I’ve done:
The Charts
To keep things simple and “shorter” to read for my very busy audience, I have a simple and somewhat blunt and to-the-point CHART that you can download (for free) below to compare us with these common styles:
- Unschooling
- Eclectic/Relaxed
- Traditional (Christian)
- Unit Study
- Charlotte Mason
- Classical Education
- Traditional-Gov’t/Public (designed for a classroom originally)
- Literature-Based.
Please note that this chart is in a pdf format so that you can also print it out, tape it together, to read it better.
Comparison Chart 1 (for “Peppermint Stick” compared to Unschooling, Eclectic/Relaxed, Traditional, Unit Study, Charlotte Mason, Classical Ed., Literature-Based Approaches)
The Chart Comparing Other Hands-On Methods
We have a stronger hands-on approach than some methods.
And we are somewhat sensitive towards those teaching with “special needs” – see this linked page for more about that.
For these reasons, I have also compared us with the Montessori and Waldorf approaches here in another chart (also in pdf format):
Comparison Chart 2 (for “Peppermint Stick” compared to Montessori and Waldorf approaches)
More Comparison with the Charlotte Mason (C.M.) Style
We have been often compared to the Charlotte Mason Style because of our gentle approach to learning that children can naturally enjoy. But we would strongly disagree with some of her philosophy relating to spiritual matters, how to teach, what to teach, etc..
She had some good ideas. What people might not think of is that many of her ideas were not unique to her. Other people shared some of the same ideas without being a “follower” of her. Ideas such as spending more time outdoors, nature studies, family closeness, keeping a notebook of copied notes and own drawings – these are all ideas which were common among many teachers and parents of her day, before and since.
What makes the C.M. style different is its foundational philosophies which are different from traditional or other styles.
I felt that this particular style required more explanation than the simpler chart above on why we really aren’t just another slant based on the Charlotte Mason philosophy like so many other small homeschool curriculum designers.
So for more in-depth information about a comparison between PSLC and the C.M. approach, please click below for a chart (also in pdf format).
Chart 3: Comparison with Charlotte Mason (more detailed)
There is also a link on that pdf which goes to an article about the theological concerns of philosophies especially found in Classical Education and Charlotte Mason approaches to education. That page is linked HERE as well, for your interest.
There is one more homeschooling style/approach which I’ve written about. It is for people who have interest in knowing more about “Minimalist Homeschooling”, I’ve blogged about this instead of adding it to the charts above.
The Minimalist Homeschooling Style/Approach
Additional Pages Relating to Homeschool Philosophies
For Christian parents who have the time and desire to read on a deeper level about some doctrinal/theological concerns found within the Christian Education approaches and trends, please go to the links found at our page:
Our Biblical Philosophy of Education (e.g. See the links towards the bottom of that page.)
Also, I wrote a post series in our “Encouragemints” blog about balancing homeschooling perspectives –
Balancing Homeschooling Perspectives: Part 1 is at this link.
(Part 1 is about mainly delayed or less school versus the lifestyle of “everything is school”.
Part 2 is mainly about the self-discovery method versus being provided with guidance from a teacher.
Part 3 is for specifically written for Christian parents and is about the views of homeschooling being a Biblical mandate versus a choice.)
And for people who want to know about our style and how/why that relates to Canadian Ministry of Education standards, you can find some of my comments here:
Canadian-Focused and Re: Ministry of Education Standards
Our Online Shop and our Printable Catalogue have descriptions of our Peppermint Stick approach/style through it.
Also, you can see what resources we recommend under the top menu tab called “Lists”.
And of course, you can try using our curriculum to see how it works!
Our Customers
Our customers come from various styles – some just for a subject, others for a full year set of resources or more!
A comment we have received over and over from our customers is that yes, not only is our curriculum very doable, it is also very unique and refreshing compared to the “normal stuff” that most people know about!
While there are various ways to teach the “school subjects”, we think that the “Peppermint Stick” style is a great balance that includes the best aspects of some of the other styles plus our own flavour to that combination!