The Pros and Cons of Interest-Led Learning {week 5, 2023}

Interest-led learning is something that has been an incredible asset in our homeschool. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that it is without its own set of issues and flaws. Here is an overview of what I see as the pros and cons of interest-led learning, including a recap of how they played out in our lesson plan this week.

What Is Interest-Led Learning?

I want to make sure we are both using the same working definition. Here is how one professional defines interest- based learning.

“Interest-based learning is a model for lifelong learning. Children whose interests are embedded in their education are more likely to stay engaged through school and college and into whatever follows. Because learning itself becomes an interest, they become self-motivated to build on their knowledge.”  – Connections Academy Resources

While I agree wholeheartedly with this definition, I want to be honest here. My reasons for pursuing this type of learning were, initially, not about following some model of exceptional education. I had just tried everything else and literally had no idea what else to do.

Despite my stumbling into it, interest-led learning became the only way that homeschooling my son ever really worked.

The Pros and Cons of Interest-Led Learning

In my experience, the benefits far outweigh the costs in interest-led learning, but it would be wrong to assume that it is always picture perfect. Let’s take a look at what I consider to be the essential pros and cons of interest-led learning.

The Pros

• Less resistance
• More learner engagement
• Deeper levels of learning (rather than one chapter in a textbook at a time, we are free to explore all aspects of a topic)
• Greater retention
• A lot more fun

The Cons

• Difficult to react when an interest changes
• Planning can be tricky
• The feeling of following your child’s whims instead of “teaching them”
• Showing a record of learning consistent with state requirements and high school transcript needs

Even after my oldest child was accepted into college with an almost entirely interest-led approach, I still find myself worrying about these cons from time to time.

Our learning last week was a great example of this. After reviewing our record of learning, please see my notes about the pitfalls of interest-led learning below.

Last Week’s Homeschool Record Of Learning

(You’ll find the original plan for last week HERE)

• Monday
  • Physical Therapy – 2 hours
  • River Monsters – Sting Rays (Thailand)
  • Blood Plasma Infusion – 4 hours
  • Google Maps activities from Never Board Learning

• Tuesday
  • Art Class
  • Voice Class
  • Current Events
• Wednesday
  • Rock climbing – 3 hours
  • Reading Practice – Japanese Gothic Tales
  • Discussion of Freshwater Fish, including google searches and deep dives

• Thursday
  • Rock Climbing – 3 hours
  • Music Class
  • Time with friends at school
• Friday
  • Rock Climbing – 3 hours
  • YouTube – New Fish Species In Malaysia
  • Never Board Learning Geography – Thailand

A Note About Our Interest-Led Learning This Week

I did not see the deep interest in fish or Asia coming until it was right there in the middle of our homeschool.

Even after all this time, I still feel a little disgruntled when I have to undo all that I had planned so that we can talk about fish all afternoon. When I feel this way, I remind myself that this is actually a better way for him to learn and develop confidence in his own ability. I remind myself that plans have always changed, and yet, somehow, we end up learning more.

So, for now, I am embracing the interest and trying to get a little math in next week. I will call that a win.

Interest-Led Homeschool Lesson Plan

Here is our plan for this week:

• Monday
  • Physical Therapy – 2 hours
  • YouTube Video of his choice – Likely about fish or Asia or both
  • Blood Plasma Infusion – 4 hours
• Tuesday
  • Art Class – Japanese Art History
  • Voice Class
  • Audiobook and Discussion
  • Current Events
• Wednesday
  • Rock climbing – 3 hours
  • Mapwork – Japan
  • CTCMath
  • Reading – Japanese Gothic Tales
• Thursday
  • Rock Climbing – 3 hours
  • Music Class
  • Time with friends at school
• Friday
  • Rock Climbing – 3 hours
  • CTCMath
  • YouTube Videos – Likely about fish or Asia or both

Homeschool Record Of Learning: Age 9

I picked this week to share from six years ago because this was a week where he was also incredibly interested in learning about fish. (Interests have a way of coming and going around here…)

• Sight Word Bingo
• Read Aloud – Paddle To The Sea (Beautiful Feet)
• Science Experiment – How Fish Float
• Aquarium Trip
• Fish store visits Tuesday and Thursday (spoke with owners both times about various freshwater fish)
• Speech Therapy
• CBT