Skill learning vs Content learning

As homeschool teachers, we often choose to focus on content, while sacrificing the development of skills. I've been there before: assigning the next workbook page, checkmarking it off of my list for the day, spying ahead in the book to see if we'll finish by summer. This is classic of content based teaching. What is wrong with that?

Content based learning (for the student) keeps them on target for their grade or age level. Content based learning prepares the student for any standardized testing. It also dots the i's and crosses the t's. It is the way a homeschool parent can show the judge, "see, we really are doing something every day at home". Content based assignments are easier to plan, easier to grade, and easier to track. At the end of the week, you can safely say, "we completed 5 math pages, achieved an A on the spelling test, and can underline all nouns in a sentence". In History and Science, the parent can attest that "my son has read the chapter on Columbus, and identified the difference between a solvent and solution in Science". These are not bad things.

But sometimes the parent realizes that all of these things have been gained at the expense of skills. Seventh grader Sherman spelled "United Arab Emirates" correctly on last Friday's spelling test, but consistently misspells "there", "their", and "they're" in his writing assignments. Then, Mom smacks herself on the head and says "how did I let this go so long?" (Usually this is followed by discontent with the curriculum and a search for another one. Been there, done that).

What does skill based learning look like vs content based?
The typical content based spelling curriculum looks like this:
Pre-test on Monday. Activities to practice words on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Final test on Friday. New list next Monday. The words are picked by the curriculum provider. The curriculum provider often has his own methodology or philosophy behind the words he's selected and the activities for learning them.

Skill based learning is quite different. Skill based asks - "what words do YOU (my student) need to know?" Skill based teaching determines "what sort of study skills do you need in order to learn these words?" It also strives for mastery and retention - "how can you practice so that you always spell these words correctly?"

Skill based is less concerned with output and timeframes. "We'll get there when we get there. Let's just keep working on it" might be a common phrase. You've taught skills before and seeing newly developed skills can be very exciting -
When your 5yo can tie her shoes
When your 12yo cooks an omelet
When your 6yo rides a bicycle without training wheels
When your 15yo gets his driving permit

Skill based learning can be a focus in education, too.
You're child can complete long division, but does she know when to use it in real life? Does she have reasoning skills?
You're child can read, but can he comprehend and summarize what he just read? Can he dig out the main idea, or find information that he's looking for?
She can pass the spelling test, but can she spell?

Other skill type areas to consider:
Typing, computers, test taking skills, organizational skills, accountability (turning in your papers on time in college), study skills...

Skill based learning won't be as easy to assign, and is definitely not easy to track. But gaining a new skill can have lifelong benefits.