How to Choose the Best Homeschool Curriculum
Countless homeschooling parents often begin their homeschooling journey by considering, "Which homeschool curriculum would be most suitable for my child?" It's important to consider which homeschool curriculum would be the best fit for your children’s needs.
Parents who are new to homeschooling or looking to enhance their current approach may find it crucial to select the most suitable homeschool curriculum. This decision becomes even more significant when transitioning to a new phase, such as when children begin middle school or high school.
Think about your family's needs and interests when you search for a homeschool curriculum.
CHILD / CHILDREN
YOURSELF
CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES
Select a homeschooling program or individual curriculum that covers all three. With the help of this guide, you can assess these factors and figure out what homeschool curriculum is right for your family.
Considering Your Children When Choosing a Curriculum
All children are unique; they vary in age, stage of development, learning style, personality type, amount of activity, and hobbies. Each one of my children learned a different way and I had to adapt to their learning style - not the other way around!
For instance, as a parent of young children, you might be considering homeschooling your children and wondering what materials would be best for preschool or kindergarten. Or maybe you're wondering what kind of homeschooling materials would be best for a kid who loves being outside and active. If your child is having difficulty in arithmetic, you might want to look into homeschool math programs.
Methods of learning. While some kids retain more information when they physically build something, others do better when they read or converse with adults. Learn more about different learning styles, such as visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning, and include them into your homeschool curriculum planning. Whether your child learns best with their left or right brain is another factor to think about while making curriculum decisions.
Learning by Interest. Consider interest-led learning as an option for your child if they demonstrate a strong interest in a particular subject but struggle with more traditional forms of education. You are free to select materials that cater to their interest, which may or may not involve settling on a predetermined homeschool curriculum. My son LOVED science - so we were very science curriculum-heavy! My middle child LOVED art - so I incorporated art into every subject we studied!
Grade Ranges. The opinions of homeschoolers regarding the impact of a child's grade level on curriculum selection and the circumstances in which this impact is most significant could be of interest to you. Because there is greater leeway to assist them at their level rather than at the level they should be taught, homeschooled children sometimes study at different grade levels for different subjects. My kids were always advanced, except in math. So we were always at least two grade levels above their peers!
Future Plans After High School. Your high school senior may be planning to attend college, enter the workforce, or start their own business. Those interested in seeing the course load of a homeschooled student who expects to attend college should look at my curriculum posts for high school levels. 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum 2023-2024, 12th Grade Homeschool Curriculum, 11th Grade Homeschool Curriculum and HOMESCHOOL 4-YEAR HIGH SCHOOL PLAN
These suggestions for selecting a homeschool curriculum for a student at risk of dropping out can be helpful if you are a parent of a high school student who is having difficulty in the public school system.
Choosing a Curriculum Keeping Yourself In Mind
What is your availability like? Many individuals are interested in outsourcing their children's education to outside organizations due to time constraints, parental health concerns, or other circumstances.
Are you considering the possibility of balancing homeschooling and working outside of your home?
Can you offer direct support to your children?
Have you ever considered the importance of having a well-defined philosophy of education? Or perhaps you prefer to let it naturally evolve over time without concerning yourself too much about it?
Do you have a preference for practical, hands-on activities?
Are you someone who loves completing checklists for requirements?
Are you someone who enjoys embracing open-ended, holistic experiences for both yourself and your children?
Are you equipped to support your child's learning during their high school years?
Do you have a willingness to embrace personal growth and adaptability?
Considering Your Circumstances When Choosing a Curriculum
Various families have found great success in homeschooling, regardless of their unique situations. However, achieving success in homeschooling requires acknowledging and adapting to your specific circumstances. Take into account your circumstances when selecting a curriculum for homeschooling:
If you've always had a desire to homeschool and your children have never experienced traditional schooling, then you may find this information helpful. Perhaps you've turned to homeschooling as a solution to a specific issue at school. You might find yourself unexpectedly homeschooling, even if it wasn't your original plan, or you might be temporarily homeschooling and planning to send your children back to school in the future.
You might be homeschooling to cater to a child who has been identified as having ADD/ADHD, or because your child is deemed to be either behind or ahead according to public education standards. If you have a large family and are considering homeschooling due to expenses of a school or time.
There may be various factors that can pose challenges, such as time constraints, financial limitations, technological barriers, or the expectations of your partner. You might be striving to fulfill certain criteria or assist your child in getting ready for potential educational or career opportunities.
All of these situations contribute to your decision regarding curriculum (or decision not to use curriculum).
If you're facing financial constraints, it's worth exploring how individuals homeschool while being mindful of their budget. This includes opting for cost-effective homeschool curriculum options that are available for free. A common concern among many individuals is whether homeschooling results in the attainment of a diploma. If your child is enrolled in a co-op, homeschool classes, or a university model school, you may only need to select curriculum for certain subjects.
You may also delve into the reasons behind parents opting for multiple homeschool curricula for the same subject. Discover the valuable insights of fellow homeschoolers by exploring homeschool curriculum reviews. Reviews provide valuable information about the strengths and weaknesses of various homeschool curricula, as well as the grades they have used them for. The reviews cover a wide range of subjects including language arts, math, science, social studies, art, history, typing, technology, and more.
What Makes a Good Curriculum?
Take a look at the following when you are attempting to figure out how a homeschool curriculum fits in.
Textbooks / Workbooks
Content
Method
Content: What is the scope of the content that is covered? For instance, does the curriculum for sixth-grade mathematics that you are contemplating cover themes that are typical for that level, or is there a reason why it does not cover such topics?
Methods: Does the notion of a homeschool curriculum that consists of living books, as advised by the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling, appeal to you and your kid, or do you prefer the structured approach of homeschool curriculum that places an emphasis on learning from textbooks?
After reading about the many approaches to homeschooling, you will be better equipped to select a homeschool curriculum. Different homeschool styles correspond to different homeschool curricula.
Execution: Have you given any thought to the benefits and drawbacks of a curriculum that is presented in an all-in-one format through the use of the internet? So, what are the benefits and drawbacks of learning that is accomplished through the completion of tasks and activities? It is possible that you are familiar with the concept of learning that is offered through the production of notebooks or lapbooks.
Visiting with curriculum vendors at a homeschool convention is a fantastic way to learn more about homeschool curriculum. It's something you can hold in your hands and share with your children.
Managing multiple tasks
Figuring out the right homeschool curriculum can be challenging when there are different priorities or constraints to consider. The one you prefer is a bit pricey. The one your child enjoys incorporates a wide variety of crafts that may not align with your personal preferences. This particular option may not be very engaging for your child. Doing things online can sometimes take up more (or less!) time than expected.
And of course, there is always the question about homeschool curriculum for multiple children; what works well for one child may not be the best fit for the others! A lot of people find unit studies to be a great addition to their homeschool curriculum, especially when they have children of varying ages.
It might be necessary to adjust your curriculum choices as you become aware of how these factors come into play. This happens to homeschool parents with regularity just a month or two after homeschooling gets started, so we have proclaimed October 1 as "Curriculum's Not Working Day." Take a moment to read about it, and you'll gain a better understanding of how numerous individuals are making adjustments to their homeschool curriculum to enhance the effectiveness of homeschooling.
Options for Traditional Homeschooling CURRICULUM
Did you know that there are some parents who do not use any kind of official curriculum when they educate their children? Many individuals find it more enjoyable to choose and utilize a variety of resources that are not part of the official curriculum. Instead of using curriculum, there are some individuals who favor selecting and utilizing a variety of non-curricular materials.
In point of fact, seasoned homeschoolers advise new homeschoolers to engage in a process known as deschooling prior to settling on a curriculum for their homeschooling endeavors. Additionally, a significant number of homeschoolers intentionally postpone the introduction of official academic classes until their children are of secondary school age. Even further, there is a concept known as "unschooling," which refers to the process of education that does not involve any kind of conventional homeschool curriculum.
HOMESCHOOLING IS REAL SCHOOL
When you are selecting a curriculum for your homeschool, it is essential to keep in mind all of the ways in which homeschooling is different from traditional schooling. You do not have to engage in activities such as going to school, despite the fact that this is the method of education that many people are most accustomed to.
Those who participate in homeschooling will tell you that selecting a curriculum that is adaptable has so many numerous advantages. Homeschooling curriculum can also be purchased in used form. It is possible to purchase used homeschool curriculum.
Remember, however, that selecting a curriculum for homeschooling is simply one of many factors involved in homeschooling. Choosing the Best Homeschool Curriculum is not the most important factor!
