How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum That Really Works For You and Your Children
Embrace the process of choosing a homeschool curriculum that genuinely resonates with you and your children. Today, I want to discuss How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum that Really Works effectively for your family.
Choosing the right homeschool curriculum is an important step that can significantly impact your family's educational journey. It's essential to select a curriculum that not only aligns with your educational philosophy but also engages and inspires your children.
To begin, consider the unique learning styles and interests of your children. Are they visual learners who benefit from interactive lessons, or do they thrive with hands-on activities? Look for materials that cater to these preferences, whether that means incorporating multimedia resources, project-based learning, or traditional textbooks.
Next, assess your family's educational goals. Are you focused on a structured approach with specific outcomes, or do you prefer a more relaxed, exploratory style of learning? Research various curriculum options that reflect your objectives, from rigorous academic programs to more flexible, child-led approaches.
Don't forget to involve your children in the decision-making process. Discuss different curriculum options with them and gather their input on what subjects excite them. This not only helps in choosing a curriculum that resonates with them but also fosters a sense of ownership in their learning journey.
Finally, take into account your family's lifestyle and daily routine. Some curriculums may require more time or specific resources, while others might fit more seamlessly into your already busy schedule. Be sure to choose a curriculum that is manageable and enjoyable for everyone involved. By carefully considering these aspects, you can find a homeschool curriculum that not only meets your family's educational needs but also makes learning an enjoyable experience for your children.
How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum That Really Works For You and Your Children
Choosing a curriculum can be quite daunting. If you step into a vendor hall at a homeschool convention, you'll encounter countless tables filled with books, workbooks, and manipulatives. With so many options—many of which are newly released every day—it can feel overwhelming!
You may notice that another homeschool family seems to have found the best curriculum. The good news is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all curriculum that works perfectly for every family. You have the flexibility to select what suits your needs best (or more importantly _ YOUR CHILD’S NEEDS) and create a personalized curriculum that benefits everyone. What works well for one family might not be suitable for another, and similarly, something effective for one child may not be the best match for another.
Over the years, I have experimented with a variety of approaches—from using comprehensive curriculum packages to creating my own materials. I have ultimately ended up with a blend of resources that I now use with my children, along with individual components that I utilize to cover different subjects.
So how do you determine what’s right for your family? Here are some questions to consider before making a curriculum purchase:
1. What is your teaching style or educational philosophy? Understanding the various teaching methods can help you narrow down your options, as the approach of a given program may significantly contrast with your own philosophy.
2. What are your children's learning styles? Each child processes information uniquely. Some curricula are designed to accommodate diverse learning styles, so knowing your children’s preferences is incredibly helpful. Remember - each of your children will learn at different speeds and paces and just differently in general.
3. What educational goals have you set for your family? It’s crucial to consider your objectives. For example, if your focus is on American History this year, a program centered on the Middle Ages may not align with your current goals. I always tried to overlap with subjects and grade levels so I was not driving myself crazy.
4. What is your budget? While budgeting can be a bit of a drag, it helps prevent excessive spending. Homeschooling can sometimes come with costs. I recommend establishing a budget and knowing your limits. Keeping track of the retail prices of resources is useful, too, as it allows you to capitalize on good deals. Always look out for summer sales!
5. Will you teach certain subjects to all children? Some families use grade-specific materials, while others prefer to study certain subjects collaboratively. For instance, we focus on history. literature and Bible studies together, while some of the kids work on science as a group, but subjects like math and language are tailored to specific grade levels. My kiddos ALWAYS wanted to do history and science together - they always insisted - so that was a huge bonus!
6. What suits your current season of life? Some programs require more effort than others. If you have a lot of young children at home, it might not be the best time for a challenging program. The ages and stages of your children influence your choices. When we first began homeschooling, I invested in workbooks, and that worked for that season of home educating.
Additional Considerations When Choosing Curriculum
Reflecting on the questions above should help you narrow down your options and equip you with relevant queries to pose to vendors when searching for curriculum. Here are a few more tips to keep in mind:
- Start with what you already have. You might be surprised by the resources tucked away in your cabinets that can be utilized throughout the school year. Conduct a quick inventory of what’s readily available before adding a bunch of new materials to your cart. Keeping a running list of what you have can be helpful and help avoid duplicate purchases! In the beginning this is difficult, because you literally have nothing - but, you will build a base of curriculum. You will literally buy curriculum that makes you shake your head. You will buy curriculum that is the best money you ever spent and you will buy curriculum that is an utter waste of time and money. But, one curriculum you used for one child may be garbage and not work - BUT, it will work magnificently with the next child! It’s kind of crazy how that works.
- Leverage your library system. Before spending money on an expensive book that you may only use briefly, check if your local library has it available. They can often borrow from other libraries in their system, and some libraries may consider acquiring new titles upon request. Don’t hesitate to ask! We LOVED the library - I depended on my local library for YEARS!!I can’t say enough good things about my local library!!
- Read reviews and consult with other moms before buying. Talk to friends (both in-person and online), read curriculum reviews, check out samples from companies, and be aware of cancellation or return policies. Finding out what has worked (or hasn’t) for other families can guide your decision-making. Just remember, each family's situation is unique what works for one might not suit yours. I have to be honest here and state that in the beginning of my homeschool journey with my daughter - I took too much advise and listened to other moms because I didn’t have enough confidence. This was a HUGE mistake on my part!! I learned quickly what worked and what didn’t for my daughter.
- Attend a homeschool convention or vendor fair. While it can be overwhelming (VERYY!!), it's a fantastic opportunity to explore various companies, engage with vendors, and gather more information about their products. Too many choices for me - while you can see the books and feel them and look at them, I just didn’t find attending homeschool convention worked for me.
- Don’t hesitate to consider used curriculum. When my youngest began homeschooling in kindergarten - which was not my original intention. She was supposed to go to kindergarten 5 mornings a week, but the school closed ONE WEEK before it began!! I was in sheer panic mode. I had to order something quick and went the used curriculum from another mom path. While it worked until I figured out what to do - I also realized that what works for one mom and her won’t necessarily work for your kiddo.