The most common question for a new homeschool parent is “How do I choose curriculum?!”
Are you concerned about choosing the right curriculum?
Or a little panicky about how many options are available?
You're not alone! There are so many choices! How does a parent know what to choose?
In our early years of homeschooling there was a lot of trial and error. Fortunately, as as my children got older we learned more about multiple intelligences, learning styles, and what worked and didn't work for our family! I discovered four specific areas to consider when choosing curriculum.
Try these four questions to effectively streamline your process and jumpstart your home learning adventure!
1. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE?
How does your child learn? Think about your child’s personality and the way your child responds to and approaches the world.
A lot of parents want to skip this step and get right to looking at curriculum. Don't do that! This is a top priority for planning and a critical step in homeschool prep! You have time now. You are not on anyone else's schedule! If you're worried your child won't learning anything, involve her in the process. Plus, there are lots of activities your child can do that "count" for learning (think Life Skills here!) while you are researching and planning.
Here’s why it’s SUPER important!!
A visual/print learner needs
Workbooks Textbooks Print-based integrated curriculum
An auditory/kinesthetic learner needs
Hands-on Projects Audio books
Tactile learning manipulatives Lessons read out loud
A visual/auditory learner needs
Online visual learning Visual manipulatives (such as flashcards)
Color coded assignments and online games
Lessons read out loud Documentaries or videos
These are widely different approaches to learning!
And, there are other sensory learning types!
Learn more about Different Learning Styles here (from Time4Learning), read our doc on Learning Styles here, or find links to free assessments on Grades K-6 or 7-12 pages to utilize the specific strengths of your learner.
When you take time to figure out your child’s learning style through online assessments, observation, and talking with friends or family members about your child you will focus on finding a curriculum to suit individual strengths.
You’ll avoid having a visual/auditory learner whine about reading a textbook because she actually learns better drawing pictures while she listens! Or having an auditory/kinesthetic learner dawdle for hours to write answers to a math lesson he is able to complete in fifteen minutes of mental math!
Eventually your VA will need to read that textbook and your AK will need to write out the work. Meanwhile, give them tools to make the process easier for both of you. Their comprehension and retention will increase and you’ll all be happier!
Suggestions
Provide tactile soothing learning aids for ADHD/ADD learners and resource specific teaching aids for children with special needs.
For an “I Can Learn This ALL BY MYSELF” child opt for providing lots of resources, science journals, coding classes, and STEM boxes.
For your social global learner connect with a parent co-op and schedule extra-curricular classes or lessons.
Provide whiteboards and markers for tracking assignments.
Develop weaker areas in chunks – a small bit at a time.
Gently nudge your ARL (a student who needs sequential, structured assignments) with lots of praise, encouragement and help planning an unstructured assignment. Encourage your visual/auditory learner to record his thoughts and then write a three-sentence paragraph about his passion!
2. WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE OR METHOD OF INSTRUCTION?
Are you a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants parent, or a super-organized-routine-oriented-check-list person? Are you working from home and reading aloud, teaching math, and cooking dinner? Are you a full-time homeschool mom of three also reading aloud, teaching math, and cooking dinner! Are you teaching one child, or multiple grades?
Here’s why it’s important.
If you are a first-time homeschool parent, you might want a daily schedule laid out for you and a pre-printed script for teaching. If so, then you’re going to lean towards a pre-packaged curriculum. (See Full Curriculum Providers here.) Keep in mind you can modify anything to fit the needs of your child!
If you have limited time for instruction, then you opt for online courses for comprehensive subjects (such as math) and save your one-on-one time for reading or providing extra help.
I recommend a combo approach for Grades 5 and up. Example: two online courses (such as science and math) combined with an integrated history and English program, plus family reading time, hands-on projects, and electives that include community service and personal interests. This gives the parent time for personal and household responsibilities, helps a student develop autonomy, and brings everyone together for engaged, fun learning.
For multi-grade level teaching an integrated combo approach also provides the greatest flexibility. You can easily work one-on-one with a child while another is studying online. Integrated curriculums are easily adapted to multiple grade levels as assignments can be expanded for older children or limited for the younger. Such as adding research and essay writing for a high school student, or including a hands-on project for a middle-school student.
3. BUDGET
How much are you willing to spend on curriculum and extra classes?
Here’s why it’s important.
This will determine whether you are going to opt for expensive online video courses or free tutorials on Khan Academy.
Free podcasts, library books and YouTube science videos?
Or a private tutor and a shelf of brand-new science books and lab equipment!
Purchase texts and workbooks?
Or download unit studies, inexpensive e-books, and use a free online worksheet generator for math and language arts!
Or maybe it's a combination of several.
Choose what fits your budget.
4. WORLDVIEW OR PERSONAL BELIEFS
Here’s why it’s important.
Your personal beliefs and worldview may influence your choice of a secular or non-secular curriculum. For non-secular, you may want a program that aligns with your specific theology (i.e. Catholicism, Evangelical Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other creed).
An inclusive secular approach with discussions centering around your core beliefs gives your student a broad knowledge base in which to approach the world.
Now that you have narrowed your choices, take a look at our Full Curriculum Providers page and subject specific resources on Grades K-6 or 7-12 pages.
Look for resources highlighted for your type of learner.
Don’t limit yourself! If you find a curriculum you love, adapt! We used a variety of instructional methods through the years - adapting as needed.
You might read aloud to your auditory learner, allow a creative child to act out stories, and encourage your absent-minded professor to share what he's learning during mealtime - you'll need to remind him to eat!
Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not an 8 to 3 bell schedule.
With a little introspection and engaged discussions with your children about how they learn and what they are excited to learn, you will confidently choose a curriculum to fit your family!
Enjoy the Journey!
Are you concerned about choosing the right curriculum?
Or a little panicky about how many options are available?
You're not alone! There are so many choices! How does a parent know what to choose?
In our early years of homeschooling there was a lot of trial and error. Fortunately, as as my children got older we learned more about multiple intelligences, learning styles, and what worked and didn't work for our family! I discovered four specific areas to consider when choosing curriculum.
Try these four questions to effectively streamline your process and jumpstart your home learning adventure!
1. WHAT IS YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STYLE?
How does your child learn? Think about your child’s personality and the way your child responds to and approaches the world.
A lot of parents want to skip this step and get right to looking at curriculum. Don't do that! This is a top priority for planning and a critical step in homeschool prep! You have time now. You are not on anyone else's schedule! If you're worried your child won't learning anything, involve her in the process. Plus, there are lots of activities your child can do that "count" for learning (think Life Skills here!) while you are researching and planning.
Here’s why it’s SUPER important!!
A visual/print learner needs
Workbooks Textbooks Print-based integrated curriculum
An auditory/kinesthetic learner needs
Hands-on Projects Audio books
Tactile learning manipulatives Lessons read out loud
A visual/auditory learner needs
Online visual learning Visual manipulatives (such as flashcards)
Color coded assignments and online games
Lessons read out loud Documentaries or videos
These are widely different approaches to learning!
And, there are other sensory learning types!
Learn more about Different Learning Styles here (from Time4Learning), read our doc on Learning Styles here, or find links to free assessments on Grades K-6 or 7-12 pages to utilize the specific strengths of your learner.
When you take time to figure out your child’s learning style through online assessments, observation, and talking with friends or family members about your child you will focus on finding a curriculum to suit individual strengths.
You’ll avoid having a visual/auditory learner whine about reading a textbook because she actually learns better drawing pictures while she listens! Or having an auditory/kinesthetic learner dawdle for hours to write answers to a math lesson he is able to complete in fifteen minutes of mental math!
Eventually your VA will need to read that textbook and your AK will need to write out the work. Meanwhile, give them tools to make the process easier for both of you. Their comprehension and retention will increase and you’ll all be happier!
Suggestions
Provide tactile soothing learning aids for ADHD/ADD learners and resource specific teaching aids for children with special needs.
For an “I Can Learn This ALL BY MYSELF” child opt for providing lots of resources, science journals, coding classes, and STEM boxes.
For your social global learner connect with a parent co-op and schedule extra-curricular classes or lessons.
Provide whiteboards and markers for tracking assignments.
Develop weaker areas in chunks – a small bit at a time.
Gently nudge your ARL (a student who needs sequential, structured assignments) with lots of praise, encouragement and help planning an unstructured assignment. Encourage your visual/auditory learner to record his thoughts and then write a three-sentence paragraph about his passion!
2. WHAT IS YOUR TEACHING STYLE OR METHOD OF INSTRUCTION?
Are you a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants parent, or a super-organized-routine-oriented-check-list person? Are you working from home and reading aloud, teaching math, and cooking dinner? Are you a full-time homeschool mom of three also reading aloud, teaching math, and cooking dinner! Are you teaching one child, or multiple grades?
Here’s why it’s important.
If you are a first-time homeschool parent, you might want a daily schedule laid out for you and a pre-printed script for teaching. If so, then you’re going to lean towards a pre-packaged curriculum. (See Full Curriculum Providers here.) Keep in mind you can modify anything to fit the needs of your child!
If you have limited time for instruction, then you opt for online courses for comprehensive subjects (such as math) and save your one-on-one time for reading or providing extra help.
I recommend a combo approach for Grades 5 and up. Example: two online courses (such as science and math) combined with an integrated history and English program, plus family reading time, hands-on projects, and electives that include community service and personal interests. This gives the parent time for personal and household responsibilities, helps a student develop autonomy, and brings everyone together for engaged, fun learning.
For multi-grade level teaching an integrated combo approach also provides the greatest flexibility. You can easily work one-on-one with a child while another is studying online. Integrated curriculums are easily adapted to multiple grade levels as assignments can be expanded for older children or limited for the younger. Such as adding research and essay writing for a high school student, or including a hands-on project for a middle-school student.
3. BUDGET
How much are you willing to spend on curriculum and extra classes?
Here’s why it’s important.
This will determine whether you are going to opt for expensive online video courses or free tutorials on Khan Academy.
Free podcasts, library books and YouTube science videos?
Or a private tutor and a shelf of brand-new science books and lab equipment!
Purchase texts and workbooks?
Or download unit studies, inexpensive e-books, and use a free online worksheet generator for math and language arts!
Or maybe it's a combination of several.
Choose what fits your budget.
4. WORLDVIEW OR PERSONAL BELIEFS
Here’s why it’s important.
Your personal beliefs and worldview may influence your choice of a secular or non-secular curriculum. For non-secular, you may want a program that aligns with your specific theology (i.e. Catholicism, Evangelical Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other creed).
An inclusive secular approach with discussions centering around your core beliefs gives your student a broad knowledge base in which to approach the world.
Now that you have narrowed your choices, take a look at our Full Curriculum Providers page and subject specific resources on Grades K-6 or 7-12 pages.
Look for resources highlighted for your type of learner.
Don’t limit yourself! If you find a curriculum you love, adapt! We used a variety of instructional methods through the years - adapting as needed.
You might read aloud to your auditory learner, allow a creative child to act out stories, and encourage your absent-minded professor to share what he's learning during mealtime - you'll need to remind him to eat!
Homeschooling is a lifestyle, not an 8 to 3 bell schedule.
With a little introspection and engaged discussions with your children about how they learn and what they are excited to learn, you will confidently choose a curriculum to fit your family!
Enjoy the Journey!
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