With all the different curriculums, a homeschooling family can get very confused. Learn how to take it one step at a time, and find the right one for you.
It is that time of year again. Time when many of us begin making final decisions about what curriculum we are going to be using for the upcoming school year. Choosing a curriculum can be a time-consuming process, and one that leads to frequent headaches. There are so many paths to choose, so many ways to go. How to decide?
- Do your research Take your time in researching what is out there. Your computer can be your best resource for this. Take a look at many different curriculum sites. It helps to keep notes, as it is easy for everything to start blending together. Jot down the name of the curriculum, what subject areas it does or does not cover, underlying philosophy, and approximate price. Also, list what really excites you about that program, and what concerns you. Check out the curriculum review at Homeschool Reviews and Homeschooling From The Heart for starters.
- Talk to friends Talk to anyone you know that homeschools, in person or on the web. Get information from people who have used different curriculums. They may be able to reveal something about a program you would not have known unless you have used it. The homeschooling community contains a lot of wisdom - use it! Just remember, though; everyone's experience is personal. What works and does not work for one family may not be true for yours. So, listen, but keep perspective.
- Get samples See is you can attain samples from different curriculums you are considering. Sometimes something sounds great, but when you get a good look at it, you realize that approach will not work at all for your family. 3Moms is a website that offers a "Curriculum-Fair-in-a-Box". For around $40, they will send you samples of some of the more popular curriculums. You can choose the age range of your child, and they will send grade appropriate samples. I used this when I homeschooled my nephew for a year. It helped me to get an idea of what was out there, and what approach would work best for him. Most importantly, I discovered that the curriculum I had been most considering would not have been a good idea. It helped me save money, and was well worth the small fee.
- Stay calm You do have the responsibility for your child's education. However, if you make a curriculum mistake, you are not going to ruin them or their love for learning. The world is a wonderful, mysterious place that can teach us a lot all on its own.
So, take a deep breath, nibble a little chocolate, and have fun searching!
The copyright of the article The Perfect Curriculum in Homeschooling is owned by Christine Alcott. Permission to republish The Perfect Curriculum in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
