So you’ve figured out which homeschooling method will work out best for you and your students, but within the method you have lots of curriculum choices. How do you find the perfect fit?
I have to admit I am something of a curriculum junkie. I love trying new curriculums and I usually share what I learn on my blog. So you could always start by reading curriculum reviews on my blog. 🙂 All playfulness aside, blog reviews and review books like 101 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum by Cathy Duffy are both great places to start.
Questions to Ask When Considering a Curriculum for your Homeschool
Does it fit my student’s learning style? If you have a kinesthetic learner, you should be looking for something with a hands-on focus. If you have an auditory learner, you should be looking for a focus on read-alouds or recorded content. Visual learners will enjoy notebooking and spatially organized material with clean illustrations. You can read more about learning styles here.
Does it fit our lifestyle?
If you have lots of doctor and therapy appointments, you will need something portable. If you like to have Fridays off you will need that flexibility. If you are structured in nature you will want a clear plan for each day.
What do my children think?
My children don’t have final say, but the older they get the more input they have. If you value a child’s input, he will have an investment in making the curriculum “he picked” work. Often I find that if I narrow it down to two choices and can’t decide my children have keen insight and see something I have overlooked.
Does this curriculum mesh with your values and goals?
Choosing a curriculum that teaches evolution may be an appropriate choice for you – even if you believe in creation. However we should scrutinize carefully any curriculum we consider to make sure it meshes with our goals and values OR allows us to teach the opposing side’s view so that our children can stand up against that view. It’s important to think about this before you are six months into the year with a curriculum your child reads on his own – before you realize that it contains blasphemy, mature information, or otherwise.
Where can I look at Homeschool Curriculum?
1. Go to conventions.
One great way to compare and consider a wide variety of homeschool curricula is to attend a homeschool convention such as Teach Them Diligently. Each convention has a variety of curriculum vendors with samples and products on hand so that you can get a good luck at your choices and often make purchases at a discount.
2. Ask Your Friends.
If you have a local homeschooling group or other homeschooling families in your church, ask the question. Does anyone have this curriculum I can look at? Or maybe you could organize a curriculum show and tell day where you each bring a set of materials you have at home for others to look at.
3. Look at Samples.
Many curriculum providers include samples on their website which you can peruse or even download to get a good look.
4. Find Out if your have a local homeschool store.
I’ve been surprised at how many local homeschool stores exist and how often our local Christian book store has a large selection of curriculum. It’s not a shoe-in, but it’s worth a look.
We usually do unit studies, I try to mix things up so my daughter doesn’t get bored, and we base our learning on things she enjoys. This makes schooling fun for her.
I use an eclectic approach! I enjoy having the freedom to use what works best for my daughter’s abilities, interests, and needs. We both like to have a variety of choices. I use a classical, charlotte mason, and montessori with a touch of traditional methods. Thank you for posting this giveaway.
God bless, Tracey M.
We use a mix of methods. Some traditional, some eclectic, we are just a hodge-podge of methods! lol
Eclectic approach – curriculum, unit studies, lapbooks, lots of reading and fun activities. :o)
I don’t know what you’d call our style. Primarily Charlotte Mason with classical and unit studies thrown in would probably come close.
Actually, “Hey, look, a shiny thing”! might also be an accurate description.
the method I have used most through the years is unit studies.
we are eclectic, but I try to follow TWTM 🙂
we eclectic (because everyone is different) with a cm bend (because doing is always more fun than sitting in front of a workbook alllllllll day!).
We unschool. We have a variety of things that she likes doing, sometimes we sail through workbook pages and other times we sit and read together.
This is Day 2 of homeschooling for us..ever! The style we’re going for (and probably failing miserably at) is the classical method. I like that it is tried and true and worked historically. I also like that it doesn’t involve constant entertainment. I want my kids to find “mundane” things exciting and realize that there doesn’t need to be an app or tv show to go along with real learning.
I am an eccletic teacher. I love real books for unit studies. I use whatever I can find when I can.
We use an eclectic approach. Ideas and resources from here and there, combining them to fit my kids’ styles.
We are after-schoolers and just starting! Shopping around at the moment.
I’d say Eclectic. I like to use a little of this and a little of that.
We use an eclectic approach. Ideas and resources taken from different places combining them to fit my kids’ styles. We are loving it!
I don’t really have a set method. I’ve tried different things, and am still trying different things. 🙂
Eclectic most definitely. My 5yo does NOT thrive on repetitive work and gets bored easily, so even if I plan things well, we last maybe 2-3 weeks before I have to switch things up. Some days we might do a lapbook, then a living history book day, a cultural day, etc. with various tidbits of other things thrown in.
We are attempting classical because my daughter enjoys reading and history. Thank you.
i am just starting my second year of homeschooling this year, so i’m still figuring it all out 🙂 i would say at this point, i’m a mix!
We have chosen Tapestry of Grace and Galloping the Globe.
Teaching Textbooks, Veritas Press History, Rod and Staff, Abeka Phonics, Horizons Math, Rosetta Stone Spanish, Writing with Skill, Geography Trails…
Prentice Hall