How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum

If you have been homeschooling for a while, you probably have a good idea about what homeschool curriculum will work for your child. Look back at your successful homeschool years and consider what you used that worked. Find a curriculum like what worked the previous year. Your mantra should be "If it works, keep using it." The grass will always be greener on the other side of the fence, but maybe the grass is Astroturf. If your grass is already green, don't look somewhere else.

When I work with clients, I always suggest they keep using a curriculum that works. If Sonlight has always worked for you, keep using Sonlight. The flip side is also true. If something is not working, start looking around for something else. Even if you are in the middle of a school year, once you recognize the curriculum isn't working, change as soon as possible. It will save so much frustration!

A textbook written for a public or private school assumes the teacher already understands the subject. A book written for homeschoolers assumes the teacher knows nothing about the subject! That's why homeschool curriculum is easier to use and makes you feel competent, not stupid. Curriculum written for homeschoolers doesn't assume your child is in a classroom setting or suggest impractical group projects. When you use curriculum meant for homeschools, you can teach subjects without help, even when you don't have a clue about the content. My children learned physics and calculus without any help from me. We purchased curriculum proven to be successful with homeschoolers.

Homeschool curriculum works because it's usually self-teaching. Your goal is not to be the teacher of a subject. Your long-term plan is to make learners who can absorb material by themselves. Self-teaching curriculum is a good thing that will prepare your students for college and life. It will help you teach what you don't know, and help your children learn subjects primarily by themselves. When students go to college, they will need to absorb college textbooks by themselves. Choosing a self-teaching curriculum will give them the practice they need for college. I was the project manager, but it was my children who were learning the content.

Most curriculum suppliers think their curriculum is the best in the world. They completely believe they have the best, teach the best, that their way is the right way, and without them your child can't possibly learn all they need to know. A writing program may tell you to start at level one even though your student is in high school, so they can follow the program completely. A math program may tell you that even a 9th grader should start their curriculum learning basic addition.  However, starting over is not always important or advisable. Our goal is understanding in order to move on, and build upon. Students don’t require 100% recall or perfection to be successful learners.

There are probably good reasons for starting over, and you will know if that's important for your child, but it’s not important for all children. For example, when a curriculum offers a placement test, there is no reason to start at the beginning. I have seen parents start over with a different math program every year, putting their child further behind. Resist the urge to start over when you purchase a new curriculum. Start where it makes sense for your child.

Buy curriculum that covers the basics. Don’t skimp on the core classes of reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. Beyond the basics, choose curriculum that will encourage your child’s passion! If your child loves art, music, or science, remember to buy resources to encourage that interest. I'm reminded of the Bible verse, "If his son asks for bread, will he give him a stone? (Matthew 7:9). If your child asks for a subject, give it to them! If they ask for microbiology, economics, or Russian history, follow their interests and get it for them.

Try to avoid making their delight directed learning into a boring and dreaded school subject. I remember a client who wanted to encourage her student's interest, so she turned it into a homeschool course - complete with assignments, worksheets, and tests. Her student lost interest in the subject when it became a class that required work, instead of a pastime he enjoyed learning naturally. Don't make specialization a subject, simply let them enjoy it. When they are done, put it on the transcript!

Where is the best place to put your hard-earned curriculum money? Invest in your weaknesses! If you hate math, don't know what you're doing in the subject, and avoid it at all costs, that is where to put your money. Your child’s strengths are fun to finance and areas of specialization will often result in birthday and Christmas presents. But purchasing things for your weaknesses takes conscious effort.

What do you hate teaching? Which subjects do you feel you're failing? That's the best place to put your curriculum dollar. If you need to, you could teach all the fun stuff in the library and real life, but weak areas may need a little extra help.