Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years as parents seek more control over their children’s education and the flexibility to tailor it to their needs. With this growth, there are now countless homeschool curriculum options available, making it overwhelming for families to choose the right one. How do you know which one is the right one for you and your kiddos? Let’s dive into this checklist to follow when looking at how to choose homeschool curriculum that’s right for your family.
Choosing A Homeschool Curriculum
Before diving into the vast sea of homeschooling curricula available, it’s crucial to take a step back and think about your family’s unique values, goals, and expectations for education.
Consider Your Family’s Values
This serves as your north star in navigating choices and ensures that your educational path is a meaningful one for your family.
Start by asking some key questions:
- What kind of people do you want your children to become?
- What life skills do you consider non-negotiable in their learning journey?
- What are your educational philosophies?
Religious Teachings
If faith is central to your family life, you may prioritize a curriculum that integrates these teachings and values. This could include Bible studies or moral lessons that are incorporated into daily education.
Curriculum like Masterbooks or Apologia is a curriculum that emphasizes faith-based learning and integrates it into all subjects, while still providing a strong academic foundation.
On the other hand, secular curricula like Oak Meadow or BookShark offer similar flexibility but without any religious influence.
Hands-On Learning
Aside from religious influences, you might be drawn to educational philosophies that prioritize hands-on, experiential learning. In this case, when looking at how to choose homeschool curriculum, curricula that offer field trips, lab experiments, and practical activities would be more aligned with your family’s educational aims.
Critical Thinking
Like faith, critical thinking may be another focal point for your family. If fostering independent thought and problem-solving skills are paramount, seek out curricula that encourage debate, discussion, and real-world application of concepts.
Curriculum like The Critical Thinking Co. and Sonlight, for example, are designed to engage students in analytical thinking and discussion. They offer materials like debate questions, open-ended projects and activities that stimulate thought and facilitate meaningful interactions.
Create a Homeschool Vision Statement
Once you’ve outlined your family’s values and goals, document them. Keep this list accessible as you start exploring different curricula.
Compare each option against your list to see how well it aligns. Remember, no curriculum will be a 100% perfect fit, but your aim is to find one that satisfies most, if not all, of your key criteria.
Whatever your family’s values and goals may be, make sure to keep them at the forefront when evaluating curriculum options. Because the idea is to place your family’s values at the center of your educational choices to influence those choices, which will not only only provide a fulfilling learning experience for your kids but will also live out the values that are most important to you.
What’s Your Child’s Learning Style?
Every child has a unique learning style, and it’s crucial to consider this when choosing a curriculum. Knowing their learning style will prevent hours upon hours of tears and tantrums. Get this one wrong – and it’s game over.
But get this one RIGHT – and now you have the beautiful homeschool day you’ve envisioned!
So consider how your kids learn best when looking at how to choose homeschool curriculum. There are three key types of learning styles:
- Visual: Kids who learn best through images and visual aids
- Auditory: Children who retain information well through listening and speaking
- Kinesthetic: Those who are tactile learners and need hands-on experiences
You can discover what your child’s learning style is by simply observing them.
Using learning styles to guide your homeschool
Once you’ve identified your child’s learning style, use it as a guide when perusing curricula. Look for ones that align with their particular style to maximize engagement and learning potential.
For instance, some children may thrive in a traditional textbook-based approach, with the structure and the page turning. Seeing the curriculum in a textbook form can help them see their progress as they move into the textbook day by day.
Other kids may need more visual aids (more than a textbook) or hands-on activities, such as math manipulatives or charts. They may thrive in lapbooks or interactive notebooks, whatever it is they can “see” and learn with.
Take the time to understand how your child learns best and choose a curriculum that caters to their individual needs.
What’s Your Homeschool Teaching Style?
Homeschooling also involves the parents taking on the role of teacher. It’s essential to consider your teaching style when choosing a curriculum, as it will impact how effectively you can deliver the material.
Are you more comfortable with a structured lesson plan? Or do you prefer a more flexible and open-ended approach?
Make sure the curriculum aligns with your teaching style, as it will make for a smoother and more enjoyable learning experience for both you and your child.
Research, Research, Research – and Read Reviews!
Before committing to a specific curriculum, do thorough research on the curriculum you’re considering to purchase.
Read curriculum reviews
Also, be sure to review the curriculum’s website and sample materials to get a better sense of what it offers. This will help you make an informed decision that best suits your family’s needs when choosing a homeschool curriculum.
Read reviews from other homeschooling families as this will give you valuable insights into what worked well for others and what didn’t. Ask for recommendations from friends or online forums, and check homeschool Facebook groups for what others are saying about recommended resources.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to other homeschooling parents for recommendations and advice. Most are thrilled to help you along! And, usually, they’ll tell you the honest brutal truth of why it is or isn’t working out!
Take Advantage of Free Trials
Many homeschool curriculum providers offer free trials or samples for families to try before purchasing. Take advantage of these opportunities to get a feel for the curriculum and see if it’s a good fit for your family.
Using free trials or seeing samples will help you to determine if the learning materials and teaching style fits your family. Do this before making a financial commitment and you’ll have no (or fewer!) regrets.
Adjusting Your Homeschool Curriculum Choices
Remember that homeschool curriculum is not one-size-fits-all. It’s okay to make adjustments and switch things up if something isn’t working for your family. Because one of the most liberating aspects of homeschooling is its inherent flexibility.
Unlike traditional schooling, where you are bound by a standardized curriculum and rigid schedules, homeschooling allows you the freedom to adapt the learning experience to suit your family’s needs.
However, with that freedom comes responsibility—the responsibility to be vigilant and proactive in assessing how well your chosen curriculum is serving your children.
When you first start homeschooling, it’s easy to fall into the trap of rigidly sticking to a curriculum, especially if you’ve spent considerable time and resources selecting it. While consistency is important, it’s crucial to understand that no curriculum is set in stone.
In fact, consider your initial choice as a “working draft” that you can, and likely will, revise as you go along.
Regular Check-Ins
Regular check-ins with your children can provide insights into what’s working and what’s not. Keep the lines of communication open and create an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
Being open to adjustments doesn’t mean you’re indecisive or inconsistent; rather, it shows that you’re attentive and responsive to your family’s educational journey. In the long run, this adaptability will not only make your homeschooling experience more effective but also more enriching for everyone involved.
How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum That Fits Your Family
Choosing a homeschool curriculum that fits your family’s overall rhythm is crucial when you’re homeschooling. Keep this checklist in mind each year you start to plan out your homeschool because it’s one to keep bookmarked to reference year after year. And remember – pivoting isn’t a bad thing! It just proves that you know your family best! So don’t be afraid to change things up until you find that sweet spot, or in this case, that sweet curriculum!
