| When it comes to choosing curriculum, it is a | | | | plan and present lessons? Some curriculums take |
| jungle out there. Choosing curriculum for | | | | a tremendous amount of prep time, others are |
| homeschooling doesn't have to be overwhelming | | | | completely self guided, others are a little of both. |
| or stressful, once you know exactly where you | | | | 3. Designate a teaching method - based on |
| want to go and how you want to get there. | | | | answers to steps one and two, which teaching |
| It's like going on a road trip. If we head down the | | | | method seems a good fit? |
| highway without knowing what our destination is | | | | - Unit studies which tend to be very hands on? |
| or what path we want to take to get there, we'll | | | | - Workbooks with lots of writing, logic and critical |
| be distracted by all the billboards and roadside | | | | thinking? |
| attractions. Homeschooling is much like that.. | | | | - Advanced academics and accelerated learning? |
| Walking through a curriculum hall or surfing a | | | | - Classical studies following a structured, |
| homeschooling website, browsing and checking out | | | | chronological program? |
| the scenery, without a plan in hand, we'll be | | | | - Eclectic mix of several styles and curriculum? |
| overwhelmed with the choices. But if we know | | | | Write down what you want in curriculum based |
| where we want our homeschooling to go and | | | | on the answers to steps 1, 2 and 3 before going |
| how we want to get there, choosing curriculum | | | | on to step 4. |
| becomes a simple matter of evaluating which one | | | | 4. Determine your curriculum options. |
| is going to be the best tool to help reach the goal. | | | | Focus on: does this help toward your goals and |
| You can head out on this journey well prepared | | | | does it meet your learning style and lifestyle |
| and confident. | | | | needs? |
| Taking a little time to decide where you and your | | | | - Is the curriculum focusing on the areas of |
| family want to go with homeschooling, | | | | academics and character growth you feel are |
| understanding how your children learn and retain | | | | most important? |
| information, and then choosing curriculum to fit is | | | | - Does this curriculum include lessons that meet |
| not a hard process. There are 4 basic steps: | | | | your children's learning styles? Can it be adapted |
| Define your goals, discover your children's learning | | | | to use their strongest learning style? |
| styles, designate a teaching method and | | | | - Does it incorporate the teaching method you |
| determine your curriculum options. | | | | want to use? |
| 1. Define your homeschooling goals: | | | | - Does it fit your lifestyle, work for the number |
| - Why are you homeschooling? | | | | of children being taught, and most importantly, |
| - What do you want your children to gain for their | | | | does mom have the time to do the necessary |
| future from their homeschooling experience? | | | | preparation work? |
| - Are you more interested in: advanced | | | | There are thousands of curriculum for |
| academics, hands-on experiences or character | | | | homeschooling. Don't waste your time or money |
| building? | | | | on ones that won't help you reach your family's |
| 2. Discover your children's learning styles. | | | | goals or meet your children's needs. By following |
| - Do they learn best by listening? Watching? or | | | | the steps outlined above, you will be equipped to |
| Hands-on? | | | | evaluate curriculum based on a clear understanding |
| - Will they do better with lots of short lessons | | | | of exactly what you want to accomplish. You can |
| each day or focusing on a comprehensive, group | | | | quickly eliminate any options that don't meet your |
| project (unit study type projects) | | | | goals and needs and whittle your choices down to |
| - All workbooks? All computer based? All | | | | 2 or 3 that seem to best fit what YOU want for |
| hands-on? Or a combination of all three? | | | | your family. |
| - How are the children's attention spans? Can they | | | | Putting in the effort to decide where you want to |
| sit at a table and do workbooks or will they be | | | | go and how you want to get there will make the |
| better off on the floor using manipulatives? | | | | journey enjoyable, successful, and help you |
| - How much time do you, mom, have to prepare, | | | | conquer the jungle of curriculum choices. |