A common question I receive from moms that are considering homeschooling is, “How do I choose a homeschool curriculum?”
I remember worrying about what my children were supposed to learn. So much so, that I decided to print off my state’s standards of learning. I was not going to let my child “fall behind”. I was going to do everything I could to ensure they learned everything that children in public school were learning, and more.
Maybe you’re there too…
You want to ensure your child is learning everything they need to know.
You want to expose them to all of the beautiful things that homeschooling has to offer, while ensuring they are receiving a top-notch education.
You may worry that they’ll fall behind, or not learn enough.
If you don’t have experience teaching, you may fear that they will not learn everything they’re supposed to learn.
This leads you to researching all of the best homeschool curriculums. You want to make sure they have it all; reading, writing, grammar, phonics, spelling, math, history, science, social studies, geography, art, music, etc. All of the sudden, you have 87 tabs open on your internet browser, with no idea which curriculum to choose and how many of them to buy.
“Buy them all…” said the little voice in my head.
I don’t even want to tell you how much money I spent on my first year of homeschooling. Part of the expenses were on the beautiful school supplies, wooden learning trays and $30 crayons I “needed”. The bulk of my expenses, however, were on a curriculum for each subject. I actually purchased 3 different ones for language arts and math – against all of the advice not to.
Today, I want to give you some practical advice on how to choose a homeschooling curriculum that works best for your family.
How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum
1. Understand Your Child’s Learning Style
Before you choose a homeschool curriculum, take the time to understand your child’s unique learning style. Are they visual learners who grasp concepts through images and charts, auditory learners who excel through discussions and lectures, or kinesthetic learners who thrive with hands-on activities? Tailoring the curriculum to match your child’s learning style lays a solid foundation for effective education.
2. Set Educational Goals
One beautiful part of homeschooling is your ability to co-create educational goals with your child. In addition to the primary subjects of reading, writing and mathematics, you will want to create specific learning goals to guide you in your homeschooling journey. What subjects or topics are they interested in learning? What subjects do you want to prioritize? Are there any specific skills or values you aim to instill? Having a roadmap of your educational objectives will guide you in selecting a curriculum that aligns with your vision for your child’s academic and personal development. My suggestion is to not buy a curriculum for each additional subject in the beginning. Decide on what you’ll use to teach language arts and math, and add on from there.
3. Researching Different Homeschooling Methods
Before you buy a single thing, explore various educational philosophies and pedagogies to identify the approach that resonates with your values and goals. Whether you lean towards the classical education method, Montessori, Charlotte Mason, or an eclectic blend, understanding these philosophies will aid in selecting a curriculum that complements your chosen educational path.
To better understand the various homeschooling methods, check out this post on 7 Homeschooling Styles Explained
4. Consider Flexibility
Flexibility is a key factor in homeschooling success. Thus, make sure you choose a curriculum that allows room for adaptation based on your child’s pace of learning and interests, and the time/energy you have available to teach. If you are a working homeschooling mother, a curriculum that requires a lot of time and resources may not be the best fit for your family. Or, if you are homeschooling multiple ages, you may want to opt for a curriculum that can work for all of your children; this is especially true for history, science, nature study, art, etc. A flexible curriculum accommodates the ebb and flow of the homeschooling journey, ensuring a dynamic and engaging experience.
5. Assess Your Teaching Style
While there is a large emphasis on your child’s homeschooling needs, don’t neglect your own. Remember that you are the teacher, and if you are going to teach something effectively, it must work well with your teaching style. Are you comfortable with a structured, teacher-led approach, or do you prefer a more hands-off, student-directed method? Do you enjoy planning immersive educational experiences, or is this something that you would rather outsource to a co-op? Is nature study exciting to you, or is there a local nature group that you can participate in to facilitate this? The curriculum you choose should align with your teaching philosophy, along with meeting your child’s educational needs.
6. Read Reviews and Seek Recommendations
Tap into the homeschooling community for insights and recommendations. Online forums, social media groups, your local homeschool group and educational conferences are valuable resources for connecting with experienced homeschoolers who can share their curriculum experiences. Ask your homeschooling friend what she uses, and then look online for reviews. Reading reviews provides a real-world perspective, helping you make informed decisions.
7. Explore Resource Availability
Consider the availability of resources required for the chosen curriculum. If you are on a budget, buying an elaborate $300 curriculum may not be feasible. And trust me when I say – you do not need that. Before you commit to a curriculum, look at all that is required. If there is a book list involved, check to see if some of those books are available at your local library, or used bookstore. I’ve even used some “free” curriculums that require antiquated books that cost $$$, are largely unavailable or you have to order them from particular websites. If you are not down for a good book hunt, something like that may not be for you. The main point: Ensure that the materials, books, and tools are accessible and fit within your budget. A curriculum with readily available resources simplifies the homeschooling process and minimizes logistical challenges.
8. Use Trial Periods and Samples
I should really highlight this. Because the hundreds of dollars I spent on curriculum during the first year of homeschooling could have been saved if I had used the “one week free” samples and print outs. Many of the mainstream curriculum providers offer trial periods or sample materials, and it will save you time, tears and money if you use it. These free samples provide the opportunity to get a firsthand experience of the curriculum’s structure, content, and teaching style, allowing you to assess compatibility before making a final commitment.
A real life example of this: I purchased a beautiful, highly recommended curriculum online that cost almost $100 on sale. Then, I had it printed and spiral bound which cost an additional $120 (it was a lot of books). In my mind, I was committed. I wanted to do it right, and do it well… so a “trial run” didn’t feel like an option. I wanted to use the beautiful notebooks it came with, and to start with Week 1 – not jump into week 7. On the first day, we read a chapter of the book that was the “spine” of this beautiful, highly recommended curriculum. The story was so dry, and so boring that my children’s eyes glazed over. I opted to continue anyway but after a couple of weeks we were avoiding this curriculum like the plague. With all of the money and time I had invested, it was difficult to let it go. Finally, I did and it was liberating. If I had used the sample week, all of this time and money would have been saved.
9. Align with State Regulations
Be mindful of your state’s homeschooling regulations. Some states have specific curriculum requirements or guidelines. Ensure that the curriculum you choose complies with these regulations to avoid any complications during your homeschooling journey.
This website outlines the state requirements.
10. Adapt as Needed
Homeschooling is a dynamic process that evolves with your child’s growth and changing needs. Stay open to adapting the curriculum as necessary, and do not be afraid to change if something isn’t working. Flexibility and a willingness to tailor the learning experience contribute to a successful and fulfilling homeschooling adventure. With that being said, I recommend sticking to something for at least a month or two before jumping ship. It can take a bit of time and effort to get into the “groove” of a curriculum, and you don’t want to throw it all out before you’ve given it a fair shot.
Here I am now, four years later, and I still feel the urge to seek out new curriculum. Because a mother’s desire to offer her child the absolute best education possible, doesn’t fade. What is different, however, is my approach to learning, and my confidence in what I am teaching my child. Now, I’m clear on their educational needs, learning styles and how I teach best. I know our strengths and weaknesses, and I’m not too proud to outsource a subject or topic that I don’t teach well. Most importantly – I have learned grace with myself and my children.
We’ve found our sweet spot with Charlotte Mason homeschooling, and I know that my children are receiving a beautiful, well-rounded education even though I don’t use exhaustive curriculums for each subject. Though we consider ourselves “Charlotte Mason homeschoolers”, I never choose a method over my child’s needs. We have incorporated many Classical, Montessori and traditional schooling aspects into our homeschool over the years, unapologetically.
If you take anything away from this post today, let it be this: Choose what’s best for you and your child, boldly and confidently. You’re not tied to a particular method, curriculum or book. And on the days when you feel like calling it quits because you just can’t decide what curriculum to use, or how to use it? Go outside and explore.
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