Welcome back to another post in my Homeschooling 101 series! Today we get to some of the fun stuff…choosing curriculum!
Over the past few weeks we’ve discussed getting started (part 1 & part 2), planning ahead, and homeschooling methods and styles. Now today we’re going to dig in and start talking curriculum! (This post may contain affiliate links.)
Choosing curriculum is the fun part in my opinion, but I also realize that it can be quite overwhelming with all of the zillions of choices out there!
The best way I’ve found is to just dig in and get started! Normally I’ll start with one subject and then move my way down the line. If’ you’ve followed this series you’ll remember that the first part talked about choosing which topics to teach. If you missed that one you might want to check back before reading on.
Once you’ve selected your subjects, choosing curriculum will be a little easier.
As you begin to research, start writing down your top picks on a curriculum form such as the “Our Curriculum” form provided in my Homeschooling 101 eBook. As you go fill out the subjects you’ll be covering, the curriculum you have chosen for a particular subject (If you are undecided leave it blank, or list a few of the curricula you are considering for that subject). You’ll also want to note the cost of the curriculum if purchased new or the best online price you can receive including shipping costs.
This form will greatly aid you when actually ordering your curriculum from an online website, or from a used curriculum fair.
Some things to keep in mind when selecting curriculum:
- Is the curriculum independent or teacher lead? Make sure you have a blend of styles so that you are not overwhelmed with highly intensive teaching types of curriculum. Having a nice mix of these allows you to direct one student to do something more independent while working one-on-one with another student at the same time. It also teaches your child to learn to work independently as well.
- Cost: If cost is a factor for your family, as it is in most homeschools, make sure that the curriculum you choose is in line with your budget. Don’t get swept into thinking that expensive = better. There are numerous budgetary options when homeschooling, and there are even websites dedicated to homeschooling for free.
- Teaching Methods: As I mentioned previously, there are several different teaching styles as well, and I’m a firm believer that your teaching style is just as important as your student’s learning style.
- Student Learning Styles: While each person is unique in their preferred learning style, I prefer to pick a curriculum that will appeal to all of these styles together to create a more well-rounded learning environment.
- Choose curriculum you’ll actually use! Remember, a curriculum might look great, but if it takes up too much time and energy on your part, you’ll soon find yourself procrastinating by putting off the lessons. There will always be new curriculum to try, and a thousand different philosophies on teaching. Choose with what feels comfortable to you and fits your needs.
Now What?
To help narrow your search I have added a list of some of my favorite curricula for each subject. This is not an exhaustive list of curricula available, however is a guide that will help you get started in your researching process.
You might also check out my Homeschool Curriculum Review Forum posts to get some more ideas!
| ART: | BIBLE: | ENGLISH/GRAMMAR/ VOCAB |
| FOREIGN LANG. | HANDWRITING | HEALTH
PHYSICAL EDUCATION |
| HISTORY/GEOGRAPHY | LITERATURE | |
| MUSIC | PRESCHOOL | READING/PHONICS |
SCIENCE
| SPELLING | TYPING |
| Vocabulary | WRITING |
Well, I think that’s enough information to keep you going for now, don’t you? Take your time when selecting curriculum. Once you’ve compiled your list of “must have’s” it’s time to go get you some! We’ll be talking about gathering curriculum in our next Homeschooling 101 post, so make sure to stay tuned.
Want more information? Check out Homeschooling 101: A guide to getting started!
Our Homeschool: Here is a list of posts on our curriculum choices, our schoolroom setup and our daily schedule.
- Our Curriculum
- Our Schedule (Please note this changes on a yearly basis! Sometimes daily if it’s not working!)
- Our Schoolroom
- Why We Homeschool
- Candid Conversation with God (My fears and doubts)
Here are some more helpful posts for new homeschoolers getting started:
- Super Mom vs Abiding Mom
- How do you do it all?
- Ministry of Motherhood (A 12 post series, highly recommended!)
- Plate Spinning 101
- Storage and Record Keeping
- Teaching Tools
- Workbox System
Disclaimer: I am not a legal attorney, nor do I have a degree in law. The information contained in this Book is what I have gleaned from my own research and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any questions regarding homeschooling, please refer to the laws in accordance with your own state, or seek professional legal counsel.
This is my second year homeschooling and Im so glad I found your website. It has helped me a lot through this journey. Great info as always thank you so much!!!
Thank you for this info! Are there any resources you can point to that can help determine a student’s learning style (and my teaching style)? My son will be 5 when I start homeschooling, and I’m not sure if there are any resources for kids that young.
Hi Erica,
I have a question. Where do you find the borrowed and used curriculum that you use?
Great post. I think you’re missing a couple of great curriculums though. Notably “Story of the World” for History as well as “Shurley English” and “First Language Lessons” for grammar. We’ve used all of those with great success. And we love “Math-u-see” as much as you do 🙂
I am considering using Wordly Wise next year for my daughter, who will be in first grade. Do you feel that it is necessary to purchase the Teacher Resource Package or could we do the lessons with only the Student Book?
This is my third year homeschooling .I am truly blessed to have found your website. I am still having difficulty trying to get her curriculum .She is a more hands on manipulative learner any suggestion on math
This is a post about the curriculum I used for 5 of my students last year. We have a lot of favorites in common, although this year we used God and the History of Art by Barry Stebbing and really enjoyed it, instead of our usual Mystery of History.
We have also used Spell To Write and Read with good success to teach reading and spelling to my young children, and try to do plenty of narration as an alternative to over reliance on workbooks for writing and reading comprehension.
http://homeschoolingforthewholefamily.blogspot.com/2013_09_01_archive.html
In homeschooling, they can choose to work through their curriculum as quickly or slowly as they feel comfortable doing, establishing their own pace. A child who struggle in one or more areas academically should consider homeschooling as an excellent one-to-one environment to learn the skills necessary to catch up.
Anne
http://HomeschoolingOption.com/
The local library is a great place to find curriculum. I have also used Project Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.org/) to find classic literature for my son’s classes. Having the option to buy curriculum is great, but many homeschool families need to have free or almost free curriculum options. I only bought about six textbooks the entire time I homeschooled (7th-12th). The rest of the time, I used the library and Internet for material.
I am completely overwhelmed. My son has always had anxiety had has recently had an episode so extreme that he would not return to school. He was in a Christian Private School but now we have to finish the year at home. I would love to continue to use his current text books but is that even possible? What advise would you have for me? I don’t even know where to start. Please email janniesummey@hotmail.com. Thank you!!!!!!!!
Hi Jannie,
I’m so sorry to hear your son is having anxiety. I think for your case I would probably suggest contacting his school to see what curriculum he’s doing and if there’s a way you can get that so he can finish out the year at home. It will probably depend on what he’s been using there as to whether you can get it at home. If not you may need to look into gathering your own curriculum to finish at home. I have curriculum picks by grade on my website if you search the specific grade you need. I also have a post on switching midyear that may help. https://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2014/10/homeschooling-101-switching-to-homeschool-mid-year.html