Engaging children and providing them with quality education is the foremost priority of parents. Homeschooling is considered one of the popular and effective educational patterns these days.
However, a key question remains: How to choose an appropriate homeschool curriculum for your kid? To understand what curriculum will befit your kid, you should have comprehensive knowledge of the various aspects of homeschooling. In this article, we share 15 essential questions which cover all the important elements of homeschooling.
1. What Type of Environment Your Kid Will Thrive In?
The choice of learning environment is the first essential consideration when selecting a homeschool curriculum. While reviewing the curriculum, ask yourself, “Will the environment be conducive to learning, and will the curriculum keep my kid interested and focused throughout the session?” You should consider the preferred style of your child and opt for a curriculum which best fits his/her cognitive persona.
For instance, if your child is an auditory learner, you should select a curriculum which consists of audio lessons or audiobooks. Similarly, if your child is a visual learner, you should select a program with several animations, colorful charts, and illustrations.
2. What Are The Types of Homeschool Curriculum?
The next important step is to get acquinted with various types of homeschool curriculums available in the market. Generally, a homeschool curriculum can be divided into two broad categories: structured and unstructured. Unstructured curriculums provide parents the freedom to design their own set of lessons and activities for the children.
Structured curriculums, on the other hand, provide ready-made assessments, tests, and other educational tools to make the learning process easier. Furthermore, you should also take into account the various components of a structured curriculum.
A traditional curriculum comprises of books, CDs, activity supplies, and extras such as maps, posters, and DVDs. Pre-packaged curriculums are ready-made curriculums that contain everything needed for a particular course. Digital curriculums consist of online learning platforms and curriculum materials based on the web.
Hybrid or blended curriculums include elements of both the structured and unstructured curriculums.
3. What Are The Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE) Guidelines?
The Office of Non-Public Education (ONPE) guidelines are federal laws to be followed by all non-public schools. According to the guidelines, homeschool curriculums must comply with the Department of Education’s regulations for K-12 students.
The regulations cover various topics such as attendance record-keeping, student evaluation, instructional hours, learning standards, and health and safety regulations. To ensure the educational requirements are fulfilled, parents should read the ONPE guidelines thoroughly.
4. What Is The Important Role of The Parent?
In a homeschooling environment, the parent plays an important role in educating the child. As a parent, you should evaluate whether the homeschooling curriculum you have selected adheres to the national learning standards. Additionally, you should also assess whether the curriculum is well-rounded — does it cover physical education, language arts, and art classes?
Most importantly, you should also consider your skills and conclude if you are capable of handling such a curriculum.
5. What Is The School Administrator’s Perspective?
The school administrator’s view of homeschooling is another essential factor. Schools should prioritize safety and quality education over everything else.
As such, school administrators should make sure the homeschooling curriculum complies with the state’s learning requirements. Many schools also have guidelines for tracking student progress and providing educational support. Thus, it is essential to check with the school before selecting a homeschool curriculum.
6. What Type of Homeschool Records Should Be Maintained?
Parents should keep accurate records of homeschooling activities. These records can include daily attendance records, academic records, and books read.
Moreover, parents should also submit the students’ portfolios or other evidence of samples of academic work when needed. Additionally, the records should also include notes of any field trips and extracurricular activities which the student has participated in.
7. What Are The Relevant Homeschool Laws?
Every state has a different set of homeschooling laws. Thus, it is important to read the state-specific laws and compare them with the homeschooling curriculum you have chosen.
Many states require parents to file notice of intent and participate in regular testing to ascertain student progress. Other states, such as Pennsylvania, have compulsory educational records for homeschooled students. Knowing the homeschooling laws of your respective state is essential for a proper homeschool experience.
8. What Is The Course Length and Scope Of The Curriculum?
When selecting a homeschool curriculum, it is necessary to consider the course length and scope of the curriculum. Does the curriculum cover all areas of the core subject area? Are there any additional activities such as field trips, contests, or puzzles included?
Does the curriculum have any milestone markers or custom tests designed to measure the growth of the student? Is the course sufficient to cover the topics and will there be enough material for the entire duration?
9. What Are The Benefits Of Homeschooling?
The benefits of homeschooling are many. Homeschooling environment provides personalized instruction, flexible working hours, and an opportunity to explore hobbies and extracurricular activities. Homeschooling also helps with instilling moral and religious values in children.
Additionally, personalized attention allows teachers and parents to identify each student’s individual strengths and weaknesses.
10. What Is The Importance of Continuous Assessment?
Continuous assessment is a key element in any homeschooling program. While assessing students’ progress, it is necessary to compare the child’s results with the standards of the public or private institutions.
While some parents rely on grading, others prefer portfolios to measure their child’s intellectual, personal, and moral growth. In any case, it is essential to monitor the progress of the student at regular intervals.
11. What Is The Availability of Educational Support?
Educational support is perhaps the most important factor when selecting a homeschool curriculum. The support should include guidance from experienced homeschooling teachers, access to materials prepared by professional educators, and the option to review textbooks from various publishers.
In case the curriculum chosen requires special tools, the parents should make sure these materials are available or at least accessible.
12. What Are The Potential Difficulties With Homeschooling?
Homeschooling also presents certain difficulties. Learning materials can be expensive, parents may experience frustration when trying to teach a difficult lesson, and students may feel isolated due to limited social interaction.
Furthermore, assessing students’ progress can be challenging without formal evaluating and grading system. Moreover, parents may not have the necessary skills and qualifications to teach their children.
13. What Are The Social and Extracurricular Activities Involved?
Homeschooling does not mean missing out on social activities. Parents should make sure that their curriculum provides enough opportunities for their children to engage in extracurricular activities.
These may include regular playtime and visits to museums and libraries. Additionally, homeschooled children can take part in online groups or support networks that provide social and learning opportunities with other homeschooled students.
14. What Is The Best Method To Explore New Curriculums?
The best way to explore and evaluate different homeschooling curriculum is to read reviews or talk to experienced homeschoolers. Furthermore, it is important to attend homeschooling conventions and talk to school administrators and teachers. Such events can help parents learn about what’s involved in homeschooling, the various methods of assessing student progress, and other important aspects of homeschooling.
15. What Is The Most Suitable Homeschooling Curriculum?
The most suitable homeschooling curriculum for your kid depends on his/her specific needs and interests. Parents should select a curriculum that suits their child’s intellectual and learning needs and also complies with the local and national standards. Moreover, parents should ensure that the curriculum is comprehensive and covers all the important topics.
Additionally, parents should also make sure that their homeschooling choices are compliant with their state’s laws. Conclusion: Selecting the right homeschool curriculum for your child is necessary for their educational success.
It is essential to consider the various aspects of homeschooling such as an appropriate learning environment, types of curriculums, laws, and assessment to ensure your child receives the best education. By asking the fifteen questions outlined in this article, parents can find an appropriate homeschool curriculum that best suits their child’s learning needs.