Homeschooling is on the rise, with many families opting to take education into their own hands and choosing to give their children a unique and individualized learning experience. With homeschooling comes the responsibility of designing a balanced curriculum for the child comprising of a broad range of courses. While there may be some legal discussions to consider, ultimately parents are the best judge of what courses are appropriate for their child.
This article discusses fifteen classes that should be incorporated into a homeschool curriculum.
1. Math
Math is a core subject that no child’s education should be without and is often one of the first areas of play for homeschoolers. Parent-teachers should take into account the needs of the individual students and create a curriculum that meets those needs. For example, if a student needs extra help mastering basic math, they should focus more time on the more fundamental subjects such as addition, subtraction, and multiplication.
For students that find math easy, they can move quickly on to advanced concepts such as algebra, calculus, and geometry. Parents should also consider including computer programming, because it can be beneficial in the development of a student’s problem-solving and logical reasoning skills.
2. English & Language Arts
Besides math, English & Language Arts should also form a significant portion of any homeschool curriculum. As language is the foundation of any given society, it is important for students to develop an appreciation for the written word early in life. Parents should ensure that their child is able to read and write confidently, can express themselves verbally, and understands the various aspects of grammar.
Depending on the language or languages that the child will be exposed to in the classroom setting, parents should consider additional programs for the child to develop their literacy skills. Such programs may include phonics, reading comprehension, storytelling, and public speaking.
3. Science
Science is an important part of any homeschool curriculum and should be treated as an investigative process that encourages innovation and curiosity. Parent-teachers should have their students dissect simple objects and mix household items to practice the scientific method.
For more in-depth learning, they can focus on specific branches of science such as physics, biology, and chemistry. Kids should also have the opportunity to explore the outdoors and gain an understanding of the environment and its effects on their lives.
4. Social Studies
Social studies should be included in a homeschool curriculum and provide the student with a distinct view of the world. Parents should ensure that their child be exposed to different cultures and societies, enabling them to interact with people from different backgrounds and value diversity. Social studies should also incorporate history into the curriculum by studying different periods in the past and explaining their effects on the present.
Additionally, kids should also be exposed to social issues and acquaint themselves with the different laws governing them.
5. Art
Art is an integral part of any homeschool curriculum and should focus on a variety of mediums such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and photography. Parent-teachers should encourage their children to express themselves through their art, providing them the necessary tools to be able to self-express. Furthermore, kids should be exposed to different genres of art from around the world by introducing color theory, exploring digital art and the use of illustration and multimedia.
Additionally, parents may want to consider making music or theatre classes part of the curriculum.
6. Physical Education
Physical education should be included in any homeschool curriculum for the obvious health benefits as well as for the development of team and individual sports. Parents should strive to introduce various activities to their children to ensure that they are getting a broad range of movement and physical activity. Swimming, dancing, yoga, and martial arts all have a place in a homeschool curriculum and should be introduced at varying levels.
Parent-teachers should also consider outdoor activities such as hiking and camping to bring a new appreciation for the outdoor environment.
7. Health & Nutrition
It is essential that good healthy habits are instilled in achild from a young age and as such, health and nutrition should form a significant part of any homeschool curriculum. Parent-teachers should explain the importance of good hygiene, mental and physical health, and the role that exercise and nutrition play in leading a healthy lifestyle.
Additionally, incorporating the use of herbal remedies and exploring alternative medicines such as acupuncture can also be beneficial for children.
8. Special Education
For children with special educational needs, parents should include special education into their homeschool curriculum. Programs may include physical therapy, speech language therapy, and occupational therapy as well as other services as required.
Special-education curriculums are often focused on helping the child learn independent living skills and should be framed as fun activities for the child instead of therapy sessions.
9. Foreign Language
It is essential that children are exposed to languages other than their native tongue. Homeschoolers can introduce foreign languages in a way that is fun and engaging and provide the student with the tools to learn a new language. Parent-teachers should pay attention to the potential language their child may need to use for success when applying for college, or for the purpose of live-abroad finances.
10. Technology
Given how prevalent technology is in our day-to-day lives, it is important for kids to understand how to use it. Parent-teachers should strive to include software design, coding and programming, as well as basic web development into their homeschool curriculum.
Furthermore, they may want to consider introducing robotics and hardware engineering to give their kids a comprehensive understanding of the technology world.
11. Life Skills
Life skills are fundamental parts of any curriculum and are the bridge between education and life after school. Parent-teachers should focus on providing practicallife skills to children such as money management, time management, and critical thinking. Additionally, they should work with their children to develop problem-solving skills and teach them to work as a team.
12. Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is an important part of any homeschool curriculum. Parent-teachers should help their children understand the basics of economics and how to manage money in a practical and wise way.
They can incorporate games and activities such as counting coins, opening savings accounts, and budgeting with their curriculum.
13. Entrepreneurship
Homeschool curriculums may include courses on product building, outsourcing, branding, and marketing. Parent-teachers should aim to not just provide theoretical knowledge but also practical skills that their children need to make their own businesses a success. They should involve their kids in the process of researching potential products, creating a business plan, and engaging with customers.
14. Career Education
Career education is an important part of any homeschool curriculum and should start at a young age. Parent-teachers should aim to develop the employability skills of their children and focus on career aptitude and salary negotiation skills. Additionally, they should also engage their children with the practical side of entering the job market and the taxes associated with it and introduce courses on networking, resume writing, and interviewing.
15. Homeschool Community
Finally, homeschool curriculums should be rounded off with courses on what it means to be part of a homeschool community. Parent-teachers should focus on enabling their children to interact with their peers, both in the same and different age groups. Furthermore, they should strive to build a sense of community amongst them and inculcate values such as respect, patience, and empathy.
Conclusion
Homeschooling is on the rise, and with it changes the way in which families approach their children’s educations. Parent-teachers are responsible for providing their kids with a comprehensive and balanced curriculum that consists of the core subjects such as math and English, as well as the softer subjects such as art and physical education.
Furthermore, all homeschool curriculums should be rounded off with career education and the development of life skills. All in all, parents should keep in mind that their own personal beliefs and values should be reflected in their child’s education.