When parents make the decision to homeschool their children, the next step is to decide on an appropriate curriculum. Picking the right curriculum is critical since you want to ensure your child’s academic and personal growth through learning and instruction. Picking the best homeschool curriculum will require research and gathering information so when it comes to making a choice, you can make an informed decision.
To get started, here are 15 questions to ask yourself to help determine the best homeschool curriculum for your family:
1. What is My Child’s Learning Style?
It is important to consider your child’s individualized learning style when choosing a homeschool curriculum. Personalizing learning according to your child’s needs and particular learning style will ensure that your child gets the most from the homeschooling experience. Whether your child is a visual, audio, or kinesthetic learner, finding a homeschool curriculum that suits their learning style is important for their academic and creative growth.
2. Do I Want My Child to Be College-ready?
If preparing your child for college is a priority, make sure to look into college preparatory homeschooling programs that are designed to adequately prepare the student for the rigors of higher education. If a specific area of study such as the sciences is more important to prepare for, look into programs that are tailored to that individual area of interest.
3. How Do I Handle Difficult Subjects?
If you are tackling courses that are more difficult for you or your child such as math, it is important to find a homeschool curriculum that can provide the necessary instruction and guidance. It is important to look into curricula that will be a good fit for the situation, enabling you to properly teach the subject with confidence and expertise.
4. What Resources are Available for Learning?
A homeschool curriculum should provide an abundant amount of resources for learning. Such resources include texts, worksheets, activities, and visuals. Look into curricula that offer material beyond the traditional textbook for a more varied learning experience.
5. What is My Budget?
Homeschool curricula can range in price from free or low-cost to expensive depending on what type of material is offered in the program. It is important to create a budget and to stick to it when making a decision. Fortunately, there is something to suit any budget.
6. Does the Material Require Refreshing?
Are there areas in the curriculum that need to be refreshed every few years? Depending on your budget, you may want to only invest in a curriculum that is comprehensive and able to be used in subsequent years without frequent updates.
This way, you will not have to spend money on new material every year.
7. What is My Child’s Grade Level?
It is important to determine what grade level your child is in before choosing a curriculum. This will help you to determine the best material for their current level and pick out material for the coming year that would be appropriate.
8. What Assessments and Evaluations are Available to Monitor Progress?
If monitoring your child’s progress throughout the year is important, look into homeschool curricula that include assessments such as quizzes, tests, and projects that allow for an evaluation of what has been learned. This can help to develop not only academic growth but also personal growth as your child moves towards higher levels of learning.
9. How are the Writing Components?
Writing is an essential component in learning, so make sure the homeschool curriculum you pick has strong writing components that are appropriate for the grade level your child is on. Look into curricula that will give your child the opportunity to express their writing skills and practice communication.
10. What is the Technology Involved in the Curriculum?
Look into curricula that include technology as a part of their coursework. Incorporating technology into the program can give your child the opportunity to use some of their academic abilities in a way that best suits them. This could include programs that teach coding or robotics.
11. How Social is the Curriculum?
Learning involves a social component – interacting with others and working collaboratively with peers. If you feel that your child is missing out on socializing, look into a homeschool curriculum that gives them the opportunity to work and learn in a group setting.
12. What Career Preparedness Credentials are Offered?
If you feel that your child needs extra preparation about the best practices to get a job after high school, pick a curriculum that has career preparedness elements such as resume building or job interview practice. These credentials can help to set your child up for success when transitioning from school to the workplace.
13. What Materials are Included in the Curriculum?
Is there any additional material that is included in the curriculum? If for example the curriculum includes an art component, make sure that all necessary materials such as paints, canvases, and brushes will be included in the program. Knowing what exactly is included in each curriculum package will help you to make the best decision.
14. What Opportunities Does the Curriculum Offer for Exploration?
Learning doesn’t stop after completing course material. Look into curricula that offer exploration opportunities such as travel and field trips to give additional learning experiences that allow students to develop their interests and explore potential areas to study beyond the scope of their homeschooling program.
15. What Age Range Does the Curriculum Cater To?
When considering a homeschool curriculum, make certain that it is tailored to your child’s age group. Age appropriate material is important to ensure that the student is being challenged and growing but not feeling overwhelmed or under-challenged.
Conclusion
Picking the best homeschool curriculum for your family requires research and consideration. Answering the 15 questions can help you to make an informed decision and find the most appropriate material for your child’s educational needs.
With the right information and resources, you can create a customized homeschool curriculum that will lead to academic success and personal growth.