Homeschooling is fast becoming a popular education alternative for families looking for something different than traditional schooling. With this change, the search for the best homeschool curriculum is becoming more complicated as the number of options increases. Knowing what kind of homeschool curriculum to follow for your child can be a difficult task.
This article provides a comprehensive evaluation of the various aspects of homeschool curriculum. Through a series of fifteen questions, we can help determine what type of homeschool curriculum is best suited to your family’s needs and learning goals.
1. What is the Purpose of Your Homeschool Curriculum?
The first question to ask when considering homeschool curriculum is what you hope to achieve in the end. Are you looking for a full academic program, preparing for college admissions, or simply supplementing existing homeschool program with interesting and interactive materials? A clear goal will help narrow down the range of curriculum options available.
2. How Much Time do You Have for Homeschooling?
This is a very important question, as different curriculum programs require different levels of time and commitment to complete. If you plan to do a full academic program, consider whether you have the full-time availability, or if you’re looking for something more flexible.
On the other hand, if you’re just supplementing an existing curriculum, you’ll want to consider whether you have the additional time available to work on the additional material.
3. When Is the Best Time to Start Homeschooling?
Depending on your family’s schedule, you may want to start homeschooling during the summer months, or at a preset start date in the fall. Some families choose to wait till their child is older before implementing homeschool programs, but it is important to consider that the earlier you start, the easier it will be for your child to adapt and get comfortable with homeschooling.
4. What Kind of Support System do You Have?
Are you completely homeschooling your child, or do you have a support system to offer assistance or advice? If you do not have an extensive support network or an in-depth knowledge of homeschooling, consider enrolling in a local support group or finding a private homeschool instructor to help you get started.
5. What is the Ideal Learning Style for Your Child?
This is one of the most important aspects of choosing the right curriculum. Teaching styles vary significantly, and your child may find more success and better engagement with one style over another. For instance, some children may prefer hands-on learning to book-based learning, while some may prefer online courses or a more traditional classroom setting.
6. What Level of Teacher Involvement is Required?
Some curriculum options require the presence of a teacher or instructor for the duration of the course. Others simply provide educational materials and leave it up to the parent to create the lesson plans.
Consider how hands-on you want to be and the level of teacher involvement that is best suited to your family.
7. What Resources Are Available to Support the Curriculum?
One of the biggest challenges of homeschooling is finding the right resources to support the curriculum. Many curriculum packages include access to online libraries, video lectures, and other materials, but you should also consider whether you need additional materials to supplement or complete the lessons.
8. What are the Cost Implications?
Homeschooling is an investment, and costs can quickly add up. Consider the costs of lessons, materials, and other resources, as well as the cost of hiring outside help, if necessary. Also consider any other costs such as testing and supplies for experiments.
9. What Accreditation is Available?
If you are choosing a homeschool program to prepare your child for college-level learning, it is important to ensure the curriculum has accredited programs available. Also, research which colleges and universities accept homeschool-accredited curriculum so that you know your child’s efforts will be recognized if they choose to apply to any of those institutions down the line.
10. Are Grammar and Writing Lessons Included?
Many homeschool curriculums, particularly those that have college-prep options, focus heavily on grammar and writing. If you are looking for a comprehensive program, consider if the curriculum covers elements such as sentence structure, grammar, punctuation, and composition.
11. What Types of Assessments are Used?
Assessments are a crucial component of any homeschool program. Consider if the program provides periodic assessments to measure progress, or if it simply takes a more open-ended approach.
If formal assessments are required, determine if your child’s results will be reflected in any academic or grade transcripts.
12. What Personalized Strategies are in Place?
Often, different children learn in different ways. Some may have difficulty understanding written material and need an audio version of reading materials.
In such cases, it is important to know if the program provides personalized strategies such as audio lessons, interactive activities, and visual aids, to ensure your child gets the best and most effective learning experience.
13. Is the Curriculum Supported by a Local Community?
If you’re considering enrolling your child in a homeschool program, it’s important to consider the local homeschool community. What resources are available around you in terms of clubs, co-ops, playgroups, and other activities that complement the curriculum?
Is there any type of support system available should you have any questions or concerns?
14. Are There Appropriate Transition Strategies?
Transitioning from conventional schooling to homeschooling can be daunting for both parents and children, so it is important to consider any transition strategies available to ease the process. Will the curriculum offer tips and advice for adjusting to the new routine and environment?
15. Are the Curriculum Goals Aligned with Your Goals?
Ultimately, the success of any homeschool curriculum will depend on whether it meets your family’s goals. Does the program focus on specific topics and concepts, or is it more open ended? Do the educational goals and standards align with your expectations and vision for your child’s future?
Make sure that any curriculum you choose is tailored to your family’s needs.
Conclusion
Choosing the right homeschool curriculum can be a daunting task, but it is worth the effort and research. Asking the right questions is the key to making sure that you select the best curriculum for your family’s needs and learning goals.
With the right support and resources, you can be sure your child’s homeschool experience will be a positive and successful one.