Home education is becoming an increasingly popular way for families to provide their children with an education outside of the traditional school setting. Selecting the right curriculum for your home-schooled student can be a daunting task, especially if you are unfamiliar with the various options available. In this article, we will discuss 15 important questions to consider when looking for the ideal curricula for your home schooling program.
1. What age range of students is the curriculum designed for?
Choosing the right curriculum depends, in part, on the age and abilities of the students that will be using it. Many home-schooling families choose a curriculum designed for the average student in their child’s grade.
However, more specialized programs may be designed for advanced students or those with special needs. It is important to do your research to make sure that the curriculum is the right fit for your student’s age and ability level.
2. What topics are covered in the curriculum?
Knowledge of the topics covered in the curriculum is essential. It’s important to make sure the materials provided will help your student master the basics in each subject.
Carefully review the curriculum outline or curriculum guide to determine what topics are covered and whether or not the curriculum is comprehensive enough for your student’s educational needs.
3. What teaching methods or activities are used?
Lesson plans and activities should be interesting for students and varied enough to allow for different learning styles. As a home-school parent, check to make sure the activities provided are engaging and age-appropriate.
The curriculum should also allow for hands-on and interactive learning techniques if this is something you are interested in. Consider how the materials provided support the development of your student’s problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
4. Are there any particular learning goals that the curriculum is designed to meet?
The curriculum should have clearly defined learning goals and objectives, so that the student’s progress can be assessed. Make sure there is a way to track student progress, such as assessments or grading scales.
This will help you determine if the curriculum is a good fit for your student and whether or not the academic goals are being met.
5. Who developed the curriculum?
Finding out who developed the curriculum you are considering is essential. Some publishers specialize in certain subject areas or grade levels and have years of experience in home-school curriculum development.
Doing research as to who is behind the curriculum will give you an idea as to the quality of its content.
6. How can the curriculum be tailored to the individual needs of the student?
Look for a curriculum that allows for some customization so that it can be adapted to your student’s specific needs. Flexibility is a key component in quality home-school curriculum—if a program is too rigid, then it might not provide enough challenge or room for growth. On the other hand, if the program is too open-ended, it may be difficult to track progress or make sure your student is actually mastering the material.
7. What reference material or descriptions of activities are provided?
Your curriculum should provide clear and concise descriptions of activities and materials to be used. References to supplemental material are also helpful.
The more information the curriculum provides, the better. If there is not enough information provided in the curriculum, it may not be the right fit for your needs.
8. Is the curriculum available in multiple formats?
Your curriculum should be available in a variety of formats. Online materials are often the most convenient and cost-effective way to access curriculum materials. However, if your student prefers to work in print, look for a curriculum that offers textbooks, activity books, and other materials in print form.
9. Are there any prerequisites or additional materials needed?
Some curriculum require teachers to have certain skills or training, such as experience in teaching or a background in a particular subject area, in order to effectively use the materials. Additionally, you may need to purchase certain materials, such as textbooks, art supplies, or lab equipment to use the curriculum, so make sure to check for any other requirements beforehand.
10. How easy is the curriculum to use and set up?
Check to see how user-friendly the materials are. Consider how much time you will need to spend preparing lesson plans and setting up activities.
In addition, make sure there is enough guidance and step-by-step instructions given in the curriculum so that you can easily teach each lesson and activity.
11. How much does the curriculum cost?
Cost is an important factor to consider when choosing the right home school curriculum. Price should not be the only factor in your decision, but this may dictate what curriculum you can afford.
Also, consider any additional costs associated with the curriculum, such as materials or subscription fees for online services.
12. Are there any special offers or discounts available?
Many publishers offer discounts or special offers for curriculum materials. Research the various options and compare prices.
Some may offer a discount if you purchase a set of materials, while others might offer membership-based pricing as an incentive.
13. Are there any extra benefits to using the curriculum?
Look for any extra incentives offered by the publisher of the curriculum. These could include access to online resources, such as portals and discussion boards, supplemental material, or discounts on future purchases.
14. Is technical or customer service available?
Good customer service is essential for any home-schooling parent. Check for available customer service and technical support options in case you have any questions or need help understanding the curriculum materials.
15. What is the shipping or delivery time for the curriculum?
It’s important to consider the time needed to receive the curriculum materials. Typically, online materials should be available almost immediately, while physical materials or books may take a few days or weeks to arrive depending on the courier service.
Conclusion
Selecting the right curriculum for your home-schooled student is one of the most important decisions you will make. Asking yourself these 15 questions can help you make an informed decision and find the right program for you and your student. With the right curriculum, you can set your student up for success in the home-schooling environment.