Curriculum in Home School Programs

One of the first steps in developing home school programs is the search and adoption of curricula.

But buyers beware -- you don't have to make up your mind in one day. And you certainly don't have to adopt a curriculum because everyone else seems to be using a particular product.

When I first started home schooling, I thought A Beka was the only home school program available. My girlfriend used A Beka and was very pleased with the product.

Since I was familiar with the product and my friend had good experience with the company, I purchased an A Beka math workbook for my son. Yet, within a week's time, I knew the product wasn't meeting my son's needs.

My friend still uses A Beka with her three sons, and the traditional curriculum fits well with their family. The approach just didn't fit with my family's needs.

As you research your choices, keep in mind your own needs, and don't always believe what you read on the home school websites and some education blogs; many do one of three things:

One -- They will introduce and recommend a home school curricula they use and support. (Which is some cases is their sponsor = $$$$.)

Two -- They will provide a very fleeting introduction to curricula, followed by a plethora of link after link of curricula choices. (Which is often a technique to get people to keep clicking back to their site to earn search engine points = $$$$$)

Three – They will have a very dynamic opinion of what curriculum you should use and why.

If you do find a kind and honest opinion regarding a curriculum choice, remember, that's all it is -- an opinion.

Telling you what curriculum to purchase is like advising you on what color to paint your living room. A complete stranger certainly doesn’t know your particular tastes and interests, not to mention your religious beliefs, experience, and background or your child's needs.

(But, just so you know, I think your walls would look nice in a pastel-blue hue.)

When it comes to your home school decisions, you need to make up your own mind.

Most of us are not experts in curricula.

And there is no degree for home schooling.

Start by going places you know to search for curriculum. The good news is:

You don't have to decide all at once what curriculum you are going to use and you don't have to be an expert.

Did you know that in many public schools a Curricula Director, with a Master's Degree in Curriculum, oversees the curriculum decisions?

In some cases, certain teachers "pilot" the educational program the district is considering for purchase.

Then after a year's time, several meetings, evaluations, and input, a team decides if they wanted the curriculum; and then, if they do, they met again to decide what pieces or sections of the curriculum are of value and which sections aren't worth purchasing.

Just remember, you are only one person and a team of experts takes a whole year to decide curriculum!

Take your time. Allow yourself to change your mind and alter your decision. Before you know it, you will have a home school program that meets your family's needs.

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