While I stated that choosing curriculum is by far the most important decision in homeschooling (other than the decision to homeschool or not to homeschool), this choice is not easily made! Curriculums vary in scope, sequence, expectations and styles - the difference is night and day! How do you "weed through" to determine what is right for you?
1. Know your family -
Know your family's schedule and lifestyle. Are you on the go? Like to be at home and together or will it be a struggle for you to find time to sit still? Do you work and if so, what flexibility do you have? Will you need to share responsibility for primary teaching between spouses, or will the kids need to take a more independent learner approach? The first critical step in choosing your curriculum is to identify (realistically) what your family is like and what you will need in terms of structure and hours.
2. Know yourself -
The second critical step is to know yourself: you need to realize that your child's education will now be your responsibility - Know your strengths, weaknesses, disciplinary techniques, ability to be structured, your own organizational style (or lack thereof), your patience level and tolerance for chaos, your flexibility or need for strict scheduling, etc. You must know your own style and what you will be able to work within or what will stress you out. Most "miserable" homeschool moms are products of their choosing curriculum which required them to maintain a structure or schedule that they were uncomfortable with, but thought they "should" do.
3. Know your child -
Does your child need structure? Are they immature and need to be challenged to work independently? Are they able to follow a plan/instructions without much assistance? Are they inquisitive and learn by asking questions? Do they need to experience something in order to understand it? Do they need to understand "why?" before they will understand how something is done? You need to ask yourself how your child learns - where they are comfortable and what they require in terms of discipline in order to learn. Some children can handle unit studies and will easily find topics that are of great interest to them - others will be too easily adaptable and never make a decision or will be too overwhelmed with choices to settle into topics. Others would not handle the flexibilty of scheduling in some curriculums and they are more comfortable in a traditional schoolroom setting. You decide. Think about the evidence of their personality style that you see in everyday life.
4. Know your goals -
Ask yourself what you would like to accomplish this year - not just in terms of academic goals (spelling lists, math goals, etc.). While these are important, some of our most important goals should be found in the growth of character in our child. Are they more grounded Spiritually for having been at home with us? Are we focusing more easily and with less structure or discipline? Are they doing more self-governing? Do they handle themselves better socially (making eye contact, proper social gestures, more conversational)? Have I worked with them to understand how to make their point or debate a subject? The goals you set for your child should be preparing them for the future - not just household basics or academics, but growing their confidence and personal skills. Have you exposed them to variety of subjects, sports, controversial issues, community? Will you be satisfied that they are growing as a person as well as a student?
The curriculum itself will not do all of this - no matter which one (or 12) that you choose - YOU will work with your child to accomplish these things...but the curriculum you choose should logically fit into where you operate most comfortably or should explain the challenge you set before your child. The choice of curriculum is a tool you will use, not a dictation of your life.
Tomorrow's post - understanding your child's personality style and how that impacts their learning style/behaviors.
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