A homeschool curriculum is the outline of schooling materials used to educate a child in the home. It can consist of books, workbooks, CD's, computer programs, worksheets, hands on materials such as manipulatives, testing materials, or any combination of these. There are pre-packaged curricula that can be purchased, or a homeschooler can put together a custom package tailored to the style chosen and the child's individual needs. Some local school districts provide free curricula to those homeschoolers who are in their district and registered with them.http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/HSatSchool.htm
Curricula Types and Cost
Choosing the right homeschool curriculum for a child can be a key factor in successfully educating a child in the home. When determining what homeschooling curriculum will be used in the child's home-based education, there are two basic types to be aware of:
- Packaged Curricula - standardized or tailored
- Home Grown Curriculum - a personalized homeschooling curriculum.
Since there are a variety of homeschooling curricula to choose from, when deciding what curriculum will work best for a particular child or children, there are at least three things to consider:
- Curriculum Guidelines - will help parents determine whether or not their child is “on track” or is covering everything that is covered in traditional school. http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/6569.aspx
- Structure and Methods - allows parents and guardians to determine what curriculum is best, suited to the child’s learning style.
- Cost - curriculum packages easily range from $400 to $1,000 and more for one grade level. Therefore, considering what one can afford will affect one's choice of home schooling curriculum.http://www.homeeddirectory.com/articles/1_Feb10
Homeschool Curriculum Resources
The Web offers free teacher education courses and resources that break down curriculum types in the hopes of helping parents choose the right homeschool curriculum for their child.
The site Free-Ed.Net offers free courses in both early childhood education and educational methods. Learning theories that are appropriate for grades K-12, are available through a link that takes the viewer to a document on Learner.org. http://www.learner.org/resources/series172.html#
Another website discusses seven curricular theories that will put parents and guardians on the right track towards the right homeschooling curriculum that will meet their child's needs.http://webpages.charter.net/ljloeffler/Futurist/id15.htm
The site Time4Learning.com, provides parents and guardians with "an affordable and engaging online homeschool curriculum for PreK - 8th grade." http://www.time4learning.com/education/curriculum_overview.shtml?utm_source=Child-Central&utm_medium=Text%20Link&utm_content=T4L+curriculum+link&utm_campaign=Child-Central+overview+link
In addition to entire curricula, for those interested in putting their own curriculum together individual subject curricula can be combined for a larger, overall program. For instance, Saxon Math provides a math course that can be integrated into any program, and there are optional curricula that can be added as well, such as character education.http://saxonpublishers.hmhco.com/en/sxnm_home.htm http://www.peacefulsolution.org/curriculum/index.html A simple web search for the individual "subject + homeschool curriculm" or "subject + lesson plans" can bring back a variety of results.
How to Choose a Homeschooling Curriculum
Linda Wooldridge is a homeschooling mother who is giving advice in this video about choosing a homeschool curriculum. She mentions that she evaluates the goals for each year and uses reputable companies that will sell her one grade level at a time. She mentions the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing an entire grade level curriculum. Some come with lesson plans and some do not have teacher resources.She mentions things that the homeschooler needs to look at when making a decision.
References
Fast Facts
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Purpose
To create an individualized learning system that fit the specific needs of the child.
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What to Consider When Choosing A Homeschool Curriculum
Guidelines, Structure and Method, as well as Cost.
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Varieties
Unschooling, Online, Structured, Eclectic
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Free Online Resources
A variety of free online resources are available to help parents and gaurdians find the right homeschool curriculums to fit the educational needs of their child.
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Uses
For students K-12
