How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum

There are many academic curricula available to homeschoolers. Here are the steps for choosing a homeschool curriculum.

Steps

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    1
    Review your state's homeschool laws to determine what subjects you are required to teach.
    • Art
    • Sciences (Biology, Physics, Chemistry)
    • Languages
    • Music
    • Mathematics
    • History
    • Geography
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    2
    Think about your goals for your child. What are your main objectives for his or her education?[1]
    • 5 to 7 year-olds (Grades 1 to 2) need Key Stage 1 (UK) materials.
    • 7 to 11 year-olds (Grades 3 to 6) need Key Stage 2 (UK) or Elementary School (US) materials.
    • 11 to 14 year-olds (Grades 7 to 9) need Key Stage 3 (UK) or Middle (Junior High) School (US) materials.
    • 14 to 16 year-olds (Grades 10 to 11) need Key Stage 4 (UK) or Senior High School (US) materials.
    • 16 to 18 year-olds (Grades 12 to 13) need Key Stage 5 (UK) or Senior High School (US) materials.
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    3
    Think about how your child best takes in and processes information. What is your child's learning style?
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    4
    Choose a homeschooling method. Some of the methods available are:
      • Charlotte Mason
      • Classical
      • Computer Based/Online
      • Eclectic
      • Literature Based
      • Montessori
      • Relaxed
      • Textbook/Workbook
      • Thomas Jefferson
      • Unit Study
      • Unschooling
      • Virtual
      • Waldorf
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    Look for programs that fit your chosen method of instruction by browsing the internet, participating in online forums, or talking to homeschoolers you know personally.
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    6
    Read online reviews of programs that interest you.
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    Attend a home school curriculum fair so you can view materials up close and ask questions about materials.
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    Select and purchase your chosen curriculum.
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Warnings

  • Don't use a program simply because your friends are using it, or because you've heard great things about it. There are many great programs available, but not all of them will be right for your child.
    Thanks!
  • Abandon programs that aren't working for your family. Not every curriculum you choose will be a good fit.
    Thanks!
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References

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Education_in_the_United_States#School_grades
  2. Homeschool Legal Defense Association
  3. Successful Homeschooling
  4. Rainbow Resource
  5. Sonlight Curriculum
  6. Timberdoodle

About This Article

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 13 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 20,962 times.
21 votes - 77%
Co-authors: 13
Updated: September 15, 2021
Views: 20,962
Categories: Homeschooling
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