One of the main benefits of homeschooling is being able to choose the right curriculum from the many home school programs that are out there. Home schooling parents can choose a methodology and philosophy that meets the needs of their individual children, and implement it at the children’s own pace in a comfortable, nurturing environment. Even parents that choose one of the “school-in-a-box” home school programs can still pick and choose different parts of the curriculum to use with their children.
When shopping for home school programs and curriculum, the first step for the parent is to find out what laws your state has about home schooling. Some states require parents to have their children complete a particular course of study, with required curriculum components. You may need to make sure your children have Algebra I and II, for instance. Knowing what these rules are before hand can help you find the right curriculum for your family.
Before buying any expensive curriculum, you need to decide what your home schooling philosophy is. The home schooling world has a wide variety of ideas about what makes the right home school environment. For example, one popular way to home school is through a unit studies approach. With unit studies the basic core curriculum components, such as math, science, and writing, are built into themed units. You and your children may, for example, spend a month studying about penguins. All of the schoolwork that you do that month is going to revolve around studying penguins.
Many parents wish to home school their children, yet still have their children complete a traditional course of study with the subjects they would have in a public or private school. The education world is full of home school programs designed for parents with this philosophy. From online education to video schools to work-at-your-own-pace curriculum, these types of programs are sometimes referred to as school-in-a-box curriculum programs. The main benefit of these programs is the security of knowing that if your situation changed and your children needed to enter a traditional school, they would be accustomed to the way the curriculum is laid out and, for the most part, would be on grade level.
Some home schooling parents prefer to teach their children in a more hands-on, manipulative approach. The Charlotte Mason Method, Montessori Method, and the Waldorf Education Method are popular schools of thought that include a hands-on approach to learning. Rather than drilling facts and figures, children are taught through tactile objects and real life experiences. If you feel this type of home school philosophy is right for you, the first place to start your research is on the internet. Using online resources you can find home school programs and support groups that match this hands-on approach.
Many communities offer home school programs for the home schooling families in their area. These programs often include group activities and field trips throughout each month. Museums, zoos, and community centers also have these opportunities for home schoolers. Children have the opportunity to socialize with other children while exploring their communities. A home school co-op is a variation of these types of programs. In a home school co-op, families meet on a regular basis, such as once a week, to tackle specialized subjects in a group setting. Co-ops often have sports teams for the children and offer classes such as home economics and shop class.
How do you know when you have found the right programs and tools for your family? The right home school programs for your family will employ the philosophy you have chosen for your home school environment. They will allow you and your children to work at your own pace, with some level of accountability to help you stay on track. Many will give you the tools you need for proper assessment and allow you to easily evaluate your child’s progress through the program. When you have found a good fit for your family, you know it, because the curriculum and activities just feel right!
