The Homeschooling Miniseries

February 1, 2024

The topic referred to in the title can be difficult to address, since the outcome is particular to the individuals concerned. But before we discuss the topic, please remember that you are accountable to your school district superintendent and that all decisions must comply with the regulations of your home district. The principles discussed are not counsel but rather merely perspective.

For new homeschoolers there may be anxiety or the feeling of uncertainty, inadequacy – and often that nagging fear of making a mistake.  Only you can answer these questions for your own child and your own family.  This is even true if you have several children, since learning styles can differ from child to child.  Here are some suggestions to help you begin to answer questions you may have about choosing curriculum for your student.  

Do we choose a complete curriculum already designed for the homeschooler?  Or do we find many different books and other materials by our own careful choosing?

This is a question whose answer depends on you, your family, your individual child, and even your budget.  There are some curricula available which are considered to be complete, that is, you need not obtain any other resources.  Following this route should depend mostly on whether you like the elements of that program, but can also depend on the cost.  If such a program is expensive, but you only like half of it, this may be a poor choice for you, unless you are not concerned with cost.  If you trust that program, it may be better for you to have the publishers choose the elements for you.  Many people prefer to choose individual elements from several programs or even choose their own books from sources such as the library or bookstore.  This is an ideal method if you know what each of the resources contain and they suit the learning style of your child, and the values and budget of your family.  If you are completely uncomfortable with making this selection, you may prefer to go with a complete curriculum. 

Do we do what someone else does?

Asking advice from other people is not a bad idea, if we ask people we trust.  That way, we are not ingrown and can become exposed to options we had not considered. But in the final analysis, our choices need to be our own. We need to carefully consider what is best for our child, based on his needs and our values and goals. Another's advice can be very helpful, but should not be the final say on what we will do.

Do we buy materials only put out by publishers who share the same values we do?

 The answer depends entirely on your personal values.  I will share my opinion.  There are many excellent textbooks and helpful guides available on the market that are time-tested and sound.  I believe there is no need to steer clear of such books since their primary purpose is to give objective, that is, unbiased educational instruction in the mechanics of English, the methods of laboratory science, or timelines in history.  If you feel uncomfortable with curricula not being written only by those who share your own values, you may want to avoid such material. However, it is my view that materials on grammar, composition, or public speaking , for example,are not written for the purpose of influencing the values of children, but rather improving their communication skills.

Literature, however, should be selected according to the convictions of the family.  It is my view that we may gain much from exposure to the experiences and views of other people from other perspectives, times, and places.  It seems that our scope of experience will be much too limited if we adhere only to writings of those who share our values.  For the homeschooled student, I recommend that the parent is carefully involved in the selection process of the literature.  It is also wise that parents teach their child to bring to him issues of a questionable nature for the purpose of discussion and protection.

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Using the Internet to build a curriculum 

It is possible to find endless resources for the homeschooled student using a search engine. Going on an Internet search can be inspiring, but it's also possible to waste time in it and become frustrated.  Some resources for homeschoolers are good, others are very sparse. But overall I would encourage you to trust your own judgment (as you may hear me say from time to time) because you know your children better than anyone else and you know what is best for them .You also know best about how to go about making curriculum decisions based on various factors: your child's  academic needs, disposition, strengths and weaknesses, goals, interests, attention span, and much more. In terms of logistics you know the amount of time you wish to spend in planning and in instruction. You also know your family schedule, what your budget is for educational materials or services. and of course you also know what requirements your school district expects of you as you select curricula and activities for your child's education.

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What about taking classes taught by professional teachers?

Sometimes your child needs or wants a particular course, such as a special math class, a language class, a class that no one in the household is equipped to teach, or you just like the teacher and what she has to offer. There's no reason to avoid making use of a resource such as a class taught by a professional teacher or expert. In fact, there was a time in my career where I was homeschooling one or two of my children for high school while I was also offering classes to homeschoolers, sometimes Spanish, sometimes English, sometimes vocal music.

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Another option along those lines is for homeschool community members to gather their resources and plan a co-op of classes or workshops or other educational activities where adults teach a class or skill to a group of homeschooled students. That option requires advanced planning, of course, but it can be fulfilling for parents and students alike if it is done well.

One more important point: if you get started using a curriculum or materials or objectives and you find that it's just not working for your child, I want you to know that you have not failed. Sometimes a curriculum is not a good fit for your child, didn't fulfill what it promised, or you found something far better. Nobody is standing over your shoulder holding a clipboard, and if he is, tell him that he came to the wrong house.