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Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculum

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You CAN find a great homeschool curriculum for your child!

The best homeschool curriculum on the market is the one that fits your family's needs. Choosing a homeschool curriculum does not need to be stressful or overwhelming.

Just follow these simple steps to determine your child's learning style, evaluate different homeschool methods, set goals for your child, and evaluate and purchase a curriculum.

1. Determine your child's learning style.

Children are individuals with different strengths and weaknesses. The first step to finding the best homeschooling curriculum is finding a program that fits your child's learning style.

The three main learning styles are sight, sound and touch/movement. They are traditionally known as visual, auditory and kinesthetic learning modalities. Here is a detailed description of each learning style, along with tips for teaching to your child's strengths.

By choosing a program that fits your child's learning modality, you will reduce frustration and increase your chances of success.

2. Choose a homeschool method.

Homeschooling does not have to resemble traditional classroom education. There are many different homeschool philosophies or methods. Once you have identified your child's learnings style, begin thinking about how you want to teach.

Consider your family's lifestyle. How many children do you plan to teach? How much time do you have available? Do you have a structured schedule or are you fairly flexible? Do your children prefer working alone or independently.

Think about your family's desires, then look at different homeschool methods. Here are some descriptions of the most popular homeschooling methods, along with information about curriculum providers.

3. Set goals for your child.

Decide what you want to accomplish for the year. Include academic goals (such as reading, writing and arithmetic) and non academic goals (such as lifeskills and character).

Make a list of the subjects you want to teach and the materials you want to use for each child. Don't forget to consider natural opportunities for learning. Here are some everyday ideas for teaching homeschool math, homeschool science, and homeschool history.

Think outside the box and make learning fun!

4. Evaluate your favorite products.

Before making a purchase, get feedback about the products you want to purchase. Ask homeschooling friends for their thoughts about the program, or seek opinions from online homeschool forums.

If possible, make arrangements to view materials up close. Some companies offer hotel shows or meetings where you can view and purchase materials.

You can also view and purchase materials at home school curriculum fairs where you'll also have an opportunity to ask questions about products.

A great source of online feedback about homeschooling curriculum is Homeschool Curriculum Reviews.

5. Alter your chosen program to fit your child's needs.

Don't be afraid to change your curriculum to make it work for you. Speed up or slow down as necessary, and eliminate pointless activities. If you are using a textbook curricula, add books, projects and activities that make the program enjoyable.

Don't be slave to your curriculum. If the program still isn't a good fit after a bit of experimentation, feel free to ditch it and try something new!

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Homeschool Writing Curriculum: By finding a good homeschool writing curriculum, you will be able to teach your children everything they need to know to write clearly and effectively. Here are some tips for choosing a home school writing curriculum.
Learning Styles - The Secret to Choosing the Best Curriculum for Your Child: When choosing a homeschooling curriculum, many parents seek recommendations from homeschooling friends or members of their local homeschool support group. However, the curriculum a friend loves, may not be the best curriculum for your child. Here are some tips for using learning styles to choose the best curriculum for your child.
Homeschooling History - Improve Retention and Make Learning Fun: By following your child's interests, you can move beyond memorization of names and dates, and make history come alive. When learning within a real-life context, your child will look forward to studying history and more readily remember historical facts. Here are some tips for homeschooling history.
Homeschooling History - Simple Ways to Build Interest and Understanding: Children often complain that studying history is dull and pointless. Here are some tips for using family as a framework to homeschool history, and build interest and understanding.
Homeschooling Methods - One Size Does NOT Fit All!: Home education does not have to resemble traditional classroom education. When teaching at home, look for a method that fits your children's learning styles. Here is some information about different homeschooling methods.
Abeka Homeschool Curriculum - An Honest Look at the Pros and Cons: Abeka homeschool curriculum is one of the most popular traditional programs on the market. Here is an honest look at the pros and cons of using A Beka.

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tandemonimom Mar 15, 2009 @ 10:23 pm | delete

Great lens! 5* and a lensroll to On FIAR for Homeschool.

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Jimmie Jun 14, 2008 @ 8:43 am | delete

Homeschool Reviews is a great place for unbiased reviews. The Top Picks by Cathy Duffy is a great resource as well.