Curriculum collects on shelves in our living room and peaks from boxes in the shed. A glance in either place reveals more stuff than we can realistically use. I’m so thankful for the options, but options can paralyze.
So how do I choose what to help me teach my children? How did these books end up in our possession instead of others?
I search for items that line up with our purpose for homeschooling, and trust God to lead me. Yes, the academics are important, but when I consider our goals getting an A in calculus isn’t top priority.
- I want my children to have godly character.
- I want my children to know how to think and reason.
- I want my children to grow in responsibility and self-government.
Can curriculum really address these deeper heart issues? I think that is the whole purpose of learning. So the curriculum crowding the shelves in our home has certain qualities.
It is reflective in nature.
Children need time to think about ideas. I keep multiple choice and fill-in-the-blank worksheets at a minimum.
It lays out the principles of a subject in a sensible way.
Definitions fill full the ideas words represent. A young child can understand that letters make sounds, sounds create words, and words turn into sentences. In this way, they can understand the whole subject of reading before they begin the practice.
It uses original source documents.
Reference materials lay a foundation for self-learning. Quotes inspire us to dig deeper into the context of historical events. Biographies are some of my favorite resources.
The writing is high-quality and inspirational.
This benefits my whole family. When we read good literature, we all enjoy lessons more. Yes, “Spot ran,” is technically a sentence, but it’s not engaging. Every student craves ideas and well-crafted stories.
When I started homeschooling, I had no idea how many wonderful resources I would find. I used to search to find enough for a complete year. Now it seems curriculum finds me.
What about you? What do you look for in curriculum? Do you have more than enough or not enough?
Written by Renae Deckard, Biblical Principled mother of 3. Find Renae’s reflections about homeschool and family life at Life Nurturing Education.
photo credit: kaleid
This is a really helpful article. Thank you
I think it is a great reminder to choose curriculum that meets the purpose for which we educate. It is simply to thrust as much knowledge into our children as possible, inspire them to want to learn, to have fun learning, etc. Chances are there is a curriculum that has the same goals as you.
Thanks Renae. Your writings are always inspiring!
.-= Michele´s last blog ..I don’t want no satisfaction =-.
ChristyH,
Thank you for letting me know. I appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Michele,
You are right about that. There is so much on the market for home education and more is being developed every day. It has helped me a lot to consider what I want our lessons to accomplish. Otherwise, it’s too easy to be overwhelmed by all the choices.
And thank you for your gracious words about my writing. I’ve been needing some encouragement to keep pounding out my thoughts. Sometimes it feels like I’ve already shared all two of them. 😉
.-= Renae´s last blog ..How I Choose Curriculum =-.
As a new homeschooler, I think I need reminders like this sent to me every 6 months. There are so many products promising so many things. It makes it easier to break things down into what your essential priorities are. And, for some odd reason, simpler is often better!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..Feminism gone wrong. =-.
Because my kids are only 6 we just stick to the basics right now with reading and math. I don’t use a curriculum we use a lot of books from the library and enjoy reading classic stories along with picture books. My goal is just to keep things simple and help them find the information they are looking for and show them that like you said they need to take time to let what they have learned marinate for a while. Great post Renae, but your posts are always enlightening and encouraging for me and my family.
Rana
.-= Rana´s last blog ..January Book Challenge =-.
Nicole,
I’ve homeschooled for 7 years now, and I still need reminders sent to me. Maybe not quite so often though. 😉 It does get easier, but it takes time.
Rana,
It sounds like you have a good plan. My girls are 6 and 4, and what you described is pretty much what we do, too. I will be adding in history shortly though.
And thank you for your gracious words. I’m blessed by your encouragement.
.-= Renae´s last blog ..How I Choose Curriculum =-.