Lesson 2: Choosing your Curriculum
Finding Your Curriculum
Now that you have decided to homeschool, and even what homeschooling method you are going to use, you are ready to run out and jump head first (and spend big bucks) into buying your curriculum, right? Stop! Before you blow the family budget on books you will never use, take a few deep breaths and pull up a chair !
First, what is “Curriculum ?” When most people think of curriculum, they think of a pre-packaged set of books and workbooks (commonly referred to a “school in a box.”) According to the dictionary, it is a course of academic studies. In my house, we look at is a plan of action. It is the plan we have decided is the best way to meet the academic goals we have met.
Keeping that in mind, you will soon find that “curriculum” is all around you. Take a look at your bookshelf. (Or the bookshelf of your neighbor.) I’ll bet you find at least one book that can be used in your homeschool. Look outside. There is a perfect nature study just waiting to happen ! Once you decide what book or books you will need, there are a few options.
- You can get a homeschool supply catalog and order it direct from a supplier
- You can post a WTB (wanted to buy) ad on many of the homeschooling bulletin boards
- You can watch those same homeschooling message boards for someone to post it for sale
- Check out online auction sites. I know a few people who have bought all of the books they need for the year on Ebay for 1/ 10th the retail price
Remember, it doesn’t have to be a “school” book to find a place in your homeschool. We will be starting a one-year nature study at the end of this summer … from a “kids nature” book we got from the bargain bookshelf at our local bookstore.
http://www.suite101.com/lesson.cfm/16658/159/7
Lesson 2: Choosing your Curriculum
Recommended Resources
"For the sole true end of education is simply this: to teach men how to learn for themselves; and whatever instruction fails to do this is effort spent in vain." - Dorothy Sayers
Understand Yourself
Circle Y (yes) or N (no) beside the following statements; then tabulate your answers. The section with the most *yes* answers will indicate your preferred learning style.
Learning Styles Checklist
This was an informal, voluntary, anonymous survey of homeschooling families in the San Francisco Bay Area conducted in June-July, 1995.
What It Costs To Homeschool
Charlotte Mason Method
The Charlotte Mason Approach to Poetry
Charlotte Mason: A Different Perspective
Charlotte Mason High School Study Guide
Kindergarten Charlotte Mason Style
The A - B - C's of Charlotte Mason
The Charlotte Mason Method
Classical Education Method
The Lost Tools of Learning
The Well Trained Mind
Trivium Pursuit Online
What is Classical Education?
Classical Christian Homeschooling
Classical Christian Education
Classical Education
Classical Education From Wikipedia
Classical Method
Eclectic Homeschooling Method
Eclectic Homeschooling
Eclectic Homeschool Online
The Eclectic Homeschooler
Eclectic Homeschooling on the Web
Why and How We Homeschool
One-Hour-A-Day Homeschooling
Eclectic Approach
Montessori Method
American Montessori Consulting
The Canadian Council of Montessori Administrators
The International Montessori Index
Montessori Homeschooling Questions and Answers
Montessori Parenting from Birth to Three
Montessori
Montessori Online
Traditional or School-at-Home Method
School at Home
School-at-Home Style
Unit Studies Approach
Unit Studies
Unit Study Planner
Home Schooling With Frugal Unit Studies
Finding Homeschool Support on the Internet- Unit Studies Frequently Asked Questions About Unit Studies
How A Textbook Mom Does Unit Studies
What Is a Unit Study? Pick a Topic, Any Topic!
Unschooling or Natural Learning Method
Unschooling.com
Family Unschoolers Network
Delight-Driven Learning
Unschooling Undefined
Beware the Curriculum Mentality
What is Unschooling?
Waldorf Education Method
AWSNA
WaldorfWorld
Waldorf FAQ
Waldorf Education
Waldorf Education
The Waldorf Elementary School Day
