Home School Curriculum

Choosing a Home School Curriculum

As you begin to search for a curriculum, you will need to carefully analyze your family's needs and circumstances. While recommendations from friends and family members are helpful, it is important to remember that no two families are exactly alike. What works for one family can prove disastrous for another. To help get started on this journey, answer the following questions:

• Do I want to recreate a school setting at home?
• Do I want rigid, strict schedules?
• Do I want a teacher-led or a child-led environment?
• Do I want a prepackaged curriculum?
• Do I want to stress early learning and early literacy?
• Do I want a religious curriculum?
• Does any member of the family have special needs?

Once you have a basic idea of the type of structure you are looking for, you are ready to start looking at your home school curriculum options. It is important to note, however, that many states do not require a "boxed" curriculum. In most states, you are free to pick and choose from many different providers, or even customize your own curriculum. If you do prefer the convenience and security of a prepackaged curriculum, there are many options available.

Unit Studies

Unit studies, or thematic units, take a holistic approach to home education. All the major subjects, with the exception of math, are studied under the umbrella of one topic. For example, in a study of the pilgrims, a typical day might look like this:

• Art: make pilgrim hats
• Social studies: compare and contrast the customs of the pilgrims and the Indians
• Science: study the tools and machines of the Native Americans
• English: read a story about the first Thanksgiving

Only math and phonics are typically not including in the unit study. These are usually purchased separately. Unit studies can be religious or secular. Some companies providing unit studies are:

• Five in a Row: a literature-based unit study.
• Konos: a Christian, history-based unit study.
• Heart of Wisdom: Bible-based study.

School-at-Home

The school-at-home method of home schooling attempts to replicate a classroom setting in the home. Most education comes from traditional textbooks, with supplemental learning coming from hands-on experiments, reports, research, and projects. This type of home school setting tends to be more rigid about schedules, routines, and rules. Children normally sit at a desk, while mom or dad plays teacher.

If you decide to go the school-at-home route, many outlets offer the prepackaged curricula, including:

• Calvert School
• Oak Meadow
• Laurel Springs

You may also want to check with your local school district. Many school district now recognize that not all children excel in a classroom of twenty kids but are capable of successfully studying the same curriculum in a home environment. The school district may offer online and textbook resources, including lesson plans, to homeschoolers at reasonable or reduced fees. They may also offer academic testing opportunities and counseling to those who participate in the home schooling programs.

Religious Home Schooling Curriculum

Many families choose to home school for religious reasons. They disagree with many of the morals and values taught in the public schools and want to have more control over their children's religious upbringing. Some choose to have a fully religious curriculum, while others opt for a secular education with religious supplements. Whichever you choose, there are now religious home schooling offerings for most of the major religions.

Christian

• CLASS (Christian Liberty Academy School System
• The MorningStar Academy
• Sonlight
• The Angelicum Academy

Jewish

• Chinuch Online
• Chinuch At Home
• Jewish Homeschool
• League of Observant Jewish Homeschoolers

Islamic

• Ad-Duha Institute
• Kinza Academy
• ArabesQ
• Islamic Waldorf