What is "Curriculum?" It is not just a set of books,
but a plan for achieving the goals you and your children set
forth.
Funderstanding
This company advises other companies about trends in children's
learning. They even have a website where they can "watch"
kids try out new online programs. If you want to get an idea
about how modern curriculum is created, this site can give you
some eye openers!
The Muddle Machine: Confessions of a Textbook Editor
Every time a friend with kids in school tells me textbooks are
too generic, I think back to that moment. "Who writes these
things?" people ask me. I have to tell them, without a hint
of irony, "No one." It's symptomatic of the whole muddled
mess that is the $4.3 billion textbook business. By Tamim Ansary
Advice
on Where to Purchase
Big
Chains, Big Savings?
Okay, I'm biased. As a small independent bookseller, I don't
like what the big chains are doing to the bookselling business,
but at least they save you money . . . don't they? The Family
Unschoolers Network.
BuyingUsed Curriculum
If you would like to know more "behind the scenes"
of the homeschool authors and suppliers that are serving you
and making these products available to you, there are three articles
right here. By Barb Shelton.
Why
Don't You Discount?
If you find a company [or author ] you really believe in, a company
that has ministered to you and met your needs, a company you
think fills a unique "niche" in the home schooling
market, a company you would like to see grow and flourish, then
buy from them. By Chris and Ellyn Davis of The Elijah Company.
Assessment
Figuring out where your child is at helps avoid tears for
starting too hard or boredom for starting too easy. It also helps
you determine your child's learning style.
Assets 4 Learning
Teach to your child's strengths. He's intelligent in his own
way. She has a style of her own.
Math Assessment
Ways to find out just what your child has mastered in math and
what math to do next.
Reading Level Assessments
Two assessments to help you figure out the reading level of your
child. Explanation of the RL code on books.
Build
in Flexibility
Homeschooling has the big advantage of being able to quickly
work around bottlenecks.
Concerning
Choosing Curriculum (I Love Alliteration)
The method is not as important as just jumping in and doing it.
Sometimes your choices won't work. The child hates it or worse
yet Mom/Dad hates it. Try something else. By Tammy Montel.
Curriculum To Unschooling AN A TO Z ARTICLE
From off-the-shelf to creating your own, to letting your child
lead the way.
Don't
Panic--How to Choose a Curriculum
And then it hits you--what am I supposed to teach him--how am
I going to teach him--I don't know how to teach him--WHAT HAVE
I DONE!?
How
To Create a Dynamic Learning Environment in Your Home
After nearly two years of reading, browsing through catalogs,
cruising the web, and talking to many homeschoolers in search
of the "right" curriculum, I have come to the conclusion
that educating myself about teaching, the learning process, etc.
is a higher priority than purchasing a curriculum package. By
Susan Franklin.
One
Mother's Search for the Meaning of Literacy
Sherry Kinser discovers cultural literacy and shares her second
thoughts about discarding old books that her son may or may not
read. HEM N/D 06.
What
Else Counts As Curriculum?
Often we don't recognize it as such, but learning is as natural
as breathing. It's all around us, it happens all the time, it
fills our days and weeks and months and years. The tricky part
is being able to recognize such learning - 'curriculum' if you
will - when we see it. By Cindy Englan Stanley, RMEC.
Advice
on What to Purchase
Words of advice from a wide variety of experienced homeschool
parents.
Choosing Curriculum
That's Right for You
Common Sense Press takes a look a three methods of education.
Their delightful "duck" lesson as approached by each
method will help you understand which method you'd like for your
family.
Choosing The Right Homeschooling Teaching Material
There are plenty of resources available that can help lead concerned parents to the appropriate teaching materials and methods that work best for their family. By David Dunlap.
Conference Conundrum AN A TO Z ARTICLE
One way to view curriculum before you buy is to attend a homeschooling
conference, convention or curriculum fair.
Curriculum
Wars
William and Tamara Eaton write from a Christian perspective,
pointing out that just because a curriculum might be "Christian"
it still might not fit the values and goals you have for your
children.
Gift
Ideas
Know someone who is just "coming out" as an unschooler?
Sandra Dodd has some gift ideas for what you could give them.
The
Great American Textbook Scandal
Why you probably won't want to buy a science text book used in
schools. Use hands-on or primary sources instead.
How
to Choose Sonlight Curriculum
Why not let me help you? I'm Sonia, Sonlight Curriculum's Internet
Advisor. I can help you pick your entire curriculum tailored
to your family.
One
Stop Shopping, or Eclectic Education?
The homeschool shopping season has begun. Here are a few tips
to keep in mind as you select materials. From Kathryn Stout of
Design-A-Study.
So
you've decided to homeschool
Karen Gibson reminds new homeschoolers to take it slow, to do
your research. Note that Karen is from Alabama where one must
have a cover school. This is not true in most other places.
Surviving a Curriculum Search
As tempting as it is to jump right in and start scouring the suppliers' catalogs, if you haven't considered these topics, I humbly suggest you do.
Things that will make me not buy a homeschool material
This isn't a comprehensive list, I'm sure there are other things that would cause me to refuse to use a material/curriculum/sevice. These quickly came to mind, though. I did have specific materials or publishers in mind as I wrote much of this.
What
curriculum should I choose?
The choice of a curriculum is based on your educational philosophy
and the learning styles and developmental stages of each child.
