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Planning curriculum for your child can be overwhelming. A
simple search through Google, and a few keystrokes later,
you can be drowning with choices.
If you are a brand-new homeschooler trying to figure out how
homeschooling works, or if you are an experienced homeschooler
trying to find a different solution because what you were using isn’t
working anymore, “overwhelmed” and “lost” are the last place you
want to be.
In order to keep it simple, I use this simple, practical, step-by-step
process to make choosing new curriculum easier on me. These 7
questions help me save time, money, and make sure that the cur-
riculumwill work for my child and my family, which brings me much
comfort.
Even before considering the following 7 questions, you want to be
sure that your curriculum includes you, your child, your family, and
your homeschool. This will free you up fromexpectations and let you
really focus on what is best for your homeschool!
Here are the seven questions:
1) Does this curriculumwork with my child’s style of learning?
2) Howmuch does the curriculum cost?
3) Will it fit my schedule?
4) Will this curriculum fulfill all the legal requirements needed for a
full course of study, or will it meet the pre-requisite requirements for
my college-bound children?
5) Does the company ship to where I live, or is there a way for me to
obtain it locally?
6) How much assistance from me will be needed for my child to
use this curriculum? Is it self-paced, encouraging independent
learning, or relying on parental assistance?
7) Is this part of a series I have started in the previous years?
These seven questions turn the process of choosing curriculum
from overwhelming to a fun treasure hunt. Now that we’ve laid out
the questions, let’s break down how I use each question to tailor my
homeschool to our family, and you can too! Let’s talk a little more
about each of these questions:
1) Does this curriculumwork with my child’s style of learning?
When asking this, consider the way your child processes informa-
tion. There are many different types of ways to learn, but here are 3
basic types:
• Auditory Learner
• Kinesthetic Learner
• Visual Learner
An auditory learner learns through what they hear. They benefit
greatly to having things read to them, instructions given orally, and
will probably enjoy read-alouds. When given dictation they will excel.
Examples: Using Story of the World Audio CDs and letting them
color, do arts and crafts while listening and learning. They may love
Stories from Around the World while asking the questions, making
the recipes, or looking at a globe.
A kinesthetic learner learns through hands-on. They need to be
moving and do not like to sit for long periods of time. They want to
“try”what they are learning.
Example: A Science kit that allows themto learn anddo. For young-
er children, you might try the Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab. For
older children, check out a program like Science Expeditions.
A visual learner wants to be able to see what they are being
taught. They prefer pictures, demonstrations, flashcards, and video
7 Questions
to Ask
Yourself
When
Planning
Curriculum
BY JEN MACKINNON
BLOGGER & WORKING HOMESCHOOL MOM COACH