Shopping for Curriculum


If you're a homeschooling parent, you're also a homeschool curriculum shopper.

No matter how or where you seek it, you must search out the resources and materials needed to teach your child effectively.

HERE'S SOME HELP!


Homeschooling mother, author, and consultant, Kathy Kuhl, shares this supportive advice on shopping for homeschool curriculum.

While she addresses her advice to parents of struggling learners, these tips can be applied universally by homeschooling parents.


Shopping for homeschool curriculum

Parents often ask me to recommend curriculum for their children with special needs.

But it’s like asking me to recommend shoes.

I have questions:

What size, width, and activity?
Any color you can’t stand?
What have you tried, and how did that work — or not?

Every child is unique, but here are my steps to shopping for homeschool curriculum.


1. STUDY YOUR CHILD FIRST


Make a short list of your child's strengths, weaknesses, and interests.

With a child with special needs, we parents are tempted to focus on weaknesses in basic skills and academics. List them, but also notice strengths.

Passing math or spelling is something to celebrate! Being able to explain 27 kinds of horses, rocks, or locomotives is a strength—even if you hear way too much about it.

Note those passions. If your child loves music, drawing, storytelling, or talking to people — even if they aren’t good at it yet — write that down.

Build your plans around their passions, strengths, and weaknesses.

When you have that list written (and keep it short), you are ready for Step 2.


2. SET GOALS FOR THE YEAR


Not too many. One new homeschooler showed me her goals for 3 months. It was much more than could be done in a year.

If you're homeschooling a child with special needs, you might hire a special education consultant to help you be realistic.

And, regardless of your child's learning abilities, don’t neglect basic life skills, like preparing meals, balancing a checkbook, or responding to a disagreement with a friend.

If your child needs to develop good habits, like putting away shoes or making sure dirty clothes make it to the laundry hamper, even those goals are candidates for your list.


Shopping for homeschool curriculum

3. NETWORK


Now that you know what you want to focus on, ask friends with kids with similar issues what they use.

Don’t know anyone homeschooling a child like yours? Join SPED Homeschool’s Facebook Support group. Search the group's archives in case someone asked your question last year.

[Join the Homeschool Iowa Facebook Discussion Group and ask other homeschooling parents to help you with your curriculum questions -- or reach out to your Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative.]

4. PLEASE TOUCH THE PRODUCTS


If you can go to a convention, go.

[Check out our Homeschool Iowa Conference!]

Handling the materials, you learn things a catalog or website won’t tell.

How big is the type and spacing? Is it colorful? How many practice problems? Are there alternate versions of quizzes and tests? (Some of us need second and third chances.)

Talk to the representatives—many know plenty. Remember, these are often small businesses and homeschool families, so support them by purchasing from them. 


5. WATCH FOR BARGAINS


Sometimes you’ll find something marvelous that doesn’t fit your original plans.

Perhaps you had other ideas for science, but then you saw something you know your child would love. Does it fit your larger goals? Then go for it!

Last month, I was looking for a pair of ivory pumps. I never imagined I’d buy pink slings. But I saw a cute, well-made pair, marked down. I realized they fit my wardrobe. I changed my plan, kept to my goal, and stayed under budget.

By studying your child, setting goals, networking, handling the merchandise, and thinking creatively when you find unexpected bargains, you can turn the chore of shopping for curriculum into,  if not fun, at least a satisfying shopping experience.


Shopping for Homeschool Curriculum

OUR NEW PARTNER:
SPED HOMESCHOOL


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This article was provided by our brand new partnership with SPED Homeschool, an organization dedicated to helping families connect with quality information and resources so they are equipped to successfully homeschool a child with special education needs.


Do you have a child with special learning needs? 
Find more information here:

2 Comments on “Shopping for Curriculum”

  1. Seeking more info in homeschooling my son for the 2019-2020 school year and want to make sure I have the right tools and resources for him to be successful and I also want to klnow if I homeschool does this mean I have to attend an online homeschool program as well?

    Thank you in advance!

    Have a great day,
    Shonda

    1. Hello, Shonda!
      We’d be happy to help you get started homeschooling.
      Check out our online guide here:
      http://homeschooliowa.org/start-homeschooling/
      You’ll also find detailed information on the different homeschool legal options here:
      http://homeschooliowa.org/iowa-law/iowa-homeschool-options/
      If you have more questions, please reach out to the Homeschool Iowa Regional Representative in your area of the state. You’ll find her contact information here:
      http://homeschooliowa.org/resources/regional-representatives/

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