Choosing a Curriculum

There is no perfect curriculum. What works for one family may not work for yours. And you do not have to use one curriculum for all subjects. What works in one area may not work in another. What works for one of your children - may not work for the others. It is finding what works for you, your children and your schedule. It can take some trial and error. Just don't give up if something is not working, it doesn't necessarily mean that homeschooling isn't right for you, it may just be that the curriculum is not right for you.

Do your research. There are a variety of curriculum types and formats, the choices can be overwhelming. Do your research! The internet has made this very easy. But don't just search online. Talk to with veteran home educators about what they have used, but don't buy it on their recommendations alone. Some things to keep in mind:

• Independent or student lead? It is good to have a mix of these, especially if you are homeschooling more than one child. You don't want to overwhelm yourself or your child.

• Cost Most of us must operation with in the constants of a budget. Don't let that old saying "You get what you pay for" lead your decision making. Expensive isn't always better. There are very affordable options out there, including free!

A curriculum is a guide. It provides a general path to follow, to keep you on course with your child's education. As you work with your child you will get a feel for how well he or she is learning, don't be afraid to adjust or change things if you need to. If the curriculum isn't a fit for your child or your situation, try something else. At least you will know what DOESN'T work. You can easily recoup some of your cost by selling your curriculum.