Getting started. We had to learn the basics of structuring a school year. Schools did this for us so we had no idea what the process involved. The first step it seemed was to figure out which courses were taught at each grade level. The next step was to figure out which books fit those courses.
Figuring out the courses. This was no easy task because schools don’t publish their courses and curricula. Asking a teacher for the information seemed inappropriate based on the circumstances. Suggested courses can be found on the internet. And you can ask the staff at homeschool bookstores for advice. Suggestions are usually based on a full course load for a grade level: reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. We felt it necessary to follow those suggestions in the beginning. After two years we made different decisions.
Figuring out the curricula. There are three categories of curricula: complete, partial, and individual.
Complete curriculum. A complete curriculum contains all the books, teacher handbooks, and daily schedules for an entire school year for a grade level. The courses in these sets parallel those of the traditional schools. This is a great option for new home school parents. I have seen many families use with this type of curriculum for the entire journey because it saves time and planning effort. A Beka and BJU Press are examples of complete curricula.
Partial curriculum. A partial curriculum focuses on a few subject areas like history and language arts. The other subjects have to be added. The partial curriculum is a good for parents who feel weak in one area and strong in another. For example, I am weak in history but strong in science while my husband is strong in math. It was helpful to find a partial curriculum that covered history yet gave us the ability to manage science and math as we saw fit. My Father’s World is an example of a partial curriculum.
Drawbacks to the complete and partial curricula. One thing I discovered about complete and partial curricula is that a co-op class might require a different book than what’s in the set. Another quirk I discovered with such sets is that we didn’t necessarily like every book in the package. Once you get started in a particular book, it’s inconvenient to replace it. Complete and partial curricula have daily schedules which are hard to stick with when you miss a few days of school. They can lock you down and interfere with the freedom you expected with homeschool.
Individual or eclectic “curriculum.” The third way to select curricula is to choose individual books and customize a plan for each child. I call this the a la carte plan. It’s the strategy I have used for the last 8 years. This approach requires a great deal of research and planning. But flexibility is the reward. You can pick a book that you love for each course and for each child. The interests, abilities, and learning styles of each child can be considered. For example, a language arts loving child can use a higher grade level course for writing and a below grade level course in math if that makes sense. You are not locked into schedules because you determine the pace for each book. The a la cart program is great for families who wish to participate in co-ops and use outside teachers. Outside teachers determine the book they teach from.
Selecting actual books. I approach this in two steps. First, I read through the book reviews on Cathy Duffy Reviews and create a list of target books. Cathy Duffy thoroughly reviews an extensive amount of home school teaching materials and organizes the information in a logical format. Next, I try to find the targeted books in the community so I can leaf through them. I start by asking fellow home school friends if they have a copy for me to browse through. Then I visit the local homeschool bookstore. I must have spent at least 40 hours examining books in our local store over the past ten years. My kids insist that they are scarred from that experience. Other places I check are used book sales hosted by community homeschool groups. Ebay has been the most affordable place to purchase books. I resell them on Ebay too. Homeschool books are popular items on Ebay.
In summary. The basic courses for each grade level include English (writing and reading), math, science, and social studies. If you choose to have your child study each course, you will need to find a book for the appropriate grade level for each course. Better yet, choose a book at the appropriate skill level for your child. Choosing individual books provides more flexibility than complete and partial curricula do. If you decide on individual books, seek advice from a wide variety of experienced homeschoolers. I have found what works for one child does not necessarily work for my mine. Leaf through an actual book before committing to it. Changing curricula mid-year is inconvenient and frustrating. It can set you back a year especially in skill-based subjects like math and writing. In conclusion, you should be excited about the books you choose. There are many wonderful options for homeschoolers.
Musing: a period of reflection or thought. As such this post reflects my thoughts, opinions, and experiences on the topic. The choice to home school and the methods you choose are yours to determine.