When people are first learning how to start homeschooling, the most overwhelm usually centers around how to choose homeschool curriculum. In this video, I want to demystify the large categories of options for teaching children at home in response to the overwhelm I’m seeing in my Minimalist Homeschooling Facebook group.
There is a spectrum from “done for you” to “a la carte”
That spectrum looks something like this:
E-learning (through your public school or an online school) >> all-in-one homeschool curriculum >> using state standards to piece together resources >> “choose your own adventure” homeschooling
Many veteran homeschoolers are eager to urge people to choose the latter option; there are a lot of benefits. But, there’s also a trade-off, and plenty of room/time to grow, tweak, and find your best fit. ❤️
Watch this video for the full explanation and benefits of the different options
Basically, when you opt for the all-in-one options, you are choosing a certain level of confidence, security and comfort that comes with having someone else make the bulk of the decisions. In exchange, you are sacrificing some of the individualization that is available while homeschooling.
As you move farther along the spectrum toward “choose your own adventure” homeschooling, you gain options to:
- Teach the same topic within a subject to multiple children at their respective levels, instead of spreading yourself thin teaching different topics to all of your different children.
- Move at your children’s individual paces.
- Customize choices to the specific levels in each subject where you find each child right now.
- Prioritize (or non-prioritize) certain subjects and topics.
- Choose learning styles that best suit your children.
Here are a Few Really Helpful How-To-Start-Homeschooling Resources:
Home Learning Year-by-Year (affiliate link) is a popular book that offers an overview of topics by grade level and practical suggestions.
When You Choose Homeschool Curriculum, It’s Important to Know…
…that there is no universal “right” or “wrong.” There is only “best for us, right now.”
That is, many homeschoolers will start somewhere on this spectrum that offers the best combination of satisfaction, confidence, and comfort, and then they will tweak, adjust, change, and grow throughout their homeschooling journey.
The most important thing is to START. Do not be paralyzed by perfection.
What kind of homeschooler are you? Where did you start when you first had to choose homeschool curriculum?
Zara, I always finish your videos more encouraged and focused than I started. Thank you!!!
Oh good! Thank you so much for the feedback :). Wishing you all the simple things…