5 Step guide to Understanding Curriculum
Homeschoolers are all incredibly different in how they choose curriculum, use that curriculum, and how they teach. As a former classroom teacher with an M.Ed. In Instruction, I want to help decode a few terms that will make it easier for you to search curriculum sites without overwhelm.
Curriculum comes in a few primary categories: All-in-one Curriculum, Self-Designed Curriculum, Stand-alone subjects, and Unit Studies being the most recognizable. Nearly all companies will let you purchase their items stand-alone if you only want to purchase one subject from them.
That being said, I’m going to quickly go over some points on Curriculum, and as always you can follow up with our team if you have any questions.
Curriculum means a course of study — That’s it. It is a laid out map of how to get from A to Z in a particular subject.
Curriculum is always designed — Curriculum is designed according to the values and beliefs held about particular subject areas and what must be learned to master said subjects. Most companies and schools would call these values and beliefs ‘standards’ and design Curriculum around those standards. Here in Texas, the state standards are the TEKS which are different from the curriculum a homeschool must cover. (If you want to look at the TEKS I recommend you look at this Beta quick Guide which will explain them in simpler terms. All subject TEKS are written just about the same way — they are very repetitive because they build on each other.)
Standards should be accessible — If you want to find a curriculum's standards you should be able to look them up under the following names: standards, scope and sequence, yearly plan, and if all else fails look at a table of contents in a student workbook. This will tell you what is covered in one grade level or calendar year. If you are interested in re-enrolling in public school within the next year, looking at the College and Career Readiness Standards and Proficiency Standards by grade level will help simplify what you need to know - those are the tested standards. You can find them here.
Standards are not a checklist — Standards are not meant to pressure you, please know that. Standards are a roadmap to what is in a curriculum, and you decide whether or not you feel those standards match your goals for your child and your families needs. Even more so if you have special needs situations or are filling learning gaps for your child; these standards are not meant to be a list of what you have not accomplished. I can’t emphasize that enough.
Look at samples and sneak peeks — Most curriculum providers will have a sample lesson plan, a glimpse of the table of contents, PDFs with a sample you can download, etc. Check out all those resources. It may require an email opt-in, and you can alway unsubscribe from those. If you are really interested in a specific curriculum, ask the EP Homeschool community on Facebook if they have these books. People may be willing to upload pictures of materials or loan books out. We do have other local resources available too that may help you find a curriculum or look at it before you buy.
Our team uses a wide variety of curriculum materials, and many of us have had to try various curricula out to find what works best for our children. It’s not a mistake to try something and not love it — you learned from that and have an opportunity to find something that better suits your family. We encourage you to remove pressure from this situation — I will say this until the end of time — parents are the really critical factor in a curriculum efficacy. If you want to make homeschooling work, it will, with or without the perfect curriculum.
Visit our Resources page for local facebook groups, co-ops, and local resources. If you find what you are reading here helpful, please consider purchasing a Membership with us — which will allow us to provide more resources to homeschoolers in the Borderland!