Do You Need a Curriculum to Homeschool?
A homeschool curriculum establishes the path and resources to teach homeschooled children specific subjects and topics. While homeschooling is legal everywhere in the US, different states have different requirements about whether a homeschool curriculum is needed and what it should include.
For example, some states simply provide a list of subjects that need to be covered, giving the home educator complete control over the science curriculum for homeschooling and other subjects. Some states consider a home school a private school, and others offer public school programs online for kids taught at home.
In some cases, homeschooled students are subject to the same requirements as students who attend in-person classes, and curricula materials are provided through taxpayer funds. A few states mandate that homeschooled students have access to extracurricular activities, athletic programs, libraries, computers, and other school-based resources.
Homeschool Curriculum Explained
After understanding what a homeschool curriculum is, home educators purchase curriculum from reputable sources such as Home Science Tools or develop their own – or use a combination of the two approaches.
While the idea of being totally self-sufficient is enticing, the reality of creating meaningful learning programs from scratch is quite different. Without a pre-developed curriculum to use as a basis, home educators could easily find their weekends consumed with researching topics and hunting down resources for lessons that need to be delivered in the coming week. If there are multiple children of different ages, this could quickly become more than a full-time job.
Also, if you are a family that travels extensively, it may be more difficult to know how to organize a homeschool curriculum. You have the world at your feet for creative and one-of-a-kind learning, but your children’s education also needs to cover topics that are not always in front of you.
Besides – no one is an expert in every subject. As an educator, you most likely excel in some subjects but not others; this can get a little tricky as your child gets older and starts learning more complex concepts and information. While you are certainly capable of writing your own lesson plans, leveraging a quality curriculum can be a lifesaver.
Investigate Homeschooling Requirements in Your State
Before starting a homeschooling journey, speak with your local school district and state education department. Children being homeschooled may need to be registered as such, and there may be subjects that need to be covered as part of your homeschooling curriculum.
As an educator, organization is key to making your learning journey as smooth as possible. Maintain a portfolio of each child’s work to show what they’ve accomplished. Your state may also require regular assessments.
Learning Matters
We all want our children to get the best education possible. Leveraging a prepared curriculum in a variety of subjects, even if they aren’t a part of your wheelhouse, ensures that you don’t miss anything. It also means that your children get a comprehensive, well-rounded education. You may even learn something new when working with them during their lessons. Save your creativity for the subjects you love and know best.
Materials from Home Science Tools have been created and tested by professional educators. In addition, we offer exceptional customer support based on over twenty-five years of experience to help you navigate those moments when you feel like you are in over your head.
A good curriculum will support you and your family during your homeschooling journey and afterward. Many homeschoolers go on to college after the university accepts their homeschool education and believes they are prepared for the rigors of higher education.
