There are hundreds of curriculum choices, and thousands of suggestions, for homeschoolers. This presentation considers not just what are the choices, but also what each family should consider when making those choices.

1. Curriculum Here
Curriculum There
Susan K. Stewart

2. What is you want to
teach?
• Why are you homeschooling?
• Philosophy of Education

3. What is Curriuculm?
• Course of study
• Teaching material

4. Think About …
• What are you teaching?
• Why are you teaching it?
• Why are you teaching it the
way you are?

5. Family Personalities
• Family
• Structured vs Flexible
• Children’s Ages
• Other family considerations

6. Teaching Styles
• Direct Instruction
• Indirect Instruction
• Cooperative Learning
• Self-directed Learning

7. Personality &
Learning
• Spontaneous (sanguine)
• Routine (melancholy)
• Conceptual (choleric)
• Global (melancholy or phlegmatic)

8. Preschool
 Don’t buy anything
 Let kids be kids
 What you need
 blocks
 craft supplies
 books and a warm lap

9. Early Elementary
 Numbers
 Letters
 What do you need
 Counters
 Letters
 Paper & Writing Tools
 Books

10. Late Elementary
 Mathematical Operations
 Functions of Reading & Writing
 History & Science
 Begin to assess REAL needs
 Maybe textbooks for math
 Books for science, history
 Encyclopedia and dictionary
 More books

11. Secondary
Jr and Sr High
 Advanced & In-Depth Study
 Additional needs
 Microscope, telescope
 Tutors
 Outside classes
 Books

12. Getting It All Done
 Learning Gaps
 Resources
 Catalogs
 California Framework
 Scope & Sequence
 Mastered vs. familiar

13. Questions to Ask
• Homeschool friendly
• Publisher’s philosophy
• Credentials of author
• Busy work
• Empahsis

14. • Lead to God’s purpose
• Role of teacher and student
• Role of curriculum
• Family needs
• Need? Want? Impress?

15. What’s Out There?
• Packaged curriculum
• Packets
• Unit study
• Computer
• Online
• No curriculum

16. Extras & Goodies
 Teachers Books
 Manuals
 Answer Key
 Answer Solutions

17. Extras & Goodies
 Supplemental Materials
 Flash cards
 Teaching charts
 Story pictures
 Manipulatives
 Curriculum Guides
 Day by day instructions

18. Shopping Techniques
 Plan Ahead
 Make a list
 Read catalogs
 Talk to others
 Where to shop
 Used curriculum sales
 Used book stores
 When to shop
 In Spring

19. Money Saving Ideas
• Co-op
• Discards
• Freebies
• Local library