Choosing Homeschool Curriculum: Quality Resources and Educational Planning

“What curriculum do you use?” might just be the most commonly asked question in homeschooling circles. As homeschooling continues to grow worldwide, curriculum options have grown apace. With hundreds of curricula now available, choosing curriculum is an enjoyable but sometimes overwhelming task.

The Importance of Curriculum 

The four main subject areas are:

• language arts (including reading, writing, spelling, and speaking); 
• math; 
• science;
• social studies (i.e. history, geography, civics).

Additional subjects include foreign languages, personal wellness/health, art and music, physical education, technology, and more. Some curriculum providers offer specific materials for classical languages, philosophy, logic and rhetoric, penmanship, poetry recitation, and music appreciation or music history.

If you’re a more eclectic homeschooler, you may not have specific curriculum materials for every subject. You don’t necessarily need lab equipment and a complete curriculum to teach a second grader science! However, as your child grows older, we strongly recommend using curriculum in at least the four main subject areas (math, language arts, science, and social studies). 

High school math and science is complex, challenging, and builds on prior knowledge. A solid curriculum ensures your child is making progress appropriate for their age and ability. Recordkeeping for the academic work completed in all subjects is important, particularly as your child nears high school and university.

Homeschooling allows for great flexibility and adjustment based on the needs of your child. However, the freedom homeschooling offers should not be used as a license to avoid teaching some subjects or to avoid progressing to higher levels in some subjects. If you believe your child is more than one grade behind their age in some or all subjects and does not have a learning disability, we encourage you to contact a qualified educational consultant.