| Now that you've made the choice to homeschool | | | | What about your financial situation? If you are |
| your child, you're faced with thousands of | | | | short on funds, you may lean towards an eclectic |
| curriculum choices. How do you know what is | | | | style. You can find homeschool materials cheaply |
| right for your family? Here are some tips to help | | | | or even free via the Internet, and even yard |
| narrow down your choices and guide you to the | | | | sales, thrift stores and online auctions. Conversely, |
| best curriculum for your child. | | | | if money is no object, you can go all out and pick |
| Consider your objectives | | | | a curriculum that includes all the craft and science |
| Think about why you chose homeschooling. What | | | | project materials as well as hard bound books |
| is the most important benefit in your estimation? | | | | your child will be reading during the year. Teacher |
| Are you concerned about the quality of your | | | | support via Internet or phone may be available |
| child's education? Do you want to mesh your | | | | also. |
| child's secular education with religious instruction? | | | | Consider your philosophy |
| Is it important to you that your child be accepted | | | | Do you believe in a classical education philosophy |
| into a good college, or are you more concerned | | | | that dictates a lot of copywork and memorization, |
| with teaching your child entrepreneurialism or | | | | or are you a proponent of a more experiential, |
| respect for the earth? What is truly important to | | | | hands on or informal style of learning? If you |
| you and how do you want to impart that to your | | | | choose a curriculum that doesn't mesh with your |
| child? Answering these questions can help lead | | | | beliefs about education, you'll find yourself |
| you in the right direction in regards to what | | | | frustrated and likely your child will be unhappy too. |
| curriculum to choose. | | | | There is no one "best" choice. You should be |
| Consider your situation | | | | congratulated for being willing to invest the time |
| Do you have 3 or more children? Do you work | | | | and energy to educate your child at home. Don't |
| part time or have little support? It's going to be | | | | stress out about curriculum choices. As a home |
| especially challenging for you to spend time | | | | schooling parent you are free to change things |
| educating. A curriculum that requires minimal | | | | whenever you want to. Finding the right curriculum |
| teacher preparation and supervision might be | | | | for you and your child isn't that hard once you |
| best, for instance the "All in One" style of | | | | know what you truly want from your home |
| homeschool curriculum versus unit studies. | | | | schooling experience. |