I have a strict list of guidelines that I follow when choosing curriculum for my children. They will be spending hours upon hours studying the books and audio I set before them, so it needs to reflect our families values and beliefs.
Here are some things I consider:
Does the curriculum line up with my Christian beliefs? Does it teach creation or evolution; belief that God has a hand in history or it is all man’s doing? As my children get older we will explore the beliefs that are not true, but while they are younger I want to fill their minds with things that are true (and pure).
Does the reading list include books with magic (no Harry Potter here), witchcraft, mystery (my children get easily scared), foul language, pagan undertones, boy/girl dating relationships, complete disrespect towards the character’s parents and siblings? If so it is scratched off my list.
Is the curriculum full of silly characters that go along with the curriculum that simply end up distracting my children? This might not be a big issue for some, but I’m pretty particular about such things.
Will the curriculum be interesting to my children? I learned last year that nothing makes a school year be more miserable than curriculum that does not grab their attention. So this year we are doing lots of living books.
Does the curriculum provide the right mix of challenging my children to learn, but not being a source of frustration because it’s just so difficult? I try to remember my children’s strengths and weaknesses when picking a curriculum. I picked something that has a lot of reading since my boys love to read. It doesn’t have an over abundance of writing in it as we are not strong in that subject yet, and need to slowly work on it without frustrating them.
Finally, can we afford the curriculum? There are many excellent choices out there, but some of them cost $500 and on up for one child. That’s just not in our homeschool budget. I have actually never placed an order through Heart of Dakota even though we are using three of their curriculum programs this year. I shopped the online used homeschool boards (awelltrainedmind.com, homeschoolclassifieds,com, diaperswappers.com, and some Facebook groups), and then I ordered a few books from Rainbow Resource when I was at a local homeschool convention so I recieved free shipping.
I’d love to hear what you use as guidelines when picking out curriculum!
You know, it’s interesting that you posted this today. I just recently had a homeschooling epiphany… as it were.
I have a LOT of GREAT curriculum… that looks awfully pretty sitting on my shelf. (My hooligans are 10, almost 9, and 5) I was swayed by all this shiny new good curriculum, even though it’s not the way I like to teach. So I never used it. This year we are going back to our roots… based on Amblesideonline.org, but with our own “schedule”. I’m super excited about it!
Your criteria sound as strict as mine. And we’ve ended up with Heart of Dakota as our main curriculum too.
I’m so excited to start! I can’t believe that I just learned about this curriculum!
Thank you for the great tips! (especially the resources for buying used) my big concern as a new homeschooler is getting started and realizing something I spent a small fortune on just isn’t going to work. Now I can spend a smaller fortune.
Our school district here will provide curriculum and supplies to homeschool families for free… Has anyone had experience with a program like that?
Our school district does also. We used the things I liked, and I got my own for the subjects I didn’t want the school choices for. It’s worth looking into it, even if you only end up using a couple of their items. free is free.
I personally wouldn’t use any curriculum that the public school provides because I just don’t feel like it would be lined up with our belief systems.
Really? I don’t think there would be anything wrong w/math, Reading, English, or History. I think the only objectionable subject would be Science.
Public school curriculum isn’t all bad.
There is nothing wrong with math or english, but I probably wouldn’t approve of the reading choices, and would not agree with how they present all of history.
Please remember that public school at home is not homeschooling. Once you let the government into your home they will have a say in what you teach. Most avid homeschoolers are very much against k12 and other such programs….it is starting to muddy the waters and lines of the homeschooling/public school laws and debate. I would pray long and hard before allowing their curriculum and power into my home.
I heartily agree! Letting the public school into our homes is dangerous territory.
Sounds about the same here. I’ve always liked Alpha Omega lifepacs for my kids, they are self contained and easy, and even the non-Bible subjects have a biblical worldview. I agree about the reading list, no H.P. here either. I can be a little looser with movies, especially some Disney movies like Tangled… yes has magic, but is obviously fantasy. But many books and movies cross that line for me, and I just have to say no.
We are using My Fathers world. My litttle’ s are still very little, so I have not yet gotten to a point where I need to up-grade or down-grade in certain subjects. What i really enjoy about MFW is very Biblical and affordable.
Your criteria sounds like ours. We have had such a terrible time finding good, pure books for our kids. I would love any suggestions following this criteria for books and/or curriculum for 1st grade. Maybe you could blog about books yall have read. My oldest is 5 1/2 and he loves the Moody books from the Maxwells. My kids scare easily too. My kids got some veggies tale video’s as a gift and those scared them so we gave those away. Thank you so much for this blog post.
I understand! We don’t watch veggie tales either. I’ll try to share another post about books we like to read…
And you might want to look into Heart of Dakota for their curriculum for first grade. I don’t like all the books, but most of them are awesome!
We don’t do talking vegetables at our house either. I like to let them watch more realistic type bible stories.
We <3 <3 HOD! I'll be doing Beyond this year with my oldest as well. We just completed LHFHG and I've used LHTH for both of my oldest in the past.
I have a question for you. Does your "no magic" rule include fairy tale type stories? We've been trying to work out what exactly is included in our rule lately, so I'm curious what others think/do.
At this point we have not done any fairy tale stories. I’m not sure what we will do as they get older. I know the argument in favor of fairy tales is that the bad guy always wins, but honestly I think Bible stories can be effective at showing that following what is right will bring reward.
Caroline, why are your kids scared easily? Kids should be peaceful, and joyful. Is it things they hear people say? From church, friends etc?
Fear is a not of God… I would want to know why my kids were scared easily, and get to the root of it.
It’s just normal childhood fears (not wanting to be outside at night, etc). Nothing abnormal. Most young children I know have the same issues.
Fear is not of God you are right. But we as adults even have fear at times but we know how to cast those fears out with the word of God. Children are still learning at a young age and especially if they have not come to know Christ may need that extra comfort from Godly parents/caregivers. Just because someone has fear does not mean they are ungodly or something is wrong with them.
Many children are aftaid of Veggietales – normal, healthy, spiritual secure children. I don’t think fear of talking vegetables is something one should worry about. And many children get easily frightened – they are still working on understanding their world.
Hi I am using Heart of Dakota for my little ones, and trying Rod and Staff for my older ones. Have you or anyone you know tried it before and if you have what did you think?
p.s great post