Curriculum represents a course to study. It varies from one place to other. The standards for curriculum are based on the requirements of academic learning and also on the expectations of the grade level. There is one important point to remember and that is, academic requirements of learning do not speak to any specific method of teaching or style of learning, but simply provides the performance expectations which are set for every grade level.
Guidelines for homeschooling
How often have you wished for a few extra hours in the day in order to manage your homeschooling lifestyle? The day won’t get any longer, but you can get stronger in your ability to deal effectively with each day. I’ve included some time management tips that can get you back on track in your daily life. In fact, in my opinion the most important question that you can ask yourself everyday in order to manage time is “What do I need (to do) right now?”
To ask yourself this question doesn’t make you needy, it makes you aware of what is truly important and reflective of your purposeful goals in a given moment. The “to do” is in parentheses because sometimes the most important need you have is not to take action but to wait, pray, meditate, or simply relax into a state of beingness rather than doingness.
If you are beginning homeschooling you might be feeling bewildered and overwhelmed. What do I teach? How do I teach it? How do I know if my child is making progress? These are important and worrisome questions, especially to someone just starting out. For many, purchasing a pre-made “curriculum” seems to offer a solution. However, like all things, pre-made study units have their pros and cons. We will discuss some of these pros and cons and I will offer some advise on choosing and using a curriculum that works for you and your child.
First, the pros. Pre-made curriculum is easy for you, the parent/teacher to use. Just follow the instructions, do the suggested activities, give the tests provided and make your way through the course. All the lessons are laid out for you. If you need other resources, you will be told which ones to get. Presumably, the material has been put together by an “expert” in the field. For some children and in some subjects (math, particularly), the step-by-step approach offered by these curricula can work very well. You can see your child’s progress by the number of pages they are covering and by their performance in the tests provided with the course. How and what to teach are no longer a worry and tracking progress is easy. If you are beginning homeschooling, this can be very comforting.
Continue Reading »Beginning Homeschooling – The Pros and Cons of Homeschooling Curriculum
