Homeschooling Methods Part 1: The Pre-Packaged Curriculum
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So you’ve decided to homeschool? Great! And after the elation and excitement wears off, panic sets in. You wonder if you are as good as your child’s teacher -- or any teacher for that matter. Should you run out and buy textbooks? Should you do nothing and let your child play? Do you make a curriculum yourself? The methods parents choose to homeschool are as varied as their reasons for choosing to homeschool. In this month’s column we will focus on pre-packaged curriculums.
One way to homeschool your child is to literally bring school home. There are dozens of companies that provide whole curriculums for you to use in the home education of your child. For many parents, this is a relief and takes the guesswork out of what and how to teach their child at home. Most of the time you can mix and match. For instance, you can buy the math and science curriculum from one company, language arts and history from another. The company gives you the textbooks and any other materials that you may need, and you just follow the syllabus. Many curriculum companies also offer testing and college prep for the students who are using their programs. You may also have a guidance counselor to help you along during the college admissions process.
While pre-packaged curriculums offer stability, they can be expensive. Many will cost you over $300 per child for a year’s worth of schooling. And if your child does not respond well to the curriculum you have bought, it could turn out to be a waste of your money. It’s best to buy cheap (from Ebay, for example) and see how your child does, or you can borrow from a friend. This way you’ll know for sure before you spend your money. Also, be aware that since the lessons are already done for you, you may not have much latitude in the material that is being taught, and how it should be taught. Be sure to check out the company and the perspective that they are coming from so that you understand how the lessons will be presented.
Here are some resources for purchasing pre-packaged curriculums. These are just a few of the companies that are out there. Some are religious based and some are secular, so do your own research before you determine which one is best for your family.
Next month: Unit Studies
Copyright 2004, Maisha Khalfani
Maisha Khalfani is the homeschooling mom of 5-year-old Safiya, 4-year-old Dakari, 1-year-old Khalid, and helpmate to Jabari. She is the founder of the Capital Area Homeschooling Community, a member of the National African American Homeschooling Alliance www.naaha.com, and moderator of several online homeschooling groups. Maisha is also the National Director of the Mocha Moms, Inc. Homeschool Network www.mochamoms.org, a support group for stay at home mothers of color. 
