5 Tips for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Let’s explore choosing a homeschool curriculum using a recipe as an analogy and begin with a fun fact about me.

I never use a recipe “as is” except for the first time I try it.

If you were to peek inside my recipe binder, you would see all kinds of notes and dates of tries and tweaks.

All of them attempts made to get the results I desire the most.

When I’ve accomplished that, you will undoubtedly find stars and exclamations abound because no further tweaking is necessary. Those notes show that I finally achieved the results I hoped for. From then on, I will be happy when I follow the recipe “this new way.”

When searching for a recipe, I always keep my family in mind.

• What they like – cheese, lots of it!
• What they dislike – pasta (yes, one of my teens hates pasta)
• What they need – protein balance (am I the only mom on protein patrol?)
• What they are allergic to – peanuts, etc.

As a newlywed, I had no idea what my husband liked—poor guy. Back then, I never seasoned anything beyond a dash of salt. But now! Oh boy, have things changed, lol.

A New Recipe

When using a new recipe for the first time, I am usually excited and sure it will work.

• First, I get all my supplies and read through the directions carefully.
• As a beginner, I’d typically follow them “to a T” the first time.
• Then I ask for feedback,
• And take notes,
• Then, I’d tweak it,
• And try again using the revised recipe.
• Or, in some cases, scrap it entirely.

As an experienced cook, you may only need to read the recipe and already know how to improve it for your family.

• More cheese
• Less salt 
• No peanut butter version

After that, you may try it, ask for feedback, tweak it, take notes, and try again.

• Try it
• Ask for feedback
• Tweak it 
• Take notes 
• Try again

Choosing a Curriculum is Much Like That.

As a beginning homeschool mom, you may go through several tries before you are happy with your recipe, I mean, curriculum. 🙂 And that’s okay!

You don’t give up on cooking just because you chose the wrong recipe, do you? You will likely tweak that recipe and try again, or throw it out entirely and find a new one.

Tips for Choosing a Curriculum for Your Family.

1. Become a Student of Your Children.

One of my favorite things we get to do as homeschooling moms is become students of our children. Watching their eyes light up as they learn new things is exciting. And we reach that point sooner when we discover what they need and how they learn.

• What do they like? – hands-on, independent, one on one
• What do they dislike?
• What do they need? – extra help with math?
• What challenges do they have? – dyslexia, dysgraphia, etc

2. Remember to Take Account of What You Need Too.

While it’s good to be a student of our children, that’s only part of it. It’s also vital to consider what you, as a mom and teacher need. For example, in the beginning, you may need a curriculum that is well laid out and scripted. And that’s okay! Use whatever will bring you joy to use.

3. Seek Out Help When Choosing New Curriculum.

Cathy Duffy Reviews

I cannot recommend Cathy Duffy Reviews website enough. It is a foundational part of my planning for new resources. The more I use it, the more effective it has become. If you can get your hands on one of her Top Picks books from the library, I highly recommend you do.

Alternatively, she has a thoroughly done eBook, How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum you can purchase for under $10, which is well worth the price if you are a new homeschool mom. At the time of this article, she even provides a discount code when you subscribe to her email list – making the eBook only $5.99!!

Please don’t pass on this one! Back in the day, when I was new on my homeschooling journey, I purchased her very first book 100 Top Picks. The information in this little gem changed everything about how I chose our curriculum! If you don’t know where to start, start here. You won’t be disappointed. 😊

Rainbow Resource

Rainbow Resource is equally helpful. I appreciate the consultants as they are well-versed in many different learning styles and challenges. They have helped me numerous times locate a resource that I didn’t even know existed but worked well for my situation.

I am adding a link to a free resource they sent out recently to their email subscribers that is very practical and well done. I believe it will be helpful to you as you are researching and choosing any new curriculum for your family. The link leads to a video, handout, and video transcript on their homeschool forum. Personally, I enjoyed the pdf handout the most, but I’ll let you decide which format you prefer 😉

This next button leads to the curriculum website. In most cases, I have found they have the best prices around when purchasing brand new items. And all orders over $50 ship for free! I love free shipping, don’t you? 🙂

Don’t Forget Reviews From a Source You Trust.

I like to keep my eyes and ears open for reviews from those I trust – especially if their situation is similar to mine. It can save hundreds of dollars.

4. Remember That No Curriculum is Perfect.

Remember, no homeschooling curriculum is perfect when used “as is.” To get the desired results, you will need to tweak it here and there to fit your family’s specific needs.

Be Prepared to Tweak as Needed.

Curriculum writers can’t give exact instructions for every homeschooling family using their product. Most of the time, they provide more than enough information so that we, as moms, can pare down as needed.

Be Willing to Scrap it Entirely if Necessary.

There may come a time when no amount of adjusting will do. In this case, the curriculum is not a good fit, no matter what you do. When this happens, we need to be willing to scrap it entirely and move on. It’s not worth the wasted time, energy, and, most of all, peace. Let it go. It will be okay.

Pro Tip: Homeschooling curriculum re-sells incredibly well on eBay – just saying 🙂

5, Celebrate When You Find What Works for Your Family

Discovering what works best for your family requires diligence and perseverance. Although it’s possible to succeed on the first attempt, more times than not, it takes more. So when you find a resource that works – Celebrate!

Conclusion

As you can see, homeschooling is more intuitive than we might have initially realized. Doesn’t it remind you of everything you do as a mom? Whether recipes for cooking, cleaning supplies for your bathroom, or the laundry detergent that will work on those stains.

We try, take notes, tweak, and try again, always remembering when we find what works – we celebrate. Because you, Mama, are doing hard things. I see you. And God sees you. Every day – day in and day out doing hard things for your family.

Listen, can you hear that? That’s me, cheering, yes, cheering for you! Because look at you, right now, in this very moment, doing your best to learn how to do well for your children. Oh yes, my friend, today, I’m celebrating YOU!

Much Love,

~Tammy

Get Access to Resource Library

Curriculum costs money. Allow me to save you a little with these free printable resources. Tap the image to get access to the Resource Library where you’ll receive printables to help you create a homeschool life you’ll LOVE!!!

This post was originally published on June 21, 2023, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.