Choosing how to Home Educate
Curriculum Facts
- Curriculum can be used by anyone.
- Curriculum for home education is made to easily be used by parents.
- You can switch curriculum during a school year.
Answer these questions:
How do you want to teach?
What is important to your family?
How does your child learn best?
Once you know how you want to teach your child to learn, you can move to choosing a curriculum.
Home Education Styles
These are just the most common styles, there are many more out there.
Next, check out curriculum that is available.
Classical Method
Classical is a language-focused, literature-focused style of learning that has been adopted by many homeschooling families.
Charlotte Mason Method
Charlotte Mason put a heavy emphasis on using high-quality literature, which she called “living books,” to teach children.
Unschooling Method
Unschooling is a style that allows the student’s interests and curiosities to drive the path of learning. This style requires planning and preparation on the part of the parent.
Eclectic Method
Eclectic homeschooling is a highly individualized education method resulting from mixing and matching a variety of homeschooling resources.
Waldorf Method
This method has the worthy goal of educating the whole child (body, mind, and spirit),through hands-on, critical thinking, and emotional knowledge.
Unit Study Method
Unit studies are time-specific overviews of a defined topic or theme that incorporate multiple subject areas into the study plan.
Time Frames
Reading | Writing | Math | Science & Social Studies | Students Interests | Physical Movement (PE) | |
K | 30 Minutes | 20 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 40 minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
1-2 | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 40 Minutes | 40 minutes | 30 Minutes | 30 Minutes |
3-5 | 60 Minutes | 30 Minutes | 45 Minutes | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
6-8 | 60 Minutes | 45 minutes | 60 Minutes | 60 minutes | 60 Minutes | 60 Minutes |
Always refer to your Guide for reccomendations
- These time frames are recommendations for total time spent daily, including instruction and practice.
- Adjust times based on the needs of your students. Some students may need more time in a subject and less time in another.
Example Schedule- Kindergarten
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Reading | 20 min- Read Alouds 10 min- Letter Recognition | Library Storytime | 20 min- Read Alouds 10 min- Phonics | 20 min- Read Aloud 10 min- Letter Recognition | 20 min- Read Aloud 10 min- Phonics |
Writing | 10 min- Copy Work 10 min- Letter Work | 10 min- Copy Work 10 min- Letter Work | 20 min- Sand writing | 10 min- Copy work 10 min- Letter Work | 20 min- Crafts |
Math | 15 min- Math Instruction 15 min- Math Play | 30 min- Number Practice | 15 min- Math instruction 15 min- Math Play | 30 min- Baking Activity | 15 min Math Instruction 15 min- Math game |
Science/SS | 15 min- Community 15 min- Animals | 15 min- Community 15 min- Animals | 15 min- Community 15 min- Animals | Library Visit | Field Trip to Zoo |
P.E | Co-op Park Outing | Gymnastics Class | Park with Sibilings | Indoor Playground | Swimming with Grandma |
*Schedules will vary
Always refer to your Guide for reccomendations
Additional Options
- Learning Games
- Playdough Play
- Cutting and Gluing items
- Puzzles
- Electronic Learning
Example Schedule- 3rd Grade
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Reading | 30 min- Read to Self 15 min- workbook 15 min- Word Practice | 60 min- Co-op Meeting | 30 min- Read to Self 15 min-Word Practice 15 min- Workbook | 30 min- Read to Self 15 min- Word Practice 15 min- Workbook | 30 min- Read to Self 15 min- Word Practice 15 min- Workbook |
Writing | 15 min- workbook 15 min- sentence structure game | 30 min- Co-op Meeting | 30 min Co-op homework | 15 min- writing workbook 15 min-sentence structure game | 30 min- Writing Prompt from Reading Curriculum |
Math | 15 min- instruction 15 min- workbook 15 min- math game | 15 min- instruction 15 min-workbook 15 min- flashcards | 15 min- instruction 15 min-workbook 15 min- math practice app | 15 min- review 15 min- quiz 15 min- math game | 30 min- Prodigy 15 min- flashcards |
Science/SS | 30 min- Habitat Lesson 30 min- Oregon Trail Lesson | 30 min- National Park game 15 min- Science video 15 min- Review of Science | 15 min- Review of SS 15 min- SS video | 30 min- National Park Game | 120 min- Field Trip to Basket Slough info center with Co-op |
P.E | Soccer Practice | Park with Friends | Bike Ride | Swimming Practice | Co-op Park Outing |
Always refer to your Guide for reccomendations
Additional Options
- Journaling
- Handwritng
- Spelling
- Editing
*Schedules will vary
Example Schedule- 7th Grade
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Reading | 30 min- Read to self 30 min- Literature Workbook/Lesson | 30 min- Read to self 30 min- Literature Workbook/Lesson | 1 hour- Reading buddies | 30 min- read to self 30 min- Literature Workbook/Lesson | 30 min- read to self 30 min- Science Research |
Writing | 15 min- Vocabulary 30 min- Lit Prompt Draft 15 min- Writing Journal | 15 min- Vocabulary 30 min- Lit prompt Draft 15 min- Writing Journal | 15 min- Vocabulary 30 min- Lit Prompt Revision 15 min- Writing Journal | 15 min- Vocabulary 30 min- Lit Prompt Final 15 min- Writing Journal | 30 min- Free Write 30 min- Science Research |
Math | 30 min- Math instruction/practice 30 min- Math games | 30 min- 4-H Baking 30 min- Math instruction/practice | 30 min- Math instruction/practice 30 min- Math games | 30 min- 4-H Baking 30 min- Math instruction/practice | 30 min- Math games 30 min- Budgeting |
Science/SS | 120 min- Field Trip to the History Museum | (Time spent at Museum) 30 minutes- Finish Science Unit | 30 min- World History 30 min- Science Quiz | 30 min- Science Project Introduction 30 min- World History | (Research time used above) (Time spent at Museum) |
P.E | Gym Workout | Football Practice | Gym Workout | Football Practice | Swimming with Friends |
Always refer to your Guide for reccomendations
Additional Options
- Editing
- Notetaking
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Critical Thinking
*Schedules will vary
A complete reading program could contain the following:
Basal reader w/ comprehension workbook
Spelling workbook
Grammar/writing workbook
Phonics & vocab workbooks
*Not all reading curriculums have all of the parts listed above, check with guide for recommendations.
Curriculum- Reading
Curriculum
Here are some options for your family to consider.
For an updated list and links for websites to learn more, click below!
Curriculum- Writing
For younger students, check to see if writing and penmanship is included in the reading curriculum you choose. If not, use a supplemental workbook for practice. Once you reach about 3rd grade, a writing curriculum may be needed that is more focused on the usage of writing to share information/stories rather than the actual skill of penmanship.
Curriculum- Spelling
Spelling is a subject that is sometimes overlooked, but is just as important to implement, even in the upper elementary levels and into middle school. Curriculum that builds upon itself is best for a student to continue working on. Find one that works for practicing regularly with your child and stick with it.
Curriculum
Here are some options for your family to consider.
For an updated list and links for websites to learn more, click below!
When choosing a math curriculum, you must understand what you want to focus on.
Focus
- Procedural: Focus on teaching children how to do math; the procedures that get the right answer.
- Conceptual: Focus on the big picture (the why), then bring in the how through details.
Method
- Spiral: Math is taught in smaller chunks and rotates through topics regularly.
- Mastery: One topic at a time, until that topic is mastered by the student.
Curriculum- Math
Curriculum
Here are some options for your family to consider.
For an updated list and links for websites to learn more, click below!
Curriculum
Here are some options for your family to consider.
For an updated list and links for websites to learn more, click below!
These subjects are based on student interests. There are no mandatory standards for students in these areas. We still recommend that students include electives in their regular learning.
Topics May Include:
Art
Coding
Sports
Woodworking
Music
Culinary Skills
Etc.
Curriculum- Electives
Click for Curriculum
Curriculum
Here are some options for your family to consider.
For an updated list and links for websites to learn more, click below!
Curriculum- Social Studies and Science
Social Studies Components:
History,
Economics,
Civics,
Geography,
Government.
Science Components:
Scientific Knowledge,
Scientific Application,
Scientific Inquiry
Look at your PLP for specific areas that should be covered based on child's grade.
Return to Subjects
Click for Curriculum