If you are coming from a public or private school background, finding a homeschool curriculum can prove exciting or challenging. It can be a challenge to find just the right learning plan for your homeschooler, but you have much more flexibility than the formal curriculum used for each student in more traditional school settings.

There are complete curriculum packages out there and many families feel more safe sticking to the packaged approach. However, if you have determined that your child learns best through activities or visual aids, lots of textbooks and worksheets may not be the best suited curriculum for them. Finding a curriculum that supports your homeschool method and your child's learning style is the best idea.

As you get more parent-teacher experience, you will learn how to integrate various teaching tools to achieve the educational goals you have for your child. Experience also builds confidence in both teaching and in selecting the best materials to use.

Homeschooling parents have a choice when it comes to what curriculum and teaching tools to use to educate their children. Here are a few types to consider:

Complete Curriculum Packages - This is the homeschool-in-a-box approach. Actually, that is sort of a misnomer. Often times, complete curriculum packages are available through software programs or in an online learning environment. Most states offer this through a free public homeschool option. One notable company is called K-12. This company offers a comprehensive package that includes books, lab supplies, an online component, and even a borrowed computer. The homeschool family provides the internet connection. Other curriculum packages from companies like Abeka, Alpha Omega, and Sonlight offer everything you need to begin homeschooling. The homeschool kits include textbooks, teacher guides, tests, activities, study sheets and report cards.

Families new to homeschooling may feel most comfortable using a complete curriculum kit. This is also a good choice for families who want to model their approach after the traditional school setting. Following a structured program that uses a complete curriculum package allows families to be sure to meet their legal obligations as all subjects and requirements have been inlcuded by these types of publishers. One of the disadvantages to this type of approach is the expense. In addition, new homeschooling families can tend to get overwhelmed by the amount of work.

Combination Curriculum - Homeschool gives parents the opportunity to choose what curriculum is best for their child. It's one of the great advantages you get to enjoy as a homeschooler. Finding what works best can often lead you to many different products offered through many different companies. For example, parents may use Saxon for their math and then select a language arts curriculum like Learning Language Arts Through Literature. Some may like Math U See for the real life application of math concepts combined with a whole package language arts program like Abeka (this would include spelling, grammar, and writing). This approach takes time, research, and money. Parents who choose this option will be tracking progress on state standards on their own, unless they join a private school satellite program or support group to help them with record-keeping. There is more freedom with this method, but it can help you better match the learning needs of your child.

This is a popular homeschool approach to curriculum, especially for families are not new to homeschooling. Once parents get a few years under their belt, they often are more confident to venture out and try to put together a program for their child on their own. They've learned what works and what doesn't work. They've gotten to know how best their child learns and the strengths and weaknesses in their own teaching style.

A great resource for how to select curriculum is The Big Book of Home Learning by Mary Pride. In this guide, you will find a comprehensive listing of curriculum providers. Contact them and request a catalog and you are on your way to researching what will work best for your family. An even quicker way to research is through the internet. ISPMOM.com hopes to provide a list for our community very soon. In the meantime, do a browser search for a list of homeschool curriculum providers. A good website to start with is at www.christianhomeschoolers.com.

Unit Studies - Unit studies are another popular form of homeschool curriculum. Often times parents who combine curriculum use unit studies as well. A unit study approach takes a topic like the Roman Empire and teaches it across several subjects like history, language, social studies, and math. The unit will take a series of weeks to study a specific subject through reading aloud, hands-on projects, notebooking, plays, experiments, recipes, copy work, recitation, spelling exercises, and silent reading. The student learns their subjects in an integrated way much like life, where things are not so compartmentalized. History overlaps language and science runs into math. This is the way a unit study works. Families who rely on unit studies can teach several ages at once by simply adapting the material to age-appropriate exercises, reading, and projects. Two great unit study curriculums are Konos and Jennifer Steward of the Steward Ship.

Selecting curriculum can be a little mind-boggling for the new homeschool family. One of the best tips is to visit a local curriculum fair or homeschool expo or seminar. Just getting your hands on some samples and catalogs can make all the difference. Homeschool curriculum fairs are a great place to meet people who have stood in your shoes. Experienced homeschoolers and curriculm company representatives are there to answer your questions. There are even used curriculum fairs in many areas.

Don't get discouraged if it takes some trial and error to find what works best. Finding the right fit for your family when it comes to homeschool curriculum is a process, but how exciting it is knowing you get the final decision.