How To Make Your Own Curriculum (Sort Of)

This year I couldn't be more proud! I'm dipping my toes in the eclectic pool and making my own curriculum (sort of). For years I avoided this, I watched with a mix of fear and admiration as other homeschool moms effortlessly put together their own curriculum. I thought, "I could never do that, it's too hard, you have to know too much about the options!" But I'm here to tell you you can do it! It's not that difficult, and it only takes a little research!

How To Make Your Own Curriculum (Sort Of)

• Take What You Like, Leave What You Don't - Realize that putting together your own curriculum is not the same as writing your own curriculum. You're simply hand picking the items you feel will best suit your child's learning style. You don't have to use 100% A Beka or Sonlight or...anything.

• Start With Your Favorite - No curriculum has it all. Start with that one item you're dying to get your hands on and build around it. If you don't have a favorite in mind, then start by choosing a curriculum on your favorite subject to teach. Then take a good, open look and decide what's missing. Does it need more hands-on activities? Does it require enough reading time?

• Fill In The Blanks - So, let's say you've chosen a literature rich history curriculum to start, it has plenty of reading involved, but no hands-on activities. That can be easily remedied by choosing an experiment rich science curriculum or engaging art activities. Or if you have the opposite problem and your curriculum is rich in activities but not much else, then look for a grammar or vocabulary curriculum that requires reading and writing.

• Balance - As with most things, balance is the key. You don't want too much reading, writing or activity. Try to choose items that balance as well as compliment each other. Even if your child's strength is math, you don't want to choose items so heavily laden with math applications that your child is burnt out half way through the year.

• Schedule - For me this is the part that causes the most apprehension. But if I take the time to break it down into bite sized chunks, it's not that daunting. Basically, go piece by piece and break down the pages, books and/or assignments based on the length of your school year. Most people go on a 34-36 week schedule or a minimum of 180 days.

I hope this basic information will help you feel more confident in planning your own curriculum and not so "stuck in the box" of one brand or style!