Planning for the upcoming homeschool year? This can be exciting and sometimes overwhelming. It’s important to walk into your purchasing of new or used (new to you) curriculum with a good game plan. Here are a few tips and tricks to make sure you are ready!
Before purchasing or planning anything for the new homeschool year take time to pray. Our homeschool foundation should be built on the Lord. Keeping our homeschool in the center of His will is so important. Ask the Lord for direction, wisdom and above all that what you plan will cause you and your children to grow closer to Him.
No one knows you like your spouse! I can’t tell you how many times my husband has talked me out of an unwise homeschool decision due to time or style of curriculum not working with a child. Having your spouse to bounce these decisions around with puts you on the same team and helps keep you accountable.
What is or isn’t working right now in this school year. Write
it down so you remember in the summer what you were or weren’t liking about each curriculum. Don’t change curriculums just for the sake of change. If something is working great and everyone is loving it then leave it alone. If a curriculum isn’t working well, try to figure out why so that when you look for a new curriculum you have a better idea of what you do or don’t want.
Yes, we have homework too! When researching curriculums
you are interested in buying ask around. Who do you know that uses it, get their opinion. See samples. Most curriculums have a sample
online but touching the curriculum is so helpful so try to see it in person! I believe this is one of the most important reasons you can go to a homeschool convention – they have tons of vendors available so you can see all the curriculum options available and touch and feel it all. My favorite homeschool conference is Teach Them Diligently CLICK HERE to see their website.
Research the curriculum and determine style of curriculum. Is the curriculum written from a classical bent and you don’t like classical – then the curriculum probably isn’t going to be a good fit for you. If you don’t know a lot about styles of curriculum CLICK HERE to read a bit more on this topic.
Who is the author of the curriculum? Curriculums is NEVER neutral, authors will write with a bent – faith, teaching style, and personal beliefs all play into what they write. Make sure your money is supporting someone that aligns with you and your faith. If you are getting all secular curriculum from a charter school this is different – in which case be diligent to be aware of things that conflict with our faith to point out to your children. But, if you are financially supporting- by purchasing with your own money curriculum please
do your homework on who these authors are and what their faith is. Wouldn’t you rather purchase a curriculum written by a Christian homeschool family, supporting another brother and sister in Christ?
I can’t stress this one enough. Be realistic with yourself! If you are struggling to keep up this school year don’t add 3 subjects next year. If science isn’t a strong subject for you to teach don’t pick a labor intensive science program. If you have a baby or a big change coming in your next school year then keep the year simple! The last thing you need is to start your year discouraged because you were too ambitious with yourself.
Know your children too. Don’t pick something you know they will hate. Chose wisely your year literally depends on it!
These are just a few things to get you thinking about this up coming school year. If you are wanting to see a few of Raising Arrows favorite curriculums that we recommend check out the Resource Page or CLICK HERE. Hoping these thoughts will set you up for success in your upcoming school year. The Lord has equipped and prepared you for this upcoming year. Bring it before His throne regularly and rest in Him!
