Well, that wonderful time is upon many homeschool mamas across the country: curriculum planning! I count it a blessing to be able to sit down each year and tailor my children’s education to fit their needs. In doing my research for each child, in each subject, I must admit that the temptation to try all the new things can be great. We’ve all seen the beautifully crafted Instagram posts that show off the latest curriculum choices, and the YouTube videos that share all the wonderful details of this choice or that.
While those posts can be helpful in buying a new curriculum, I ask: What do you already have on hand? After homeschooling for the past 8 years, heading into my ninth year, I had to ask myself this same question.
The truth is, I’ve taught all the grades, 2 to 3 times at least, with the exception of 11th and 12th grades. What that means is that I’ve acquired a good amount of material over the years. Purchasing curriculum on a pretty strict budget, and being that I have 8 children now, I generally try to select non-consumable curriculum. This way I can pass school books down from one child to another.
So before I began to scour the internet, reading all the reviews of this curriculum and that, I scanned my shelves. . . Well, okay, I sat down in front of my curriculum shelves and began pulling out books, left and right. And I began to think . . .
I thought of each one of my children, what their needs and strengths are, which is my privilege to do in creating a tailor-made education for them at home. I thought, how can I create a specific curriculum for each child if I’m reusing books from before? Then, I answered myself and said, just use it differently!! (Tell me I’m not the only one who talks to themselves!!!)
For example, I am revisiting a science curriculum that my oldest son used 3 years ago. It is great for my 1st thru 4th grades group because it is designed for younger, older, and oldest elementary school children. When my son used it, I had notebooking pages for him to complete after each lesson. I quickly realized that a notebooking approach wouldn’t be ideal for my little group, so instead, we’ll create lapbooks. Creating lapbooks means that I don’t need a new science book, but I’ve tweaked it to fit the children who will be using it!
I was motivated to do this with as much curriculum as I could before I tossed it aside and declared it as one that was not a fit for us. So, instead of scouring the internet for a new curriculum, I am taking a look at ways I can use what I have differently!
Happy homeschooling!
Do you shop your shelves first, before purchasing homeschool materials? What ways have you tweaked what you have on hand, so that different children can utilize it?
