Choosing Curriculum
This is one of the most commonly asked questions by those new to
or considering homeschooling, and it is a very real concern. Those of us
who have homeschooled for many years forget the early questions and fears
that we once had.
Some families who have been homeschooling for awhile get into a
quandary over resources for older children. They begin to wonder if the
children should go back to school for socialization. Or they wonder how
they can get a diploma They worry about staying relaxed with homeschool
and still meeting the state requirements. The little nagging doubts and
the screaming questions never end, because Satan wants to keep us
confused and wondering if we are really doing what is best.
We have special promises in Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 3:5-6, and this one
from Ellen White. "All who are seeking to work in harmony with God’s plan
of education will have His sustaining grace, His continual presence, His
keeping power. To everyone He says: ‘Be strong and of a good courage; be
not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee.
I will not fail thee nor forsake thee.’ Joshua 1:9,5" The Ministry of
Healing, page 405.
I can’t give a pat answer to your questions without knowing you, your
children, or your family’s lifestyle. Even then, I couldn’t answer
because this is something private between you and God. There are several
things for you to consider, your personality and teaching style, your
home situation, your children’s learning style, and our goals and
philosophy of education.
If you are organized and your children motivated, learning
projects are an ideal curriculum choice. Those who need more direction
and motivation would benefit by using a more structured
program at the beginning.
How your children learn is another factor to consider. If they
are kinesthetic or hands on learners those children need to physically
experience learning through touching and feeling and manipulating
objects. Use chalkboards, writing in sand, Cuisenaire Rods, Legos, clay
and wooden shapes. This child needs the real object to manipulate.
An auditory learner needs to hear information. Reading and explaining things to them really helps. Often these children will talk out loud to themselves. A tape recorder and cassette tapes of multiplication tables, history, Bible, etc. are of particular value in teaching the auditory child.
A visual learner needs to see an image or print in order to grasp a concept. They love books, flash cards and charts. They can be distracted by clutter. They express themselves in writing or pictures and prefer books to tapes. Encourage them to describe or draw what they "see" in their minds. Make eye contact with your visual children when you speak to them.
Your goals and philosophy of education should be considered. What direction
are you are going? How
long you plan to homeschool? What is your reason for homeschooling? The answers will help you in choosing homeschool
resources. If you are just planning to homeschool for a year or two, you
might want to closely follow a textbook type of curriculum that would
follow the same subjects your child would be learning in school. If
homeschooling is a lifestyle and long term commitment for your family, a
relaxed learning project curriculum with a balance of work around the
home, studying, and service for others works best in the long run.
No one can tell you to go out and get such and such curriculum
and use it. Every family is different and with varying circumstances. I
might really like a resource and you won’t and vice versa. I try to
review things with an unbiased view, but I’m not always successful
because I really have a burden to tell you that some products and
companies are just not right for homeschoolers, especially SDA
homeschoolers.
A combination of learning projects, a math textbook, reading individually and together as a family, computers if you have one, hobbies,
time in nature, and family worship, comprise the best curriculum for every family I know
who homeschools.
I advise you to get The Adventist Home Educator Handbook.
Read
this along with Education by Ellen G. White. These two resources are the
only books written by SDA’s specifically for SDA homeschoolers and will
help show you which curriculum and resources are right for your family. Learning
Projects are the easiest way to teach so children will retain what they learn
and also to teach several children simultaneously. Order
At Home with Learning Projects
to learn about this exciting learning method.
Some additional reading on this subject can be found in Testimonies, Vol. 3, page 131-160 and
Counsels to Teachers, Parents and Students, pages 25-31. We have the counsel regarding education we just
need to put it to practice. The Holy Spirit will guide us in choosing the
right resources for your family, we but need to ask and we will have a
custom designed "True Education" for our children! ~Judy
©1999 ~
Judy Shewmake