- exudepeace
- Aug 3
- 4 min read
Choosing The Right Curriculum
Let’s start with a hard truth: There’s no such thing as a perfect, one-size-fits-all curriculum. By design, a curriculum is someone else’s best attempt to organize information and skills they believe a child should learn at a certain age or grade level. It wasn’t written with your specific child—or your unique family—in mind. That means every curriculum, no matter how highly recommended, will likely need to be adjusted and personalized.
Now for the good news: This is where homeschooling shines. You know your child best—their interests, strengths, challenges, and quirks. Curriculum can be a helpful guide, a jumping-off point, or a resource toolbox. It might show you what’s typically covered in 4th-grade history, suggest great books, or offer hands-on project ideas. But real learning goes beyond worksheets and lesson plans. As the parent and teacher, your role is to bring connection and meaning to your child’s education. We’ll explore how to do that in an another post.
The real magic of homeschooling isn’t in the curriculum
—it’s in the way you make it your own.
For now, let’s focus on choosing a curriculum that supports your child’s needs and your teaching style. Below, you’ll find some key questions to help guide your decision-making—organized by category to make the process more manageable. Take some time to think through the answers to the questions and get feedback from your family. The answers can guide you (and your teacher if you're using a charter) to select a curriculum that fits your family. We've got a links to various curricula that are popular with local families on our website. Click on the button below to learn more.
Children's Learning Styles:
Knowing how your child learns best is an important tool in selecting curriculum for your child. Check out this helpful video on learning styles to identify how your child learns best.
What learning style best fits my child? (Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, reading/writing, hands-on, discussion-based?)
What are my child’s strengths and struggles? (e.g., strong reader but struggles with writing, needs support in math, loves science)
Does my child need structure or flexibility? (Do they thrive with a clear daily plan or do better with a looser, interest-led approach?)
Does my child work best independently or with support? (Can they follow a video lesson alone, or do they need one-on-one guidance?)
Are there any special needs or accommodations to consider? (Dyslexia, ADHD, anxiety, sensory needs, etc.)
Teaching Styles & Capabilities:
We all have a way that we prefer to explain and deliver information. It’s important to know your preferences and your strengths so you can find a curriculum that also meets your needs as the teacher. Check out this video on teaching styles to learn more.
1. How confident am I in teaching this subject?(Do I need a curriculum that “teaches for me” or am I comfortable leading instruction?)
2. How much time do I have to prepare and teach?(Do I need something open-and-go, or am I open to spending time prepping?)
3. Do I prefer a structured or flexible teaching style?(Do I like detailed daily plans or want the freedom to mix and match?)
4. How many children am I teaching, and can I combine subjects?(Would a family-style curriculum work, or does each child need something separate?)
Curriculum Content:
1. What homeschool philosophy aligns with our family? (Classical, Charlotte Mason, unschooling, eclectic, unit studies, Montessori, etc.)
2. What does “success” look like for this subject/year? (Improved confidence, completed textbook, curiosity sparked, specific skill mastered?)
3. How closely does the curriculum need to align with state standards?
4. What are our short-term and long-term goals? (Mastery of basics, preparation for college, fostering creativity, love of learning?)
5. What does my child already know?
About Budget & Format
1. What is my budget? (Can I afford full curriculum packages, or should I look for low-cost/free resources?)
2. Do I prefer physical books, online programs, or a mix? (Do we have reliable internet and devices?)
3. Will we need access to grading tools, recordkeeping, or progress tracking?(Especially important if reporting to a charter or umbrella school)
About Your Schedule & Lifestyle
1. What is our daily/weekly rhythm like?(Do we homeschool year-round, 4 days a week, travel often, or follow a traditional schedule?)
2. How long can my child stay focused at a time?(Do we need short lessons or longer projects?)
3. Do we want faith-based or secular materials?(And if faith-based, how deeply integrated should that be?)
Our suggestion is to take some time to answer these questions, then use those answers to help you find a curriculum that will work well for you and your family. A word of encouragement – don’t be discouraged if it takes some trial and error. You might not find the best fit your first time around. In fact, most experienced homeschoolers will tell you that it is an ongoing process of constant, iterative improvements. Be open to the process and be gentle with yourself and your family as you find what works best for you. Remember, a curriculum is just a place to start. Most curriculum options will require your creativity and unique knowledge of your child to personalize it and create the best learning experience. The real magic of homeschooling isn’t in the curriculum—it’s in the way you make it your own.
