Choosing the best homeschool curriculum for your child can be a daunting task, especially with all of the options available today. But don’t worry, we’re here to simplify the process for you. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process for choosing curriculum that makes it easy.
So keep reading for practical tips to make sure you find the perfect homeschool curriculum that suits your family’s needs.
What is the best homeschool curriculum?
When deciding to start homeschooling, one of the first things people ask is what is the best homeschool curriculum? The truth is that what is best for one family will be terrible for another. So there is no curriculm or resource that is best for everyone. Popular, maybe.
But don’t get sucked into the lie that you need a certain resource to be successful in your homeschool. Every family’s needs and styles are different. And ultimately, any resource can be adapted to work for you if desired.
Choosing homeschool curriculum
Choosing curriculum for your homeschool year doesn’t have to be super complicated. This 10-step process will take you from not knowing where to begin to having the best homeschool curriculum in your hands. And it will be tailored to your own family’s needs and desires!
Let’s get into it.
1. Print out worksheets
I’ve developed some fabulous worksheets to walk you through the process of choosing homeschool curriculum. So before you start, take a sec, download them, print them out, and then come back.
These pages will help you every step of the way toward the best homeschool curriculum for your family. Now do you need them? You could just use regular notebook paper to work through this process. You do you.
I personally use these worksheets every year and have made them available to you as well. For free! So why not?
Download the Choosing Curriculum Worksheets now by clicking here!
2. Create goals for the year
Before you can start thinking about what you will be doing with your school year curriculum-wise, it can be helpful to work on your goals and vision for the year.
I don’t always do this on paper, as I tend to constantly be evaluating everything in our lives. But occasionally I find it helpful to actually write down evaluations of the current year and goals for the next year.
I try to keep these general and topical. Different from other homeschool bloggers, I also don’t write a mission statement or vision. To each their own. 
So to get started on planning out my new year, I think about where we are currently and where we want to be going. You can do this on your own, get input from your husband, or even talk it all over with your kids!
This will help you see what your next year could look like. You will also get a feel for the needs and interests that should be filled.
If you want an easy framework to guide you through some basic evaluation and goals for your year, then use the worksheets that go along with this post. They’re not super intense or crazy involved. But they will help you know what you want to accomplish this year.
3. Choose subjects to learn
You have decided on a general direction for your year in all the big-picture ways by setting some goals. Now it’s time to take those thoughts and point them in a helpful direction. I do this by choosing which subjects to cover this year. And I use my goals to choose them!
It’s good to start with basic subjects and go from there. You can combine some things, or keep them separate. Up to you. Here are some basic subjects to start with:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- History
School-wise, if I know my daughter really needs help with making her handwriting legible, I will try to make a point to work on that in school.
I can do that in multiple ways. I could get a handwritng book for specific practice, or I could pay extra attention to her handwriting in all her other subjects.
I like to incorporate many subjects into one when I can so we’re not pulled in a ton of directions. But sometimes, your kids will need a more intense focus on a certain area as well.
If I want to make sure my son gets a little more time in the kitchen this year, I have a few options. I could make sure he helps me cook, I could buy a book or curriculum for him to work through, or we could do kitchen chemistry for our science.
My subjects worksheet can help you work through all these thoughts and decide on how you want to approach each of the needs and wants of your children.
It’s also a great opportunity to think about the interests and desires your kids want to pursue.
If they’re really interested in airplanes, you could work through a book on airplanes and build some models, or you could study the world wars being sure to spend extra time on the airplanes.
Just write out the needs and interests you want to cover this year, and list out some subject ideas for your year. When you have decided on the subjects, circle or list those out for reference.
4. Assess your current resources
Another step I like to take before actually choosing curriculum next year is to assess the resources we have been using.
Now if you’re new to homeschooling, you can skip this step. Or you could think through a few things about what your kids have done in their previous schools if you feel like it may help.
So for each child, I make a list of what we use then decide how it’s working and if we want to continue with it next year.
- If there is another level to continue into, do we want to use it?
- Or do I want to find something else?
- Or do I want to look at my options then decide?
- Any other thoughts or considerations?
I find this step really helpful in figuring out what resources we like and don’t like. And usually lowers my list of curriculum I need to find for next year.
For instance, over the years, we have had great success with Math u see. So math has never really been a subject I need to look into again. One less thing to think about. I can make note of that here.
Sometimes I also can forget about all the different things we’ve been using. I might decide it’s too much and next year we need a lighter year so I’ll scrap the topic completely.
Like I tend to only do a separate grammar every other year. It’s mostly repetitive and if they’re doing writings, then grammar will come up in that.
This is a helpful last step in pre-planning for your coming year. All the mental processes to go through before jumping into curriculum choices. There really is so much to consider when choosing homeschool curriculum!
5. List some resource options
Now we’re finally going to start looking at curriculum and other resources options!
You should have gathered all your thoughts already, so all that is left is to find curriculum and other resources to help you put your thoughts to work.
To start this process, gather the list of subjects you have for each child from the previous two worksheets (Resource assessment and subjects needed). Write these subjects in one column.
Then in another column, start making a list of potential options to use for each subject. Sometimes I already know what curriculum to use, while other times it takes a little searching.
Read: How to find the best homeschool curriculum
I take my time on this step, often over weeks of research here and there. Or going to a curriculum fair or convention where I can see options in person. I don’t spend a ton of time, but rather lots of little bits. So of course this could be done quickly. I just like to take time.
I really enjoy researching all the curricula. If you don’t like this, just pick and move on!
If you don’t know where to look, I’ve laid out some great places to get ideas for curriculum in this post. Click this link to check out some of my best ideas.
For a place to start, I have also started listing what we have used in our homeschool. So check out these posts below. Check back for more levels as I get them added.
- Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
- Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
- First Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Second Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Third Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Fourth Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Fifth Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Sixth Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Seventh Grade Homeschool Curriculum
- Eighth Grade Homeschool Curriculum
Also check out these posts:
6. Things to consider
There are a lot of things to consider when deciding on homeschool curriculum. What are some of these considerations?
The obvious cost $$ and worldview (Christian or secular?) are typical starting points.
But what about how your kids learn, the amount of prep it takes, and parent involvement? All of these considerations will be personal for each family. They will all influence your curriculum choices.
Read: Tips for choosing homeschool curriculum
One thing many homeschoolers will harp on when choosing curriculum is your homeschool philosophy. It can be a way to narrow down curriculum options, but I strongly believe you should not get too wrapped up in this, especially if you’re new.
Consider how your kids learn, what works for you as a teacher/guide, and the rest will fall into place.
Read: Your homeschool philosophy doesn’t matter
Things to consider when choosing homeschool curriculum for your family:
- Role
- Worldview
- Cost
- Format (print, digital, etc.)
- Learning Style
- Teaching Style
- Prep Time
- Parent Involvement
- Design
- Does it work for us?
I go in-depth on each of these thoughts and more in this article on tips for choosing homeschool curriculum. Definitely check that out now by clicking the link.
7. Finalize resources
Once I feel fairly certain about our homeschool resources for the year, I like to write it all down, nice and neat!
Occasionally I get a little ahead of myself and have to do this more than once. I can go a bit overboard on research or have trouble sticking with my decisions. I’ve always been that way.
I also like to discuss these with my kids some and see what they think, especially as they get older.
But at some point, I feel satisfied with my decisions and put it down on paper. This page goes into my planner for the year. Boom!
8. Check your inventory
Now that you’ve chosen your curriculum for the upcoming year, it’s time to start pulling it all together. A step that is easily skipped is to check the inventory of resources you already have.
Sometimes I’m given a book by a friend they no longer needed. Or I found a great deal on a book but don’t need it for a while. I also tend to use a lot of the same resources from child to child. And I store these in a couple totes in my basement.
So before you go out and buy new books for everything you need, remember to check what you already have so you’re not duplicating!
9. Resource Shopping
Let’s face it. Homeschool curriculum and resources can be expensive. Especially with multiple kids.
If you’re trying to save a little money on curriculum, it can be helpful to do some price comparisons.
Buying used is often one of the best ways to save money. But not everything is easy to find used. And consumable resources are rarely available.
Read: Where to buy Homeschool Curriculum
So I like to compare prices from various companies before I buy our curriculum. This worksheet is really helpful to keep me organized while I do this.
Simple, but I just list all the resources I’m looking for in one column. Then I list the price from each of my favorite companies. I will reference this sheet when searching online as well as when I’m shopping at conventions and used curriculum sales.
Sometimes I’m surprised by the best price!
10. Where to Buy Homeschool Curriculum
Once I’ve got my list of curriculum nailed down and I’ve done a little price comparisons, it’s time to buy your homeschool curriculum!
Wondering where to buy homeschool curriculum? Don’t just shop Amazon. There are many great family-run stores with even better prices!
And if you’re really needing to save, check out buying used!
Lucky for you, I have created the ultimate list of places to buy homeschool curriculum! There are lists of where to buy used online (with links!) as well as ideas to finding a sale close to you! Click this link to check it out.
This post really has all my best tips and tricks to buying and saving on homeschool curriculum. I hope you’ll check it out!
Free printable worksheets
If you haven’t already, be sure to download my free printable worksheets that go along with this process for choosing homeschool curriculum.
This download will help you work through all the steps we have already discussed in this article.
The worksheets are the same I use each year when working through this process. I hope they will help you list out and narrow down your options and get everything set for your homeschool year. Download them here.
Closing
Choosing homeschool curriculum can be one of the most intimidating parts of planning your homeschool year. Having a solid process to work through can make it easy. From not having any idea what to use to having it in your hands, this 10-step process will will set you on solid footing. Start your year right by choosing the best homeschool curriculum for your family!
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