Different Types of Home School Curriculum - By: Art Gib

If you have decided that home school is the right decision for you and your family, and you've made the time commitment to the education of your children, the next step is to choose the right curriculum for your children to learn by. The curriculum you teach as a home schooling parent has a large affect on how successful homeschooling will be for your family in general.

Many components must be taken into consideration; how your children will best learn, what you are comfortable with as a parent and a teacher, and which method you believe will be the most beneficial to your home school experience. Here are some various curriculum choices that most parents teach.

Structured curriculum is probably the most common among homeschooling parents. Structured curriculum is the most like traditional school, using workbooks to teach traditional subjects like math, science, reading, English and social studies. Parents can adjust this structured curriculum to suit their children's needs, but for the most part, days are set up like a traditional school would be, taking time for each subject and breaks.

The difference of course, which is also the big advantage, is that as much or as little time can be spent on each subject as needed, and the student is able to receive far more attentention and one on one instruction.

Unschooling is an unstructured form of homeschooling. Rather than follow the traditional set up of a traditional school, unschooling is mostly centered around the individual interests of the child. After the initial literacy learning of reading, writing and basic math, unschooling parents then use more natural methods to teach. Some unschooling parents will use a trip to the grocery store as a lesson in math, or the planting of a garden as a lesson in science. Textbooks and workbooks generally don't have a place in unschooling, unless for reference only.

Eclectic learning takes both types of curriculum and combines them to suit each individual child's needs. While some subjects will be taught traditionally from textbooks and workbooks, such as math and science, other subjects such as history and social sciences may be unstructured and taught in the manner of unschooling through experience. It is a popular way to tailor the curriculum to your child's needs completely.

Whichever curriculum you choose for your homeschooled child, choose one that will help him or her learn in the best way they can, and they'll be more successful in learning in general. He or she will lead as far as letting you know which is the best one.

About the Author

Heritage Home School Academy offers a home school curriculum and can help you get started with your home school. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Article Directory Source: http://www.articlerich.com/profile/Art-Gib/28726

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