Vicksburg Homeschoolers | Train Up A Child In the Way He Should Go...

How Do I Choose a Curriculum?

Homeschooling is not an exact science. Always keep in mind that whatever works for one child may not work for another... even when working with siblings. But isn't that the great part of homeschooling--to be able to choose what is best for our child and to recognize his/her individual learning style. Afterall, I know that my oldest is a hands on learner, our next child is the family sponge... he just absorbs everything, our next child is perfectly content to sit alone and work in workbooks, color, or read. That is a blessing in itself, to be able to spend time with my children to be able to recognize how they learn best.

Ask questions... LOTS of them. If you know someone who homeschools or who has homeschooled, ask them about the curriculums they have used over the years, what did they like and dislike about each one, what were the advantages, did they feel it was quality for the cost, could it be reused with a younger child coming up, etc. Homeschooling parents are always eager to share information about their homeschooling journey. Look online through the different reviews:

www.homeschoolreviews.com

www.lisawhelchel.com (She has a wealth of information from how to get started, to staying at home, to curriculum, discipline, etc.)

Buy, borrow, or check out from the library one of the numerous curriculum review books: Cathy Duffy's Top 100 Picks, Mary Pride's Homeschool Reviews, even Rainbow Resource has a product catalog with detailed reviews (they actually test the programs and a member of their family writes a review) and their website includes more indepth information... there is so many resources available it may seem overwhelming at first. Just start simple and be willing to learn from others as well as flexible enough to change courses if something is not working well for you.

Homeschooling is a journey... and a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Please let us hold your hand and be your support whether you are taking your first step or nearing the finish line. Having a support system in any of life's endeavors will make the journey much sweeter.

Curriculums and Homeschool Vendors

Apologia Educational Ministries www.highschoolscience.com Christian perspective science curriculum.

Camrose classical Academy www.camroseacademy.com Classical Education Meets Charlotte Mason- an academically strong program following the stages of a child's cognitive development yet child sensitive, gentle, creative, and fun. We took our daily lesson plans with helps and suggestions and made them available to you, saving you a huge amount of time. Now you can spend your time teaching and enjoying your children.

Christian Liberty Academy Satellite Schools www.homeschools.org CLASS provides a full service home schooling program for Christian Reconstructionist families.

Covenant Home Curriculum www.covenanthome.com Providers of a full, eclectic, K-12 curriculum for home educators. Modular, individual courses now available!

Elijah Company www.elijahco.com We are a home schooling family in our sixteenth year of teaching our own three boys. The Elijah Company started about 12 years ago when we found it impossible to get good teaching materials.

Home Training Tools www.hometrainingtools.com At Home Training Tools, we share a commitment with families who are seeking effective ways to teach science at home. We offer a full range of science teaching and learning tools for grades K-12 including home school science curriculum, science lab supplies, science kits, science fair project materials, and microscopes.

Saxon Publishers www.saxonhomeschool.com Publishes math, phonics, and physics programs for home schoolers.

Sonlight Curriculum www.sonlight.com While still a supplier of Christian materials, it no longer has a strong emphasis on Evangelical-Only perspective. Has a message board and an Answer Index for commonly asked questions.

Timberdoodle www.timberdoodle.com Meeting the needs of Home Educators for more than 15 years. Christian and secular materials.

Sycamore Tree www.sycamoretree.com Includes over 3500 items, this company can fill any need for foreign language, biology, and project guides along with ideas for young children.

ABEKA Book Inc. www.abeka.com A traditional, teacher-directed approach that includes a complete line of Christian textbooks, and workbooks for grades K-12.

Alpha Omega www.home-schooling.com

Bob Jones University Press www.bjup.com

Education Plus www.edplus.com

Five In a Row www.fiveinarow.com

Home Study International www.hsi.edu

KONOS www.konos.com

School of Tomorrow Satellite Schools www.rsts.net/educate/midsouth

The Homeschool Seller www.bravewc.com/hph

The Weaver Curriculum www.weaverinc.com

Trivium Pursuit www.muscanet.com/-trivium

R.O.C.K. Solid www.rocksolidinc.com

Christian Book Distributors (CBD) www.christianbook.com