Choosing a homeschool curriculum can feel like a daunting task and math is a subject many homeschooling parents say they feel least confident teaching. Throw in concerns about common core and state regulations, and the decision becomes even harder. Let’s break it down into manageable pieces and think through it together.
8 Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Homeschool Math Curriculum
What is your educational approach and goals?
One of the most important things to decide first is your overall philosophy and goals for education. Do you want school to be student-led or teacher-directed? Are you following a specific approach such as Montessori, Waldorf, or Charlotte Mason? Are there state standards you need to meet? What are your goals for the school year? Thinking through these questions before researching curriculum will help you narrow the field significantly.
How much is your budget?
Cost can be a prohibitive factor for many families. Can you find the program used, or get a coupon code? How much is included in the cost? Will you need to purchase add-ons or manipulatives separately? Is the curriculum usable across multiple ages or just one year? Can it be reused for more than one child? The sticker price is just one piece of the total cost picture.
How many children are you teaching?
Do you want a grade-specific curriculum for each child, or one that spans multiple ages and can be shared? Can you make or download additional copies of workbooks for additional children, or do you need to purchase new ones each time?
How much time do you have for teacher prep?
Homeschooling families are busy. How much time do you realistically have to prepare before each lesson? An “open and go” curriculum with no teacher preparation can free up significant time for other tasks and make it far more likely you’ll actually use it consistently.
How long would you like each lesson to be?
Math takes time, consistency, and practice to learn. Consider the suggested lesson length of each curriculum alongside your educational approach. If a curriculum is a great deal but takes more time than you have, you’re unlikely to use it. Your time and money are both valuable.
What is your teaching style?
Are you a hands-on teacher, or do you prefer to let your children explore and find answers on their own? Do you prefer concrete or abstract starting points? Do you need the curriculum to build in review, or do you prefer to handle that yourself?
Do you prefer a mastery-based or spiral-based approach?
Mastery-based curriculum requires a child to fully master a concept before moving on. Spiral-based curriculum introduces a variety of “bite-size” concepts with increasing difficulty, revisiting topics regularly to build mastery over time. Neither is inherently better: It depends on your child and your teaching style.
Do you want a primarily visual program, or one that addresses all the senses?
Most curricula are primarily visual. Some include songs. Others include manipulatives. Others incorporate activities that use major muscle groups. Do you want a traditional visual curriculum where you create lessons for other learning styles yourself, or do you prefer a curriculum where those lessons are already built in?
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