3 Signs That Mean You Need to Think About Changing Curriculums

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

30 Mar 2008 03:58 AM

I know yesterday I wrote all about how you shouldn't change curriculum. I know numerous homeschoolers that flip flop only to come back to what they originally decided on. However, there are a few that clearly need a change. I find this most often happens when the parent's teaching style and the child's learning style clash. But in any case, here are a few hints that a change is in order.

1. The sight of said curriculum, makes the child cry. . .

I once recommended Saxon math to a friend. We like it and it works very well for us. So my friend tried it. However, she has a child who just didn't do well with the approach. The child really struggled. So the mom tried harder to make it work, pulling out the teacher's manuals and reading verbatim. It got to the point where she'd pull out the books, and the child started to cry.

2. You don't have the time. . .

I personally find that a lot of the really neat curriculums and activities for younger children also require a lot of teacher prep. There's something to be said for hand made manipulatives. However, if the curriculum requires so much work on your part, that you can't really ever use it, then it's time for a change.

3. Your lessons are over in 10 minutes. . .

To me, the point of using curriculum is to engage a child in learning. I know my children are engaged when they are asking questions about it. My best history and science lessons are ones where my kids start getting excited and taking what we've learned in an entirely different direction. If I feel that I just have to get through the material and that my kids are never actively engaged in processing the information--it's likely that it's just plain boring and a switch is in order.

Sometimes, all that's needed is a tweaking. Skipping some assignments, supplementing with more assignments. However, if you find yourself consistently being bored, hating the subject, or being overwhelmed with teach preparation--a change might be in order.

Valorie Delp shares recipes and kitchen tips in the food blog, solves breastfeeding problems, shares parenting tips, and current research in the baby blog, and insight, resources and ideas as a regular guest blogger in the homeschooling blog. To read more articles by Valorie Delp, click here.

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Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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deedee1231 (4030) 30 Mar 2008 10:36 AM

We have a combination of factors making us unhappy with our curriculum. It takes me an hour or longer to prepare for the 3 daily lessons in my twins Kindergarten curriculum, but only about 10 minutes to teach each lesson. After actively teaching for a short time, I am suppose to give them busy work: worksheets, coloring pages, stuff like that. I would really rather just take them to the library and read to them!

Then with my older children, well my son began his 4th grade curriculum in September and finished it--ALL of it--in January. So now I spend a lot of time trying to find him supplemental activities because he needs more than four and a half months of school per year, lol! My daughter hasn't finished hers yet, but I had to find her alternative Math and English because the lessons provided with the box set just weren't working for her. If it were just one or two things I didn't like I would try to tweak it and make it work, but all of it together is just too much, so we are going to switch in the fall.

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 30 Mar 2008 08:05 PM

It's not uncommon for a child to finish a curriculum in record time... likewise don't be surprised if he does the next year in 18 month. Children learn like they grow... in spurts. I would start with next years curriculum for your son after doing a summer review book for his grade level.