A Guide to the Best Homeschooling Curriculum for New Homeschoolers

Homeschooling is such an exciting adventure, and you’re just taking your first steps. You’ve decided to homeschool your student so their potential can soar beyond traditional schooling. It’s an exciting time for your family because you’ll experience more quality time (Watch a Netflix documentary on whales? Check!), the ability for your student to go at their own pace (Less frustration going through homework? Check!), and so much more.
Homeschooling is rewarding for sure. But when it comes to finding the best homeschooling curriculum, there are so many options that it’s easy to be confused. Finding the best homeschooling curriculum may sound like a daunting task, but it isn’t if you know how to do your research. We’ve given you a guide on how to confidently choose the best homeschooling curriculum.

How to Find the Best Homeschool Curriculum

Step 1: Start by understanding learning styles. Your student is unique, and their curriculum should be suited to their needs and strengths. It’s best to understand what a learning style is and how it relates to your student. There are three main types of learning styles:

• Visual: This type of learning style needs visuals like graphs, photos, and lists.
• Auditory: Hearing is the key for auditory learners. Recorded lectures are a great way for this learner to succeed!
• Kinesthetic (hands-on): These learners like to use their whole bodies to learn! Incorporating movement into lesson plans helps this learning style student shine.

Our Grade Level Kits are designed with the learning style in mind. Each kit includes a full year’s worth of curriculum that is matched perfectly to how your child learns, including extras like books and games and full-course guides so you always know what’s coming and how to lead your child. Plus, the kits include exclusive access to Elephango, an online database full of thousands of lessons, extensions, and activities to take learning up a notch.

For more information on learning styles and benefits, check out the following links:
What Is a Learning Style?
Does Your Child’s Learning Style Really Matter?
Purchase your Grade Level Kit here

Step 2: Research curriculum. As a new homeschooler, you may be daunted by the sheer amount of homeschool curriculum out there. It’s important to do your research,  whether looking at websites, reading reviews, or talking to other homeschoolers! Narrow down in your mind what you’re looking for and what would be good for your student. A great place to research curriculum is at CurriculumExpress.com, where they have everything sorted by grade level, subject, and publisher. So, when you’re Googling the best homeschooling curriculum, keep the following websites in mind:

• Confessions of a Homeschooler reviews curriculum often. Check out her website and read curriculum reviews on history, math, and more!
• Another great resource is Cathy Duffy Reviews, a premier homeschool curriculum review website where you can browse the thousands of art, science, language arts, and other curricula at your fingertips. She’s been reviewing homeschool curriculum for decades, so you know you’re getting the best information possible!

Step 3: Define your teaching style. It’s just as important to have your teaching style in mind as much as your student’s learning style. Teaching styles range from lecture to demonstration to facilitating (activity-style). If you’re struggling with helping your student master math problems, consider a full-year mathematics live online class, like Bridgeway’s Live Online Classes. The more you know how you want to teach, the better off you and your student will be.

Step 4: Identify your student’s interests. Including what your student is interested in will likely make lessons fun and engaging, and keep them wanting to learn. Use your child’s interests to choose the most engaging curriculum and supplementals. Are they into STEM? Then these kits from The Young Scientists Club are perfect for the budding scientist! Curious about history? Check out this homeschool curriculum from The Mystery of History. When your student pursues their passion, the learning fun follows!

Step 5: Set a budget. You need to have a budget in mind when looking at the best homeschool curriculum so you know what to consider and what to walk away from. Talk to your family about what the needs and the wants are, then set an amount you can spend without stressing. You don’t have to spend a fortune on curriculum. Know how much you want to spend before you tackle research.

When it comes to researching the best homeschooling curriculum, keep all of these points in mind! We know there’s a lot to choose from and it’s hard to keep track of all the publishers. You might find out that some curriculum doesn’t work out, and that’s okay. What’s the end game? Choosing the best homeschooling curriculum for your student. You want your student to succeed and grow on a learning adventure that’s meant just for them!

Still not sure where to start with choosing a curriculum? Taking our What Type of Homeschooler Are You? quiz is a great place to start so you can know what you want out of each day and how you’ll best teach your students. Once you know your type, and your child’s Learning Style, give us a call at 1-800-863-1474 and we can talk you through your options and put together the perfect curriculum for your needs and goals.

Originally published March 29, 2018, updated August 28, 2020