Singing loudly for those in the back, "It's the most wonderful time." Maybe not for everyone, but this time of year is our Christmas for most (perhaps not all) homeschoolers. New curriculum is rolling out, homeschool conference sessions are rolling, and catalogs are arriving in our mailboxes. My nerdy side is bursting at the seams. I love the planning, the pursuit of possibilities, and the endless opportunities.
If you follow a traditional school schedule, then the allure of the next school year and the end of the current year is on the horizon. For more year-round schoolers (like us), we like the deals during this time and the promise of a chance to change things up, where I need to tweak or change things as the school year continues.
As all the shiny newness can overwhelm us and you find it hard to make decisions, keep in mind the following as you make your decisions for your next school year.
1. Remember Your Why
Just because that awesome homeschool family you follow on Facebook or Instagram uses it and loves; it doesn't mean it is right for you. Remember why you are homeschooling. In your way, you should know what you want your homeschool to look like, which can entail the type of curriculum you use. What Facebook or Instagram family uses may not align with your why, so don't be distracted by it. The curriculum should align with what you envision for your homeschool and your long-term goals. Do not lose sight of that just because you have shiny object syndrome.
2. You Know Your Kiddos
Just like remembering your why, you have tailored your homeschool to fit your specific child's needs. You see all the manipulatives and gadgets as you look at the curriculum. They are great, except if your kiddo learns better through listening. The same applies to all the beautiful literature-rich curriculums you see that may not be effective for a struggling reader. There is a perfect fit for everyone, and you know your kiddos, how they learn, and how they will respond to the curriculum you use.
3. Don't Over plan
It is easy to get swept away by all of the subjects we want to teach our children, and then we start filling our carts with all sorts of extracurriculars. When it comes down to it, we may not have enough time or stamina to teach everything in one lifetime, let alone one year. When we over plan, we tend to stress ourselves out, which leads to burnout in the end.
4. Keep Your Budget in Mind
If money is no object, ignore this, but most (not all) homeschool families are one-income households. This makes a lot of us mindful of our needs versus our wants, and it helps us plan for sales and takes advantage of discounts offered during curriculum buying times. Make a plan and stick to it when you buy a curriculum, so you don't purchase a curriculum that doesn't fit your needs and then blow your finances out of whack. You can also be more friendly to your budget, buying used, but that is another topic. I also look at using a curriculum for more than one of my girls. Knowing that I will use it again allows me to justify spending more some years than others because it will even out in the end.
5. You Have Time
All of your curricula do not have to be purchased in a year. Plan out what the next several years might look like, and you won't be so anxious to buy everything right away. But for the next year, and not years ahead, as the curriculum is updated and changed frequently.
There are many factors to consider when buying a curriculum. These five simple things are just the tip of the iceberg in things to consider. Each family has its own unique needs when it comes to purchasing curriculum.
Look for a curriculum planning sheet in the next few weeks to help you prepare and plan for your purchases for the next school year. As always, keep following our journey on our Facebook Page or Instagram. Suppose you are looking for more in-depth conversations; check out our Facebook Parent Group.