Curriculum Counseling

Previously published on July 25, 2016, at homescool.ph

The first question non-homeschoolers ask homeschoolers after they have learned about your decision to home education your children is most likely about socialization issues. The first question that most homeschoolers ask each other will most likely be about curricula/ homeschool providers.

I still remember Deonna Tan-chi’s (one of the pioneers of homeschooling in the country) story about heading to National Book Store soon after they decided to homeschool to purchase all the locally produced textbooks of their children’s levels. Without the information online then and all the material available now, her options were lesser and simpler. She just found a way to make it work with their 5 children.  

After homeschooling four children of four different levels, I can truly say that  the abundance of homeschool materials can be a double-edged sword. You can either swim and drown or you can swim and do a wonderful stroke with  the sea of materials!

I really can’t put a comprehensive list of what’s out there. Wow, I will drown! For now let me share with you some important principles in decision making re curriculum.

1. What works for others, may not work for you thus a certain level of trial and error may be necessary.  That’s why it makes more sense to borrow first if you have friends who have gone ahead. However it you choose to borrow,  treat material with respect always. It ain’t yours, dear!

2. Regarding purchasing material, you can waste money in rushing, hoarding and bandwagon decision-making.  Know what you have and know what you need. Do not purchase add-ons for books with lessons or subject matters that are easily taught online too.  Use what you have first.

3. Once you have decided, stick to your material and abandon only when absolutely necessary.

4. Choose material that:

• can be used and reused for multilevel kids.
• suits what you hold dear in terms of learning and education principles (educational philosophy)
• contain assessments (seat work, quizzes or test if that is valuable for you or is a requirement in your chosen provider)
• developmentally appropriate
• you and your children are excited to use (there must be some level of fondness and excitement!)
• is doable for your current set up in  terms of time, availability, abilities
• enhances creativity and promote real-life connection and application
•  is within your homeschool budget

5. Your decision to go independent or hook up with a homeschool provider may affect your choice of materials.

Some providers may require only a limited type of material or may require that you use the material they publish.

The list below is no way comprehensive but having been in the homeschooling circle for over the decade now, here are some materials that’s been widely used. You may google each one to find out more about them. Just type away and you’ll get a lot of information about all of these materials.

• Sing Spell Read and Write
• Jolly Phonics
• Alpabasa (local)
• Wikahon
• Kidstarter Curious Curriculum (https://kidstarter.ph)
• Language Lessons for the Well Trained Mind
• Easy Grammar
• Rod and Staff
• Bob Jones University
• Five in a Row
• Horizons (part of Alpha Omega)
• Alpha Omega Publications (Lifepacs)
• Living Heritage Academy Paces (School of Tomorrow)
• Abeka
• Apologia Science and Apologia What We Believe Series
• Singapore Math
• Saxon Math
• Charlotte Mason Program
• Mathusee
• Spellusee
• Calvert Homeschool Program
• Seton Homeschooling Material
• Mystery of History
• Story of the World
• EPS Publishing
• Voyages in English
• Catholic Filipino Academy
• Science by Pearson Publishing
• Following God series
• Tapestry of Grace
• Sonlight Curriculum
• Filipino:  Binhi, Liwanag at Landas, Sanghaya
• Social Studies:  One Country, Pluma, Philippine Pride, Kayamanan
• Books by Adarna, Hiyas, Tahanan and Lampara
• and due to pandemic homeschooling: so many online resources including Deped Commons on Facebook

Am sure, I’ve missed a whole lot more. Please do write on the comments below if you would like to suggest other material for our readers.

Let me share with you what we’ve used these past 13 years!

We tried Binhi, Liwanag sa Landas and Sanghaya for teaching Filipino but ended up using lots of story books/ chapter books and a Filipino Conversation teaching guide.

(This post was originally written on my 13th year of homeschooling, around 5 years ago. Many more materials have come in, so many online resources are now available. See this diagram and I hope this helps you decide.  Happy choosing and homeschooling!)