Homeschool Curriculum

Question:
I am new to homeschooling. This year I picked up Alpha Omega for my 1st grader, I am not to happy with it. Currently we are looking into Abeka and BJU. They both look pretty good but I am leaning towards the BJU. Any advice out there would be appreciated. I have seen a few Abeka books as I ordered spelling and art for her but only have seen the BJU in the catalog.

Answer:
First year it sounds like. Are you looking for a "packaged" curriculum? One that covers "everything your 2nd grader should know?" Or are you ready to go cafeteria style where you can look for the best presentation of each subject? There's so much more out there than just AO, A Beka, and BJU. Check out the thread titled: on-line curriculum shopping... The problem that we found is that "packaged" curriculums don't fit the individual child; they may be advanced in one area and in need of additional teaching in another. Just like the one size fits all mass schooling approach, package deals may not give you the best use of your resources.

Advice from my DW: Never, ever, try to fit your child to a curriculum - adjust the curriculum to fit your child, *and* your family needs. Also remember that what works for one family may not work for yours, but the valuable insights provided can help you make a decision. A-O, like BJU and others, gives you things to do for every learning style - if you think you have to "do it all," you have set yourself up for intimidation and frustration. You need to see what parts are applicable to your child's learning style and readiness. You know your child so much better than *any* curriculum writer. But how do you know what to do?

Suggest you kneel down and pray for direction and goals for each one of your children. Then write them down and get a picture of a lighthouse. Combine the two (Lighthouse and your goals), and hang them near your work desk. Symbology here - let the lighthouse remind you of the direction you are heading, but pray each day for wisdom and direction, and pay attention - you may have to change direction! Keyword here is flexibility, its one of the major factors and benefits to home education. And don't expect that all of your children will have the same learning style - none of ours do! If your child is artistic (or not), let them draw, color, pick the lighthouse, and let them know the goals as well.

With all due respect to Mary Pride, she is just one good opinion. Things we found to be quite successful with one of our sons, she panned as being too much trouble; things she lauded, we found to be untenable. Must be why there are so many different curriculums for the same subjects, eh? (Side note: how many remember the computer system that the Pride's thought would be the "big ticket" item for home educators? Were they right?)

If you sincerely believe that this is the curriculum you are to use for your child at this time, then dig in and get the goals written down. If you don't, the day to day picking by the enemy will distract and demoralize you. Its as the old Florida saying goes: "When you are up to your armpits in alligators, its hard to remember your objective was to drain the swamp." (That is a "Florida" saying isn't it, SAO?) Then pray and work with the curriculum (unless *you* were home educated, one of the biggest problems you will have is overcoming your mindset about the way *you* [or your spouse, parents, in-laws, etc.] were taught. It isn't the same, and please don't try to make it that way).