To Teach or Not to Teach
When selecting curriculum for your Homeschool, an important consideration is the amount of teaching that is required for successful completion of the course. Some curriculums are designed to do the teaching and others are designed to be taught by a teacher.
Choosing the right “tool for the job” is an important aspect of successful Homeschooling. Do you want to teach your child the subject or would you rather supervise their learning?
If you have the time, ability, and desire to teach the material, then you will want to choose a curriculum that favors a more traditional “classroom style” curriculum. If you are uncomfortable teaching the material or lack the time to commit to teaching it, then you will want to choose an independent study curriculum.
Independent Study
These curriculums are designed to teach the student with little or no involvement from the parent. Textbooks or smaller consumable worktexts written in this format include text for students to read, follow up questions and quizzes. Tests are usually given at the end of each topic to ensure material comprehension before moving onto the next topic. No direct teaching of the material is required. Parents often operate more as a supervisor than as a teacher.
Some examples of independent study curriculums we offer at PWL are:
ACE/School of Tomorrow
AOP LIFEPAC
Saxon Math with DIVE
Switched On Schoolhouse
Traditional (Classroom) Study
These curriculums most likely were written to be used in a classroom setting and have been adapted to be used in a Homeschool setting. They require parent/teacher involvement and preparation. The teacher’s guide is usually the most valuable component of the curriculum.
These curriculums are a great choice for parents who want to be directly involved in teaching their children. Many of these curriculums offer greater ability to adapt to multiple learning styles.
Some examples of traditional (classroom style) study curriculums we offer at PWL are:
Bob Jones Homeschool
Christian Liberty Press
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