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Choosing a curriculum for home education is about more than simply choosing books. Choosing curriculum is about laying out a plan for how you want to learn and a plan for achieving the goals which you have set. With this in mind a good first step would be to sit down and perhaps write out a small mission statement or short list of goals which you would like to accomplish.

It is also important to take into account how your child learns best. Learning Styles differ from child to child. While one child learns best by seeing (known as a visual learner) another will learn best by hearing (an auditory learner) or perhaps best by doing (a kinesthetic learner). If you are new to learning styles a couple of good web pages to visit would be Overview of Learning Styles and the free learning styles inventory (test).

If you prefer a good book here are several, any one of which should give you a good understanding of the subject.

• Homeschooling Methods: Seasoned Advice on Learning Styles (Gena Suarez, Paul Suarez)
  Feb. 2006 - This book is for new homeschoolers as well as veterans. From the editors of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine, this book is like having a homeschool convention in a book. You will find extensive detail of today's most viable educational models, helping parents to formulate and education plan for their family. There are more than twenty contributors including Christine Field, Jessica Hulcy, Dr. Raymond Moore, and Dr. Ruth Beechick.


• 100 Top Picks For Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child's Learning Style (Cathy Duffy)
  The author shares her expertise as a curriculum consultant. As a board member of the Christian Home Educators Association her top picks reflect Christian views, particularly in the area of science.


• A Mind At A Time (Mel Levine)
  Many children struggle in traditional school settings because of their one-size-fits-all educational philosophy. Dr. Levine is a well-known learning expert and pediatrician. He shows parents and those who care for children how to identify individual learning patterns, explaining how they can strengthen a child's abilities and either bypass or help overcome the child's weaknesses, producing positive results instead of repeated frustration and failure.


• So Each May Learn: Integrated Learning Styles and Multiple Intelligences (Harvey F. Silver, Richard W. Strong, Matthew J. Perini)
  Concise and easy to read, this book is a great tool for determining learning styles and dominant intelligences.

See more books on this topic.

With so many options from which to choose, making a decision is understandably difficult. If you are able to attend a homeschool conference in your area where vendors display their products you will be able to look at each product, making your decision easier. If this is not possible try joining one of the many Yahoo groups specific to homeschooling. By reading what other discuss and asking your own questions you can get an idea of what to order.

The best place by far to find free resources for use in your home classroom is the Internet. Our resources page includes hundreds of links to free handouts for students, online games, lesson plans, etc. You are certain to find something you can use.

If you are looking for something particular such as a specific curriculum or book the places listed below are well known for having a consistent supply of used material.

• Homeschooler's Curriculum Swap
• VegSource Talk & Swap
• Homeschool Curriculum Bargains on eBay
• HomeschoolAuctions.com
• HomeschoolBid.com