Ditch the Curriculum

I have been teaching elementary school for the past 20 years however, I do not wish to earn money by packaging a homeschool curriculum to sell parents.  The reason being I don’t believe homeschool parents need one.

            What excites me about homeschooling Chloe is that we will not have to follow a curriculum.  One of the things I dislike most about my job is that I have to follow a curriculum whether I believe in it or not.  It is always inappropriate for at least half of the class but must be followed despite that simple truth.  My daughter and I will not be bound by these rules. She will learn what we deem appropriate, interesting, necessary and fun whenever we want!

I know I am coming into the role of homeschool parent with a lot of background and expertise in teaching so I am probably more confident than most parents in my ability.  I want to remind you that the truth is we learn best from the people we have strong relationships with.  I try to think of this from even my own adult perspective.  I think we can all learn from a stranger over the internet if we need a skill.  If I think of learning that I want to take root and grow connected ideas from it most likely won’t happen from a course or book.  That happens from the people I respect, love and trust. 

We hope that we can form close relationships with our students in elementary school. We know they are more likely to cooperate and succeed if they like us and feel cared for. Sadly, the truth is with 20 or more students in our class and lots of academic pressure to get through piles of material there isn’t much time for forming strong bonds.  I hate to admit it, but sometimes there are students we don’t connect with at all.  We might even have students we clash with. 

If you are choosing to homeschool you are most likely a dedicated parent who cherishes time with your children.  They know they are loved and feel positive feelings when they are around you.  This is the biggest reason why they will learn better from you than anyone else and why you know their needs best.  You will know what they need to learn and how they learn. You probably won’t get it right every time but you are definitely beginning head and shoulders over where a stranger, teacher certified or not, would know where to start.

With that said, as far as what to teach goes I would encourage you to get a journal.  I actually created one that I sell on Amazon.  Use this to reflect on your big reasons for homeschooling.  This will help you break down the content that is important to you to teach.  For example, one of the reasons I want to homeschool is I think during the 16, 000 hours kids go to school they should learn more about leading a healthy, balanced life.  I think teaching about gratitude and self-regulation is important to that end.  For this reason, yoga will be looped into my schedule.  I also don’t like how schools do not focus on entrepreneurial skills and kids aren’t given time to figure out what they are good at outside of reading and math.  I will ensure that Chloe has time for music, art and different ways of creating things each day.

Like they tell parents having a hard time potty training, no one will ever know what age you were when you learned how to use the toilet.  Eventually, you learned and so will your child.  It is the same with reading, adding, multiplying etc.  In schools we put so much emphasis on each kid reaching these grade level benchmarks when they are supposed to but really what does it matter? If my daughter shows excitement and interest in letters and reading at age 5 so be it.  If she would rather chase butterflies and learn about bees the letters and books will still be there at 6 and 7 and 8 and when she’s 30 no one will know how old she was when she started reading.

Not every kid needs the same skills to be a successful adult.  It is true that everyone needs to be literate in both reading and math but the reality is literate is a third-grade reading and numeracy level by today’s standards in schools.  If your child despises reading and or numbers take comfort in that you can take the kindergarten- third grade curriculum and stretch it over his whole school career and let him use the countless other hours on the skills he really relishes.  If he spent 16, 000 hours on the things he really cared about those talents would develop into a pathway for earning power.

We have to trust that our children were all born to do something and that if we give them the room to grow and flourish they will be great.  Our job is to preserve who they are not change them.  I believe that when we sit through 13 years or more of school we forget what we used to love to do as kids.  We spend so many hours at a desk doing what we are told that our former creative endeavors are forgotten.  I look at my daughter and all the ways she loves to play and I know who she is and what she is naturally great at.  I see it in her play each day but I can’t tell you what I’m good at.  I have no idea what my natural inclinations were and I have never felt particularly talented.

I don’t want Chloe to enter college at 18 and randomly choose a major because she has no passion in life and feels it is the thing to do. Unfortunately, I think this is quite a common scenario and it perfectly describes my own experience. I used to think talent was only for the artists but now as a view my child with the eyes of a mother I know we were all born with a unique set of talents and skills. Our job as parents is to help our children preserve it and own it.

In summary, ditch a program that tells you what you are supposed to learn. Don’t worry if you are checking all the boxes that your state says your child needs to learn on their grade level.  Do not choose homeschooling tocreate school at home.  Instead create a north star for your family.  What are the big dreams and overarching goals?  What does your child love?  What do you feel are non-negotiables that you must impart to them in your time together?  Then make a guide for yourself in pencil and be ready to make changes as you go.  Follow their lead!  Trust that if they love something they will excel in it and the other stuff will come with it if it’s necessary.  If it’s not necessary then why strain so hard to make it happen?  We are not bound by four walls and our kids can learn in the most authentic style possible- out in the real world!  Check out my journal, I think it will help with your north star and planning work quite a bit.