Made for You
Now we get to a relatively new category of curriculum:
books made specifically for homeschoolers usually by homeschoolers.
The reason that this distinction matters is the approach that the curriculum takes.
Often, the material will still be arranged according to a standard school year. Namely, the lessons correspond to a certain number of days and weeks, etc.
However, it is not assumed that the parent has a teaching background and usually includes a fair amount of preparation for the parent.
The material assumes that you are at home, and will give you a list of needed materials for that course.
This is especially helpful in the made for homeschoolers science textbooks because most homeschoolers will not have a laboratory in their house.
Therefore, the textbook uses alternative forms of experiments, using items purchased from regular stores.
Every publisher will be different of course. So, it is good to get a syllabus or an index before purchasing so you can see if this course will cover the concepts and skills you want it to.
The reality is, on your homeschool journey, you will have to try different approaches at different times for both your teaching style and your child's learning style.
On that same note, it is good to vary forms of learning (textbooks, free thinking, online, etc) because that actually assists both you and your child to grow your own abilities and strengthen areas of weaknesses.
In Summary:
Positives:
- Designed with you in mind by people who have been where you are.
- Still follows a schedule that is easy to tailor to your needs.
- Approaches learning from the realities of doing school at home on a budget and not with vast funds or resources.
Negatives:
- There is a huge variety in what publishers may cover due to what they deem important.
- As with all curriculum, the worldview of the publisher makes a direct impact on how a subject is taught. Science and history especially, vary depending on who is doing the writing.