How to Choose Homeschool Curriculum | My Process for Deciding What Curriculum to Buy

When there are so many curriculum options out there, how do you make the final choice so that you don't end up with way too much (or too little) in comparison to what you really need?

WELCOME //
I'm Rachel, a mom of three and the oldest in a family of 8 kids. I'm a second-generation homeschooler who is passionate about education. I'm originally from Michigan, but am living overseas. My two young boys and teaching homeschool lessons to my youngest sisters keep me busy, but I make time for writing and for making Youtube videos, too! On this channel, you can expect videos featuring books and homeschool curriculum, homeschool tips for hard days, our journey raising bilingual kids, and vlogs about the intentional adventure that our homeschool lifestyle allows! Subscribe to join our family here:

Expect two videos a week, uploaded at 3:45 p.m. EST on Sundays and Wednesdays.

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DISCLOSURE //
Seven In All's videos are not intended for children. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you purchase through any Amazon affiliate links in this description, our family earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.

[SoyAnnySandoval]

Just wanted to say I was so overwhelmed with curriculum options as a first generation homeschooler and Christian and while that is partially my fault for seeking too much on YouTube, Google etc 😵‍💫 through your channel I found peace ! You’re clear, concise, genuine and just so helpful! I have been researching for 6 months and happy to say thanks to prayer and binging on your channel 😆we are almost done with our subject selection for my 4 and 2.5 year old! 🙌🏻you’re awesome! Bendiciones.

[genabrady]

I mix and match resources for one subject all the time, especially if they are free. I'm using three American History courses this year, all at once.

[jennakelly]

This was such a helpful video for me. Just really practical tips that I hadn’t necessarily named before. Thanks for sharing especially as we go into this planning season

[tori.homeschoolingmom]

Yes, know thyself as a teacher! 👍 Your curriculum should be something YOU as the mom are eager about, because there are going to be many days when your kids are not eager. 😂 For me, I love read alouds and don’t want anything with a lot of setup/mess because we’ve had a toddler underfoot for the whole 5 years we’ve homeschooled.

[kdwerner]

I love all this! I’m so bad with second guessing myself after making a purchase, but I need to not look back, like you said! 😊

[elizabethlotus]

Rio loved this video btw, he was so happy to see antie Rachel! (He did however think the genre of the video was comedy )

[victoriasbooktalks]

Yes, we use Life of Fred as a bedtime story. My son loves all of Fred's crazy adventures! At first, we did all the math, but now we skip the practice and only do the chapter questions. I like the extra things the author includes in there. One of the earlier books mentioned the number a google, which caused us to create a number line all the way to a google plex. My son loved coming up with massive numbers which we figured out how to say correctly.

[YasminB-ud]

LOL about the educational math games collecting dust because I bought some for my 1st grader and YES they are collecting dust. I like hearing that you are using different programs in the same category because I was thinking about doing this with math, but thought it might be overkill. My child is so resistant to doing just one math lesson per day though so I'm not sure how I would layer on another one. Conceptual math made my daughter cry so I had to switch to a very straightforward, traditional math program and both of us are doing better with that, but I still want her to intuit the connections between numbers. Ok, I've talked enough about math. Over and out.

[RockSimmer-galGod]

A plan is definitely needed!!! We are doing informal geography but I plan what we are doing!!! We play MWC games outside of math lessons but buying math games isn’t us as I need more intrusions!!! I don’t mind prep beforehand!!! I prefer phonics instruction!!!

[amandab.]

Curriculum selection is what is consuming my thoughts as of late! I have so many thoughts, but I am trying to be realistic with what I will be able to handle with a new baby. I have settled on putting some grand plans and favorite curriculum on the shelf for the future, and I've instead chosen some more independent options for the upcoming year so my kids can get work done without needing me as much.

It wouldn't be my plan A, but I would rather have a curriculum that actually gets done, instead of the "ideal" one that I can only get to once a month lol. I know my sleep -deprived-nursing-zombie future self will thank me.