How do I find the right curriculum?

[vermontgirl]

Hi there, I have always assumed that we would do a Waldorf Homeschooling Curriculum, but now I am realizing that I should really research more before deciding. How do I get a good look at each homeschooling curriculum? Is there a website that discusses curriculum's? How did you figure this out for your family.

Do you have a curriculum that you love and recommend? Why?

I have a little bit of time, but I really want to research.

[Climbing Rose]

There is a site called HomeSchool Reviews (sorry no link- you can google it) that gives really good info on different curriculums.

Ordering print magazines from different curriculums always really helped me.  I used to get so excited when the Sonlight one came in the mail! 

Personally, we do a very relaxed unschooly Charlotte Mason when they are younger and are moving into Rod & Staff as they get older.  I really do love Rod and Staff.

[cc_mama]

Think about how your little ones learn too.  My daughter likes worksheets so I started with Horizons Math and Phonics (K).  She's just getting ready to turn 4 so we are taking things slow.  She's great with the math, has trouble with writing still so we're not using the phonics/reading.  Then the idea of Sonlight started sounding nice - we had been basically unschooling other subjects.  I wasn't sure how read a louds would go - so I grabbed Little House in the Big Woods off the book shelve.  We had a blast doing the read a louds.  To see what level of Sonlight to order I tried reading a book off of 3 different cores - P4, K and 1.  P4 was too easy, K and 1 were good.  I went with K and we're doing good.  (Actually I feel like it's too easy some days, then I remind myself she's only 4).  I also looked for used items to evaluate instead of buying new.  Some of the cirriculums also have $ back guarantees.

From all I've read it seems inevitable that you will change programs at least once or twice along your HS journey.  So don't feel like you have to get it perfect on the first try.

[AdinaL]

Holy cats, I am right there with you.  And sadly what I am thinking I would like to do, would be nearly as much as sending her to the private K I had looked at. LOL

We are looking as the Waldorfy curriculum, but I am having doubts about how well that will fit. I am liking Oak Meadow more and more because it seems to be a balance of Waldorf and academics, but then I really like the multicultural tone of Enki.

It is hard to know what will fit, and how well.  I am thinking about getting Enki and Oak Meadow (provided I can find them resale for less than the $1000 it would take to get them new) and combine them in some way.

It is overwhelming at time to think about all the options.