Ok. This is probably a big question and concern for most homeschoolers and future homeschoolers alike. I think the best thing to do is to start with where you live and what the requirements are for homeschooling in your state or location. For example my state only requires that we agree we will teach certain subjects but does not tell us what specifically we need to teach within those subjects. Your state or area might have more or less specific requirements. It is very important to know your homeschool regulations.

After you know these then I suggest you sit down and write your goals and expectations for homeschooling your kids. It is important to have a vision or focus for your kids’ education. The Bible states in Proverbs 29:18 it states that “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained.” This is so true of homeschooling. Without a vision or plan you will find it difficult to stay on task and accomplish the goals you need in homeschooling your children. You may find that doubt and confusion sets in and you begin questioning whether or not you should homeschool. You may wonder if your kids are learning. On and on these and other thoughts may enter your mind. For me that is a good reason to begin with a plan and set goals.

Many folks buy full curriculum that already have a complete plan built in and ready to use. Other folks like myself homeschool eclectically so that we pull things form various sources and even develop our own subject material. Regardless how you do it once you have a plan and goals in mind, I feel that is the most important thing you can do in deciding what to teach.

There are many books out there that have scope and sequences for the different grade levels. You don’t need to stick strictly to these but can use them as guidelines. In fact my advise is to do just that since kids learn at different speeds, learning styles, and there interests and your goals are more than likely different than what is established for “schooled” children. That is why you are homeschooling right? At least for me it is. You can also find a lot of things on the internet if you just search for it. Remember that no matter how well you plan that you will always have gaps in what you teach your child. This is true of schooled kids too so it is not something to worry about. If you have a plan of what you want your child to know and be able to do once you are done teaching them then those are the areas and things to focus on when you teach your child. After all how many of those dates and facts can you remember from your years in school? Once your child has established some type of diurection for their life then as a homeschooler you can teach toward those goals. For example right now my youngest wants to be a veterinarian and my oldest a fashion designer. We still learn the basics and what the state requires but we may lean more heavily on those areas which would achieve their goals.

One series of books that I am especially fond of are the “What your child needs to know…” books by E.D Hirsch Each of these books focus on a different grade level and provide references and ideas at each level. Other books I use frequently are Home Learning Year by Year by Rupp and How to Write a Low Cost/ No Cost Curriculum For Your Home-school Child by Hendrickson. Last of all is a book that I as a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew am currently reviewing called The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell. All of these books are very good at helping you to decide what you want to and ought to teach your speciifc child. Homeschooling for me should not follow what the current school system is telling you or that other parent thinks you should do but what your specific child needs to be taught within the framework of your family, your beliefs and most importantly your vision. I keep a binder with my goals and my vision statement so that I can come back to it whenever I start to ask myself that question- How do I know what to teach?