5 Questions to Ask Before Changing Curriculum

When we began homeschooling, I received advice from many well-intentioned homeschooling moms. And while most of their advice still sticks, there is one with which I disagree – changing homeschool curriculum.

I was told, “Don’t change curriculum in the middle of the year” and “Give it some time, don’t change too hastily.” While I can see their point and have definitely had moments when we needed to push harder or stick it out, there was one time we just couldn’t and had to change. But, what about changing curriculum when its not necessary, but you just feel the change is better?

When is it okay to change?

When is it a good time to change?

5 Questions to Ask Before Changing Curriculum

1. Why do you want to change curriculum? What is the reason behind your change – personal preference or frustrated students? The reason for the change makes a world of difference in determining when is a good time to change.
2. Is your current curriculum working? First you need to figure out if your current curriculum is working or not. If it is, skip to question 4. If its not, move on to question 3.
3. Why is what you’re using NOT working? Before deciding to toss what you have and move on, you need to figure out why what you’re using isn’t working. If you don’t know why its not working, you won’t know what to change and how to find a curriculum that might work better.
4. Why change now if what you’re using is working? There can be many reasons to change curriculum, one of which, it fits the family better – like us. Another might be because of budget. Just because something else might be working, doesn’t mean there isn’t another option out there.
5. When is a good time to change? Changing curriculum mid-year seems to be a hot topic in the homeschool community. But, sometimes it is necessary – for the sake of the family and the sanity of Mom. No one can answer when the best time to change curriculum is, only you can decide that. However, if what you’re using is working, think long and hard about changing in the middle of the year. If its not working, don’t cause more frustration for your child and/or you by “sticking it out.”

When we changed math curriculum for my middles last month- right smack dab in the middle of the year – it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I have already shared why we changed our second child’s math curriculum, but our daughter was doing well with the math we used, so why change?

First, we changed because it was easier. Easier to use just one math curriculum for the both of them and easier for me to keep track of their school work. Second, we changed because I am on bed rest and I needed something easier for us to use on the couch, keep track of and its self-grading.

Since changing math curriculum, I have seen a huge change in both our children. Our daughter is continuing to love math and grow, which is exciting. She asks to do her math each day and sometimes begs to do more than her scheduled two lessons. I can see this curriculum not only encouraging her love for math, but also pushing her to do more and be better.

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