Three ways to Modify Curriculum
In choosing to educate your child, you’re more often than not deciding you will choose their curriculum and everyone else can kindly not state their opinion about it because it’s up to you. (I happen to agree).
So why can’t you modify curriculum? Why can’t you use bits and pieces of it?
Here’s a few ways to try modifying your curriculum:
What skill do I want to practice regularly with this particular child?
If there’s a skill I want to easily practice or change up, I look for single pages or small chunks of a unit to use. I don’t want to buy so many units for $12-15 each, nor do I want to sift through pinterest for a million years to find free TPT samples. (Been there, done that). A $25 collection of however many units (often 75+) works fine for me. It will sit on my computer not causing paper mess in my house, and the paper I want printed, will be.
What gap would I like to fill?
When there’s a gap I’m looking to fill, I may spin my wheels for a while trying to come up with my own solutions. I want to save time here. If there’s a significant gap in a subject area I would recommend you purchase the best you can and use it as intended -put in the time to correct that gap (especially when it's literacy or math based). What if it’s a less concerning gap? Like, “Oh, I wanted to cover this more and my core science curriculum didn’t cover it and I want to.” The answer is unit studies, and curriculum generated by another homeschool parent for their child because chances are they see what is missing and wanted to fill that gap with their resources.
What course do I want my child to take that isn’t textbook dry and lifeless?
I have nothing against textbooks when they’re warranted, but the more I look at whole courses on geology or biomes I’m thinking - I’d rather have a unit. I’d rather add to it or follow my child's interest with it. As they age, this will change for certain subjects but by and large I’ve always been very comfortable with keeping certain subjects less formal - geography being one of them!
This is where unit studies come in. It’s also why I got involved in bundle sales. Below is my little unit cover: Eat the Frog Activity Pack. This is part of the World Around me Bundle.
If you’re interested in checking out all the creators and their products, visit For the Love of Homeschooling and see what you think! I’m a huge fan, and I will never share something I’m not a fan of or don’t use myself.
Want additional tools to make a bundle work better? (These are affliate links below)
Since I participate in these and would buy them were I not a participant (I actually bought one resource I wanted badly a month ago and it showed up in this bundle!) having certain tools available really helps.
My epson eco-tank 3760 is a lifesaver of a printer. In full transparency, the thing is a beast (takes up space), it saves great on ink, but the up front cost is steep. It also is fussy - if you’re not printing regularly the jets clog and you have to run several cleaning cycles to unclog the inkjet heads, but you get used to that. I haven’t had to do it lately since I have been printing a lot of resources.
My scotch laminator (not an affiliate link, I won’t link to an expensive one I haven’t tried) is a great little thing to have and I love it dearly. Since my children killed the last one when they were much younger, I bought this inexpensive replacement and it works a treat.
Note: Spend money on the good laminating sleeves. I bought a pack of 200 inexpensively and they are floppy and annoying. I’ll be buying these Scotch sleeves next time.
Other supplies to have on hand, and not in huge quantities (except binders. I believe in many binders.)
Brad fasteners - these are hard to find. I honestly buy clearance holiday crafts and keep the brads out of those most of the time.
Velcro dots
Command strips for wall hanging
Post its of all shapes and sizes
Page protectors
Dry erase markers, and they’ll have to be replaced regularly. No fine tip dry erase has ever withstood children.
BINDERS - There are never enough binders in my life.
If you’d like to learn more about The World Around Me Bundle, I’m happy to chat with you about it, but if you want to see for yourself visit For the Love of Homeschooling to see all the content included.
My instagram is always full of ideas for curriculum modifications and how to school your children together. You can find me right here, @mytexashomeschool and you can always shoot me an email at hello@mytexashomeschool.com.
