What Happens When…..You Know A Curriculum Isn’t Working
Homeschooling began over seven years ago for us. It wasn’t something we had planned, but rather the best option at that time for us. Being type-A led me to needing curriculum and planned out programs, even for our then second grader. She was our only child to be homeschooled at that time because her brother was three and in preschool and her sister was a newborn.
We live in New York State which is known for having strict homeschool regulations. I was so nervous about making sure everything was done to the letter and then some! I had purchased an extensive public school science curriculum with black line copies, tests, textbook, etc. After just a couple of chapters I knew it wasn’t working. When the book covered volcanoes in one sentence I was ready to be done!
So now what? What could/should I do with this expensive curriculum I said I would be using but now know I couldn’t continue with? Given that New York State requires you to complete 80% of the material you state in your paperwork I couldn’t just jump ship completely, so I used it as a framework instead.
We used the textbook for the subject matter. For example the volcano sentence we turned into a fun unit. We took books out of the library, used the internet to explore real volcanoes, and even bought a kit and created our own exploding volcano! This made the science come alive while still using and covering the topic in the text.
Many years later we ran into a problem with curriculum again. This time it was Singapore Math 6. It was as though a giant brick wall had been erected before us! Though this time it was easier to drop the curriculum and run. Which is exactly what we did. We had struggled through most of it, but just reached such a breaking point that we stopped math altogether for the rest of the year.
So why was it easier to make the decision to quit on the curriculum the second time? First because instead of listing a specific text in my plans, I chose to list topics. That way I could cover those topics with any manner or text we found to be working along the way! Secondly, I think that once you have learned to let go of something and adjust, each subsequent time the need to do this arises, it gets a little bit easier.
What can you do if your curriculum just isn’t working?
1. Ask yourself some questions: Is the curriculum suited to you and your child? Do you prefer things well laid out and organized, or do you prefer a more go with the flow approach? Did you purchase all the supplies (like the teachers manual, workbooks, etc) that would make the curriculum easier to use?
Also if you know someone who has used it, ask them. How did they implement it, and what worked for them? If it didn’t work for them what did they do, what was their alternative that worked better for them? It’s possible by just asking some questions of yourself and others that you could shed some light on the issues with the curriculum you are using.
2. Just use it as a stemming point or framework to spring off of (like we did with our science). You can use it like an outline of topics to cover. Look at the table of contents, what is covered in each chapter? Use these topics as a springboard to your learning.
3. Drop it! Then choose some other sources (possibly internet/library) to finish the year. If you are not tied to a specific topic or book then maybe you ease up on the difficulty in math, or choose another topic in science that your child is more interested in. Then you can spend time finding a new approach for the following year.
4. Continue to use it but add or subtract things out to make it work better for you. By doing this you can emphasize what is working for your child while working to eliminate what isn’t. For example, doing less math problems, read aloud together instead of the child working independently, give less writing, or let them type writing assignments instead.
5. Take a break from it. Give you and your child a breather. It will allow them some much needed time away from the stress, and afford you some time to rethink your options.
6. Dump it completely! Just dump it and walk away. Cut your losses on time and money spent. Sometimes there just isn’t a better option.
If Money Is An Issue:
7. Consider selling what you are currently using that isn’t working. The money recouped from this can help supplement the cost of something new that you believe will be a better fit.
8. Buy used. Look on sites like Homeschool Buyers Co-Op, Homeschool Classifieds, Vegsource Homeschool Section, and Ebay. Also consider checking your local Craigslist site, as well as local homeschool group curriculum sales.
9. Check your local library. Ours has resource kits, curriculum books, workbooks, etc. that you can borrow to try out.
10. Try using a FREE Curriculum such as Ambleside, Easy Peasy, and Old Fashioned Education. Using whatever subject you need from a free resource like these would be a stopgap option to use without putting out any money. You may find it works and you stick with it, or at least it is an option to try while figuring out what you want to try next.
April 29, 2013 @ 5:16 pm
Glad to see you address this issue. I often get asked by new homeschoolers what to do when they find out that they made the wrong curriculum choice. I always give them the same advice you gave. 🙂 I think I will just bookmark this post and refer it to those new homeschoolers who are still trying to get the hang of things. 🙂 Thanks!
April 29, 2013 @ 6:19 pm
Thank you Shelby. It is one of those tough but common things we stumble upon in our homeschooling journey. Given that I have experienced it multiple times myself (even more than the 2 examples I listed), I thought I would try and offer up some of what I have learned for others to benefit from.
April 30, 2013 @ 11:48 am
Great post, right now I am new at this and basically flying by the seat of my pants and all over the place, but then so is my ADHD grandson, plus free is about all we can afford but as time progresses I have found many resources for curriculum that may fit his needs.
April 30, 2013 @ 11:56 am
Mimi, the options are so numerous that it can be overwhelming! I will often find something new and worry that my kids are missing out by not switching. Ultimately you have to know in your gut what is working or not working and stick or bail accordingly. There are so many free resources that the Internet has given us the opportunity to access which is wonderful. This age of technology comes with many benefits for homeschoolers.
May 1, 2013 @ 7:15 pm
I am going to send your link to my daughter. I know that she sometimes struggles with the Curriculum.
Blessings!
May 3, 2013 @ 1:42 pm
LeAnn, Curriculum issues can be tough, especially if you have a significant amount of time, money and energy invested in one that ends up not feeling like it is working.
February 11, 2014 @ 1:37 pm
I really like this post I think sometimes we jump ship too quickly because we have allowed curriculum to become our master instead of a tool in our toolbox. Still sometimes some curriculum just are not working for your family and they need to be kicked to the curb! Thanks for sharing! Blessings, K
February 11, 2014 @ 1:49 pm
Yes it can be all to easy to become a slave to your curriculum. Learning to make it work for you is often the key. Although, it can sometimes be a tricky balance between knowing when to hold on and stay the course, hold on and modify, or jump ship altogether.
February 11, 2014 @ 2:04 pm
Agreed!
February 11, 2014 @ 2:30 pm
We are in the middle of transitioning from one curriculum to who knows what. (It’s been going on for about 6 months or more, but who’s counting.) I’m so thankful for these tips. I’ve been feeling like a failure jumping from one resource to another, and you’ve given me several new ideas to try. Bless you my friend. 🙂
February 11, 2014 @ 2:44 pm
Lynda, I so know your pain. We struggled greatly with finding something for math that worked with our daughter. I have a hard time – a very hard time – letting go, especially with curriculum. I like to dot my “I’s” and cross my “T’s” so to speak. 😉 I am so glad you find these tips helpful and hopefully encouraging as you are not alone in this struggle. 🙂
February 12, 2014 @ 9:41 pm
Great post Heidi! I’m in the same boat right now. Thinking of really changing things up next year!
February 13, 2014 @ 8:52 am
Liz, it has really made a huge difference in our homeschool that I have a better grasp on knowing when things need to be changed or dropped altogether. Sticking with something that isn’t right can really bring you all to a bitter place. We are changing a few things for the coming year as well.
February 17, 2014 @ 2:00 am
Nice to see this post as I often find that some of my purchased curriculum didn’t work for us too. Thanks for sharing.
February 17, 2014 @ 8:17 am
Adelien, It is tough to have paid the money thinking that this new curriculum was going to be the one, but then realizing it isn’t. I have been there a few times and find it hard to let go, but I have always been grateful that I did because it led me to something that was a better fit.
When Curriculum Isn't Working - The Homeschool Village
April 2, 2014 @ 7:10 am
[…] Have you ever bought a curriculum and before the end of your school year you realize that it just isn’t working? Heidi has some great advice on what to do when your curriculum isn’t working anymore. […]
The Ultimate Guide for New Homeschoolers
April 7, 2014 @ 6:54 am
[…] What Happens When…..You Know A Curriculum Isn’t Working […]
January 12, 2015 @ 9:57 am
It is really really hard to just ditch a curriculum – and sometimes you just need to. I think the first time is hardest – it was for us.
January 12, 2015 @ 11:39 am
Meg, It can certainly be hard to let go. But once you have done it once it does get easier. I think because you know that ditching it will bring around something new, and possibly better. We just ditch our Language Arts program for our 12 year old son because it wasn’t working. On to something new!
January 12, 2015 @ 6:48 pm
I’ve only been homeschooling for a year and a half, but we ran into this issue early on. It was so hard for me to just. let. go. I finally cut my losses, and we moved on–so much better than before. Yes, it is definitely worth it to reevaluate curriculum when it just isn’t working. Thanks for sharing some other great tips to consider.
Homeschooling a Large Family Part II - Aspired Living
January 13, 2015 @ 9:29 am
[…] Okay, start breathing….. but just so you know I am very serious about this. You are not a short order cook or a short order teacher. Just sayin’ Each time you use a different curriculum you create a lot of work for yourself and for your student. So I say unless a curriculum is a complete BUST do not switch. Don’t switch when you hit a rough patch work through it instead of trying a new curriculum. Learn to stick with the one you’ve used for 5 years and know like the back of your hand. Now does this mean NEVER EVER, EVER SWITCH…no, I have a child with autism and she uses different curriculum then the other kids. Your goal is to stick with the same curriculum for as many children as possible (even when you get bored with it, yes I said even when YOU get bored with it) to the point that you know it so well when your kid asks you a question you know it because its the 3rd, 5th or 10th kid who has asked that same question. Here is a post from Heidi at Starts at Eight that discusses “ What to do when a curriculum just isn’t working“. […]
January 13, 2015 @ 9:38 am
Veronica, it is always amazing how hard I want to hold on, even knowing that it will most likely be a good move! It is so important to know when to cut your losses.
March 22, 2017 @ 2:28 pm
I’ve never purchased an entire curriculum, but I’ve definitely purchased things that didn’t work. Just ditched it and moved on!
March 30, 2017 @ 12:24 am
Great advice and great article! I’ve held on to curriculum I’ve books too long that both my kids and I just didn’t enjoy and weren’t working! I’ve definitely had to get rid of a things before. It is hard when you’ve invested time in something and were excited about it though!
March 30, 2017 @ 12:38 pm
Yes hard to give up both the time and money investment! But sometimes the giving up is much less than you were already sacrificing by keeping what you were using!