Spotlight On: Finding Your Best Fit Literature Curriculum
October 30, 2018One large advantage to homeschooling is that you have the ability to choose common curriculum options that best suit your student’s needs. Whether it’s math, science, history/social studies, or literature, you can choose programs and supplements that accurately fit your student’s learning styles. While this is true in all subject areas, this month we’re turning our focus toward the literature curriculum.
Types of Literature Curriculum
As with most homeschool subjects, you can find independent programs and you can find those that require more time from you as a teacher. In the case of literature programs, you can use a program that allows your students to be more independent or you can use one that heavily requires interaction. Some prefer their students to be more independent while others like students to follow their lead. Whatever your preference, you can create a program that suits your needs.
Creating Your Own Literature Curriculum
If you develop a curriculum specifically for your students, try to keep it broad enough that you can re-use it with future students. Here are some tips for creating your own and things you won’t want to forget:
- Choose the literature you’d like to use. Before you can do anything else, you’ll need to know which piece of literature you’re going to cover. Some have blatant or inconspicuous themes you may want to avoid, so choose wisely.
- Do your research. You’ll not only want to research the potential books that will make your list but you will also want to see if the work’s already been done for you. Why reinvent the wheel if someone else has already turned your favorite novels into literature studies?
- Have clear goals. Try not to pick up a book for your students just because you remember liking it as a teen. You’re going to be teaching from these books, so you want to choose novels that clearly lay out the literary elements and other aspects you intend to cover.
Book Lists:
Do you feel like this all sounds wonderful but you’re unsure about where to even start? Thankfully, that part has already been done for you!
- Wholesome Book Lists for Early Readers
- Wholesome Book Lists for Elementary School
- Wholesome Book Lists for Middle School
Creating a Literature-Rich Homeschool
While some may find it a challenge, creating a homeschool that is rich in literature study is an opportunity to expose children to situations and personalities they might not otherwise come across. Here are some great ways to enrich your homeschool through your literature studies:
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