As a working, homeschooling mother of four children who are in a lot of activities, I can see A LOT of advantages to using a published curriculum. There is not always time to write your own lessons from scratch, and the stress of life often squelches the creativity necessary for such an undertaking (a successful one, any way).
Using a published curriculum also increases the likelihood that students will be exposed to material and activities beyond simply the scope and perspective of the teacher or CE director.
The disadvantages of using a published curriculum are the feeling that we-have-to-do-everything-in-the-lesson instead of using it as a tool, guide or jumpstart for a lesson. No one is served well when, as teachers, we check our brains because we have a published lesson. If a teacher does not become a slave to curriculum but puts it to work for him/her in the classroom, then there is a great opportunity to make some magic.
As an elementary school principal told me recently, "Good teachers are the key to good schools. Good curriculum may be helpful, but good teachers are the key." I think that is true for Christian education as well.
What homeschooling curriculum do you use? I have taught in Christian schools using Abeka and I felt that their lessons were too "planned out." They left no room for the teacher to really connect with the students on the level they were at--the curriculum presumed that all students were capable of doing the same kind of work on the same level, etc.
You're right, good teachers are the key, not curriculum.
As a working, homeschooling mother of four children who are in a lot of activities, I can see A LOT of advantages to using a published curriculum. There is not always time to write your own lessons from scratch, and the stress of life often squelches the creativity necessary for such an undertaking (a successful one, any way).
ReplyDeleteUsing a published curriculum also increases the likelihood that students will be exposed to material and activities beyond simply the scope and perspective of the teacher or CE director.
The disadvantages of using a published curriculum are the feeling that we-have-to-do-everything-in-the-lesson instead of using it as a tool, guide or jumpstart for a lesson. No one is served well when, as teachers, we check our brains because we have a published lesson. If a teacher does not become a slave to curriculum but puts it to work for him/her in the classroom, then there is a great opportunity to make some magic.
As an elementary school principal told me recently, "Good teachers are the key to good schools. Good curriculum may be helpful, but good teachers are the key." I think that is true for Christian education as well.
Excellent points.
ReplyDeleteWhat homeschooling curriculum do you use? I have taught in Christian schools using Abeka and I felt that their lessons were too "planned out." They left no room for the teacher to really connect with the students on the level they were at--the curriculum presumed that all students were capable of doing the same kind of work on the same level, etc.
You're right, good teachers are the key, not curriculum.