Many quality home-school curricula have existed for many decades, some even over a century. And because they have been around for so long, these companies now provide some of the best homeschooling curricula available. The main pillars of a quality curriculum are reading, writing, and arithmetic. These pillars are interlaced with studies of the sciences, arts, history, and geography to provide a well rounded teaching method. This curriculum combines several of the best teacher-made lesson plans, classroom-tested materials, and educational methods to create one of the best homeschooling foundations ever created. This article will explain what and how a quality home-school curriculum teaches.

Some home-school curriculum provide a lesson plan in two parts that helps the teacher spend more time teaching than planning. It provides assignments and plans for reading, writing, and arithmetic as well as the other subjects. The lessons include a list of materials needed, simple instructions to follow, as well as assignments for the child to do.

Something to look for in a quality home-school curriculum is that it combines some of the best educational methods known with tested in the classroom ideas and materials to provide one of the best ways of teaching. The lesson plans contain discussion questions. Each lesson is created from suggestions from teachers from different schools as well as ideas from the best educational publishings.

Some curriculum provides over one hundred and fifty lessons for each grade level from kindergarten to all the way up through the twelfth grade. They also contain many review lessons, and each set of lessons is provided for a year's worth of learning and studying. There are multiple ways of testing provided as well. Getting membership in a quality home-school curriculum also allows for access to a personal online resource center software and an online library.

Because of the advancements and continuous efforts in the industry leading to a culmination of over one hundred years of homeschooling, homeschooling is now a very viable option. It teaches the three basic educational pillars: reading, writing, and arithmetic, as well as studies into more detailed subjects. Each kit comes with enough lesson plans and lesson reviews for a year's worth of learning and studying. Different homeschooling companies provide lesson kits ranging from the earliest pre-kindergarten, all the way through high school. The lesson plans are created with ideas from educational publishings and suggestions from different schoolteachers across the world. If you want a quality education with, then a quality home-school curriculum is recommended for anyone who wants to home-school his or her child.

Put away the chalkboard, desks and workbooks! Home education does not have to resemble traditional classroom education. When teaching at home, look for a method that fits your goals and your children's learning styles. Here are descriptions of the most popular homeschooling methods:

* Charlotte Mason - The Charlotte Mason method focuses on literature, short lessons and nature appreciation. In this homeschool method, children learn primarily through literature, which is referred to as "living books." Students acquire language arts and writing skills through the use of copywork, narration and dictation.
* Classical Homeschooling - Classical Homeschooling breaks learning into three stages known as the Trivium. These stages are grammar (birth through elementary school), logic (middle school) and rhetoric (high school). Each stage of the Trivium corresponds to a child's natural brain development. Classical homeschoolers focus on academic achievement, exposure to the great books of western civilization, and knowledge of Latin and Greek.
* Computer Based Homeschooling - Children who are visually oriented and prefer working alone may favor online or computer based homeschooling. Computer courses work well for children who are self-motivated and not easily distracted. These programs come with structured lessons and pre-planned schedules that help busy parents save time. Many of online courses also come with systems for grading and record keeping.
* Eclectic Homeschooling - This style of homeschooling involves choosing from a variety of methods depending on the needs of the child. An eclectic homeschooler may use traditional workbooks for some subjects and computer courses for others. Some eclectic homeschool families may even choose to unschool certain subjects.
* Montessori Homeschooling - The Montessori method focuses on learning through multi-sensory, self-directed activities. Parents serve as facilitators, not teachers, in a Montessori homeschool environment. Many Montessori activities mimic those that occur naturally in the home.
* Relaxed Homeschooling - Relaxed homeschoolers focus on tailoring education to fit the needs and goals of a child. In a relaxed homeschool, formal curriculum is used as needed, but many lessons occur naturally in the course of daily life.
* Traditional Textbooks - This method of homeschooling most closely resembles traditional school because of its reliance on textbooks and workbooks. Although some homeschoolers believe this style of homeschooling is dull and tedious, others enjoy the lesson plans, structure and successful outcomes of traditional workbook programs.
* Unit Studies - This homeschooling style combines the study of history, science, math and language arts into the study of a single theme. Homeschool unit studies are great for larger families who need to combine children of multiple ages, and hands-on learners who enjoy working on projects.
* Unschooling - Unschooling, or delight-directed learning, involves letting the child choose what he or she will study. Unschoolers focus preparing a learning environment and leaving their child free to explore it.

Home education will look different in each family, depending on the family's needs and goals. Take time to observe your children and assess their strengths and weaknesses. Don't be afraid to experiment until you find the homeschooling method that is right for you!

There are many home school curriculum's available and sometimes it can be hard to know which one to choose or whether to choose one at all. Here are some features of ready-made curriculum that you should consider before buying:

1. You may tend to spend more time on desk work and not feel the freedom to take advantage of home school support group activities, outdoor projects, or community activities.

2. Packaged curriculum tends to be expensive and leave you with less money for field trips or other supplies you might want to purchase.

3. You may tend to keep using the curriculum even if it is not working because you spent the money to purchase it.

4. Some packaged curriculum requires a great deal of teacher preparation and reading through manuals before you are able to teach the material.

5. There is a higher rate of burnout on homeschooling when people purchase a ready-made curriculum. It may cause you to grow weary of the preparation and your child to grow weary of filling in workbook pages and not engage his curiosity.

6. Packaged curriculum tends to be one-size-fits-all and is based on the average student. If your child is advanced or delayed, you may be disappointed with your purchase.

Packaged curriculums were originally designed for private school classrooms, but they do have their place in some home schools. If the parent and child enjoy structure and advanced learning, then a packaged curriculum could work for them. Many people adapt the curriculum to fit their needs and goals and some follow it exactly and have success. Once you assess your goals for homeschooling and take into consideration your child's learning style, you will be able to make an informed decision on what you need to purchase for homeschooling.