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The Curriculum Review Challenge: Do a mid-year evaluation of your homeschool curriculum and be organized for second semester.

#1 Review all curricula for satisfaction

For those who keep a traditional school schedule, half the school year is nearly over. It’s time to see how far we’ve come and to determine if any changes to our curriculum would move us forward. Simple Homeschool and The Mommy Mess both have great questions for us to answer as we do this mid-year review. Upside Down Homeschooling shares a free mid-year review printable just for this purpose.

#2 Discuss changes for what doesn’t work

If you’ve determined that a particular curriculum doesn’t work for you or your child, you don’t necessarily have to quit using it and buy something else. Would you like it better if:

  • You did half of the exercises / activities?
  • Your child began using the curriculum independently, with others, or with you?
  • You used it as a supplement, pulling out the most valuable material?

I’ve used all three of these approaches to a curriculum that at first didn’t seem like it was working and have had great success. I encourage you not to wait until after Christmas to make the change. It may make a world of difference in how you see the curriculum.

#3 Research options

Sometimes, no matter what you do, a curriculum or teaching approach just isn’t the right fit. Then it’s time to do some more research. If you did the curriculum challenge, you may want to return to the information you gathered then.

#4 Purchase / List items

Fortunately, many curriculum providers have materials on sale and many homeschoolers like you choose now to sell their used curriculum. You may pick up a bargain.

How have your curriculum choices been working for your family so far?

Follow Dr. Melanie Wilson @psychowith6’s board Organized Homeschool on Pinterest.

Here is the December 2014 printable Organized Homeschool calendar and a list of previous challenges:

December 2014 Organized homeschool calendar

Organized Homeschool Challenge

Week 1: Daily Devotions Challenge

Week 2: Daily Routine Challenge

Week 3: To-Do List Challenge

Week 4: Memory Keeping Challenge

Week 5: The Decluttering Challenge

Week 6: The Organized Computer Challenge

 Week 7: The Marriage of Your Dreams Challenge

Week 8: The Confident Parent Challenge

Week 9: The Extended Family Challenge

Week 10: The Bring on the Spring Challenge

Week 11: The Spring Cleaning Challenge

Week 12: The Organized Easter Challenge

Week 13: The Serve the Church Challenge

Week 14: The Chore Challenge

Week 15: The Organize Your Finances Challenge

Week 16: The Curriculum Challenge

Week 17: The Friendship Challenge

Week 18: The Family Celebrations Challenge

Week 19: The Organized Clothing Challenge

Week 20: The Organized Vacation Challenge

Week 21: The Organized Summer Challenge

Week 22: The Outdoor Activity Challenge

Week 23: The Used Curriculum Challenge

Week 24: The Homeschool Space Challenge

Week 25: The Goal Setting Challenge

Week 26: The Homeschool Planning Challenge

Week 27: The Bible Time Challenge

Week 28: The Special Study Prep Challenge

Week 29: The Extra-Curricular Challenge

Week 30: The Core Curriculum Prep Challenge

Week 31: The Elective Curriculum Challenge

Week 32: The Back to School Challenge

Week 33: The Fall Bucket List Challenge

Week 34: The Organized Bedroom Challenge

Week 35: The Clean Out the Pantry Challenge

Week 36: The Meal Planning Challenge

Week 37: The Grocery Shopping Challenge

Week 38: The Organized Kitchen Challenge

Week 39: The Freezer Cooking Challenge

Week 40: The Hospitality Challenge

Week 41: The Blog or Business Challenge

Week 42: The Hobby Challenge

Week 43: The Charity Challenge

Week 44: The Thanksgiving Challenge

Week 45: The Christmas Plan Challenge

Week 46: The Christmas Decorating Challenge

Week 47: The Christmas Shopping Challenge

Week 48: The Home Ec Challenge

Week 49: The Hot Spot Challenge