It’s O.K. to Shelve That Curriculum!

I speak to homeschool parents as well as teachers in the classroom when I say that it is o.k. the shelve that curriculum. (Of course, between the two groups homeschool parents will naturally have loads more freedom in the curriculum decisions they make).

Teachers, I know many of you deal with lack of curriculum or being forced to put together your own curriculum. I’m including you because I know many of you are on my email list. This post is primarily meant for homeschool parents. There are some nuggets of advice you can take to heart as well, if you wish. ;)

Shelving a curriculum means YOU PUT IT ON A SHELF AND STOP USING (at least for the time being). I have a shelf I use in my shed for this purpose.

Shelving a curriculum does not necessarily mean a curriculum is bad.  Don’t be too attached to something that just isn’t working. 

So how will you know if it’s the right time to shelve a curriculum?

The reasons actually fit into two groups:

– It is a bad fit for the child.

– It is a bad fit for the teacher.

Sometimes it could be both reasons! Read on for more specifics. Have you had any of these scenarios happen? Leave a comment below!

1. The curriculum is at the wrong level.

This reason is probably the biggest reason that curriculum should be shelved. Parents can have a hard time letting go–particularly if the curriculum is popular or expensive. 

Too hard:

Yes, you might have spent a pretty penny on that curriculum and maybe you hate to feel like you’re giving up. However, if you are insisting on using something that is too difficult of a level for the child you are teaching, you need to shelve the curriculum. It WON’T be fruitful to push something the child is not ready for. It will frustrate you. It will frustrate the child. No one likes to feel like a failure. After all, you can ALWAYS come back to the curriculum LATER ON. It’s amazing what 6 months of growth can do! Order an easier level that is a better fit for the child.

Too easy:

Perhaps you feel like your child needs more of a challenge and the curriculum is too easy. Your child might be flying right through it and getting it all correct quickly. If that is the case and your child proves that he/she knows the rest of the material, then shelve it. You can save it for another child later on or just sell or give it to someone else.

2. The curriculum is not effective.

If you’re not seeing a difference in how your child is learning and growing in the subject area, then the curriculum might not be as effective as you had hoped. It could be that the explanations are lacking (watch out for this in math books–especially when there are not enough appropriate example problems). It could be that there is not enough practice work built in, meaning the curriculum moves on to the next skill without offering enough practice on the current skill.  (There are ways to fix this sometimes).

Be sure that you are using it as intended and if that is not working you can look into modifying it. That simply means changing or adding things to the curriculum. You might decide to supplement with another resource such as a workbook, online course, or app. If you still aren’t seeing your child growing academically, then shelve the curriculum. Maybe it’s a good fit for others, but not for you and your family personally. 

3. You have found a curriculum that is a better fit. 

I realize the grass can be so much greener on the other side, but if you decide to try another curriculum that looks better you should shelve the old one. You never know. You MIGHT decide to come back to it if the new curriculum is not everything you had hoped it would be. I usually like to shop for curriculum by watching YouTube reviews on curriculum that show me the inside of books. Conventions are another place to look through and handle the books personally. Many parents will ask for recommendations for curriculum on social media. Remember that just because “everyone else loves it” doesn’t mean you will. 

4. You are saving the curriculum for upper grades.

When I get a chance to inherit a free curriculum, I take it!  In fact, in my shed I have a stash of upper level math books and English books. I revisit the stash each year when I organize so I don’t forget what I have. As a parent, you’ve likely done something similar with your children’s clothing–save it until they’re ready. When the time comes, you can always sell if you decide not to use the curriculum. 

5. The curriculum is inaccurate. 

As you are digging into a curriculum and using it on a regular basis, it is normal to find a couple of errors. However, if the answer keys are constantly full of mistakes, shelve the curriculum (or better yet, get rid of it altogether). Another issue parents might have is the curriculum might have inaccurate material in it. Some common problems might be a specific worldview is pushed that the parent sees as inappropriate OR theories might be taught as facts. Curriculum is there to make the life of a parent/teacher easier and more convenient. If error is taught and answer keys are incorrect, it’s making the job more difficult NOT more convenient.

6. The curriculum is too involved (at least for what you can manage at the time)

I’ve seen some companies produce a WONDERFUL curriculum but I chose not to use it because it was too “involved''.” In other words, it was overwhelming for me: too many things to organize and pull out  and plan to use. It was overwhelming partly because of my personality but also because of my phase of life with several young children.  For other parents with a different situation or with a different personality, they have used that “involved” curriculum quite successfully and happily.  If you aren’t going to implement the curriculum properly and consistently, then shelve it! (You’re also at liberty to sell it).

A final thought…

Any time you make the decision to shelve a book, understand that it does not have to be permanent.  We sometimes shelve a book just because we are on a break.  Shelving means you hang on to it for a bit, and you aren’t necessarily getting rid of it completely. But, even if you do, you can always buy the curriculum again. Can you think of any additional reasons to shelve a curriculum? Leave a comment below. I love to connect with my readers! Don’t forget to share with a friend. 

Remember, you are your child’s most influential teacher. 

Check out The Parent Teacher Bridge YouTube channel for more ideas!

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