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Writer's pictureSharon Starkey

Homeschooling on the Spectrum (Part 4): Curriculum

Updated: Mar 26, 2021

There are many curriculum ideas you can use when you are doing homeschool. Below is a list of some of the more popular ones that are used in the autism community. This is by no means a complete list. It is important to remember that each child learns differently. That being said, what works best for one child may not work for another. Sometimes it is trial and error when it comes to curriculum. Some of these programs are free while others charge fees for their programs.


Curriculum ideas

  • Khan Academy: Students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning. They have a section called Khan Kids for preschool-1st grade and then have curriculum by grade level through High School. https://www.khanacademy.org/

  • Time4Learning: The Time4Learning curriculum gives students the independence they crave, as they progress at their own pace. The multimedia lessons feel more like games making it perfect for teaching new concepts. Students are safe in a secure, ad free, online learning environment. They are gear for Preschool-High School. https://www.time4learning.com/

  • Oak Meadow: Oak Meadow offers homeschooling curriculum and an accredited online distance school for grades K-12. Their curriculum and programs are strong academically, and provide the flexibility that homeschoolers expect. Their curriculum and programs accommodate visual, auditory, and physical learning styles, providing opportunities for all children to learn easily, and successfully. https://www.homeschool.com/

  • Konos: Konos homeschool curriculum studies one-character trait (unit) such as Attentiveness, Orderliness, Obedience, Honor, Trust, Wisdom, Honesty, Resourcefulness, and Cooperation for 1 to 2 months. Each unit integrates science, social studies, art, music, literature, information books, health, safety, and Bible. Each volume is really a teacher's manual which includes activities for Kindergarten through 8th grade allowing you to teach ALL of your children at the same time. With KONOS, you have the structure of the weekly lesson plans but the flexibility to tailor your curriculum to your life. https://konos.com/

  • Easy Peasy All-in-one Homeschool: Easy Peasy frees families from the burden of pursuing “the perfect” and encourages them to let it be “enough”. Each family and each child is different and they seek to provide resources to enable the family to be who they were created to be. https://allinonehomeschool.com/

  • Discovery K12: Discovery offers a Non-Common Core, traditional, secular curriculum for pre-k to 12th grade using today’s cutting-edge technologies. Use the curriculum in any way you like, part-time or full time. Go by their schedule or yours. You can also supplement to their curriculum and integrate your own teaching and learning style. http://discoveryk12.com/

  • Beestar: Parents can adjust learning to individualize Beestar courses to their student’s needs. With approximately 20 minutes per week, students can master the core knowledge and skills needed. An added benefit is that Beestar gives motivational recognition each week! https://beestar.org/

  • Calvert Academy: When you enroll at Calvert Academy, your student receives an individualized learning plan based on the student’s goals, current academic standing, and style of learning. A personalized academic support team of teachers, advisors, and counselors is then selected to ensure your student has a strong foundation for achievement. Pinpointing your student’s current academic situation, we create a lesson plan structure with the help of placement tests that center on what your student really needs to learn to graduate. https://www.calverthomeschool.com/

  • Ambleside Online: Ambleside Online is a free homeschool curriculum that uses Charlotte Mason's classically-based principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: God, humanity, and the natural world. AO's detailed schedules, time-tested methods, and extensive teacher resources allow parents to focus effectively on the unique needs of each child. https://www.amblesideonline.org/

  • MobyMax: MobyMax covers all major subject areas through the use of interactive, adaptive lessons. The lessons include text, audio, video, and more. Assessments are provided to identify learning gaps and place students at the correct level. No schedule is provided, so it is up to the parent to either assign a certain number of lessons or amount of time per day. This curriculum is widely used in public schools and is aligned to the Common Core State Standards. While the free version of MobyMax includes the entire curriculum, there is a paid version available that includes additional features like progress monitoring, custom assessments, printable worksheets, and student motivational tools. https://www.mobymax.com/

  • Chrome Music Lab: The lab enables students to explore music and its connections to math, science, and art. This highly visual tool is organized in experiments and it is quite engaging and easy to use. Students can explore on their own, as instructions consist only of iconography and intuitive prompts. https://musiclab.chromeexperiments.com/

  • Code.org: Code.org offers a structured computer science curriculum for kids at all levels, from pre-readers to AP-level students. Lessons teach coding, of course, but they also touch on important topics such as online privacy and digital citizenship. Engaging videos and fun games and activities enable students to learn at their own pace and stay challenged. Kids can even learn to build and design their own apps and games! https://code.org/

  • Curriculum Pathways: Provides interactive, standards-based resources in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, and Spanish for use in traditional, virtual, and home school. https://www.curriculumpathways.com/


  • WizCase: Gives a list of the top 20 Best Websites to Help Kids Learn From Home in

2021.

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