Curriculum Picks Introduction
What are Curriculum Picks?
The purpose of the Curriculum Picks is to provide a vetted selection of easy-to-use resources that address the Big Ideas and content/curricular standards of BC’s curriculum. It is not a list of the best materials available because (in addition to the other points on this page) what is best for one student may not be best for another.
Curriculum selection is best completed in consultation with the support teacher, and some of these Picks may need additional supplementation to adequately address BC's Curriculum standards. The suggestions listed may not be suitable for every student and should be considered as an option among other options.
Benefits of Curriculum Picks
We get it. Selecting curricular resources can be an overwhelming and daunting task. There are so many options to select from, and how does one know if they are going to cover everything? Curriculum Picks give you a place to start if you are unsure what resources you would like to use. They are vetted resources that have been chosen to meet BC standards and be appropriate for the typical home-educating student.
How to Use Curriculum Picks
Review the picks in collaboration with your support teacher and select a few resources that appeal to you. If there are some resources you don't like or you think won't work for you, that is OK. There are plenty of other options out there in most cases. Use this as your place to start, and feel free to pick and choose.
Criteria: "Why THAT Resource?"
In most cases, a print resource has been suggested; however, finding a home education curriculum that aligns with BC standards from a Christian worldview at the proper grade level is rare. This is the ideal but is the exception rather than the rule. In some cases, where suitable print resources are unavailable, a digital option has been suggested.
Some families may prefer to use more digital resources than what has been suggested here, in which case, we recommend our Science and Social Studies Unit Study Kits (although other subjects may be partially addressed as well).
In general, stand-alone resources have been selected. This means that these Picks can be used regardless of whether or not the resources in the grade or level prior have been completed. Picks, for the most part, are subject-specific; exceptions to this have been noted. These Picks also do not include many of the available digital or borrowed resources. For more information about these, please visit our website.
Many typical and popular home education resources do not find themselves on the list of Picks for the reasons stated on this page. This does not mean that they are not excellent; it just means that they have not met the criteria and purpose for creating a list of Picks.
Priorities for Selecting Resources
- A print resource
- Address the big ideas of BC’s curriculum at the appropriate grade level
- Is user-friendly
- Is designed for home education
- Is written from a Christian worldview
- Includes lessons and/or activities so that the parent/student knows what to do with the resource. In cases where this is not possible and an information resource such as a nonfiction book has been recommended, a book of graphic organizers has been suggested to supplement that resource.
For more information or to request a curriculum consult, please contact your support teacher or email our Curriculum Consultant, cynthia.duncalfe@onlineschool.ca.