A Road Map
Now that you have investigated a variety of homeschooling methods, it is time to set goals for each child. These milestones and the order in which they are approached will become your personalized scope and sequence. After investigating the various methods you may already have a general scope and sequence in mind. For example, the classical trivium has an implied scope and sequence based on each level of learning. Since some states require testing, a pre-determined scope and sequence similar to the public schools may be implied. On the other hand, if your mix leans more toward delight-directed studies or unit studies you may be wondering how you are going to make sure you are not leaving "gaps" in your child's education. As you establish a scope and sequence keep the following helps in mind.
Tool. An individually tailored scope and sequence that takes into account your child's abilities and interests is a valuable tool - but it is only a tool. It should never become a task-master or leave you with a feeling of being "behind." After establishing reasonable goals for each child, use the scope and sequence as a checklist of skills mastered.
Uniqueness. One of the benefits of homeschooling is the development of the family identity. Each family is unique and has a God-given purpose before them. Therefore, each family's bents, interests and vision will be unique. Be sure to include the interests of your family in your scope and sequence.
Mastery. Skill areas tend to have their own implied scope and sequence as these skills build one upon another. For example, you need to know the parts of speech prior to diagramming sentences. A scope and sequence at its most useful provides stepping stones from one skill to the next in any given subject. Pick out these trails of mastery from any scope and sequence list and lay them out in a logical order. What remains can be covered at any time. Content areas such as history can be taught in any order. Some may prefer the "expanding community" (starting with family, neighborhood, state, country, world) scope and sequence found in most textbooks. Others may prefer to cover history chronologically from Adam and Eve to the present.
Delayed. The normal sequence is one of visiting a subject, scratching the surface and waiting until the next year to scratch a bit more. In the homeschool environment, you have the advantage of knowing when your child may be ready for a particular level of study. In this case, children can learn at their pace - waiting until they are ready to start and delving in until the topic is exhausted - much like we do with algebra, geometry and calculus. Grammar could be taught in one or two years - covering the parts of speech and their use once your child is ready for those studies.
Stages. In a homeschool setting grade-levels have very little meaning. Many skills can be combined and developed during states of learning similar to the trivium in classical education. Begin by preparing the groundwork - concentrating on the basics of reading, writing, and arithmetic. Once our children have a strong foundation, begin a stage of logic, thinking and reasoning as it applies to each subject. Finally, include a stage of in-depth studies concentrating on communication skills.
Child-directed. In a child-directed scope and sequence, our children are learning when a topic is at its most relevant and their interest level is at its highest. This may mean covering things in a very atypical order. Using a prepared scope and sequence list as a checklist can help booster our confidence that they ARE learning!
High school. Obviously high school brings its own considerations. College bound students may need to be aware of how many credits they are taking in a variety of subjects and the requirements of potential colleges. Other students will be apprenticed. And still others may concentrate on life skills. A course of study for your high school students may also depend on your state requirements. Fortunately, there are those that have gone before! Great resources are available to help us keep on track.
Further Reading
- BJU Press Scope & Sequence
Traditional Christian scope and sequence provided by Bob Jones University Press. - Classical Curriculum Scope and Sequence
Scope and sequence arranging for the stages of the trivium in classical education provided by Classical Christian Homeschooling. - Scheduling Tips for Homeschool
Donna Young explains how to use a prepared scope and sequence to develop your own goals and plan a course of study. - Suggested Course of Study
Trivium Pursuit's course of study based on the stages of learning. - What Your Child Needs to Know When
"Like a formal curriculum, the scope and sequence document should be considered only a tool to help a home-schooling parent, not an end in itself. You should always do what is best for your child; some children need a different curriculum or a different sequence entirely from what a purchased curriculum presents." Kathy Kearney describes the ins and outs of scope and sequences.