What Makes a Good Curriculum?

Homeschool Better Together with Pam Barnhill

Let’s get brutally honest: no single curriculum is ever going to save your homeschool, fix your child’s attitude, or turn your kitchen into one of those magical, Instagram-perfect learning havens. If you’re looking for the “unicorn curriculum,” keep dreaming (or better yet, listen up—because we’re about to set you free).

In this episode of Homeschool Better Together, I sat down with the queen of curriculum experimentation, Laney Homan—our Community Success Manager, veteran homeschool mom of eight, and half-marathon runner (yes, we’re still impressed!).

Together, we pull back the curtain on what really makes curriculum work in a real-life homeschool, how to shop smarter (hello, shelves full of unused programs), and the hard truth about independence and motivation—for kids and parents alike.

What You'll Learn About Homeschool Curriculum

• What happens when you stop endlessly chasing “the perfect” and start shopping for curriculum that fits your real goals (and real kids)
• How shifting your curriculum approach can lead to better results, fewer tears, and way less guilt-shopping
• Why independence can’t be bought (no matter how “open-and-go” something claims to be)
• The exact way Laney pivots when a program stops working (hint: it’s not about “fancy” or new, it’s about needs)
• How curriculum is really a TOOL, not a magic wand, and how to think like a confident homeschool parent who’s in the driver’s seat
• The value of togetherness and why our “Together” curriculum line is saving the sanity of big families and moms with laundry piles as tall as their teens

Links and Resources From Today’s Show

• All About Reading
• Phonics Museum (Veritas Press)
• Homeschool Consistency Bootcamp
• Wonder Studies and Together Curriculum Line
• Teens on Track
• Teen Task Card MasterClass
• Put Your Homeschool Year on Autopilot
• Homeschool Better Together Community

For full show notes and a transcript of today’s episode, head to pambarnhill.com/hsbt36