Now that we have separate catalogs for Curriculum and Enrichment at Rainbow Resource Center, it's easier than ever to see the differences between the two functions. If you're making a sandwich, curriculum is like the turkey and sourdough bread - it's the main substance. Enrichment is like what you add to the sandwich to make it even better, such as the lettuce, tomato, aioli, and avocado. You might love most of what your curriculum offers, but you may also notice some gaps. Enriching your homeschool curriculum through supplemental resources helps perfect it by closing those gaps!
Curriculum is for the long-term and the big picture. It includes teacher support, guided instruction, student activities, and some sort of assessment tool, be it formal or informal. Choosing a curriculum is a big decision. Our FAMILY Way video and guide can help you think through the process. While you don’t have to plan out your student’s next ten years, it can be helpful to use a program for three or more years consecutively. As you prepare to make these decisions, many of you pour over the website, read reviews, look for videos from parents who have used the materials, ask friends—and still, curriculum is never absolutely perfect for your unique situation.
You could agonize looking for that unicorn, or you could adjust your thinking a little bit and use supplemental materials to fine-tune and customize a program to fit your children and family. For example, let’s say you find a math curriculum that is almost just right. Maybe you like 80% of what it has to offer. You love the teaching guide. It makes sense to you, feels achievable, and will save you time planning, and lessons take about 20 minutes. The student workbook is also good, and you think your child will like it. It is colorful and not too cluttered—but there’s still something about it that doesn’t feel quite right. "Is there enough practice for each skill before moving on?" Sigh. "I don’t know. I do like the review and the checks for understanding. I just don’t think there is enough written math practice for my child. Maybe I should keep looking."
This is where a supplemental math practice book can save the day. You can choose one by grade level or by skill. You are not changing the curriculum, just adding to it. Supplements can often be done independently of your instructional time. They are self-contained with brief instruction, practice/application, and an answer key in the back (which you can remove if you like). A workbook costs less than a curriculum, saving you time looking for curriculum and money! We even have a printable guide to help you determine where you may need a supplement.
I think of it this way. When you choose a curriculum, you are accepting it at 80% face value. The other 20% is you tailoring that curriculum to your unique learner. My supplemental materials will not look like yours. You might take a straightforward math approach and add logic to stretch their application and critical thinking skills. Maybe you have a very concrete thinker who needs to see and handle a geometric shape to work things out on paper. Keep an artistic child interested in math with origami! An auditory processor may find songs a helpful way to learn math facts! You get the idea.
When you supplement, you help the curriculum fit your child’s needs. You also remove the pressure of trying to find exactly the perfect option! We are also here to help you work through your homeschool journey with the best materials for your unique family. You can reach out to us M-F 8:30am-5pm Central Time via phone, Live Chat, or email.
