How to Write a Homeschool Curriculum Review

1. A Full Title Plus Author's Name and Publisher

It can be very frustrating to hear about a good resource and not be able to find it because you aren't crystal clear about the title or author of the book. Be very detailed in the name of the resource you are reviewing.

2. Links to Retail Sites

Link to the curriculum's main website if one exists. You can also link to the product at a few major retailers where there is a good price on the book. If you don't, a reader will most likely ask you where to buy the item. Go ahead and help them out with a link.

3. Recommended Ages or Grades

Every mom wants to know if this material will work for her children. Be as specific as you can about ages or grades. Tell what the publisher recommends and then add your own assessment. Give examples from your own experience, telling the ages of your children when they used the material and how well if fit their level.

4. General Overview of the Material

Besides stating what the curriculum covers, be sure to explain the layout and structure. Is it set up in daily lessons or weekly assignments? How long is the material supposed to be used -- one week or one semester? Is there a teacher's guide or answer key? Is the book a reproducible or not? Is it hardback, softback, spiral bound, or something else.

To make your review as helpful as possible, give the maximum amount of detail you can muster up.  

5. Photos

Pictures liven up any online post or article. A curriculum review is no different. Take some photos of the material in natural daylight. Go outdoors if necessary to get good lighting.

Consider photographing your child with the material, reading it or working on it in some way. When you give your review a personal touch, the reader is more likely to trust your opinions.

6. Worldview

Don't forget to address the background of the curriculum. Is it Christian, secular, or some other worldview? And explain how integral that worldview is to the material.

Do be careful in your curriculum review not to give away too much specific information that might violate copyright and cause the publisher or writer to be angry. It is not your job to give away free samples from the material. If the publisher makes those available, by all means, link to them. But don't scan images from the book to share. And be careful with photographs. Make sure they are distant enough that no one could use the photo as a substitute for the curriculum.