Homeschool Curriculum Choices in Nova Scotia

Homeschool Curriculum Choices in Nova Scotia

Parents interested in homeschooling always ask me where they can get homeschool books, often assuming they are issued by the Department of Education. The good news is, we have endless homeschool curriculum choices in Nova Scotia.

Since the Department of Education does not specify what course of study we have to follow, homeschoolers can decide for ourselves. Under the Regulations of the Education Act, Section 39 (Home Education) refers to “a parent providing a home education” and states:

A registration form required by subsection (1) shall include,

                (a)    in the case of previous public school experience, the last grade level attained;

                (b)    in the case of previous home education experience, the program level of achievement and estimated equivalent public school grade level; and

                (c)    identification of the proposed home education program.

Therefore, homeschooling parents in the province of Nova Scotia are free to determine what our “education program” looks like, and are simply required to provide this information to the Department of Education.

Here are some of the more popular homeschooling approaches and a few of the many curriculum options …

Traditional or School-at-Home

Traditional or School-at-Home involves using a boxed curriculum and/or textbooks.
Curriculum examples: A Beka, Alpha Omega, Calvert

Classical

The Classical method involves using real/living books to teach the children to learn and think for themselves.
Curriculum examples: The Well-Trained Mind, Teaching the Trivium, Tapestry of Grace

Charlotte Mason

The Charlotte Mason approach is similar to Classical, but with more of an emphasis on nature.
Curriculum examples: Simply Charlotte Mason

Unschooling

Unschooling involves child-led learning. The child decides what they want to learn about.
Curriculum example:  Does not follow a curriculum, but reading Learning at Home by Marty Layne and the works of John Holt will give an idea what it’s about.

Montessori

Montessori is a private school system, based on the works of Maria Montessori, with an emphasis on wooden tools and toys, and organization and order.
Curriculum examples: Lisa Nolan Montessori, Montessori Homeschool

Waldorf

Waldorf is also a private school system, based on the works of Rudolf Steiner, with an emphasis on arts and hand-crafts, music, natural materials, and nature.
Curriculum example: Oak Meadow

Eclectic

Many homeschoolers put together their own curriculum from a wide variety of curriculum choices, using a separate curriculum for each subject.

Curriculum examples: Teaching Textbooks (math), A Child’s Geography, Visual Latin

Where to Buy

You can buy homeschool curriculum at any of the links above. There is also one homeschool curriculum store in Atlantic Canada where homeschool materials and curricula are available, Tree of Life, located in New Brunswick. A used homeschool curriculum store is also located in Berwick, Nova Scotia, Homegrown Homeschool Consignment. Many homeschoolers depend on their local library for wonderful books for their children, both fiction and non-fiction as well as online audio/video resources.

Does Nova Scotia Offer Public School Classes Online?

Yes. The DOECCD recently revamped the correspondence courses and they are available as Independent Online Learning (NSIOL) for Grades 10 through 12 here. Although courses are free when you register through your local high school, keep in mind there is no teacher and they provide a mentor only to clarify instructions. Personally, I do not recommend them (too much busy work and no teacher feedback), and there aren’t anywhere near enough classes to complete a full year of study. I suggest using a homeschool curriculum designed for parents teaching your child one-on-one at home.

The Department of Education is currently revamping the correspondence courses and they are not available at this time. When they were offered, a full course load was not available, courses were expensive, tended to be full of the busywork typical of public school programs, and students received zero feedback from teachers during their courses. I have always recommended using a homeschool curriculum, designed for parents teacher their children one-on-one at home.

If you’re looking for more help getting started, click here for your FREE Getting Started Checklist!

If you’re already homeschooling in Nova Scotia, please help new homeschoolers by sharing what curriculum you use in the comments below!

Love, Luck &
Laughter,

Kimberly

Please note: This article was originally posted in April 2010 and has been revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in September, 2023.

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