If you’re a homeschooling parent, you’ve probably heard the term Common Core tossed around at co-op meetings, homeschool conferences, or late-night Facebook debates that get way too intense. So, what is this mysterious Common Core, and should you hide from it — or hug it?
Here’s the scoop: the Common Core State Standards (CCSS if you want to sound official) is basically a big checklist of what kids “should” know and be able to do in Math and English Language Arts, from kindergarten through 12th grade. It’s like a national recipe for “How to Bake a Competent Adult” — except, well, it’s just the ingredients list. You still have to do the baking.
The main idea behind Common Core was to create consistent learning goals across states. So if you move from Florida to Oregon, your 5th grader isn’t suddenly covering geometry when they just mastered fractions. In theory, everyone stays on the same page.
But here’s the thing for homeschoolers:
- It’s not a law. Homeschoolers aren’t required to follow Common Core (unless your state standards specifically align with it).
- It’s not a curriculum. It doesn’t tell you which workbooks to buy, what books to read, or how to teach. It just outlines the skills kids should learn.
- It can be a tool — if you want it. Some homeschool parents like using Common Core as a benchmark to make sure their kids are “on track.” Others toss it out the window and embrace unit studies, interest-led learning, or unschooling.
And let’s be real: one perk of homeschooling is that you can teach math your way. You don’t have to explain a word problem using ten blocks, seven strategies, and a 300-word essay on “How I Found My Answer.” Unless you want to — in which case, go forth, you brave soul.
So, should you fear Common Core? Nah. Glare at it from across the room if you like — but remember, you’re the one driving this homeschool bus. Use the standards if they help you. Ignore them if they don’t. Your kitchen table, your rules. And if anyone questions you, just smile and remind them: you’ve got coffee, library cards, and probably a binder stuffed with your own epic plans. You’ve got this!
