KNOWLEDGE LAB

‘Towards creating a more balanced and ‘wholistic’ education’

HOME SCHOOLING USING THE CAMBRIDGE CURRICULUM

Welcome!

Knowledgelab Botswana supports all families, teachers and students who want to switch to
Cambridge or prepare their kids for International GCSEs and AS/ALevels in an alternative, more
relaxed way. We trust this short training will help you in understanding of what the Cambridge
route entails and get insight on what your options are. This webinar or booklet explains how to
go about the Cambridge route as a private candidate. We talk about approaching the content
for primary school as well as high school, your different options of homeschooling with
Cambridge in mind.

This short webinar gives excellent insight and guidance for Cambridge curriculum. It will also
help you decide how to best go forward with your children. It will certainly help you decide and
formulate the best methods for your child while meeting curriculum framework.

For the purposes of this training, I will define homeschool as the process of a child being
educated at home by their parents with the help of a consultant, online education service
providers (Teneo, Cambrilearn, Impaq, Nucleus, Elroi, Valenture Institute etc), qualified
teachers and tutors. Education in this case must take place at the child's residence. Your
child/children must either be in GrR-12 or pre-school.
Homeschooling is a progressive movement around the country and the world in which parents
choose to educate their children at home instead of sending them to a traditional public or
private school.

Students can study from anywhere using self-paced, self-directed and self-sufficient offline or
online learning material. This is making education cheaper and more accessible to students. We
mostly utilize structured workbooks, textbooks and practice books for primary homeschool
learners.

There are several reasons why families choose to homeschool. These are the most likely
reasons

• Instill Family Values

• Religious Beliefs
• Negative peer pressure
• Constant Bullying
• More Family Time
• Health of my child/children
• Discrimination
• Create a personalized curriculum so my child can work on other passions/talents (sport
and the arts)
• Relocating (No adequate school in our new community)

So much pressure to use a service provider. So much pressure to use Cambridge books from an
early age. In all honesty, ALL the students I personally know who completed Cambridge with
flying colours and who are now studying at university with huge success have an eclectic
homeschooling background. The moms did not have super powers. They were just involved.
There are just too many success stories to prove me wrong on this point.

The biggest mindshift we have to make as Africans is understanding how the UK approaches
learning. Download the British Curriculum and the IGCSE syllabus. Homeschool with the end in
mind. Honestly speaking African education is content driven (hence the obsession with getting
the right textbook). British education is aimed at developing skills and attitudes (and, yes, some
memorization of core knowledge in the sciences, for example - but only when preparing for
specific exams). Knowing the learning outcomes outlined in the curriculum documents should
be the starting point of any home schooling program, how you support your child in achieving
these SKILL based outcomes can be through various paths - choose the one that clicks for your
child (the beauty and freedom of the home schooling choice!!

ABOUT CAMBRIDGE Primary

Cambridge Primary is an international education programme, typically for young learners aged
5 to 11 years and is used around the world. The Cambridge Primary Curriculum promotes an
inquiry-based approach to learning to develop thinking skills and encourage intellectual
engagement. The Cambridge Primary Curriculum is not a book-based, assessment-focused
curriculum and should never be taught like that. It is a Learner-focused curriculum. Cambridge
doesn't work according to grades, but stages, as it is learner focused and not content-heavy.

There are 6 stages and I encourage individuals to creating their own planning based on the
strengths and weaknesses of their learner, not the coursebook. Cambridge Primary develops
skills in ten subjects including English, Mathematics and Science, which are your core subjects.

The curriculum sets clear learning objectives and focuses on developing knowledge and skills in
all subjects, providing excellent foundations for the next stage of education. Cambridge Primary
Curriculum starts at the age of 5, but not in a structured way. This is to manifest the higher
order and critical thinking skills from a young age already. It would help if they are able to read,
but that is one part of the curriculum. Work at her pace, so as not to create a stressful
environment.

CAIE is short for Cambridge Assessment International Education. Most people just say
“Cambridge” or occasionally CIE which is Cambridge International Examinations. This is the
school exam arm of Cambridge University based in England. The English system has two main
sets of exams GCSE which is like our Grade 9 and is the first year kids can leave school with a
school leaving certificate (General Certificate of Secondary Education or GCSE) Because
Cambridge is offering towards are international audience they put an I in front to make it IGCSE
which is just International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Edexel is a very similar
set up which is provided by Pearson who are a publishing house and also set a curriculum and
exams in the same way as Cambridge. It is a commercial/private enterprise based in London
and not affiliated with any university. Just for your info in case you bump into it when looking
for past papers AQA is the exam board run by Oxford University and offering very similar to
Cambridge and Edexcel but as yet not available (I don’t think) here in Botswana or even in
South Africa.

Edexcel is owned by Pearsons. CAIE (aka Cambridge) and Edexcel are examination boards. You
can write through both of them to get IGCSE and AS/A level results. USAF told us they accept
CAIE, AQA Edexcel and the Zimbabwean equivalent. You may mix and match the subjects across
exam boards. You can use the USAF document for Cambridge subjects for the other exam
boards.

NOTE: CAIE does not accredit homeschooling providers. Homeschooling service providers all
partner with CAIE registered exam centres.

1) There are no formal assessments in the primary phase. Most of the assessments are
formative based on the objectives.

2) The curriculum is a spiral curriculum, so yes, the topics might be similar, but increase in
challenges and expectations in the next stage.

3) Cambridge Curriculum (A levels) are accepted at South African Universities

* https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/programmes-and-qualifications/recognition-and-
acceptance/country/southafrica/

Cambridge resources

Cambridge does not have to be expensive at all. You can start using this curriculum from the
age of 5 already. It is designed in a way to cater for all learning styles and children with learning
barriers. The main focus is to make learning interactive and fun, but still having the learning
objectives in mind. You can get free resources online, but make sure that these are in line with
your objectives. If you decide to purchase the endorsed resources, then you will need to
contact the publishers.

Homeschooling can be as inexpensive as you like or as expensive as you can afford. It all
depends on the approach you want to follow. The Cambridge books aren't written for
homeschoolers. So parents feel more comfortable using homeschool resources in combination
with Cambridge resources. No matter what you choose if you don't go into it having done all
the research on Cambridge, understand the ins and outs, as well as approach the learning to
the best of your ability then it will make a difference later.

When it comes to resources, I would look at the endorsed coursebooks. However, do not
purchase too many. The ones I recommend is Cambridge Primary English, Math and

Science.

Bear in mind that these books give you an overall of what should be taught and not how to
teach. Search for free resources, but make sure that these match the learning objectives. The
best starting point is BBC Bitesize daily lessons (free Cambridge resource). The lessons can be
structured to accommodate their learning styles.

Here are good sites:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize

https://www.primaryresources.co.uk/

NeP software and Eduanywhere are great as well, has lots of past paper questions & answers
for each section as you work through.

Most Cambridge textbooks are written for classrooms, which makes them unhelpful for
homeschooling. This webinar will really save you money, time and a lot of tears.

1) purchase endorsed coursebooks and teach the child accordingly. The books will tell you what
to teach and not how to teach.
2) go with online service providers, but ask yourself who do you go with and will these be using
the Cambridge Primary Curriculum. When they say British International, ask them what this
means. Ask for the tutors credentials, because you need to know who will be tutoring your
child. What are their qualifications?

3) You can join my online zoom training in which I guide you through the curriculum step-by-
step and how to best use the curriculum keeping your child in mind.

In terms of goals if you are following a specific curriculum, download and study the Cambridge
ICGSE syllabus and some recent past paper exams ~ so you have an end goal in mind.

Go onto https://www.cambridgeinternational.org/ to read more about it. My advice is to please

not buy any books until you know this is the curriculum of choice and you know what stage
your child is.

WHY CAMBRIDGE

I think we can all agree that Cambridge is a great option for us as homeschoolers, not only as a
school-leaving certficate but also as a guide for the earlier years. Beginning with the end in
mind. Unless you are a short-term lockdown-schooler, most homeschoolers started because we
were looking for something fresh. Unique. Better.

"START WITH WHY...."

I have noticed this year there had been a sudden influx in interest and questions regarding
curriculum providers. I get it. It feels like a "safe option", a one stop shop. But before you
commit, research, research, reseach. Big decisions (like marriage or your child's education)
needs time and careful consideration. Ask yourself why.

Why homeschooling, why Cambridge, why a service provider.

Consider alternatives. Chat with as many mommies as you can. Attend webinars and courses,
read books. Then choose.
Rest assured there had been many before you who have done Cambridge VERY successfully
without an expensive provider. Ask them how. High cost does not always equal high
quality/performance. In this short training you will find tons of support, ideas and advice for the
solo route. All you really need is the syllabus, a supporting team, data, and eagerness.

Most curriculums are content-heavy, Cambridge requires logical reasoning and application of
the knowledge. Traditional education has not evolved nearly as much as other areas over the
past 50 years. For those of us frustrated with an outdated system, homeschooling had become
the perfect mix between a brain-friendly, scientifically sound neurological style of learning
paired with a solid syllabus (like the framework Cambridge offers us). We have the sound
structure in which we could have fun exploring in a deep meaningful way. Testing and
memorizing proved to be poor indicators of insight. The love for learning returned!

A few pointers on Cambridge:

Cambridge is not just for the "brainy" kids. Actually I hate that term as all normal functioning
kids have the

potential to be brainy. There are lots of subjects to choose from and you have a lot of freedom
in choosing

when to write what.

You do not need to enrol anywhere. This is very important. Also YOU decide when to write
exams when and

if you are ready, not a service provider.

Think of writing IGCSE and AS/A as getting a driver's licence. Granddad can teach you or a
driving school.

Likewise you can go solo, use a tutor or use a service provider

You register at an exam centre when you want to write. Exams are twice a year
 Getting a matric is much more than getting a piece of paper as quickly as possible.
Cambridge is a great medium to prepare your kids for life after school

Cambridge is definitely accepted at S.A. universities and overseas

Some of the top performers are homeschoolers because the system actually makes it easier
for non-school going kids

Don't get stuck on grades (not marks, the other one)- it really wastes time. We have a lot of
freedom. You can skip grades

You don't need to write tests/exams before IGCSE.

You are more than capable to do this

Keystage 1-6= grade 1-6

Checkpoint 1-3= grade 7-9

OR

Checkpoint 7-9= grade 7-9

IGCSE = grade 10,11

AS = grade 12

A= grade 13

Don't fret so much about getting the perfect books. You can jump between publishers

Important websites:

CAIE's website

https://www.cambridgeinternational.org

You must download the syllabus before buying textbooks or any other resource
Past papers

www.igcsecentre.com

TESTIMONY (A blog post)

Fear of not being enough as a parent.

It's a real thing, especially as your children progress to the higher grades in high school on a
curriculum like Cambridge. Here's a blog post written some years ago, reposted here as I think
it has particular relevance now.

I hope it helps a frightened new homeschooling mom or dad out there. (There's a happy
ending.)

Chemistry for High School: Crash... and definitely don't burn. or… how to teach high school
chemistry when you haven’t got a clue.

My eldest home-educated student embarked on a high school chemistry course in January this
year, in preparation for sitting the Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certificate of
Secondary Education) exams at the end of next year, and with a view to taking Chemistry A
levels.

Armed with shiny text books and a heap of student and parental enthusiasm (although I admit,
the parental enthusiasm was colored with more than just a tinge of terror at the prospect of
tackling this unknown beast), we opened the door onto the previously unexplored world of
chemistry.

I scheduled the text book into manageable chunks on a 36 week timetable, checking through
each page of the weighty text book to make sure the work, as far as I could make out, was
properly divided. (I have an arts degree, and a biology major in high school, but chemistry and
physics have remained, until now, one of life’s beautiful mysteries to me.)
As I embarked on scheduling this chemical ocean of unfamiliarity, I was sure that we would be
able to work through each new concept linearly, completing the theory and practicals in a
sequenced, ordered way. How hard could it be, right? Parental support, internet searches,
student enthusiasm and dedication would make it work, right?

How wrong could I be? The sparkling ocean soon turned into a toxic morass. The units I had
painstakingly scheduled dragged out over three weeks instead of one and my beautiful,
intelligent, enthusiastic daughter became an overwhelmed, distracted, crying muddle of worry.
At some point, I lost her. Repeat the process for Physics. The French, Theory of knowledge,
English, Maths and Computer studies she is commited to, perched eagerly on top of this
looming mountain of uncertainty and fear.

Homeschooling 101: rethink; change; scrap it if it’s not working. Make a change, and do it
quickly.I’ve done a fair bit of net trawling for my website projects, which make free curricula
available to all who need it, so after a heart to heart with my distraught angel, we devised a
strategy: ditch the text book for a few weeks, find the spark that fired her interest, float above
this new exciting world and piece together a big picture of this beautiful science. Explore, dive
in, soak up the enthusiasm of the most eloquent teachers on the web, and take an all expenses
paid trip through Chemistria. (no, not the movie).

The scientists and educators of the world have shared their knowledge generously, and it’s all
over the web, a lot of it absolutely free, waiting for you to interact with and learn from.

So here it is: The Crash and Definitely Don’t Burn strategy:

1. I used the contents of the Cambridge textbook as a skeleton frame on which to “hang” a
rough itinerary /

schedule, typing the contents of the text book including the sub-headings into column A on a
spreadsheet.
2. Using Crash Course, the brilliant and engaging video series on Chemistry presented by Hank
Green, I scrolled to the end of each video with the slider bar to the summary of lesson content
and matched it up to the chapter headings, filling in column B on the spreadsheet.

3. Using Chemistry 101, I scheduled the appropriate video lessons in the next column of the
spreadsheet. (This teacher is my hero. He’s old-school but young, kind and witty in a gentle,
harmless way and exudes a confidence-inducing but teacherly friendliness.) The lessons are 30
minutes long and include worksheets and practice time.

4. It’s possible to do the same with Alison, depending on how much immersion you’re looking
for. Some chapter headings might need more insights and some might need less. Alison has
three chemistry offerings:

Chemistry, Advanced Chemistry 1 and Advanced Chemistry 2. My angel was fairly confident
that she had the topic covered after Crash Course and Chem 101, but Alison is always there as a
back-up. And for a small fee they’ll issue you with a certificate of completion if you’re building a
portfolio or transcript.

The process we’re following is simple and stress free: Watch the material sequentially, based on
the order in which it is laid out in the text book. Watch the Crash Course topic first, then watch
the Chemistry 101 lesson which goes into detail.

Don’t get hung up about completing worksheets and answering all the questions yet. Don’t
even get hung up about understanding every word that’s said yet. We’re going for big picture
here; we’re walking around the beautiful racehorse admiring it from all angles before we get in
the saddle and ride it through the course to the finish line. Sit back and let those who are
knowledgeable and skilled, take you through their beautiful world, and show you it’s treasures
and it mysteries and it’s biggest attractions.

After three months of exploring and enjoying the miracles that comprise the world of
chemistry, we’ll settle down with that big, beautiful text book, and all the worksheets and prep
tests; a wide smile of eager anticipation on our faces, and a whole lot more savvy!
So far, our strategy is working beautifully. I have my angel back, and all she wants to do is
chemistry.

For services, consultation, support and advice contact:

KNOWLEDGE LAB

# (Call/SMS) +267 74332739

#WhatsApp group link:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/Cz00KDafJNODGQ7UT0VQ2g
#Email: knowledgelab.bw@gmail.com

Education with a higher purpose!