Category: A Simpler Homeschool

When deciding to homeschool, choosing curriculum seems to be at the top of the to-dos. Although you can absolutely write your own curriculum, this post is for those of us who want some help. We want to know what to teach and how to teach it. Choosing curriculum doesn’t have to be complicated. While time and energy will definitely be spent deciding on curriculum, utilizing a step by step process will enable you to make decisions efficiently and get you closer to A Simpler Homeschool.

When we first began our homeschooling journey, I labored over curriculum choices and wanted the best of the best. While the curriculum we used the first few years was good, it was overwhelming for my type A personality because it was so much and I wanted to check it all off. This past year, I switched curriculums and we all are much happier.

It is easy to choose a great curriculum, but it takes a whole lot of intentionality to choose one that fits your personality, your kids, your lifestyle.

My hope is that by taking these steps you will be able to choose the best curriculum for your family and be closer to A Simpler Homeschool.

Steps to Choosing Curriculum

1)Set your budget.

Money matters. What do you have to spend on curriculum? $50? $200? $600? $1000? Curriculums come at all price points, so nail down how much you’re able to spend.

Good Options for All Price Points

$0-$100

Language Arts

The Good and the Beautiful

We use The Good and the Beautiful for Language Arts and Science. The Language Arts curriculum for grades 1-5 is available to download for free. If you want the printed version, it’s a little under $60. Their History, Science, Math, and Handwriting curriculum has the affordable option of downloaded versions from $9-$30. You can also purchase the hard copies. We have enjoyed the quality and simplicity of this curriculum.

Note: This curriculum is created by a woman who is Mormon. While many different denominations of Christians were brought in to create The Good and the Beautiful, I think it’s important to note this. We haven’t found any issues when it comes to beliefs from this curriculum, as we are from a Christian perspective and not LDS/Mormon. There is some controversy on this and wanted to be sure to note it.

Handwriting without Tears

I used Handwriting without Tears when I taught first grade and have always thought it was thorough and easy to understand for young writers. A workbook costs anywhere from $8-$14 and the teacher’s manual, which is not completely necessary, runs about $18. There are extra manipulatives and tools you can buy, but we have never purchased these and it still works great.

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

We use this book to teach phonics and reading. Luke learned to read pretty quickly with this book at around age 5 and Lily is currently working through it. It costs about $17. It takes some reading beforehand to understand the format. Once you understand the process and how it’s laid out, each lesson is completely scripted and easy to follow.

My Story and the World Around Me

This is a social studies curriculum that introduces students to history, politics, geography, economics from a Christian perspective. The level one book is set up into four quests, which any adventure loving kid will love. One book is around $30.

A Child’s First Book of American History

If you’re looking to teach history through stories, this book will provide a look at American History through 50 illustrated stories. This book is a little under $40 and would be a good introduction to history for young learners.

Explode the Code

This phonics based program is research based and systematic. While I have never used Explode the Code, I have heard great things about it. A workbook runs around $10. There is also the option for an online subscription that costs $65 for a 12 month subscription.

Math

Jump Math

Jump Math is a workbook that relies on the common core math standards. I personally have not used these books. If you are a parent that is going to homeschool for a short while, this could be a good option for you. Each workbook costs about $16.

Life of Fred Math

Life of Fred Math is a series that uses humorous stories to teach math. This isn’t a typical workbook with problems to solve, it’s more like puzzles to solve. We have never used this series, but have been contemplating them, as I have a reluctant math learner. The series seems to be fun and keeps the attention of the learner. A set runs about $60.

Singapore Math

If you are a parent planning on sending your kids back to public school after this year, Singapore Math could be a good option for you. The Common Core seems to use similar strategies as the Singapore Math model. Student workbooks run a little over $14 and the home instructor’s guide runs $19.

All in One

AmblesideOnline

Ambleside Online is a Charlotte Mason based free Christian curriculum. While this is more of a way to teach, it offers great resources and a weekly schedule of what books to read and what to teach. It is literature heavy with classic and engaging books to be read at each age level.

$100-$500

Math-U-See

Math-U-See uses a video format to teach each lesson and then workbook pages to complete subsequent days. This is the math curriculum we use. The first time you buy, it runs about $140 because the integer block kit is included. If you already have the integer block kit, it costs around $70 for the new DVD, workbook, and teachers manual.

My Father’s World

With a strong Christian perspective, My Father’s World is set up to be a complete curriculum from History to Language Arts. The curriculum is rich with literature and uses Charlotte Mason and classical education philosophies. The full History package runs $280-$410. Language Arts and Math separately are more reasonable.

Time4Learning

If you are looking for an online learning program, Time4Learning is an option. It’s $19.95/month per student, which is about $180 a year per student. It covers language arts, math, science, and social studies. A perk of this curriculum is students can work at different grade levels for different subjects since it is customizable.

$500+

Sonlight

If you are looking for a curriculum taught from a Biblical perspective that covers everything, even the books, Sonlight is it. You can choose from a four or five week schedule and it includes Math-U-See for Math and Handwriting without Tears for handwriting. It runs about $670-$760 for the entire program, but you are able to purchase specific subjects for much less.

Bookshark

Bookshark is similar to Sonlight in that it is literature based, but without the Christian perspective. It’s around $760 for all the curriculum for the year. They use levels instead of grades and utilize a four day school week.

Abeka

Although I have never used Abeka, I have heard from many homeschoolers who like it. Abeka is taught from a Biblical perspective. An entire Child Kit, including all subjects, runs about $350 and the parent kit runs from $260 for the Essential Parent Kit to $570 for the Complete Parent Kit. The total comes to $610 to $920 including everything you need for the year.

They also have an option for Abeka Academy, which utilizes video ‘teachers’ to teach your kids at home. Tuition and books run $959 for the entire year or $695 for one semester for elementary.

These are not all the choices out there, simply a place to begin.

2)Decide if you want to choose one curriculum for all subjects or many.

It is far easier to choose one curriculum that covers all the core subjects. Decide if you want to go this route or look at individual curriculum for each individual subject. Sonlight, Bookshark, Time4Learning, The Good and the Beautiful, and Abeka are all curriculums that include all subjects.

3)Choose 2-3 options for each subject or 2-3 options for an all in one curriculum.

There is a simpler way! By choosing just 2-3 options, you can focus on those options, what they offer, and make an informed choice. You can research and get a good handle on how to use the curriculum.

Our Current Curriculum Choices

Language Arts: The Good and the Beautiful

Reading: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

Handwriting: Handwriting without Tears

Math: Math-U-See

History/Social Studies: My Story and the World Around Me and A Child’s First Book of American History

Science: The Good and the Beautiful

Curriculum Options I have considered:

Sonlight

My Father’s World

Abeka

Life of Fred

Singapore Math

Explode the Code

4)Research the options!

This is the real legwork of the process. If you do the legwork now, you are taking one giant step towards A Simpler Homeschool. Seek out reviews on YouTube and blogs to get a handle on how the curriculum is laid out and works. A question to ask yourself as you are researching:

Will this curriculum work for me and my family? Not the other way around. I have learned the hard way that curriculum is a tool. I don’t want to be a slave to it. Be sure to look at sample pages as you ask this question and determine if the format works for you and your family.

Curriculum Reviewers

These are reviewers I have used in the past. They have their hands on lots of curriculum.

Cathy Duffy Reviews

Homeschool On

5)Decide.

After researching, decide which curriculum will work best for your family and feel good about it. Use what you’ve learned and make the most informed decision possible. There will always be ‘what ifs’, but you can feel good about the decision because of the research you did on the front end.

Choosing curriculum is a necessary step towards A Simpler Homeschool. With a little intentionality and small steps, it can be a decision you feel good about.

Tell me, what curriculum will you be researching or using this school year?

School at home has become a hot topic of conversation the past several months. With school shutdowns this past spring, families were forced to figure out how to teach kids at home. Fall is approaching fast and families are waiting to hear what the new normal school routine will look like. It could mean a lot of different things for public and private school learning. It could also mean deciding to keep kids home for a year.

The First 3 Steps

Whatever becomes your new norm, I want to share the first three steps for those of you considering school at home. They will help you make a decision for your family and lay out the initial steps to school at home this coming year. Our family has walked through this process the past few years and I hope it will helpful for those of you considering school at home.

Step 1: Decide

Deciding whether to homeschool or not can be overwhelming and seem like a mountain of a decision. Although it is a big decision, it is one you can make confidently by intentionally asking some good questions.

Why do I want to homeschool?

Maybe it’s related to the current culture, COVID, or some other time sensitive reason. Maybe you have decided you want to give it a try to be more involved with what your kids are learning. Or maybe you want more time with your kids. Whatever the reason, get clear on it now. This reason will motivate you throughout the school year as well as help you navigate questions from friends and family.

Do I have support from family and friends?

Although homeschooling can be done without family support, it’s a lot easier and more successful with everyone on board. There will be times throughout the school year when things get hard and you want the support system in place. It’s also good to seek out others who are homeschooling to find community, especially if the family support isn’t in place.

Am I up for a challenge?

Homeschooling is one of the most rewarding and challenging things I have chosen to do in my life. Are you in a headspace mentally to be up for the challenge? Things don’t have to be perfect (and won’t be), but being motivated and committed to the task of homeschooling goes a long way come January.

A side note to this: If your kids have been in public school prior to homeschooling, there is a good chance you will get some push back. Although I have not been in this position, I have had my kids ask about going to school. Remember: You are the parent and like everything else in their life, you are the captain of the ship. It’s important to have a discussion with your kids and ask for input, but ultimately, you make the call. Give yourself and your kids grace as you make this decision.

Asking yourself these three questions can help you navigate your thoughts and feelings about the decision to homeschool and guide your next steps.

Step 2: State Requirements

You’ve answered some questions and decided to move forward. Now what? Depending on where you live, it’s time to file the paperwork for homeschooling in your state.

Each state is different when it comes to homeschooling. We live in Iowa, which has multiple different options for homeschooling. Our neighboring state, Nebraska, has one option. Both require different forms and notification to school districts. This Homeschool Laws by State website addresses each state and gives an overview on what the requirements are to homeschool and even links to forms needed. It might seem overwhelming at first, but it is possible and necessary if you want to take the steps for school at home.

After checking out the Homeschool Laws by State website to get an overview, be sure to check out your state’s Department of Ed website as well. You can find Iowa’s homeschool rules here: Homeschooling in Iowa and Nebraska’s homeschool rules here: Homeschooling in Nebraska. If you’re confused, email the contact listed on the state homeschooling site. The Iowa homeschool contact emailed me right back and answered my specific questions quickly.

Step 3: Curriculum

While registering with your specific state for homeschooling, it’s time to start thinking about curriculum. There is a difference between what to teach and how to teach it. What you teach are the skills, strategies, and standards appropriate for each age or grade level. How you teach are the lessons you use to teach those skills, strategies, and standards.

It’s time to decide if you want to purchase a curriculum or create your own. Purchasing a curriculum gives you both what to teach and how to teach it. It will allow you to use your time and energy to teach your kids and not think through how to do it. By using a purchased curriculum, there is not much guesswork, as the company has done the research for you and planned the lessons.

Creating your own curriculum gives you complete control over what your kids will learn and how they will learn it. Although it will take a lot of work on your part, you are able to create the exact learning experience you want for your kids. If this is the route you want to take, you can find a Scope and Sequence for all grade levels at Schoolhouse Teachers. If you are a family planning to homeschool for only a year and your state has adopted the Common Core standards (Iowa has, Nebraska hasn’t), the Common Core standards are a good place to start.

There is no ‘right’ way.

There is not a ‘right’ way to homeschool or choose curriculum. Each family is different and possesses varying resources including time, energy, and financial means. Don’t let guilt play into this decision. Make a decision based on what you believe is best for your family.

As I said in this post, I taught first grade in public school five years pre-kids, have been homeschooling for the past few years, and have my Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. I have never created my own curriculum for homeschool. My main reason for not creating curriculum has been time and energy. I want to spend my time and energy teaching my kids and not spending time creating the next lesson plan. I still get my feet wet with fun projects or holiday lessons because that lights me up, but I leave the core lesson planning to my curriculum.

If you have decided to purchase a curriculum it’s time to move onto choosing it. In the next post I will be addressing the process we have used in the past to choose the best curriculum for our family.

The first 3 steps are big ones, but each step forward paves the way to a positive and simpler homeschool year.