Homeschool Curriculum
Transform Your Future with Homeschool Education
Curriculum options for effective home education can be broadly categorized into different styles and types. These include traditional, classical, Charlotte Mason, Montessori, unit studies, unschooling, and eclectic approaches. Within these styles, families can choose from various homeschooling resources, including those that are textbook-based, thematic, programmed, or technology-driven.
Homeschooling Styles:
Traditional: This style mirrors the structure of traditional schooling, often involving textbooks, workbooks, and standardized assessments. Traditional homeschooling, also known as "school at home," mimics the structure of a conventional classroom by using a formal curriculum, textbooks, and worksheets with a grade-level progression and set schedules. This structured approach offers stability and ease of use, especially for parents transitioning from public schools, but can lack flexibility for students with different learning needs or styles.
Classical: This approach emphasizes a three-stage learning process (Trivium) focused on grammar, logic, and rhetoric. Classical homeschooling is an educational method that emphasizes a structured, rigorous curriculum rooted in the liberal arts and the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric). It aims to cultivate virtue, critical thinking, and a lifelong love of learning through engagement with classic literature, history, and the study of Latin. This method draws inspiration from the educational philosophies of ancient Greece and Rome.
Charlotte Mason: This method prioritizes living books, narration, nature study, and handicrafts. A Charlotte Mason homeschool curriculum emphasizes a holistic education centered around the idea that a child is a person, not just a mind. It prioritizes living books, nature study, art, music, and the development of good habits.
Montessori: This style uses hands-on materials and self-directed learning activities. Montessori homeschooling is an educational approach inspired by the Montessori method, which emphasizes self-directed learning, hands-on activities, and a prepared environment for children. It's a child-centered approach where children are encouraged to explore their interests, learn at their own pace, and develop independence and confidence. Parents act as guides, providing a stimulating environment and resources to support their child's natural curiosity.
Unit studies: This approach centers learning around a specific theme, integrating various subjects. A unit studies homeschool curriculum is an educational approach where learning is centered around a specific theme or topic, integrating various subjects around that theme instead of teaching them in isolation. This method encourages a holistic and engaging learning journey by connecting different disciplines like history, science, literature, and art through a unifying theme.
Unschooling: This child-led approach allows children to learn through their interests and experiences. Unschooling does not have a "curriculum" in the traditional sense; rather, it is a homeschooling approach that uses child-led learning through personal interests and everyday experiences instead of a formal, pre-set plan. Parents act as facilitators, providing resources and guidance to support the child's natural curiosity and allowing them to choose what, when, and how to learn.
Eclectic: This style combines elements from different approaches to create a customized learning experience. An eclectic homeschool curriculum is a customized educational approach where parents select and combine the best aspects from various homeschooling methods, philosophies, and resources to create a unique program that best suits their child's individual needs, learning style, and interests. Instead of following a single, one-size-fits-all curriculum, this flexible method allows for a personalized blend of different approaches, such as the Charlotte Mason method, classical education, unit studies, or interest-led learning, to form a tailored educational experience.
Types of Curricula:
Traditional: Often includes textbooks, workbooks, and assessments, similar to public school.
Thematic: Organized around specific themes, integrating different subjects.
Programed: Breaks down learning into small steps, with immediate feedback.
Classical: Follows the classical Trivium stages of learning.
Technological: Utilizes online platforms, educational apps, and digital resources.
When choosing a curriculum for effective home education, consider factors like your child's learning style, your educational philosophy, and the availability of resources and support.
The best way to choose a homeschool curriculum is to first define your family's unique needs, including your child's learning style and your teaching philosophy. Because homeschooling offers great flexibility, there is no single "best" curriculum, and it's common to mix-and-match resources to create an eclectic approach.
Understand your family's needs and philosophy: A personalized curriculum decision starts with a solid understanding of your family's educational priorities.
Assess your child's learning style:
Visual learners: benefit from materials with graphs, charts, maps, and diagrams.
Auditory learners: thrive with spoken lessons, discussions, and educational videos.
Kinesthetic learners: learn best through hands-on activities, projects, and movement.
Reading/writing learners: prefer traditional methods like textbooks, reports, and essays.
Programs for a Complete Curriculum
Classical
Charlotte Mason
Traditional
Classical Conversations:
Known for its structured, community-focused model, Classical Conversations offers a rigorous curriculum that emphasizes consistency and accountability, particularly in the early stages.
Memoria Press:
This provider offers a comprehensive classical education for grades Pre-K through 12, with a strong focus on classical languages like Latin and Greek, as well as rhetoric and logic.
Veritas Press:
A popular choice for families seeking a classical Christian education, Veritas Press places a significant emphasis on history and the Great Books tradition.
Classical Academic Press:
This program follows a formal structure of the trivium (grammar, logic, rhetoric) to guide students from early childhood through high school, emphasizing a journey from wonder to wisdom.
Specialized Programs and Resources
Classical Liberal Arts Academy (CLAA):
The CLAA goes beyond the trivium by explicitly teaching all seven liberal arts, including arithmetic, geometry, music, and astronomy, through over 100 courses.
The Classical Classroom:
This resource offers programs and courses designed to provide a classical education.
The Well-Trained Mind Academy:
Based on the popular book by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, this academy offers comprehensive online courses to support the Well-Trained Mind method.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Program
Religious Affiliation
Many classical programs are Christian-based, while others are more broadly secular. Consider your family's values and how they align with the program's philosophy.
Structure vs. Flexibility:
Some programs offer a highly structured curriculum with community support, while others provide resources for more flexible, parent-led approaches.
Focus on Languages:
Classical education often emphasizes Latin and Greek. Evaluate how deeply a program incorporates these languages into its curriculum.
Traditional
Charlotte Mason
Traditional
Abeka:
A long-standing curriculum with K-12 programs emphasizing academic rigor and a strong Christian worldview.
BJU Press:
Offers a comprehensive and academically rigorous curriculum for grades K-12, with both Christian and secular options.
AOP (Alpha Omega Publications):
Provides both print and computer-based curricula, including the Lifepac series, for various grade levels.
Seton Home Study School:
An accredited Catholic-focused program offering a full curriculum for K-12 students.
Acellus Academy:
An accredited online program with self-paced, video-based instruction and adaptive learning technology for K-12.
Key Characteristics of Traditional Programs
Structured Curriculum:
These programs provide a complete, grade-level curriculum with defined objectives and materials.
Textbook-Based Learning:
A primary focus on textbooks, workbooks, and teacher-directed instruction is common.
Emphasis on Core Subjects:
Subjects like reading, writing, arithmetic, and history are central to the curriculum.
Formal Assessment:
Frequent testing, both formal and informal, is used to measure student progress.
Accreditation:
Many traditional homeschool programs, especially online schools like Bridgeway Academy and K12, are accredited, offering a formal diploma.
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason
Charlotte Mason
Comprehensive & Well-Known Options
Ambleside Online:
A completely free, 30-year-old curriculum with extensive book lists and online community support. It provides a robust foundation but requires parents to create their own detailed lesson plans.
Simply Charlotte Mason:
This program is known for its well-structured cycles of living books for subjects like history and geography. It offers detailed plans, making it a good option for those new to the Charlotte Mason method.
A Gentle Feast:
A well-regarded option that provides comprehensive, year-long plans for families to follow.
Alveary:
This is an online, subscription-based curriculum that provides both detailed lesson plans and a community called "The Hive" for support and questions.
Other Considerations
CMEC (Charlotte Mason Education Center):
This option offers a comprehensive book list but provides less direct lesson planning than others, encouraging mothers to plan their own lessons.
My Homeschool:
A Christian-based program that can also be used by families who are not Christian, offering Charlotte Mason-inspired courses.
Montessori
Unschooling
Charlotte Mason
Online Programs & Academies
Guidepost Montessori Virtual School:
Offers online, structured instruction from certified Montessori guides, supplemented with physical activities and materials at home.
Lotus Montessori Academy:
Provides online access to curriculum, teachers, and a community for children from approximately ages 3 to 9.
Global Village School:
An accredited, personalized K-12 distance-learning diploma program that focuses on an inspiring educational experience.
Curriculum & Materials Providers
Multisori: Provides a complete, authentic Montessori curriculum with all necessary materials, focusing on practical life, sensorial, language, math, and more, with options for digital or printed formats.
The North American Montessori Center:
Offers an intensive, well-regarded Early Childhood Curriculum for children aged 3-6.
Montessori by Mom:
A resource for at-home Montessori learning activities and materials.
Teachers Pay Teachers:
A platform where creators, such as MontessoriKiwi and The Modern Montessori Guide, offer inexpensive, high-quality printable materials for specific subjects and age groups.
Unit Study
Unschooling
Unschooling
Comprehensive & Integrated Programs
My Father's World:
This program is a favorite for its teacher-friendly layout and emphasis on rich, heartwarming books. It focuses heavily on geography, culture, and history, creating a memorable learning experience.
Gather 'Round Homeschool:
Known for its minimalist, Charlotte Mason-inspired approach, this program allows families to do school together, incorporating child-directed learning while keeping the focus on family time and unit-based learning.
Heart of Dakota:
Offering a structured, literature-based approach for PreK-8, Heart of Dakota provides a comprehensive curriculum with significant hands-on activities.
WinterPromise:
Similar to Heart of Dakota, this program uses a literature-based, hands-on, and comprehensive unit study format, making it a strong option for families seeking a rich learning experience.
Literature & Hands-On Focused
BookShark:
This curriculum uses a literature-based approach to integrate various subjects into a cohesive learning experience.
Sonlight Curriculum:
A literature-heavy option, Sonlight is a popular choice for its in-depth exploration of subjects through engaging books, often described as grounded and Christian-rooted without being overly "churchy".
Beautiful Feet Books:
This resource uses living books to create immersive unit studies, known for its literature-based approach and hands-on learning experiences.
Free & Accessible Options
Easy Peasy - All-in-One Homeschool:
This popular and comprehensive, free option provides a structured, step-by-step curriculum for homeschooling parents.
Homeschool Share:
While not a single program, this website offers a variety of free unit study resources, printables, and ideas.
Specialized & Research-Based
Moving Beyond the Page:
A comprehensive, comprehensive unit study approach that incorporates classical education and hands-on activities for a well-rounded curriculum.
TRISMS (Time Related Integrated Studies for Mastering Skills):
Designed for 5th grade through high school, this is a unique, research-based unit study that focuses on developing skills through integrated studies rather than a single spine book.
Unschooling
Unschooling
Unschooling
Resources for Unschooling Support
Family Unschoolers Network and Unschoolers.org:
These platforms provide online communities and resources for families interested in unschooling.
Unschooling Mom2Mom:
Offers guidance and support for families starting and navigating the unschooling lifestyle.
Living Joyfully:
Another valuable resource for unschooling families, offering a wealth of articles and information, according to The MOM Trotter.
Books:
Authors like Kerry McDonald and publications like "The Unschooling Unmanual" provide deeper insights into the philosophy and practice of unschooling.
Tools and Programs to Supplement Unschooling
Khan Academy:
Offers free educational content for various ages, which can be a valuable resource for a child who expresses interest in a particular subject.
Time4Learning:
A paid, online curriculum that provides lesson plans and tools for language, math, science, and social studies and can be used to support an unschooling education.
Calvert Homechool:
This program offers comprehensive, self-paced curricula for core subjects and can be a valuable resource for families who want structured learning options within an unschooling framework.
Eclectic
Eclectic
Eclectic
Programs and Resources to Use for Eclectic Homeschooling
Flexible Online Platforms
Time4Learning:
A comprehensive online program that can be customized to fit an eclectic approach by adjusting the curriculum and coursework to a child's needs and interests.
Miacademy:
A fully customizable online program designed for flexibility, allowing parents to assign different courses for different subjects and adjust the learning path to fit their child's learning style.
Individualized Curriculum and Materials
Khan Academy:
An online educational platform offering free lessons in various subjects, which is a great resource for supplementing a chosen eclectic curriculum.
The Good and the Beautiful:
A Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum that uses living books and focuses on engaging children through their interests, making it a good choice for incorporating into an eclectic plan.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool:
A free online program that provides a structured but customizable all-in-one curriculum, offering options for parents to tailor it to their needs.
Subject-Specific Resources
Beast Academy Online:
A popular online math resource with a strong focus on making math engaging and fun, which can be a good addition to an eclectic math curriculum.
CTC Math and Smartick:
Other examples of online tools that provide flexible instruction in math and can be used to build a customized math curriculum.
Exploring Options & Making a Choice
Look for a Fit
Choose materials that align with your family's beliefs, will hold your child's interest, and that you, as the parent, will enjoy teaching.
Get Hands-On
If possible, get your hands on the curriculum materials to see how they work, as online previews are often insufficient.
Seek Community Input
Talk to other homeschoolers, read reviews, and find out their experiences and the pros and cons of various programs.
Consider the Whole Picture
Some curricula offer multi-subject coverage, which can be more efficient, or you can create a customized "eclectic" approach by combining different resources.
Don't Be Afraid to Adjust
Don't Be Afraid to Adjust
Embrace the journey of learning and remember, every mistake is a step towards growth!