5 Tried And True Homeschool Curriculums: Kid Tested, Mother Approved

Ok, I’ve really been wanting to discuss this topic, and I know I’m a bit on the late side, but since I’m still seeing lots of mamas looking for options, I’m just going to go ahead and do this!

I know there are many moms who have been thrust into the homeschooling world this year due to COVID and they have questions. They’re looking for options, answers, and encouragement! Goodness knows I am too as I’m just starting off on this journey myself . So, being such a greenhorn, I thought about just Googling a ton of different curriculums and laying them out here for you. But alas, that alone didn’t seem to have any personal touch and I know you could definitely go do that for yourself.

So, (here comes the exciting part) I felt inspired to talk with some mama friends of mine on their experiences in homeschooling and the curriculums or methods that they fell in love with. These are mamas from near and far, ranging from the beginning years of homeschooling to having homeschooled for 20+ years. These are mamas of 2 kids, 4 kids, 6 kids, 8 kids. So we can all relate somewhere in there, I’m sure! I’m so excited to hear from women who have gone ahead of us on this journey of teaching from home and I hope you are too!

Here’s how it will go. I’ve done a little research on 4 curriculum options for which I have heard high praise, as well as spending some time on the freestyle/eclectic/Charlotte Mason method from the mamas who have discovered this to be the best route for their families! You’ll find a short excerpt I found on each method, and I’ll drop links where it’s applicable. I did my best to put this together in an understandable manner, but bear with me here as I’m learning right along with you! I just know these women well and while they all have a different teaching style, I know they are raising some crazy intelligent, well-adjusted little people and I think you deserve to hear from them! Not only are they offering advice on curriculum but some of them are allowing you to see into a little bit of their story, and I think that might really be an encouragement to us who are just getting going! So, again, I apologize for being a little late on this post, but I hope this is helpful for now or one day in the future! 

Ok, to start off, I’d like to share a word of wisdom from my sweet sister-in-law, who is a homeschooling mama of 8:

“When I started out homeschooling my husband and I had already done years of research and had a vision for what we desired for our children’s education. It was in our plans all along from before we were even married. But right now so many parents have had this lifestyle thrust upon them in the last few months and are feeling overwhelmed at the prospect of teaching their children at home. In order to bring some simplicity to an otherwise endless array of curriculum, philosophies, legalities, etc. there are a few important things to know when you start out, while the rest can be discovered in a more relaxed fashion as you homeschool. One, know your state’s homeschool laws. You can find those at Homeschool Legal Defense Agency (and I highly recommend becoming a member of this organization as well). Next, for the first year, choose an open-and-go, all-in-one curriculum. This will eliminate your need to do lesson planning and locate books. You just buy whatever supplies that are needed for crafts or projects. We really enjoyed My Father’s World for the first few years of our homeschool. If you need something economical, Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool is a completely free online option.  Also: expectations. We have to let go of some of our preconceived ideas of what education and homeschooling should look like. It will look a bit different than public school. You may question if what you’re doing is enough, but we must remember that, in the home, school usually takes a fraction of the time it would take in a classroom of 20-30 students. Also, it’s not going to be all sunshine and roses. Some days will rock. Other days will send you to your room with a box of tissues and a pound of chocolate. Finally, and most importantly, pray and seek the Father through it all. Thank Him for the successes and lay the mistakes and burdens at His feet. Let Him be the foundation of all your pursuits as you take on the responsibility of teaching your child at home.” (Amanda Kindel – Homeschool Mama of 8)

Interested in Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool? Go to: https://allinonehomeschool.com/

And with that… here we go:

My Father’s World

Goals: “My Father’s World is dedicated to inspiring academic excellence in an easy and life transforming way. My Father’s World Christian homeschool curriculum combines the best of Charlotte Mason’s ideas, classical education, and unit studies with a biblical worldview and global focus. Our goal is to raise up generations of families who see the world through God’s eyes and live according to that knowledge.”

“What I have appreciated most about the My Father’s World home school curriculum is each thematic year is based on the Biblical order of history from the very beginning of creation to Modern times (which is a 5 year program). The Bible is the basis for the curriculum and is the central theme, which is of utmost value to our family. In the past I have used multiple programs for my very large, multiple age family and I was also able to include everyone in the learning experiences. The large amount of resources in each package also allows for variety and keeps the kids engaged. I also appreciate the ability to pick and choose from a public library source, or your own home library, to enrich what you are already doing in MFW. The curriculum allows for parent/teacher flexibility in deciding what is best for their home school experience which is key. Lastly, a staff Representative will call and check in once or twice a year to pray and ask if assistance is needed, which is a valuable bonus! It has been a pleasure using this curriculum every year.” (Stacy Stigman. – Homeschool Mama of 8)

Learn more about My Father’s World at: https://www.mfwbooks.com/home/

Christian Education

Goals: “Christian Light is dedicated to the development and distribution of Christian materials to spread the Gospel and evangelize the lost; to edify, inspire, and build conviction in the saints; to strengthen families; to support the church; and to provide a Christian education curriculum for children and youth.”

“I really value Christian Education Curriculum because, it’s very thorough, so I don’t feel like I am missing anything.   It goes over each new learning point well, so students really understand what they are learning.  I like that it is “old school”, not fancy, so students aren’t easily distracted.  The most important thing I appreciate about this curriculum is that it is Christian based.  There are Bible verses throughout, scripture memorization, and wholesome stories that help instill a biblical worldview.” (Lacey Katka. – Homeschool Mama of 4)

Check out Christian Education Curriculum at: http://clp.org

Master Books

Goals: “Homeschool parents appreciate the affordability, flexibility, and practicality of our curriculum. We offer a Charlotte Mason inspired approach to learning with living lessons, captivating pictures, engaging stories and assignments.”

“Now, I am certainly the absolute least experienced homeschool mama on this page. I just HAVE to put a plug in for MasterBooks! 1. It’s fun, bright colored, and engaging (which is what I loved as a kid!) 2. The lessons lengths are doable for young children. 3. It’s gospel centered rather than vaguely christian like some I’ve seen. 4. It’s AFFORDABLE! Especially when you’re trying to figure out what you want to be doing or when you have really young kids, I would hesitate to go spending too much, as it’s such a learning game and kids will care more about how much they learn than how much you spent.” (Me – Homeschool Mama of 3)

Check out MasterBooks at: https://www.masterbooks.com/

Classical Education

Goals:

1. “Provide compelling, influential Christian leadership in the home-centered, classical education movement.
2. Provide weekly classical, Christian communities that hone students’ academic and classical skills of recitation, logical thinking, and persuasive rhetoric.
3. Provide Parent Practicums across the United States that empower parents to teach any academic subject classically.
4. Provide a curriculum framework with a Christ-centered worldview while engaging the current culture in which we live.
5. Partner with like-minded businesses to provide quality products and services for families.”

“In a day and age when saying “we have decided to homeschool” is no longer a foreign concept,
home-educating parents are now faced with a new question: how do we homeschool? Parents
are no longer choosing this method of education simply because of religious convictions;
instead, amidst the current turmoil in our nation and world, they are choosing to homeschool
to keep their children safe—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Years ago, when we were living in Montana, my husband and I first heard about classical education during a talk given by a gentleman from Florida in the basement of a church we didn’t even attend. Thinking we might be interested, a good friend had invited us. As we left, I clearly remember my husband saying, “We will never homeschool. But if we did, that is how we would do it.” Fast forward twenty years to 2020. Each of our five children has received a classical education, in one form or another. Our fourteen-year-old son loves sleuthing through his Latin translations. Our oldest daughter teaches at a classical school. Memorization and a love of learning have become the foundations for how we educate, how we travel on road-trips, how we watch birds in our backyard, and how we enjoy music. From that early introduction to classical education, the Lord has directed our family’s steps to love and pursue
this form of education.
So, what is a classical education? In a nutshell, it is the pursuit of life-long learning for our good and God’s glory. Classical education embodies a model called the Trivium, which means “the meeting of three ways” in Latin. These are the three stages of learning: Grammar, Dialectic, and Rhetoric. In the Grammar stage, children in the elementary years joyfully (yes, joyfully!) memorize information from each subject. In the Dialectic stage, which is during the junior high years, students learn (and are inclined!) to ask questions and to reason. In the Rhetoric stage, which is the senior high years, students learn the skills of persuasively speaking and writing to
express what they have learned. For those wishing to learn more, I would highly recommend the practical advice and application of Leigh Bortins in her book, The Core. As a mother and educator, I can personally attest to the beautiful ways in which the stages of classical education capitalize on the God-given gifts of each age. Although not a quick-fix, overnight method, classical education is tried and true, and the Lord has used it to bless our family richly. God bless your future educational endeavors!” (Susie Busch – Homeschool Mama of 5)

To learn more about Classical Education: https://members.classicalconversations.com/classical/classical-education

To check out “The Core: Teaching Your Child the Foundations of Classical Education”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/023010035X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_THUnFbJA85WZR

The Mama Freestyle

This style can also sometimes referred to as “Eclectic” – deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. Another friend of mine referred to this as “The Mongolian Barbecue Method”, which I feel is both hilarious and appropriate. This is the style my mother chose for my brother and me, and I thought it was amazing! These are the mamas who don’t follow just one curriculum, but rather piece together their own. Basically, it’s a blend of text books, library books, classic literature, hands on activities, life experiences, and good conversation, all tailored to a particular moms teaching style and how she believes her children learn best (which, as we all know, can vary from child to child). So, especially you’ve been at this awhile and just can’t seem to find that one curriculum that works for you…perhaps this might be worth considering!

Since I’m biased, I’ll start off with a few words from MY mama!

“When I began homeschooling, I tried to find a curriculum set or curriculum style that would work for me. After about two years, I decided that I needed to approach my teaching differently because what I had been doing just did not seem to work for my family. So, each year I would pour over catalogs looking for books, workbooks, study guides, etc. that I thought might work for the subjects that I needed to teach that year. I would find books that fit my style of teaching and that I thought my children would learn from. There were even times that I was unable to find what I wanted and created my own curriculum for a particular study. I might gather some books from the library, search the internet for interesting activities, or use a video series. The beauty of homeschooling is that you choose how to teach your children according to what works for you!” (Robin Mustian – Veteran Homeschool Mama of 2)

Here are some thoughts from a mom from my church whose children are all grown, but sharing her love for teaching is something she’s still so excited to do!

” We found that well-written and inspiring literature was a much more engaging way of teaching all subjects with the exception of math and learning to read. Not only does it engage a child’s mind, but it engages a child’s heart. I found that hearing well-written literature lengthened their attention spans and taught them valuable language skills, science, and history. There were several sources I referred to often for finding this excellent literature, but one of the ones I used the most was the book entitled “Honey For A Child’s Heart” by Gladys Hunt. I used it so often that I have purchased a copy of it for each of my grown children to use with their children.” (Gloria Treadway – Veteran Homeschool Mama of 6)

Check out “Honey for a Child’s Heart” here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310242460/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QGUnFbVNEC4GA

Perhaps I should have made the Charlotte Mason approach a category of its own, but I think it falls well into this freestyle section. Here’s a piece from a friend who fell in love with this method:

“I always intended to homeschool, even before I had any kids.  I started with Abeka curriculum as it was all I knew about. One day a Sonlight Catalog came in the mail  and I was so excited to see a new way to teach! When I discovered the Charlotte Mason approach The heavens opened and I knew I found our style! And through the years and the many different curriculum changes( I am a known curriculum hopper ha ha) the method remains. What have I learned in all of this? I need to be inspired to teach well and that doesn’t happen for me as easily with a workbook/textbook style. Nature study and lovely, living books call me to excitement and a desire that I too join them in the learning journey.  And that makes it much easier to keep teaching on the days when all of the together time I wanted feels like too much. I have four daughters who all learn differently and I can stay in the “method” and still adjust to their individual needs. I want to tell you that you get to decide how you homeschool. It’s not just school at home. You can fall in love with what and why you are teaching your kids.  There are so many options for schooling styles and while it can seem overwhelming, I highly recommend finding yours. Remember to adjust as needed and at the same time to stand fast where needed. Homeschooling has been an absolute honor and a joy, even on the very hard days. Find fellow homeschoolers, you will need the support and encouragement along the way! I am so excited for you as you take this step for all that is to come for you and your family!” (Rebekah Engebretson – Homeschool Mama of 4)

Check out the Charlotte Mason Method here: https://simplycharlottemason.com/what-is-the-charlotte-mason-method/

Here are some thoughts from one of my dear friends whose laid back personality and vibrant love for life and all things colorful inspire me to find joy in the small things:

“We have tried a few different curriculums over the years (our oldest is 14), and loved different things about each of them. One thing that has been consistent through our years of homeschooling though, has been sort of the “atmosphere” of our schooling. Things you will not find at our house on a typical day of homeschooling: kids sitting stiffly at desks. Kids spending hours in text books, kids crying over pages of math problems. Some things you will see at our house on almost any given school day: hot tea or other cozy drinks, kids nestled against mama on the couch as we read together or work through subjects, kids snuggled in a cozy corner with a book and a blanket, a big sister helping a little brother with something (often while sharing a special snack that she prepared), the 8-year-old experimenting in the kitchen with a new “recipe”, the toddler nursing, lots of singing and dancing (who says musicals aren’t realistic?), animal figures and cars and trucks spread across the living room floor, something glass breaking (our floor is concrete. Just being honest here.), snacks, chores, lots of discussions about current events and every other topic you can think of, and more hot tea or other cozy drinks. Some of my favorite homeschooling advice is to remember that you’re not trying to recreate public school at home; this is a different experience all together. Learning isn’t something to be rushed through so that you can get on with life; learning happens in the middle of living life. It reminds me of the difference between getting nourishment from eating a bowlful of juicy, ripe blueberries covered in fresh, raw cream with a drizzle of honey, as opposed to swallowing a flavorless pill made in a lab. God gives us good things that taste lovely, smell amazing, look beautiful in all kinds of stunning colors, and delight our senses in such creative ways. This is how I want learning to be for my children; lovely, amazing, colorful, and delightful! Not something to swallow quickly with a glass of water and hope you don’t burp it up later. So while our curriculum may change, our method of working through it will not. Our lessons will be learned with tea and in cozy corners, while snuggling babies (as long as possible!), and making warm memories.” (Clara Literal. – Homeschool Mama of 6)

Application

So there ya have it! I am so crazy excited about the incredible tips and advice I’ve received and been able to pass on from all these amazing mamas who have been so willing to share their hearts with us! I can’t wait to use all of this information on my own journey! So, even if after all of this you’re still unsure on your curriculum, more than anything, I hope you’re coming away encouraged. I’ll end now with advice from yet another friend who offers some practical application that I think we all need to hear:

“Grace, grace, grace. If you buy a curriculum and think it’s the best thing ever, but it isn’t working? Don’t force you and your child through it; through anger and tears and frustration, cause, gosh darn it, I spent X amount of money and we are going to do this if it kills us! No. Don’t do it. Give yourself grace for getting something that doesn’t work and try again. Get something else. Figure out your child’s best way to learn and remember that the perfect curriculum for one, may not be the perfect curriculum for all… I’m going into year 14 and that is wildly crazy for me to believe and I still feel like a screw up and like I have no idea what I’m doing half the time. But, I know I’m doing what the Lord wants and I know that my motives are to raise arrows for His glory, so it’s really just another process of sanctification and another walk of faith and trust. And He is faithful and always good, so onward we go.” (Jessica Gramm – Homeschool Mama of 6)