The Best Homeschool Curriculum: Free, Christian and Kindergarten Curriculums
Are you looking for the best homeschool curriculums for your kiddos? If you’re just starting your homeschooling journey, I understand how overwhelming and exciting this can be.
I’m here to help you sift through the endless options and pick a curriculum that’s both effective and fits your family’s unique needs.
So, let's break it down, in this article I will be discussing the following:
Free Homeschool Curriculums
Christian Homeschool Curriculum
Best Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
Homeschool Curriculum Planning
Homeschool Curriculum Organization Tips
Homeschool Curriculum Ideas for New Homeschooling Moms
Let’s get you on the right path for a successful homeschool year!
This post contains affiliate links that are at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission.
My Homeschool Curriculum Journey
As a new homeschooling mama, I felt nervous and unprepared for this new experience. Thankfully, there is so much information out there but it can also feel overwhelming. Like most millennial parents, I went to TikTok 😄
Based on my research, there are different types of curriculums, some varying in price, subjects included, and style. There are two different types of learning styles: mastery and spiral. I quickly realized that my decision to pick a curriculum would be based on my son's learning style.
For reference, mastery is based on building on a foundation and learning something in its entirety. A Spiral learning method is learning a specific concept, moving to a different concept and them coming back to the first concept.
Mastery, is the learning style I knew will be best for myself and my son. So my next decision was price, structure and curriculum reviews. After so much research, I decided to go with Christian Light, it was affordable, simple and user friendly. But early on, I noticed the curriculum was really easy, so I purchased a couple of supplemental workbooks. Including Hooked On Phonics, which has truly helped him build a solid foundation in his reading journey.
1. Free Homeschool Curriculums
Free is for me! There are some amazing free resources out there! If you’re just starting and want to dip your toes in without a big financial commitment, free options are a lifesaver. Plus, they allow you to try different approaches and see what clicks with your child.
CK-12 Foundation: Offers customizable resources for K-12 with a focus on math and science, plus free online textbooks.
Core Knowledge: Provides free downloadable lesson plans for various subjects based on their Core Knowledge Sequence.
HippoCampus: Offers multimedia educational resources in a range of subjects for middle and high school levels.
The Good and the Beautiful (Free PDF Options): Offers free downloadable PDFs of their Level K-5 Language Arts curriculum.
Khan Academy: If you’re looking for straightforward, well-organized lessons, Khan Academy is an absolute gem, especially for math and science.
2. Christian Homeschool Curriculum
A Faith-Based Approach for those who want to integrate faith into learning, there are wonderful Christian-focused curriculums designed with younger kids in mind.
Lifepac by Alpha Omega Publications: A Bible-centered curriculum that covers a broad range of subjects.
Christian Liberty Press: A cost-effective curriculum with a strong Christian perspective across subjects.
Christian Light Curriculum: Bible-based program offering structured, easy-to-follow lessons across subjects, designed to foster independent learning with a Christian worldview.
A Beka: Popular Christian homeschooling curriculum, it’s Phonics-based approach to reading. Their kindergarten program includes colorful, engaging materials, especially for reading and math.
BJU Press (Bob Jones University): This one is more structured but offers a complete curriculum that includes Christian values in all subjects, like math, reading, and social studies. It’s ideal if you prefer more guided lessons.
3. The Best Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum
Kindergarten is all about learning through play, exploration, and hands-on activities. A formal curriculum isn’t always necessary at this stage, but if you’re anything like me you want to have options, here are some great ones.
Horizons by Alpha Omega Publications: A colorful and hands-on curriculum focusing on phonics, math, and Bible study.
Sing, Spell, Read & Write: A phonics-based program that uses music and games to teach reading.
Math-U-See: A manipulatives-based math program ideal for visual and hands-on learners.
Hooked on Phonics: A well-known program for building reading skills through engaging songs and lessons.
The Good and the Beautiful: This curriculum combines subjects like language arts, math, and science in a cohesive, gentle approach. Their kindergarten curriculum is filled with nature studies, read-alouds, and even a bit of art.
4. Homeschool Curriculum Planning Tips
Planning your homeschool curriculum doesn’t have to be overwhelming, I promise! Here are some sanity-saving tips to help:
Set Weekly Goals: Start by setting simple weekly objectives, like “finish three math lessons,” to avoid overwhelm.
Use Block Scheduling: Set blocks of time for each subject to help balance time between structured learning and flexibility.
Involve Kids in Planning: Ask your kids for input on topics or activities they'd like to explore to make learning more engaging.
Plan Themed Weeks: Focus on one theme for the week or month (like “dinosaurs” or “weather”), and plan activities across subjects.
Incorporate Review Days: Schedule a review day each week to consolidate what you’ve covered and address any areas of struggle.
5. Homeschool Curriculum Organization
I’m sure we’re not all working with a large classroom, so let’s make the most of our Small Spaces. Homeschooling can quickly take over your home if you're not prepared. Keeping your space and supplies organized is key.
Color-Coded Binders for Each Subject: Assign each subject a different color to keep materials organized and easily accessible.
Rolling Carts for Supplies: Use a rolling cart with drawers to store each child’s materials and books in one easy-to-move place.
Daily Work Folders: Prepare a folder each day with worksheets, books, and other resources needed to keep things streamlined.
Digital Organization: Use apps like Evernote or Google Keep to track lesson plans, assignments, and completed work.
Rotating Book Shelves: Keep a small shelf with the week’s books, activities, and supplies to minimize clutter.
Homeschool Curriculum Ideas for New Homeschooling Moms
If you’re new to this, there’s a good chance you’re not sure where to start?” Here are some beginner-friendly curriculum ideas to help you get started:
Charlotte Mason Method: Known for its focus on living books (books that make a subject come alive) and short lessons, this method emphasizes nature, art, and lots of reading. It’s gentle and ideal for younger kids.
Classical Conversations: This curriculum is designed around the “classical” education model, where students learn in stages based on their developmental needs. It can be more rigorous, but many families find it highly rewarding.
Unit Studies: Unit studies are thematic and can be incredibly engaging. For instance, if your child loves dinosaurs, a unit study would cover reading, science, and even math through the lens of dinosaurs.
Montessori Approach: Hands-on learning that encourages independence and exploration using real-world activities and manipulatives.
Unschooling: A flexible, child-directed approach that prioritizes a child’s natural interests without structured lessons or a curriculum.
Finding Your Rhythm: What Works Best for Your Family?
Homeschooling is as unique as the families who do it. You don’t have to find a “perfect” curriculum right away. Most homeschool families tweak, adapt, add, and even switch curriculums along the way. Your goal isn’t to be perfect; it’s to find what works best for your child and makes learning enjoyable.
It’s important to find a curriculum that works for you, just as much as it will work for your kids. Some curriculums provide you with a free sample or a free trial. You can even use a curriculum and use free curriculums as supplemental work.
Ultimately, you are in control and you will find your rhythm as you move along your homeschooling journey. So remember to take your time, read reviews, and give yourself some grace!
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