It doesn’t matter if you are a new homeschooler or a veteran, choosing the right curriculum can be overwhelming. There are so many choices! What fits with your child’s learning style? Which one delivers more challenging content? Which one fits your philosophy of education? While the ultimate decision is up to you, a good place to start is to read reviews and ask around for some homeschool curriculum advice.
Homeschool Curriculum Advice from Cathy Duffy
Cathy Duffy is the know-all when it comes to homeschool curriculum. She has reviewed hundreds of homeschool resources to help home educators like me make an informed decision when shopping for homeschool curriculum. So as soon as I see a product has been approved by Cathy Duffy, I am more likely to trust it.
Here’s a handful of Cathy-approved educational picks available at Educents.com. I hope these double-recommended educational resources will relieve you from endless hours of shopping around for the best (and most cost-effective) homeschool curriculum.
Elementary Math & Science
Life of Fred Elementary Math
If you haven’t heard of Life of Fred, you’re in for a real treat. Dr. Stanley F Schmitt is a math teacher who developed this story-based math learning series that has taken homeschooling by storm! Forget rote learning that doesn’t resonate; learners follow Fred and his pals through life and learn math concepts along the way. Kids sometimes don’t even know they’re learning math until they’re told!
Each book has a topic, like Apples, Butterflies, and Cats. I recommend supplementing math learning with science or social studies on the same topic!
Math Lessons for a Living Education
Math Lessons for a Living Education is based on the premise that “content, story, and the ability to show math in real life” is what makes a great math curriculum! In everyday life, there aren’t barriers between “subjects.” For example, when cooking or baking, we use the skills of reading, logical thinking, and measuring. This “living” math series is committed to teaching math in the same organic way!
Math Mammoth Light Blue Series
This homeschooling favorite series constitutes a full elementary mathematics curriculum for grades 1-7! Homeschool parents love Math Mammoth because kids can learn on their own with the comprehensive student books, it focuses on conceptual learning, it is visually engaging, and chapters are organized by topics and themes.
But don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what one very happy homeschool parent had to say: “We have tried three different math curriculum programs but this one seems the best for the teacher and student.”
A+ Interactive Math (by A+ TutorSoft, Inc.)
Make your homeschool math journey EASY! This interactive math curriculum does it all for you–teaching, grading, and tracking! A+ allows you to personalize the lesson plans to target exactly what your student needs. And you have the option to choose whichever format works the best for you: online, on CD, or eBooks.
Mathematical Reasoning Level A
Do your kids dread math lessons and drill sheets? This fun and colorful book engages kids with easy-to-follow explanations, examples, and charts. Your kindergartner will learn foundational concepts through these delightful lessons.
enVision Math
This visually rich curriculum centers on a topic at a time, allowing your child to master a concept before moving on to the next. Build a strong math foundation using fun worksheets and activities!
Each enVision Math Homeschool Bundle includes a Student Edition Worktext and a Teacher Edition CD-ROM.
Elementary Reading & Writing
Grammaropolis
I can’t say enough about story-based learning. It’s one of the oldest ways we’ve learned from each other – starting with fables that teach us to be good to one another.
Grammaropolis is a great tool for K-3rd grade learners on their quest for perfect English grammar, which isn’t always straight forward! This set comes with animated shorts, music videos, books, and quizzes, so you’ve got a lot of learning styles covered.
A Reason for Handwriting
A Reason For Handwriting provides your students with a truly meaningful way to develop their handwriting! Lessons are each built upon a Bible verse which is chosen for encouragement as well as letter combinations.
It’s been proven that when kids enjoy a subject, they retain more and learn more effectively. A Reason for Handwriting brings enjoyment to the task of learning to write well.
Spelling Workout
Want to build your child’s foundation in spelling? Spelling Workout will help create a solid building block of phonics principles. But don’t worry, these lessons are not dull! There are puzzles, riddles, and activities that will keep your student’s interest.
Each bundle includes a Teacher Edition, Student Edition, and Parent Guide.
Middle School Math
Life of Fred Intro to Algebra
I really can’t say enough about the Life of Fred series! Kids learning algebra and beyond will enjoy the stories and learn the concepts through holistic learning. If your learner is new to Fred but at a more advanced level, it has been recommended that they start from the beginning. That said, re-learning a few known concepts in the Life of Fred framework will help them get up to speed with story and succeed with the series.
Life of Fred Financial Choices
As your kiddos get older you may also want to instill strong financial decision-making. The Life of Fred Financial Choices book is a great intro. And if we’re being honest, there’s never a bad time for parents to brush up on this!
Middle School Social Studies
myWorld Social Studies
Comprehensive comprehension–this world history and social studies packet is an excellent kick-off to middle school studies. Created for 6th graders, this set lays the groundwork for students to become active citizens by learning about US history and politics, and encourages learners to understand real ways they can participate and why it matters.
The package also includes a teacher’s guide for every chapter, lesson plans, audio podcasts on each subject, and editable tests with answer keys. It really sets everyone up for success!
You Decide! Apply Bill of Rights to Real Cases
With this unique resource, students will learn the first 8 amendments to the Constitution (Bill of Rights) and then act as the Supreme Court to make decisions based on those amendments.
Science for the Family
Magic School Bus Nature Bundle
Summer is a great time to get the whole family involved with experiments to foster learning and family bonding!
This set comes with four science kits and covers topics like:
- Weather – learn about rainbows, tornadoes, the greenhouse effect, and more.
- Going Green – learn about recycling, compost, and making new paper out of old!
- Solar Energy – watch solar energy inflate balloons and spin a top.
- Wonders of Nature – build an ant hill, dissolve an egg shell, do an animal tracks exercise.
A Reason for Science
“A Reason For Science® is designed to teach basic Life, Earth, and Physical Science concepts through fun, hands-on activities. Its focus is to make learning both fun and meaningful.”
This interactive science series can involve the entire family as students and parents engage in group discussions and problem-solving. Students can talk through higher-level cognitive questions with this inquiry-based series that gets both minds and hands involved!
Science Detective A1
Help your kids be science detectives while engaging them in mind-building exercises! Science Detective will prepare your students for more advanced science courses and give them opportunities to stretch their reading comprehension and reasoning skills.
