A list of our favorites! Check out what we’re using in our homeschool and maybe it’ll be a good fit for your family too!
RightStart Math: https://store.rightstartmath.com/
We have been using this math program for the past four years. Once you purchase the Math Set, which includes the manipulatives that you will be using each day, you will be set for years to come! The Math Set includes the cards for all the games that your kids will love to play with you, and any tools you will need for the activities included in the books. You will use the same manipulatives for each level, so it’s a purchase you only have to make once! This is a spiral curriculum, so at various times in the year, each topic will come back around and go a bit deeper than it did the first time, allowing the children to build connections to material they have mastered previously. I currently use this curriculum with all three of my kids at different levels, and they all really enjoy the lessons.
Treehouse Schoolhouse: Nature Study & Rooted Bible Curriculum www.treehouseschoolhouse.com
Thoughtfully planned and sourced, this company produces beautiful curriculum options for families. We have used the Nature Study for all four seasons with our co-op in the past, and have enjoyed the art, music and ideas for projects and activities that are included. This year we have implemented the Rooted Bible Curriculum at home and have found it to be a really strong supplemental resource to everything we already do. Bringing the beauty subjects to topics like the bible really help to engage my children and keep their interest.
Classical Conversations: https://classicalconversations.com/
We are just finishing our first year with Classical Conversations, an incredible homeschool community right in our own town. Classical Conversations has communities all over the country, making it perfect for families who move often. Each community studies the same material throughout the year, and you can tailor what you do at home to fit your family’s needs. With this as the basis of our studies this year, we were able to relate other projects, reading selections and activities with the material that we were working on each week in community.
Wild + Free: Magazines, Book Club, Nature Study, etc.: www.bewildandfree.org
This organization is very close to my heart, as it was my first introduction to any homeschool group when we first got started. Our first homeschool friends, for my kids and for myself, were people we had met at our very first Wild+Free meetup. With a few communities here in MA (Wachusett Adventure and Ski Club) and many more throughout the country, group leaders plan meetups out in nature. Enjoying time outdoors with unstructured play is the foundation, and it is amazing to see how relationships form as creativity runs wild. With each group having its own rhythm, some set it up like a co-op, others just meet to have time outside together, and others plan special events to mark holidays or the changing of the seasons. The company produces a monthly magazine with handicrafts, ideas for meetups, and inspirational homeschool stories. They also have an amazing Nature Study book with ideas for journaling with kids of all ages, a Book Club that includes suggestions for reading together in communities and celebrating literature, and even a bundle of books that compiles craft ideas for all seasons of the year.
The Good and The Beautiful: https://www.goodandbeautiful.com/
This is a fantastic curriculum that we have been using for about three years with all three of my kids. Starting with the preschool level, The Good and the Beautiful lessons include fine art, geography, literature, math, and phonics for well-structured units that build upon each other. Not only is their language arts program strong and engaging, but it’s also open-and-go, making it easy for parents. Their science units are very thoughtfully designed with a variety of activities and experiments to support the learning in each topic. We also have used the Little Hearts & Hands science units which are specifically designed for preschoolers to children in second grade, meeting them at their level and explaining scientific concepts clearly for them to understand. My children have all loved these beautiful curriculum options.
Beautiful Feet: Geography and History: https://www.bfbooks.com/
Units abound for all ages in the subjects of science, history and geography! We have used both the Early American History curriculum ages K-3 as well as the U.S. Geography K-3. Pairing the lessons with wonderful choices in literature, project suggestions, multiple resources online, and rabbit trails to follow, these units really facilitate learning for kids of all ages. Whether you’re popping these into your weekly schedule regularly, or using them for a unit study, these resources are not to be missed!
Art Makes Me Smart! by Lily and Thistle: https://www.lilyandthistle.com/courses/
This is a new addition to our homeschool year – and we are loving it! Each of the twelve countries highlighted in this around-the-world art curriculum is different, unique, and fascinating. The units are available digitally and each include two art projects that could be differentiated easily for various age groups. Besides the art projects, each unit explains the country’s flag, has links to some fantastic youtube videos that highlight various aspects of each location, as well as an incredibly thorough booklist. Recipes for each location are provided to make this a really special unit study for each country you choose to visit!
A few favorite podcasts:
Read-Aloud Revival: Everything you ever wanted to know about reading and kids – how to use reading to strengthen relationships, develop happy life-long readers, and good reading habits!
Little by Little Homeschool: An inspirational podcast about homeschooling and homemaking that will help you with all the things! Short episodes contain clear action items or suggestions to make our days easier and more joy-filled.
At Home With Sally: One of our all-time favorite homeschool figures out there, Sally Clarkson will enlighten any mother to be the best she can be for her family. Have some tea with Sally and feel re-invigorated!
Wild+Free: Another great resource for homeschool moms, this podcast regularly discusses new books and resources that have come out on various homeschool topics, and puts a focus on the beauty that homeschooling can bring to you and your family.