With so many homeschool curriculum options out there, it can be tough to know what the best homeschool curriculum is for your family. I’ve tried MANY. But there are 6 best homeschool curriculum options I come back to year after year.
Today I took my kids to the eye doctor where another mom herding five kids was already waiting. Naturally, we started chatting and she asked if I homeschooled. She was a homeschool mom, too! How fun!
What homeschool curriculum do you use?
Then, naturally, her follow up question, was, “what homeschool curriculum do you use?”. And it dawned on me that you can tell a whole lot about a mom’s homeschooling style with just that one simple question.
These days, my answer isn’t as straight forward as it was in my early days of homeschooling. I no longer use just one curriculum, but a hodge-podge of resources in a more eclectic homeschooling style.
>>> What’s your homeschooling style? Find out here!
Why use so many homeschool curricula options?
Well, after years of homeschooling and trying to meet the needs of children with vastly different homeschool learning styles, I’ve found that the best approach for our family is a little of this and a little of that.
So, over almost a decade of homeschooling, I’ve tried a lot of different homeschool curricula. Some have worked really well for certain of my kids, while others did not.
But year after year, there are certain publishers and resources that have been clear winners.
The best homeschool curriculum choices
These homeschool curriculum options make our family’s must-have list.
1. Saxon Math
When my oldest started school, she went to a private university-model academy and they started her on Saxon math. I fell in love with the way Saxon spirals the math concepts so all concepts stay fresh in a kids’ mind. So, when we switched to homeschool, I explored other math options but ultimately came back to using Saxon.
Now, after having used Saxon 1st grade through high school, I can see the beauty in the rigor of the Saxon system. It really prepares students well academically for college level work. That same little girl who started in Saxon 1 now handled college algebra, trig, and is currently in college calculus!
>>> Rough Homeschool day with math? Check out 10 Tips for a Smoother Day
2. Nicole the Math Lady
As much as we love, Saxon, we love Nicole the Math Lady even more! See, my biggest knock on Saxon was that I couldn’t keep up with the grading for my kids. Plus, math time took up so much of our day that I was struggling to teach multiple kids.
The solution? Nicole the Math Lady teaches the Saxon math lesson for you and the student gets immediate feedback on his math problems when he enters it into the computer. Her services have been such a tremendous blessing for us! Using Nicole freed me up to teach other subjects to other kids. Definite game changer.
>>> Read an honest review of Nicole the Math Lady
3. All About Spelling
I absolutely love the All About Spelling program. There are so many spelling programs out there and we tried several before landing on All About Spelling. Its colorful, hands-on approach to spelling with careful, systematic planning of words and spelling rules was just what we needed!
My second child was really struggling in spelling until we found this program. It changed everything! As a child with dyslexia, it was just what he needed. Since then, I’ve used it with my other kids who don’t have dyslexia and it’s been fabulous for them, too. Now, All About Spelling is the gold standard in our house for spelling.
4. Story of the World
When I was a kid, history seemed so boring and never made sense. I was determined to find a way to make history fun and accessible at a kid-level. When we found the Story of the World books, I was hooked! Now, we’ve been using them for years and I wouldn’t think of schooling elementary without them.
Personally, I find the stories fascinating, and they keep the interest of my kids too. Plus, the teacher’s guide comes with tons of interactive and engaging ways to make history come alive. We’ve built all sorts of interesting things over the years like this super fun quadrant and salt dough maps for geography.
5. First Language Lessons
As a new homeschooling mom, I wasn’t sure if I thought teaching grammar was all that important. Now, I’ve changed my tune! Grammar’s not just important – it’s essential. First Language Lessons contributed to the change in my thinking! This step-by-step grammar primer for elementary kids teaches every principal a child needs to know to become a good writer.
In this age of digital media, it can be easy to dismiss the importance of writing. But a child who can understand and command good grammar has the edge up! First Language Lessons moves at a gentle, slow pace but covers every single aspect needed. The lessons are short but give just enough practice. We love it!
6. Good Literature
Okay, so this isn’t a specific curriculum, but no homeschool curriculum is complete without rich, wholesome, authentic literature. Kids need to read good, living books every day.
Not every book is a good book, though. I’ve heard parents say they don’t care what their children are reading as long as they read. I disagree. That’s like saying it doesn’t matter what they eat as long as they eat. We all know children are healthier if they eat real food with good nutrients. In the same way, children are mentally and emotionally healthier if they read good literature with wholesome messages.
So, choosing good books and requiring kids to read daily is an important part of homeschooling! That’s why the best homeschool curriculum must include great classics and engaging reads.
Check out these free downloadable guides to wholesome literature for a grade-by-grade breakdown of awesome books for kids.
What homeschool curriculum should I use?
Noone can tell you exactly what homeschool curriculum will work best for your family. But it certainly helps to hear what other homeschooling families have tried and what they like or dislike about a certain curriculum.
Of course, we use other homeschool curricula as well, but these are our favs. Sometimes, we find another curriculum that works really well for one child for one year. But these six best homeschool curriculum winners are the ones we keep coming back to that have worked year after year for our four vastly different learners.
And I just bet they might work for your crew, too!
I’m thrilled to be an affiliate for All about Learning Press and Nicole the Math Lady. That’s how much I love these two programs! So, if you decide to visit their site, I’d be delighted if you would click my affiliate link. I only recommend products I use myself and love. Clicking to their website from my link costs nothing extra for you but helps keep my website free for the future.
Love love love Saxon math. I agree, you have to use what works for you and your learner.