Homeschool Curriculum: My Top Picks K-12

(This post contains links to my products.)

Did y’all know I have a master’s degree in elementary education and taught in a classroom for several years?  Yep.  Why does that matter?  Well, I’ve been trained to recognize good curriculum.

Flip the coin.  Did y’all know I’ve homeschooled three children from PK-12 over the last 15 years?  Yep.  Why does that matter?  I’ve had the opportunity to put “good curriculum” to the test many times over in the one-on-one and/or family-style situations of homeschooling.

Did y’all know over the years, I’ve reviewed well over 100 homeschooling products?  Yep.  Am I trying to impress you?  Nope.  But, I’ve seen and used some of the most well-known and well-respected curriculum out there.

Did y’all know I write homeschool curriculum?  Yep.  What’s my point?  In some cases, I’ve seen gaps in homeschooling curriculum that needed to be filled OR found exciting ways of learning that I just had to share.

So, all that to say…I know homeschool curriculum.  Heck, I even offer curriculum consultation to help providers evaluate the academic quality and student engagement of their products.

Over the years, a handful of exceptional materials have risen to the top as curriculum choices I continually turn to and can heartily recommend. 

Homeschool Curriculum: Top Picks by Grade

Kindergarten-2nd Grade

Early Elementary Top Picks

Why no preschool recommendations?  Formal curriculum in the preschool years isn’t necessary.  I much prefer lots and lots of read-alouds, along with gentle, playful learning opportunities through nature walks, simple experiments, art, cooking with mom, hands-on exploration, dramatic play and the like.

3rd-5th Grade

Upper Elementary Top Picks

Middle School

Middle School Top Picks

High School

High School Top Picks

Most of you know our homeschool is eclectically Charlotte Mason in style.  In other words, the framework of our studies and schedule is built on Charlotte Mason’s principles.  At the same time, we loosely follow a four-year Classical model for science and history AND utilize unit studies with project-based learning when appropriate.

The curricula I consider tried and true have worked time and again in our homeschool – which includes eclectic methods and children with very different learning styles.  For those reasons, I feel like the lists I’ve provided are solid considerations for any homeschool.  HOWEVER, it’s very important to understand that no two homeschools are alike.  Take my recommendations with a grain of salt and always do what works for your family.

So, whatcha think?  Did I forget any of your most favorite homeschooling curricula?