We’ve Decided to Homeschool, Now What? Getting Started and Homeschool Curriculum Reviews

Exactly two years ago our family began our homeschooling adventure. My daughter just finished kindergarten and the nagging feeling I’d been having about homeschooling for years finally won. I un-enrolled her from pubic school and began homeschooling her over the summer.

Beginning when school was out gave me time to get comfortable with the process so that come fall I wasn’t panicking about “doing it right.” Though the thing is, I soon realized there isn’t really a right or wrong way to homeschool. There are dozens of curriculums and methods of teaching. From Classical to Unschooling to STEM-based learning… Options are endless. 

Actually one thing I enjoyed doing because I’m sorta a dork was figuring out my “homeschooling philosophy” even before I started homeschooling, because there are so many different approaches. Here’s a great breakdown of what some different homeschooling approaches and there’s even a homeschooling style personality quiz

I’ve shared a bit about our homeschool experience already:

Working out the kinks of our homeschooling strategy

What I learned after our first year

a day in our homeschool life

What you Don’t need to homeschool your kids

The truth about homeschooling

and First Day of Homeschool Tradition Ideas

homeschool curriculum

Getting started with homeschooling and choosing a  curriculum (if you decide you want to follow one) can be overwhelming. These last two years we’ve tried out several different homeschool curriculums and methods and there are pros and cons to each. A lot of people have asked what we use for homeschooling so I thought it would be fun to share some of what we’ve tried.

Over the next several weeks I’ll break down what we’ve tried and review different homeschool curriculums to hopefully help those of you who are considering some of these.

Requirements vary by state. Luckily getting started homeschooling  in Texas is pretty much a piece of cake.

Here’s a quick rundown of the homeschool curriculums we’re tried. I’ll come back and add links to this master post as I publish each review.:

All-in-one Curriculum

Ambleside Online (free, Charlotte Mason based)

Heart of Dakota

Power Homeschool (formerly known as Acellus)

IXL

Math

Acellus Math

Math U See

Math Mammoth

Reading and Writing

All About Reading

Handwriting Without Tears

Explode the Code

A homeschool day in the life. Our homeschool routine.

Science

Magic School Bus Science Kits

Extras

Unit Studies – Greek Mythology, Black History, A Wrinkle in Time

Adapted Mind

Starfall

Kahn Academy (free)

Charlotte Mason Co-Op

Wild and Free Conference

Wild Explorers Club

I’ve bounced around a lot because our needs have changed over time. But that’s the great thing about homeschooling–How flexible and perfectly tailored it can be for your child.

We’ve truly enjoyed our time homeschooling so far and I hope there are many more years ahead for us. With a new baby coming in a month we’re still deciding our plan for this fall. It breaks my heart to think we may need to take a break, but I know it’s always something we can come back to. Hopefully this list will be helpful for those of you looking for some more homeschooling curriculum resources and reviews.

If you have other budding questions about homeschooling let me know, I’ll keep coming back adding to this post!


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Bestvela says:

Second, my single biggest concern is getting enough time for my own work. I’m testing things out this summer…just in case. My son does not want to be in school all day for first grade and, quite frankly, I don’t want him to be.

Regards
MJ

Guillaume says:

He loves you in this case the time to be always at home he is used he needs a habit he get used to

InfoVan says:

You get the full benefits of home-schooling depending on your approach to it…really doesn’t get a specific approach…just study your environment, neighbourhood and child(s) and adopt a plan that suits your environment. If you struggling with a plan or approach, the following gives an amazing program to structure your curriculum and teaching…-http://bit.ly/2yv7be7

gmail login says:

I read in your blog as in a travel guide and always find new, interesting information. Much coincided with our experience. Thank you for that!

Elisaa says:

really doesn’t get a specific approach…just study your environment, neighbourhood and child(s) and adopt a plan that suits your environment. If you struggling with a plan or approach, the following gives an amazing program to structure your curriculum and teaching.

Margarita says:

I am homeschooling my 8th grade granddaughter. Where do i go to find a curriculum or do i just use any history math science books. Plesde help me I live in Georgia


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Hi! I’m Jennifer Borget

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I'm a former journalist, and lifelong creator striving to make the world a better place. This is the space where I share my journey in making the most of every day by cherishing our individuality and celebrating our differences.



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