CURRICULA & EDUCATIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Director’s Pick:
Full Curriculum, Online Homeschool:
DISCOVERY K12: http://discoveryk12.com/
EASY PEASY: http://allinonehomeschool.com/
****Middle & High School****
FOUR OF MY FAVORITES:
EDUCATOR.COM: Educator.com (includes online AP classes)
HIPPO CAMPUS: http://hippocampus.
KHAN ACADEMY: https://www.
DISCOVERY K12: http://discoveryk12.com/
7th-12th Grade (SC Only): https://virtualsc.org/
Deputy Director’s Summary List:
Secular Curriculum Options
Secular curriculum is an option for homeschool families that does not include any religious teachings in the curriculum. There are a plethora of secular curriculum options ranging from literature based to textbook based. Below are some of our top picks.
Literature Based Options
Bookshark
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? Bookshark is designed to be completed 4 days a week, utilizing levels instead of grades, and only has to be purchased every 2 years.
Website: www.bookshark.com
Torchlight
Grades: Torchlight utilizes levels instead of grades, and is designed for children 4-10 years of age.
What makes them unique? Torchlight utilizes an eclectic hands-on learning approach that encompasses learning from a Humanistic perspective.
Website: www.torchlightcurriculum.com
Oak Meadow
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? Oak Meadow utilizes the Waldorf learning philosophy.
Website: www.oakmeadow.com
Five in a Row
Grades: Five in a Row does not utilize grades. Five in a Row is designed for children 2-12 years of age.
What makes them unique? Five in a Row is a Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum, and can be taught from either a secular or Christian worldview.
Website: www.fiveinarow.com
Blossom & Root
Grades: Pre-K through 4th
What makes them unique? Blossom & Root is a play-based, creative, nature-based curriculum. Blossom & Root is for grades pre-k through 4th grade.
Website: www.blossomandroot.com
Textbook Based Options
Calvert Homeschool
Grades: Kindergarten through 2nd
What makes them unique? Calvert Homeschool is a part of the Calvert private school. Grades K-2 are offered only in a hard copy format, and may be purchased as either boxed kits or individual subjects (non-digital).
Website: www.calverthomeschool.com
Timberdoodle
Grades: Pre-K through 12th grade
What makes them unique? Timberdoodle offers a unique boxed set for homeschool families with not only textbooks but also hands-on STEM puzzles, toys, and much more (science, technology engineering, and mathematics). Additionally, Timberdoodle offers both secular and Christian curriculum kits.
Website: www.timberdoodle.com
Christian Curriculum Options
Christian based curriculum options encompass a biblical worldview to their teachings. There are a plethora of Christian curriculum options ranging from literature to textbook based. Below are some of our picks.
Literature based
Five in a Row
Grades: Five in a Row does not utilize grades. Five in a Row is designed for children 2-12 years of age.
What makes them unique? Five in a Row is a Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum, and can be taught from either a secular or Christian worldview.
Website: www.fiveinarow.com
Sonlight
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? Sonlight can be purchased by level or by grade. Additionally, Sonlight encourages wonder and exploration, as well as a balanced biblical worldview perspectives.
Website: www.sonlight.com
My Father’s World
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? My Father’s World encompasses the learning philosophies of Charlotte Mason and Classical Conversations.
Website: www.mfwbooks.com
Ambleside Online
Grades: Ambleside Online does not utilize grades. Ambleside Online utilizes years instead or grades and ranges for children 6-18 years of age.
What makes them unique? Ambleside Online is a free Charlotte Mason inspired curriculum.
Website: www.amblesideonline.org
The Good and the Beautiful
Grades: Pre-K through 8th, as well as high school language arts elective
What makes them unique? The Good and the Beautiful has a mission to simply make homeschooling easy and beautiful, with a goal of bringing the power of literature back into the world.
Website: www.goodandbeautiful.com
Textbook based options
Abeka
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? Abeka is not only a homeschool curriculum, but also one that is used in private schools. Abeka offers both curriculum kits and video lessons.
Website: www.abeka.com
Timberdoodle
Grades: Pre-K through 12th grade
What makes them unique? Timberdoodle offers a unique boxed set for homeschool families with not only textbooks but also hands-on STEM puzzles, toys, and much more (science, technology engineering, and mathematics). Additionally, Timberdoodle offers both secular and Christian curriculum kits.
Website: www.timberdoodle.com
Digital Options
Digital curriculum options are ones that can be taught using a digital device, like a tablet or computer. There are a plethora of digital curriculum options out there including both secular and Christian picks. Below are some of our picks.
Time 4 Learning
Grades: Pre-K through 12th
What makes them unique? Time 4 Learning is a secular digital curriculum that does not have any set assignment dates nor set times to login. With Time 4 Learning, the parent will only act as a supplemental instructor and will not be required to “teach” fulltime. NOTE: Time 4 Learning does not include a teacher.
AOP Curriculum
Grades: 3rd through 12th
What makes them unique? AOP is a Christian digital curriculum that offers two unique options for families, Monarch and Switched-On Schoolhouse. Monarch is a curriculum that you would download to your computer, and Switched-On Schoolhouse is one that is mailed to you as a USB. Both options are flexible with no set assignment dates nor times to login. The parent would only act as a supplemental instructor and will not be required to “teach” fulltime. NOTE: AOP curriculum does not include a teacher.
Website: www.aop.com/curriculum
Calvert Homeschool
Grades: 3rd through 12th
What makes them unique? Calvert’s secular digital curriculum is the same one that is utilized in their private school in Baltimore, Maryland. There are no set assignment dates nor times to login. Parents would only act as a supplemental instructor and will not be required to “teach” fulltime. NOTE: Calvert Homeschool does not include a teacher.
Website: www.calverthomeschool.com
Liberty University Online Academy
Grades: Kindergarten through 12th
What makes them unique? LUOA is a Christian based online academy, and is a flexible yet structured program. Additionally, LUOA includes teachers with their program.
Website: www.liberty.edu/online-academy/
Unit Studies
Unit studies are a collection of learning activities combined into one particular theme. It is a hands-on learning style approach that encompasses all of the school subjects in one. Below are some of our picks.
Weaver (Christian based)
www.aop.com/curriculum/weaver
LIFEPAC (Christian based)
www.aop.com/curriculum/shop-lifepac
Unit Studies by Amanda Bennett (Secular)
www.unitstudy.com
Five in a Row (Secular and/or Christian based)
www.fiveinarow.com
Lapbooks
Lapbooks are folders that you utilize to create a book, similar to a unit study on one single subject. It is a hands-on approach using: paper cutting, gluing, and coloring as a homeschool tool. Below are some of our picks.
A Journey Through Learning (Secular and/or Christian based)
www.ajourneythroughlearning.net
In the Hand of a Child (Secular and/or Christian based)
www.handsofachild.com
All-In-One Curriculum
[FREE] Easy Peasy All-In-One Homeschool
http://allinonehomeschool.wordpress.com/
[FREE] The Tanglewood School (grades 1-8)
http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/
[FREE] Ambleside Online, a free Charlotte Mason curriculum guide (book purchases are sometimes required)
http://www.amblesideonline.org
[FREE] Mater Amabilis, a free Charlotte Mason curriculum for Catholics (book purchases are sometimes required)
[FREE] Free World U, a free online pre-K through 12 program
http://www.freeworldu.org/static/index.aspx
[FREE] Free online curriculum for 6th to grade 12
http://www.sascurriculumpathways.com/portal/
[FREE] High School for Homeschoolers
http://www.homeschoolcollegeusa.com/high-school-studies.html
Sonlight: complete History, Language Art, Reading and Bible
Seton: Complete curriculum for all subjects, Catholic
Kolbe is a complete curriculum (Catholic based) that offers a forum, counseling services as well as transcript help etc.
My Father’s World (You add your own English and Math)
Bible
God’s Great Covenant
http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=26
[FREE] Four Year Bible Studies course for highschool students
http://www.kid-friendly-homeschool-curriculum.com/of-faith-and-knowledge.html
Math
[FREE] Middle School Math
http://www.mastermath.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=25
[FREE] Math Textbooks, including Algebra
http://www.mathtv.com/onlinebooks/
[FREE] Algebra
[FREE] Algebra Textbook
http://www.ck12.org/book/Algebra-I/r2/
[FREE] Money Management Skills
[FREE} MathXtra (good math exercises for about grades 2-5)
Teaching Textbooks
Horizons
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons_overview
Saxon
http://saxonhomeschool.hmhco.com/en/products/ default.htm?level2Code=M0006&level3Code=M31081&level4Code=&level5Code=
Math U See
Dreambox
History/Geography
[FREE] American History
http://www.raisingrefounders.com/
[FREE] Geography
http://www.geography4kids.com/
[FREE] Geography Software/Game
[FREE] 5,000 Historical Maps
http://etc.usf.edu/maps/index.htm
[FREE] Ancient History
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/history/ancient/books.html
[FREE] American History
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/history/americanhistoryindex.html
[FREE] History for Kids
[FREE] World History
http://www.gosocialstudiesgo.com/world-history-homepage
[FREE] Civil War History Curriculum for all grades
http://www.civilwar.org/education/teachers/curriculum/
[FREE] Maps That Teach
http://www.yourchildlearns.com/geography.htm
Time Traveler
http://www.homeschoolinthewoods.com/HTTA/TTS/
MCP Maps Charts and Graphs
http://www.amazon.com/CHARTS-GRAPHS-LEVEL-STATES-REGIONS/dp/0813621356
Science
[FREE] Elementary Life Science
http://www.eequalsmcq.com/ClassicScienceLife.htm
[FREE] Inquiry In Action: Physical Science & Chemistry
http://www.inquiryinaction.org/
[FREE] Astronomy
http://kidsastronomy.com/academy/index.htm
[FREE] Biology
[FREE] Elementary Chemistry
http://www.chem4kids.com/index.html
[FREE] Biology
[FREE] Astronomy
[FREE] Physics
[FREE] Botany
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/science/botany/botany_curriculum.html
[FREE] The Human Body
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/science/otters_science/otters_science_main.html
[FREE] Chemistry
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/science/otters_chemistry/chemistrybooks.html
[FREE] Science, Grade 3-8
http://www.kid-friendly-homeschool-curriculum.com/MatchcardScience.html
[FREE] Middle School Chemistry
http://www.middleschoolchemistry.com/
[FREE] HS Science
http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/jh.html
[FREE] Elementary Science
http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/index.html
Apologia
http://www.apologia.com/index.asp?proc=pg&pg=87
Sonlight Science
Real Science 4 Kids
http://www.gravitaspublications.com/
Language Arts/English/Spelling/Vocabulary
[FREE] Grammar & Writing Workbooks, Grades 1 through 6
http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html
[FREE] Spelling Course
http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/spelling/index.htm
Wordly Wise
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/cms_content?page=610633&sp=1016&event=1016WOWI |403194|102656
Easy Grammar
Spelling Power
Word Roots
http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?code=c&id=03701
Critical Thinking
http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?code=c&id=00511
All About Spelling
http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/categories/All-About-Spelling/
Reading
[FREE] Books for Reading
http://homeschoolfreestuff.wordpress.com/books-for-reading/robinson-booklist/
[FREE] Kids 4 Classics
[FREE] Free Ebook for Kids (in color and readable from the website)
http://www.oxfordowl.co.uk/FindBook
Horizons Phonics
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons_overview
Art
[FREE] Art Appreciation
http://gardenofpraise.com/art.htm
[FREE] How to Draw
http://artforkidshub.com/how-to-draw/
[FREE] Art Lessons
[FREE] Art Lessons
http://www.homeschoolarts.com/main.htm
[FREE] Art Projects
http://www.teachartathome.com/projects.html
Artistic Pursuits
http://www.artisticpursuits.com/
[FREE] Watercolor
http://www.watercoloursecrets.com/ebook.html#free
[FREE] Chalk Pastels Art Lessons
http://www.hodgepodge.me/2011/01/pastels-plus-links-to-tutorials/
[FREE] Drawing Lessons
[FREE] Meet the Masters
http://www.getinvolvedineducation.com/pdfs/For-Program-Managers/Meet-the-Masters-Program-Manual.pdf
[FREE] Asian Art Appreciation
http://education.asianart.org/
[FREE] The ABCs of Art is a series of handouts in the elements and principles of art from Awesome Artists, available both in color and in black and white.
http://awesomeartists.com/ART/mTableOfContentsTheABCsOfArt.htm
[FREE] The Virtual Instructor has over 130 video art lessons, from drawing to painting
http://thevirtualinstructor.com/videos.html
[FREE] Kinderart, free art lesson plans including art history, architecture and various media
http://kinderart.com/artlessons.shtml
[FREE] Dick Blick, known for providing fine artist’s tools and affordable craft supplies, has pages of free lesson plans you can download as PDFs. Some even include online video lessons.
http://www.dickblick.com/lessonplans/
[FREE] List of Educational Art Resources
http://homeschoolheartandmind.blogspot.com/2013/01/37-free-online-art-and-music-resources.html
Music
Story of the Orchestra
http://www.amazon.com/Story-Orchestra-Listen-Instruments-Composers/dp/1579121489
[FREE] Piano Lessons
http://www.freepianolessons4kids.com/index.html
[FREE] Music Theory
http://www.allabouttrumpet.com/BMT/free-stuff.html
[FREE] Piano Lesson
[FREE] Music Theory
[FREE] Music Theory
[FREE] Music Theory
http://www.allabouttrumpet.com/BMT/BMT_giveaway.html
[FREE] List of Educational Music Resources
http://homeschoolheartandmind.blogspot.com/2013/01/37-free-online-art-and-music-resources.html
Penmanship
A Reason For Handwriting
http://www.areasonfor.com/article.php?id=19
Horizons Penmanship
http://www.aophomeschooling.com/horizons.html
[FREE] Better Letter Primer, K-2
http://www.kid-friendly-homeschool-curriculum.com/better-letter-primer.html
Foreign Language
[FREE] French
http://www.frenchassistant.com/
[FREE] Mandarin Chinese
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYjwfknG8FDRmzoru-CQZ7Tif3ddz4Wfd
[FREE] Chinese
kidschinesepodcast.com/learn-pinyin/
[FREE] Chinese
www.learnchineseez.com/lessons/mandarin/pinyin/index.html
[FREE] Chinese
www.chinese-tools.com/learn/chinese
[FREE] Chinese
www.openculture.com/free_mandarin_chinese_lessons
[FREE] Chinese
[FREE] Spanish
[FREE] Spanish
[FREE] Spanish
http://www.onlinefreespanish.com/
[FREE] Spanish
http://www.nocomprendo.es/learn_spanish_online/spanish_for_beginners
[FREE] Multiple Languages
http://www.learnalanguage.com/
[FREE] Chinese
http://www.graspchinese.com/learn/saying-hello/5.aspx
Latin for Children
http://classicalacademicpress.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=13
The Chinese Language for Beginners
http://www.christianbook.com/the-chinese-language-for-beginners/lee-cooper/9780804809184/pd/ 09186?item_code=WW&netp_id=240789&event=EBRN&view=details
Spanish Now!
http://www.amazon.com/Spanish-Now-Level-1-CDs/dp/0764177745/ref=pd_sim_b_2
Instant Immersion, Multiple Languages
http://store.instantimmersion.com/
Spanish Workbook & CD
www.twinsisters.com/onlinecatalog/productsforhomeschoolers/foreignlanguage-1/3219.htm
Coding/Computer Programming for Kids
[FREE] Scratch
[FREE] Hackety Hack
[FREE] Kodu
http://fuse.microsoft.com/projects/kodu
[FREE] Khan Academy Computer Science
https://www.khanacademy.org/cs
[FREE] Code Academy
http://www.codecademy.com/learn
[FREE] Kids Rudy
Virtual Field Trips (That You Can Take Anytime)
[FREE] BatsLIVE!
http://batslive.pwnet.org/index.php
[FREE] Ellis Island
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/
[FREE] Exploring Mount Vernon
http://www.aptv.org/mountvernon/
Record Keeping
[FREE] Homeschool Skedtrack
http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/HomeSchool/displayLogin.do
[FREE] Homeschool Tracker Basic
http://www.homeschooltracker.com/tracker_basic.aspx
Homeschool Tracker (online version or version you buy once, download and install on your Windows PC)
http://www.homeschooltracker.com/
Applecore
https://www.applecoresystem.com/
Lowcountry Homeschool Assocation does not accredit, approve, or endorse any of the above links listed. Please review all links being careful to protect yourself against any potential viruses or spyware and other malicious threats from internet usage.