🌍 The top 12 all-in-one secular homeschool curricula of 2023
Challenging, engaging, mastery-based curriculum for every kind of learner
There are many different approaches to modular learning and no one option best fits every family. Many families use a system called “mastery hours” where they choose a core Math curriculum, core Language Arts curriculum, and spend 1-2 hours a day focused on those. Then, children spend the rest of the day in self-directed learning, extracurriculars or families pick and choose other subjects like social studies, math and science to supplement.
Many families find it most convenient to choose a full curriculum they can use to cover all core subjects that are taught in school, to make sure they have their bases covered and their children are learning what they need to excel.
When it comes to finding a high-quality, secular homeschool curriculum, it can be difficult to know where to start. Anyone can publish their curriculum online - and that’s not a guarantee of quality. Many curricula are not fully secular (even if they’re advertised as being so). The best homeschool curricula are not always accredited as that requires a lengthy and expensive process, and often requires curriculum designers to closely imitate the way things are taught in school (including gearing curriculum to standardized tests). Plenty curriculums do imitate exactly what’s being taught in school, which is a bit of a disappointment for families that are choosing modular learning to make their child’s education more enriching and engaging than what they’d find in a typical classroom environment. Others lack scaffolding, are overpriced and challenging for families to follow. Like curricula taught in school, many are not truly comprehensive, excluding the history and voices of women, African Americans, Native Americans and other historically underrepresented groups. Even a highly recommended curriculum might not be the best fit for a child who is not neurotypical: profoundly gifted, on the spectrum, with ADHD, dyslexic or unique in any way.
At Modulo, we’ve spent three years doing a deep dive on all the fully secular homeschooling curriculum available. We’ve analyzed feedback from thousands of secular homeschooling families and tested them with our own students, representing a wide array of learning needs. We’ve vetted them for accuracy, ensured they were fully secular, mastery-based and followed a sound pedagogical approach. We diligently sought out programs that included and embraced diverse viewpoints and were based on scientific understanding, clearly conveying established scientific evidence around climate change and evolution, in particular.
Not sure how to decide from all the options, try our free curriculum planner for custom recommendations based on your family and child’s learning need.
A note about math and early literacy
Even if families choose to go with a full curriculum, we recommend families supplementing with an independent math curriculum, and literacy curriculum (if a child is just learning to read). Math is an especially nuanced subject to teach and we’ve found it is done best if that’s the sole focus on the company creating it. The best curricula focus on problem-solving, rather than rote memorization. Children vary widely in the way they learn math, so finding an approach that fits them is critical. Likewise, there’s decades of complex research on the science of reading, so for learning to read, a company that’s done that research and developed a curriculum aligned with that science is often the best option for kids.
Our core values
At Modulo, we believe a strong curriculum teaches students how to think, not what to think, while including a comprehensive view of world history and current events.
Growing up in a progressive environment, I was fortunate to be exposed to a wide variety of both conservative and liberal views, which helped me build understanding, learn to communicate, develop more nuanced views, be more curious and ultimately, make a bigger impact in the world.
It’s our aim to support families in cultivating sound research skills in students, encouraging them to test assumptions check sources, analyze information and arrive at their own conclusions.
We bring our own perspective to what needs to be included in curriculum and fully champion curricula that promote democratic values of open dialogue, diversity, human rights, community, safety, trust, innovation, respect, and inclusivity. We do not recommend curricula that discriminate on the basis of race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, or political affiliation.
We truly believe that curious, compassionate, courageous independent thinkers can change the world, and have aspired to choose curricula that challenge and delight the scholars, shakers and humanitarians in the making.
Many of the curricula's also have online discussion groups on Facebook, which can be a great way to make friends and enrich learning through conversations with other families passionate about education innovation.
What we looked for
Challenging, yet fun: A good curriculum should gently nudge a child past their limits, but keep them excited and engaged in learning, fueling curiosity and nurturing a lifelong passion to grow.
Accurate: Unfortunately, most curricula have some errors, but we did our best to choose curricula that kept them to a minimum and were highly responsive when families spotted mistakes.
Aligned with school standards, but not designed for school standards.
Based on scientific understanding, in accord with established scientific principles backed up by scholarly research including evolution and climate change, not “neutral science” which avoids confirming or denying scientific evidence.
Diverse and inclusive, representing a wide range of voices and stories in history and literature including women, people of color, and the LGBTQ community.
Easy for parents to use for most who want to teach their child at home, regardless of teaching experience
Fun and engaging for kids to use and kid approved!
Full curriculum (except math and early literacy) covering all subjects necessary for a well-rounded education except in most cases, math and early literacy which are most often better taught with a stand-alone curriculum.
Innovative approach (not just standardized test prep) that takes education to the next level and is evolving as it goes.
Not geared towards standardized tests, but geared towards cultivating critical, curious thinkers with a deep understanding of history, culture, current events, math science, and have the tools to learn whatever skills they need to understand the world around them, grow, contribute and accomplish what they set out to do.
Open and go, not requiring large amounts of prep or extra materials.
Project-based with hands-on learning components.
Mastery-based: self-paced curriculum where kids can master each skill before moving on to the next in a rhythm that makes sense.
Multi-sensory drawing on kinesthetic, auditory and visual skills.
Secular, not including religious content or beliefs, but in some cases teaching about religion as a cultural and historical phenomenon, exploring the beliefs, practices, and customs of different religions and their impact on society, without promoting or endorsing any particular religious belief or practice, to provide a factual and objective understanding of the role of religion in human history and culture
Scaffolding in curriculum design involves breaking down learning objectives into achievable goals, designing supportive learning activities and assessments, sequencing tasks, providing practice and feedback, and gradually increasing task complexity and independence
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics, and is an educational approach that integrates these disciplines into a cohesive learning paradigm. This approach encourages students to think creatively and apply critical thinking skills to solve complex problems by combining the analytical and problem-solving skills of STEM with the creativity and design skills of the arts. STEAM education is designed to prepare students for the challenges of the modern world by fostering innovation, collaboration, and interdisciplinary thinking, and providing them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly changing global economy.
A note about affiliate links: A few of the curriculum we recommend here have affiliate links. That means when you follow the link in the highlight box and purchase their curriculum, Modulo receives a small referral commission. (You do not pay any extra). Affiliate links do not impact our recommendations or choice of curriculum here. We chose all these programs before we requested to develop a partnership with them. All curricula we have active affiliate relationships with are marked with a star(*) in their title.
1. Our Top Choice Overall
Torchlight (PreK-6th)
Also best choice for gifted and profoundly gifted, auditory learners
Child archetype: Loves reading or being read to, loves listening to podcasts, and/or gifted or profoundly gifted
Not a fit for: Very physical children who are highly active, have trouble sitting still, who have difficulty reading, dislike being read to or have been diagnosed with dyslexia.
While no curriculum is perfect for every learner, we love Torchlight because of it’s socratic, multi-sensory approach. Torchlight is a literature-based curriculum that includes a broad selection of diverse, challenging books. It’s self-paced with the option to use more or fewer books, so it’s a great choice for gifted learners, as well as those who need more time to process concepts. Families love that Torchlight includes built-in flexibility, so they can customize the curriculum to their child’s rhythm and preferences. Some families feel overwhelmed with the number of books in the book list, but families can easily choose the books they like, and leave the rest. The curriculum works very well only using the “spines,” which are the core books used for the curriculum. To save money, families can check the books out at their local library or use interlibrary loan if they’re unavailable.
Pros
The challenging, self-paced curricula is great for gifted students.
Children with ASD/ADHD respond well to the program.
Children love their parents reading to them.
The online community is particularly strong.
It’s helpful to have a guideline and something to rely on as a back-up to a less formal homeschool curriculum.
It’s very flexible and easy to adapt. It also fits well with an unschooling approach.
The program can be followed in as little as 20 minutes of study a day to stay at or exceed grade level, but there are also enough lessons and activities to go much more in-depth with units of study.
Cons
Some parents feel that Torchlight is more like an elevated book list, than a curriculum, but this is more often the case when they don’t use the prompts and questions at the back of the book.
For many younger children, parents feel the curriculum is not hands-on and active enough and they would prefer more outdoor activities.
Some families feel the curriculum is tedious and has too much “busy work,” especially if a child suffers from ADHD, though others felt they were able to navigate this by picking and choosing lessons and not feeling pressure to complete every assignment.
While some families enjoyed the flexibility of the program, others felt it lacked enough structure and organization for them.
Budget option: Get the books via interlibrary loan, share the curricula with another family in the curriculum discussion group or Torchlight Buy/Sell Group.
Curriculum Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TorchlightCurriculum
Middle and High School Option: Build Your Library
2. Best nature-based curriculum
Blossom and Root (PreK-5th)*
Also best choice for physically active kids, builders and children with ADHD.
Child archetype: Physically active children who loves projects, arts and crafts, nature and the outdoors, caring for plants and animals, have been diagnosed with ADHD.
Not a fit for: Children who dislike arts and crafts, prefer screen time to outdoor activity or quieter, indoor activities, some gifted kids who need more challenging activities to stay engaged.
Blossom and Root is a beautiful, nature-based program designed by a teacher that includes both outdoor and indoor elements, and incorporates lots of arts and crafts. Families particularly praise the science program. Families can purchase Blossom and Root as a complete curriculum, or buy individual units such as science or social studies. Each day includes easy-to-follow activities that are easy for parents and caregivers to do with kids. Blossom and Root is a wonderful option for an artsy, hands-on learner, but not the top choice for kids who prefer workbooks and don’t gravitate towards and arts. Some families felt that Torchlight highlights more diverse writers in its literature and social studies program, and is a more challenging program overall. It’s highly recommended that families use a math and early literacy supplement to Blossom and Root, such as Wild Learning.*
Blossom & Root Levels
The website can be a bit complex to navigate, so we’ve provided a direct link to the full bundle for each level (Prices range from $4 to a single unit/subject to $159 for a full-year bundle)
Pros
The science and nature studies program is particularly strong
An outstanding choice for kids who love arts & crafts
Highly engaging for children with ADHD, autism or sensory processing challenges
Cons
Too gentle/easy for some families with more accelerated kids to use as a full curriculum
Not a good fit for children who don’t enjoy arts and crafts
There is no math program
Authors featured are not as diverse as Torchlight
Budget option: Get the curriculum or supporting materials used via the Blossom and Root Buy/Sell/Trade group. Families can also look for free, nature-based activities at Free Forest School or other free nature-based activities on TpT.
Curriculum discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/249131595793977
Middle and high school option: Build Your Library (more innovative) or Oak Meadow (more nature-based)
3. Top choice for gifted kids who love workbooks
The Critical Thinking Co (PreK-12th)
Also best choice for families with gifted kids who are looking for a curriculum more aligned with traditional schools and typical learning outcomes.
Child archetype: Loves workbooks, assessments and highly structured activities
Not a fit for: Physically active children, reluctant learners, highly kinesthetic learners.
For the “screen-sensitive” parent looking for a more traditional approach to academics with minimal to no prep time, The Critical Thinking Co is our top choice for a workbook-based curriculum (though they do also provide extensive digital resources as well including ebooks, apps, online quizzes and puzzles). Established in 1958 and used by 70k schools, 120 countries and 36mm students, is a comprehensive, mastery-based curriculum that cultivates critical thinking skills, helps students achieve higher test scores, and engages students in learning while meeting state standards for learning. It’s won multiple awards and is consistently praised by parents for its colorful layouts, clear explanation of concepts and ease of use. While it doesn't offer the variety of socratic inquiry, project-based learning, or nature-based activities as some newer curricula, it's a great option for kids who love workbooks, and parents who want an easy-to follow, engaging curriculum to ensure their child perform on tests at the same level or higher than their peers. Like many other curriculum, the Critical Thinking Co’s curriculum can be purchased as subject units or a full curriculum. We’ve also found that many parents rave about what they call “The Trifecta,” a combo of CriticalThinking Co’s Language Smarts,* Mathematical Reasoning* and Vocabulary Virtuoso* workbooks. Critical Thinking Co is a favorite of many teachers and schools who appreciate the engaging content for math, reading, science, history and more. Well worth the price, Critical Thinking Co costs around $25 for a full year of curriculum or an additional $25 for individual subjects. Price-sensitive parents can easily purchase used curriculum online or in local parent groups.
Pros
Fosters critical thinking skills.
The Trifecta: Language Smarts,* Mathematical Reasoning* and Vocabulary Virtuoso*
No prep time required
Vocabulary program is outstanding
Appeals to different learning styles (creative and logical)
A fun and engaging program
High quality materials.
Helps students perform well on standardized tests
PSAT/SAT test prep is exemplary
Cons
Most workbooks require students to respond in full sentences, so it’s not a great bet for children with a strong aversion to writing.
Several parents felt the math program lacked depth.
Language arts, math and logic programs are adequate for a main curriculum, but math, science and history seem more supplemental.
Curriculum is geared toward improving standardized test scores, so preferable as a supplement rather than the main curriculum
Budget option: Khan Academy or get the curriculum used on eBay or free via interlibrary loan.
Curriculum discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/201442805094217/
4. Best digital apps
BrainPop Jr (K-3rd) and BrainPop (3-8th+)
Also best choice for visual learners, kids on the autism spectrum, ELL and children with dyslexia
Child archetype: Visual learners, kids who love videos, quizzes and colorful characters
Not a fit for: Gifted kids who work through material quickly, and need a more rigorous program, kids who are more physically active
BrainPop (and its version for younger kids - BrainPop Jr) is an educational website that standards-aligned content for every grade and subject via animated online videos, quizzes, games. Launched in 1999 by Dr. Avraham Kadar to support his pediatric patients, BrainPop has received numerous awards, including the 2022 Tech & Learning Award of Excellence. Kids use BrainPop by watching engaging videos, playing games and completing quizzes on a variety from science and social studies to math and English language arts, and they can engage with the content through games, quizzes, and activities. Parents appreciate the engaging and entertaining approach to learning, as well as the site's accessibility for all types of learners. However, the content may not keep up with fast-paced learners and some families felt it’s a great supplement but not enough to be a full curriculum. This is an ideal option for the kind of kids who are always begging to watch YouTube and love video games. A subscription ranges from $129-$159/year for two learners, but families can often obtain it for free via their local library. A phenomenal resource for English as a second language learners, BrainPop is available in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. They also recently launched a special ELL version of the site.
Pros
Videos are highly engaging, funny and age appropriate
Easy for kids to use independently without parent help
Quizzes make it easy to track how kids are doing
Provides excellent content for visual and dyslexic learners.
Offered in multiple languages
BrainPop sensitively addresses difficult parts of history, complex and emotionally challenging topics in a way kids can understand.
Cons
Some older kids dislike the cartoon characters
Some families felt it’s not full enough as a stand-alone curriculum and needs to be supplemented
Not enough videos for some kids who work through content quickly
Too big of a developmental gap between BrainPop and BrainPop Jr
Some families find the subscription pricey
Accuracy of some information needs to be double-checked, as errors can occur.
Budget option: BrainPop can often be obtained through your local public school or public library. Khan Academy Kids and Khan Academy are great free, video and quiz-based alternatives. Khan Academy Kid’s videos are more fun and engaging, but it only goes up to 3rd grade.
Middle and high school option: BrainPop technically goes through 12th grade (it’s advertised as 8th grade+, but Time4Learning or Khan Academy may provide more in-depth online learning for those age groups.
Curriculum discussion: BrainPop has a group for certified educators.
5. Aligned with school standards
Time4Learning (K-12)
Also best choice for families who don’t have a lot of time to spend teaching their kids, want an easy to use, open and go curriculum.
Child archetype: Visual learner who enjoys videos and is self-directed
Not a fit for: Hands-on learners
Time4Learning is a mastery-based homeschool program for PreK-12th grade that uses videos to teach children all academic subjects including Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Used by over 600,000 homeschool families it’s one of the oldest and most popular comprehensive, secular homeschool programs. In terms of ages and subjects, the program is one of the most comprehensive that we’ve looked at, aside from KhanAcademy. Likewise, since the program is video-based, it’s one of the easiest to use if you a parent doesn’t have the time or interest to lead lessons. The program costs $20/month which is relatively inexpensive compared to other programs. Assessment tools help parents track progress and ensure their children are at the level they expect.
What parents love
It’s easy to use if you don’t have the bandwidth to teach.
The site broadly hits all the bases so it’s a good choice for parents concerned about their children meeting state standards for academics.
Customer service is excellent.
The videos are clear and include fun animations and people to keep children entertained.
It’s inexpensive
What parents think could be improved
The science program is lacking depth and teaches evolution, but does not explicitly debunk creationism.
It’s adequate for covering the bases but doesn’t go in-depth on content.
The site is somewhat buggy.
This program in general seems to be hit or miss in terms of how it’s received by children. Kids either love it or hate it.
Some families complain that the site is too childish.
Budget option: Khan Academy
Curriculum Discussion Groups: Time4Learning Families and Time4Learning Special Needs Families
6. Best for High School
Build Your Library (K-12)
Best high school literature-based curriculum, also good fit for families who prefer a more classical, slower-paced approach than Torchlight
Child archetype: Loves reading, books and literature
Not a fit for: Physically active, highly kinesthetic learners
Build Your Library is a literature-based K-12 homeschool curriculum founded by Emily Cook, a homeschooling mother of four in Southern NH who is passionate about sharing her love of literature with others. The program incorporates the teachings of Charlotte Mason, but is also eclectic in its philosophy. The curriculum includes a daily and weekly schedule for 30 weeks of study, a book list of all scheduled reading materials, an additional library book list for extended reading, activities and projects tied to the literature readings, notebooking activity pages (including maps), and animal research projects. A huge favorite in the secular homeschooling community, parents love the emphasis on reading aloud, which builds children's vocabulary and cultural literacy, and also deepens their relationship with their child. Some families find the number of recommended books to be overwhelming, but this is designed to keep options open and you don’t have to read all the books. Families can choose to stick with the “spines.” A few key differences between Build Your Library and Torchlight: Torchlight leaves more room for families to adapt the curriculum, while families really love that BYL has a structured schedule which made it easy to follow. In general families found Torchlight to be more challenging than Build Your Library, which could be positive or negative depending on your child’s level preferred pace. Build Your Library is more Charlotte Mason style with classic literature, whereas Torchlight is Socratic style with modern literature. Many families mix and match the two curricula. Families generally purchase the Build Your Library curriculum as a PDF download, and then get the recommended books from their local library, interlibrary loan or via Amazon.
What parents like
One of the few high quality, secular homeschool curriculums that cover all grades
The literature selection is progressive and inclusive
Helpful to learn from living books, rather than textbooks
The history and social studies program are particularly in-depth
Some parents prefer the organization of BYL to Torchlight Curriculum. BYL is more scheduled so it’s easy to anticipate what’s ahead. TL is more of a weekly checklist and easier to adapt.
BYL books are usually easier to find at libraries than Torchlight books so it's easier to do on a budget
What parents think could be improved
There is no math or grammar program
Some families found the BYL booklist isn’t progressive enough and feature as diverse and rigorous a body of work as Torchlight, but Emily Cook has been adding more diverse books to the Build Your Library booklist.
Some parents felt that BYL was not challenging enough for some families with advanced readers, but other families with gifted students loved the content.
The BYL “read, copywork, memorize and summarize” was not as inspiring for some parents who prefer Torchlight’s “explore, discover, ask questions, discussion” approach.
Some found the modern history books depressing
Very physically active learners might do better with a more project-based curriculum like Blossom and Root than a literature-based curriculum
Not a great choice for kids or parents who don’t enjoy reading
Curriculum Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1423657587900276
Budget option: BYL book swap group, interlibrary loan
7. Top choice for gifted, hands-on learners
Moving Beyond the Page (PreK-12th Grades)*
Also best choice for gifted learners who need a more hands-on approach than Torchlight
Child archetype: Gifted students who gravitate towards hands-on, project-based learning
Not a fit for: Kids who need lots of time for self-directed learning
Designed for gifted homeschool students, Moving Beyond the Page is a hands-on, comprehensive mastery-based curriculum created by highly experienced curriculum developers and teachers, all of whom have experience educating their own children from home. The curriculum extensive hands-on and experiential learning inspired by Montessori, Waldorf and Unschooling philosophy. The Moving Beyond the Page program consists of daily lesson plans that outline big ideas, skills to master, include questions and project-based activities to reinforce concepts. Lessons aim to foster creativity and adapt to different learning styles/levels, allowing for personalization. The program also emphasizes project-based learning and interdisciplinary studies. The curriculum strives to make concepts relevant to students’ lives so they are able to understand why they are learning, as well as retain and apply what they’ve learned in the real world. Moving Beyond the Page ensures their curriculum meets and exceeds all state and national standards, so this is a good choice for parents who are concerned about their children performing at grade level. The online and hard-copy curricula are exactly the same (online access is included with hard copy versions. Families love that it’s engaging, differentiated and easy to follow. While many families loved this as an option for their accelerated children, some felt it took too much time to complete and didn’t allow enough extra time for unstructured activities or extracurriculars.
Pros:
It supports accelerated learning. The mastery-based program supports students learning at their own pace. They can accelerate learning when they are catching on quickly or slow down and take a break without falling behind.
It’s not time-consuming. Most parents using this curriculum only need to teach their children 1-2 hours a day, 3-4 days/week to meet or exceed state standards for learning.
There are many options for each lesson, so parents can pick and choose the one that works best for their child.
The curriculum is engaging for the students. Children find it interesting and relatable.
It adheres to state and national learning standards. so parents can ensure that their children are meeting or exceeding standards for their grade level by following the curriculum.
It’s project-based and includes multiple modalities for learning in each lesson. This curriculum excels at supporting hands-on learners through carefully thought out activities to support each learning concept.
The program excels at differentiated instruction, so If a parent has siblings or is teaching a group, it’s easy to teach multiple levels at once
Cons:
Some parents using the curriculum feel that there are too many lessons and it takes a long time to get through it all, not leaving their children enough time to play outdoors or engage in other types of learning. However, others appreciate the options and don’t find it necessary to complete all lessons for each concept.
A few parents felt the social studies component was not aligned with their socio-political values and might be too nationalistic and un-inclusive. In particular, parents felt that the World History and Cultures unit was too short, as the curriculum focused more heavily on American History from a particular vantage point that was not as inclusive as they’d hoped.
This program is on the pricier side compared to other more inexpensive or free programs.
Some parents felt the program lacked depth and breadth. The most common complaint about this curriculum is that while many lessons allow families to really delve in-depth, others feel superficial like ‘busy work.”
Budget option: Get curriculum used via the Moving Beyond the Page Buy and Sell group
Curriculum discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/548302975670662
8. Best project-based and aligned with School Standards
Oak Meadow (PreK-12th)
Also best choice for high-school nature-based curriculum
Child archetype: Kids who enjoy project-based learning and outdoor activities, serious, self-disciplined students and parents who have lots of time to teach their kids
Not a fit for: Parents who don’t have a lot of time to teach their kids or are looking for more innovative choices than traditional school
Both an accredited PreK-12th grade online school and a mastery-based curriculum, Oak Meadow is a top choice among parents looking for a comprehensive, clearly laid out program that integrates hands-on learning, student reflection and a multi-modal approach to learning. In it’s capacity as a virtual school, they offer unique support including 1-1 teacher interaction, educational coaches, college counselors and high school credits. For the parent looking for an option where they don’t have to worry about planning lessons, Oak Meadow is one of the best options we’ve found for mastery-based learning that spans all grades and subjects (most stop at middle school or even earlier), while also incorporating project-based learning. Parents can use the Oak Meadow curriculum exclusively, enroll in a couple classes, or enroll in the online school and receive high school credits. They offer unique support including 1-1 teacher interaction, educational coaches and college counselors. This would not be option #1 for the innovative educator - or the parent looking for child-directed learning options as Oak Meadow requires rather heavy parent-student interaction, especially in early years (several parents shared that their child became completely independent by the middle school years). The most common critique of Oak Meadow is that the subjects are bundled. The implications of a bundled, all-in-one curriculum are that if a child is 2 months ahead in science but 4 months behind in reading, it can be difficult to support them in moving forward in each subject at the right pace because the parent has to teach the week 2 curricula in one subject and week 9 in another - and Oak Meadow is not well equipped to allow families to support families jumping around in this way. Oak Meadow is also the most expensive option we selected for comprehensive curricula. Individual classes can run up to $500 just for material fees.
What parents like
Multi-modal approach to education
Incorporates Hands-on learning
Clearly laid out curricula
Gentle/slow pace
Minimal parent/teacher preparation necessary
Project-based learning
Ample opportunities for student reflection
Variety of projects and options
Well-organized
The nature-based curriculum is outstanding
History program challenges students to think critically
What parents thought could be improved
It’s expensive (they recommended buying the books on the annual “Mother’s Day sale,” eay or Oak Meadow Facebook groups
Heavy parent involvement required
Bundling all subjects together resulting in a situation where it was challenging to speed up or slow down in a certain subject
Too dull and traditional. It has a “Textbook feel.”
Chemistry curriculum is mediocre compared to other science programs
Budget option: Use Khan Academy (free), or try to buy Oak Meadow Curricula used via parent groups or a site like eBay.
Curriculum discussion group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OakMeadowFamilies
9. Best budget pick for PreK and Early Elementary
Khan Academy Kids (PreK-2nd)
Child archetype: Kids who love youtube videos, online games and apps
Not a fit for: Hands-on learners who require a high level of stimulation and engagement, more artsy kinesthetic kids
Khan Academy Kids (PreK-2nd grade) is the free adaptive app version of Khan Academy’s website (PreK-12th) that revolutionized access to quality childhood education by providing thousands of free educational videos online in any subject. Khan Academy Kids enables children (PreK-1st grade) to study almost any subject online via their personalized learning games. The videos are highly engaging, and the app is adaptive so it personalizes learning according to each child’s level and preferences. Khan Academy Kids is ideally suited for parents seeking greater personalization in their child’s learning, who want to encourage self-directed learning or have concerns about their own time or ability to teach their children. In terms of all-in-one curriculum, this app is consistently sighted as a favorite among homeschooling families and teachers. It also provides built-in assessment tools so parents can measure how children are performing relative to their peers. Currently, Khan Academy Kids only goes up to 2nd grade. Khan Academy covers all grades, but does not include the fun videos and adaptive components of the app.
Pros:
Khan Academy Kids is built for mastery-based learning, so children advance to the next stage in a lesson only after they’ve fully understood the one before it, thus encouraging comprehensive and accelerated learning.
It’s gamified with clever characters and stories to incentivize children to move forward. Children get fun rewards for reaching certain milestones.
The curriculum is personalized for every child. The lessons adapt to the child’s learning style as they use the app. This makes it especially helpful for children who are gifted or have special needs such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia or are 2e (excel in certain subjects but are behind in others).
It’s ideally suited for self-directed learning as children can study independently without any help from a parent or tutor. However, the tool also lends itself well to a parent or tutor engaging in a lesson with a child.
It’s a superb way to ensure a child is meeting key milestones in their academic journey. Parents concerned about their children being at grade level can use Khan Academy Kids to see where their children are in relations to others. Parents can even use it exclusively for tracking their children’s progress.
It’s free! Khan Academy Kids is a free resource for families.
Learning is limitless. Children can study almost any subject on Khan Academy Kids. So, if a child wants to learn physics and their dad is feeling a bit rusty, Khan Academy has got their back.
If a parent has limited time to teach their children, Khan Academy Kids is a good tool to supplement their learning independently or with a caregiver.
Concerns:
“Screen time” is a valid concern for many families and there are many wonderful resources to help families cultivate a healthy relationship to digital media such as Anya Kamenetz’ The Art of Screen Time: How Your Family Can Balance Digital Media and Real Life. (Learn more)
Some parents feel that the Khan Academy Kids math program does not have the breadth and depth of some other programs designed exclusively for building math skills. (View more math resources here)
Not every program is right for every child. Some children do not enjoy Khan Academy Kids at all. The Mastery-Based Learning approach can mean that it can take children weeks to master a level before moving on to the next, which can be frustrating and discouraging.
Some parents report that the unit tests are too predictable so some children start getting good at mastering the tests without mastering the curriculum.
Some parents find it dry and too traditional.
Since it’s an online resource, it may not be ideal for a child who is kinesthetic or sensory challenged.
Curriculum Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/472060317480321
10. Best budget pick for upper elementary through High School
Khan Academy (PreK-12th)
Also best choice for older students who are highly self-directed and visual learners who engage well with instructional videos
Child archetype: Serious students who engage well with instructional videos and quizzes.
Not a fit for: Hands-on learners who require a high level of stimulation and engagement.
Khan Academy made homeschooling possible for millions of families when Sal Khan first launched his online instructional videos in 2008, making it, in our view, one of the most significant inventions in education in this century. Khan Academy is a non-profit educational organization that provides free online courses, videos, and exercises in a wide range of subjects, including math, science, humanities, economics, and computing. To use Khan Academy, students simply create an account, choose a topic, and start learning at their own pace. Khan Academy covers all academic subjects and can be student-led without parent help, so it’s a good fit for highly self-directed learners and parents who don’t have a lot of extra time to help with homeschooling. Parents appreciate the convenience and flexibility of the platform, as well as its high-quality instructional materials. However, some have criticized the lack of personalization and interaction with teachers and find the instructional videos quite dry. The platform is completely free, with no hidden costs or fees.
Pros of using Khan Academy:
It is completely free forever.
No preparation and minimal to no parent involvement is required.
The structure of the platform is simple to navigate.
The program has engaged children effectively.
No preparation work is necessary.
It can cover all common core aligned concepts.
Cons of using Khan Academy:
Some concepts are covered too quickly, and are superficial in nature.
It may not be sufficient preparation for college.
It may not be comprehensive enough as a full curriculum.
It may not cover all topics required for advanced level courses.
It can be tedious to watch for some children, and may not work for everyone.
Curriculum discussion: There is a group for Khan Academy educators that includes parents and school teachers. https://www.facebook.com/groups/teachwithkhan
11. Also great nature-based curriculum for upper elementary
Magic Forest Academy(Grades 2nd-6th)*
Child archetype: Hands-on learners who love nature and the outdoors.
Not a fit for: Kids who prefer workbooks and more structured activities, families looking for a more traditional, open and go approach.
Magic Forest Academy is a flexible, affordable, and secular nature-based program for creative, hands-on learners. Its books contain a range of nature-themed activities that cover reading, math, science, arts and crafts, fun and games, and recipes. The program is aimed at children aged 7-12, a crucial age group for developing imaginative problem-solving skills. No worksheets or tests are included in the program, and all activities are hands-on and interactive. The books' recipes are all vegetarian and can be adapted to suit individual dietary needs. This is an excellent choice for creative children who love natures and the outdoors, but might not be a fit for families looking for a more traditional, rigorous curriculum aligned with school standards. This is a year-round program that follows seasonal changes.
Pros:
Provides a variety of activities, including literature, math, science, history, culture, art and craft projects, and recipes.
Allows flexibility for natural exploration and depth of topics.
Provides a great foundation and jumping-off point for studies.
Offers a fun and engaging approach to learning.
Encourages children to think outside the box and use real-world math.
Provides a well-laid-out and presented curriculum.
Cons:
Is not a full curriculum for rigorous homeschool families.
Math and science lessons are not adequate to replace a full curriculum and do not build upon each other.
English books are recommended, but there are no further "lessons".
May not have enough math or L.A. for rigorous homeschool families.
Handwriting is not done often enough.
Could feel random and all over the place for some families looking for a more defined schedule.
Budget option: Magic Forest Academy is affordable, and there are free downloadables on Teachers Pay Teachers. Families can also look for free, nature-based activities at Free Forest School or other free nature-based activities on TpT.
Middle and high school option: Oak Meadow (more nature-based) or Build Your Library (innovative and project-based)
Curriculum Discussion Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/magicforestacademy
12. Build your own
Teachers Pay Teachers (PreK-12th)
Also best choice for families who want to find a highly personalized curriculum for kids
Child archetype: Truly unique learner who requires materials that are differentiated for their interests and learning needs
Not a fit for: Families who need an easy to follow open and go curriculum
While more of a resource, than a complete curriculum in and of itself, no compilation of the best all-in-one curriculum would be complete without a mention of Teachers pay Teachers. TpT is a vast marketplace where educators can discover over three million free and paid resources. The platform offers a range of materials, lesson plans, and resources created by educators who understand what works in the classroom. This marketplace was created by a NYC public school teacher who realized that incorporating ideas from multiple teachers benefited his students. Parents can register for an account and browse by subject, topic, grade level, or objective, with the option to purchase materials for instant download. While some may find printing large files to be prohibitive and customizing materials confusing at times, most authors provide samples for previewing prior to purchase. This marketplace is ideal for families who enjoy personalizing their lessons and kids who are very particular about their preferences. Parents appreciate the variety of perspectives and learning styles addressed in the materials, along with the affordability and instant availability of the resources. Utilizing filters is recommended to narrow down the search among the millions of materials available. It may not be the best choice for those seeking an easy grab-and-go curriculum and parents may wat to pay closer attention to how they scaffold learning since they’re choosing from a variety of materials, but it is a great option for those excited about selecting eclectic curriculum from a wide variety of resources to build an ideal education for their child. Teachers Pay Teachers could work as a great supplement to a core math curriculum.
Pros:
A wide range of materials created by experienced teachers are available on the platform.
Parents can find and purchase materials based on their child's learning needs and interests.
The resources are often affordable, and some materials are available for free.
The platform allows parents to support individual teachers by purchasing their materials directly.
Cons:
The quality and accuracy of the materials may vary, as not all resources undergo an extensive review process.
The materials may not align with a standardized curriculum, leading to inconsistencies in learning.
It can be overwhelming to sort through the vast number of resources available on the platform to find the ones that best suit one's needs.
There may be concerns about the legality of using copyrighted materials, and some resources may not have been properly vetted for this issue.
Budget option: Use the “free” curriculum filter
Still great, but more of a supplement
While we love the following curricula, upon careful review, we think they work best as a supplement or part of a full curriculum.
Brain Quest (K-6th)*
Brain Quest is an educational game created in 1992 by Chris Welles Feder and her son, Michael, to provide children with engaging and interactive resources to learn. It consists of flashcards with challenging age-appropriate questions on math, science, history, and language arts. Now used by over 56 million families, parents use it to reinforce their children's school learning, for homeschooling or extra challenges. Brain Quest covers major subjects taught in elementary and middle schools, and parents appreciate its portability, ease of use and fun approach. While some parents suggest updating questions to include current events and reducing repetitiveness, Brain Quest is generally well-liked and costs around $10 to $20 per set, with digital versions available at lower prices. This is a suberb option for kids who love trivia.
Core Knowledge Sequence (PreK-8th)
Core Knowledge is a comprehensive curriculum created by E.D. Hirsch Jr. in the 1980s to provide a common core of knowledge to students and prevent educational disparities. The Core Knowledge Sequence is a free supplementary curriculum designed to provide a basic framework of what children should know each year, covering language arts, math, history, and geography for grades K-8. It is intended to address the concern that schools are not teaching content anymore, and thus children only get cultural capital from their parents, creating a gap between class/parent education differences. The Sequence provides an outline of what should be taught, but not the content itself. While parents find it useful for providing direction and as a spine for planning their curriculum, those with children facing learning challenges find it difficult to use. The Sequence can be downloaded from the Core Knowledge website and includes daily lesson plans, worksheets, and tests, as well as age-appropriate books and websites. The curriculum is well-organized and sufficient on its own but may require additional resources for hands-on or multimedia activities. Parents have reported positive experiences using the Core Knowledge Sequence, but they may want to supplement it with additional resources, particularly for history topics that may have problematic phrasing. The Core Knowledge Foundation offers free access to comprehensive educational resources for children in preschool to 8th grade. Numerous materials are currently accessible, and many more are being created. Many parents use it as a springboard for topics, or as a list to double-check that they’ve covered key learning areas.
Evan Moor (K-6)
Evan-Moor is an educational publisher founded in 1979 by Joy Evans and Jo Ellen Moore. The company's mission is to provide high-quality educational materials for teachers and parents to help students achieve academic success. The company offers a wide range of products, including workbooks, teacher resources, and e-books, covering a variety of subjects, such as language arts, math, science, and social studies. Parents can use Evan-Moor materials to supplement their child's education or provide additional practice in a specific subject area. The materials include lesson plans, activities, and assessments to support their child's learning. Parents appreciate the ease of use and affordability of Evan-Moor materials, but some suggest that the content could be more challenging for advanced learners. The cost of Evan-Moor materials varies depending on the specific product and format, but workbooks generally range from $9.99 to $22.99, while teacher resources and e-books range from $16.99 to $99.99.
IXL (K-12)*
IXL is an online educational platform founded in 1998 by Paul Mishkin and his wife, Marla. They created IXL with the goal of providing a personalized learning experience that would help students master essential skills and achieve academic success. IXL offers practice exercises in math, language arts, science, and social studies for students from pre-K to 12th grade. Parents can use IXL to provide their children with additional practice and track their progress through the curriculum. The platform adapts to the child's learning level, providing personalized practice questions and feedback based on their performance. Parents appreciate the detailed progress reports and the ability to customize the curriculum to their child's needs, but some suggest that the content could be more engaging and interactive. IXL offers both monthly and yearly subscription plans, with prices ranging from $9.95 per month to $19.95/month per family, depending on the level and subject.
Minecraft education (K-12)
Minecraft Education Edition is an educational version of the popular sandbox video game Minecraft, developed by Mojang Studios and Microsoft. The game is designed to provide students with an engaging and interactive way to learn a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, and language arts. Parents can use Minecraft Education Edition as a supplemental tool to support their child's learning, allowing them to explore virtual worlds and engage with educational content in a fun and immersive way. The game provides a variety of lesson plans and activities, allowing parents to customize the curriculum to their child's interests and learning needs. Parents appreciate the game's ability to promote creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills, but some suggest that the learning objectives could be more clearly defined. Minecraft Education Edition requires a one-time purchase of $5 per user, and a Microsoft Office 365 Education subscription is required to use the software.
The Research
Why you should trust us
How we tested
Our Top Pick: Torchlight
How to use Torchlight
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
Why use a full curriculum at home with kids?
Alternatives to a full curriculum : Power Hours, mosaic or self-directed
Why literature-based curriculum?
How to help your child learn
About your guide
Why you should trust us
Our team has 40 years of combined experience teaching PreK-12th grade students as certified teachers, microschool founders, professors of education and child life specialists. We’ve spent seven years reviewing secular homeschool curriculum, meeting with curriculum developers and talking to hundreds of homeschooling families. During the last three years, we pored through tens of thousands of comments in secular homeschooling groups, groups for neurodivergent and gifted learners about each of the top secular homeschool curricula and also discovered new ones. We also tested them with our own families over the course of two years during the pandemic and were able to see the outcomes in our own students.
How we tested
In order to find full curriculum that were comprehensive, secular and mastery-based, we scanned through thousands of comments from parents in secular homeschooling groups and read hundreds of reviews on sites like common sense media, the app store and Facebook fan pages. We cross-referenced those with reviews on popular homeschooling sites. Once we’d selected our top 25 we did a deep dive, talking to the founders, reviewing web-sites and testing the curriculum with our own students. Our aim was to choose a wide variety of curricula that could reach different types of learners and accommodate for a large variety of special needs ranging from ADHD, to autism to gifted and profoundly gifted.
When we observed children using the curricula and asked for feedback from families, we wanted to make sure that the children were engaged and inspired, as a love of learning is so critical to cultivating auto-didacts. We wanted to find curriculum that would give children the option return to school at or above grade level (if that was of importance to parents) and prepare them for college, but focus on learning, not on standardized tests. We also wanted to make sure we had option for all family situations, whether a parent had time to sit with a child while they went through the curriculum, wanted a caregiver to direct the learning or were looking for materials that kids could use independently - as well as affordable choices for a wide range of budgets (including free). Many families were concerned with having curricula that was “open and go,” requiring no prep time, so there are choices there too.
From all this, we chose twelve favorites. There’s something great here for every family and kind of learner.
Many of these options have an online discussion group, which can be a great place to get started or obtain discounted materials. We’ve included the links to these groups where available.
Our Top Pick: Torchlight Curriculum
Torchlight is a comprehensive, literature-based curriculum for children ages PreK-5th grade founded by an educator and homeschooling mom who was having trouble finding diverse, in-depth curriculum for her own children. Torchlight uses a Socratic-inspired approach, while embracing Humanistic thinking. Lessons encourage students to use logic, scientific inquiry and empathy to explore the world around them. It is a mastery-based program, that builds on concepts progressively and support students mastering each concept fully before moving on to the next.
In contrast to most comprehensive mastery-based curricula, Torchlight uses a multi-media approach and places a strong emphasis on integrating learning into everyday life, rather than scheduling blocks of time for learning. Parents can use Torchlight audio books in the car while running errands with their child and are encouraged to weave reading into breakfast, lunch and bedtime.
Torchlight also stands out among other programs in its efforts to make their curriculum inclusive of different cultures and point-of-view.
Core Components:
Socratic method
Torchlight applies the socratic method in teaching children. In this approach, the learning partner (parent or teacher) does not feed the child answers, but instead teaches them to ask questions. By doing so, the child develops the autonomy to solve problems and answer questions on their own.
Humanism
The torchlight curriculum places special emphasis on kindness, or as they state on their website “The Golden Rule.” It is not enough to develop strong problem skills, children must also integrate ethics and equality in their inquiry and apply those skills in the world.
Diversity and Inclusivity
Torchlight takes great strides to ensure all perspectives are included in their curriculum, while recognizing the vast variety of world perspective means it is necessary to constantly update and expand their materials. For example, they draw on materials written by Native American American authors for their units on Native Studies. Torchlight emphasizes including strong female characters in their literature, as they are often left out of mainstream media.
Kinesthetic Learning
Torchlight’s “Pantomime Poetry” program is a special component of Torchlight that features exercises to combine physical movement with lessons to increase memory retention and the pleasure children take in learning.
Eclectic Curriculum
A distinct feature of Torchlight is the variety of programs offered. It combines literature, game-schooling, car-schooling, direct-linked media and relevant bed-time stories in its curriculum options. Parents who find it easier to use one type of media than another can select the option that works best for them.
Weaving learning into life
Rather than scheduling set blocks of time for learning, Torchlight emphasizes weaving learning into everyday life with materials to support this. Parents are encouraged to listen to audio books in the car and bring reading materials with them on errands and activities. The Torchlight website explains, “Weaving scheduled reading into your day is a great option as opposed to scheduling one large block of reading time. We encourage our families to use morning breakfast, lunch time, and bedtime to fit in reading. We personally love a good bedtime story so much that we included an extra list of quality bedtime stories. Another great thing about books is that they are quite portable. Read out on the lawn, in a park, out to lunch, with your toes in the sand at the beach, or even at the library.”
What families like
This is a top choice among families with gifted and profoundly gifted children who love the rigorous curriculum and limitless supply of books for voracious young learners.
Torchlight is consistently praised as having one of the most diverse and and inclusive bodies of high quality literature.
Children with ASD/ADHD respond well to the program
Children love their parents reading to them.
The online community is particularly strong.
It’s helpful to have a guideline and something to rely on as a back-up to a less formal homeschool curriculum.
It’s very flexible and easy to adapt. It also fits well with an unschooling approach.
The program can be followed in as little as 20 minutes of study a day to stay at or exceed grade level, but there are also enough lessons and activities to go much more in-depth with units of study.
Flaws, but not dealbreakers
For many younger children, parents feel the curriculum is not hands-on and active enough and they would prefer more outdoor activities.
Some families feel the curriculum is tedious and has too much “busy work,” especially if a child suffers from ADHD, though others felt they were able to navigate this by picking and choosing lessons and not feeling pressure to complete every assignment.
While some families enjoyed the flexibility of the program, others felt it lacked enough structure and organization for them.
Selected reviews
“We absolutely love the rich literature selections in Torchlight. They have provided a comprehensive education that is fun for my children. They cannot wait to read the upcoming week's books as soon as I show them. Torchlight has instilled a love of learning for my children that will stay with them forever.” - Stephanie
“An amazing curriculum packed full of wonderful secular resources, resources representing indigenous peoples as well as women and other minorities. You can easily add to or take from the curriculum as needed to meet your child where they are. There's also a wonderful online community filled with parents who prove to be valued resources themselves.” -Candice
“We love this curriculum! The recommended books are lovely and modern. It is easy and fun to follow. One of my daughter’s favorite things about this curriculum is the pantomime poetry. She loves acting out the poems. Very reminiscent of the plays during Ancient Greece.
I will have to say that a couple of the books might be a little critical of religion, but overall it’s a great secular program” Lara
Youtube review from a homeschool mom using this curriculum with her kids
How to use Torchlight
Torchlight is an open-and-go curriculum that offers a digital download or individual subject units. To get started, families should acquire the necessary books for each level by either purchasing them or borrowing them from a library. It’s not necessary to obtain all books, and many families choose to focus only on “spines.” Spines are books used frequently throughout the level, while other books may only be read once. Librarians are often willing to help obtain additional books that they don't have through inter-library transfers, and they can also be obtained through buy and sell groups.
Torchlight's literature is intended to be read aloud, not independently, followed by Socratic discussions (drawing on questions in the Literature Primers). While the time spent on Torchlight work varies based on level and learner interest, 15 minutes per day is generally adequate.
Although Torchlight does not provide assessments or testing, learners have opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge through writing assignments, vocabulary work, and yearlong projects. The website now offers the Torchlight Level Placement Tool, a quick and easy quiz that recommends the appropriate level for your learner. https://torchlightcurriculum.com/torchlight/levelplacement/
Torchlight covers all subjects except math and literacy. To find math and literacy recommendations, see our posts on the best PreK-12th grade math curriculum and the top four tools to teach reading.
Since Torchlight currently only goes up to sixth grade, families with older students can follow with Build Your Library, also an exceptional literature-based program.
Literature-based curriculum
Literature-based curricula are very popular in the homeschooling community. Torchlight Curriculum is literature-based, as is Build Your Library, and to some extent Blossom and Root and Magic Forest Academy. The literature-based curriculum is a teaching approach that has been used for decades in the homeschooling community. It involves the use of literary works as the primary source of instruction, rather than traditional textbooks or workbooks. This approach has its roots in the work of educational reformer Charlotte Mason, who believed that students should be exposed to "living books" or literary works that have the power to engage the reader and make learning more meaningful. Living texts, as they are called, can provide a more enjoyable and effective way of teaching various subjects, as they encourage deep learning, build vocabulary, and promote independent learning. Literature-based curriculum also promotes critical thinking, cultural awareness, and creativity.
Alternatives to a full curriculum: Power Hours, mosaic or self-directed
Power Hours
Rather than use a full curriculum, many families choose to focus on Math and Language Arts. Depending on their age, they generally spend an hour on math and an hour on Language Arts. This frees up the rest of the time for self-directed education, extracurriculars and other subjects of interest. Families find that children are able to learn very efficiently and well by focusing on mastering these two core subjects, and then exploring the other topics through books and activities, rather than following a standardized route. We highly recommend this approach, which families can learn more here.
Mosaic
Families can also piece together their child’s curriculum from a variety of different projects, options or create their own. It takes more work and sometimes there can be less well-organized sequencing and progression when a lot of different curricula and projects are cobbled together, but this is a perfectly viable option as well. Most homeschooling students tend to excel school students even if there’s a minimal amount of structure.
Self-directed
Some families allow children to completely direct their own learning without any established curriculum. This approach is often referred to as unschooling and can be highly effective, depending on the child’s level of self-motivation and the environment (which always impacts learning and could even be thought of as a curriculum in its own right). Some children do incredibly well in this approach, eagerly approaching projects, devouring books and developing an incredible autonomy and drive. To learn more about this approach to education and see if it’s right for your child, see our post on self-directed learning. We generally recommend that families incorporate at least a few hours of self-directed learning into their homeschool routine, and offer less structure and pressure than they might think necessary for their child to learn and excel, even if this means a period of (what appears to be) inactivity, laziness or boredom while their child is processing what interests them. This can demand a lot of patience and trust on the part of parents (most likely more than they’re comfortable with), but the payoff is often huge.
How to help your child learn
When using a full curriculum, we recommend choosing 1-2 hours a day when kids are most fresh and focused, in a clear uncluttered environment to work on curriculum and math every day. The curricula we’ve selected can easily be used by a parent, grandparent or other caregiver. When starting modular learning, there can be a temptation to jump into the teacher role, consciously or unconsciously imitating what we remember teachers to be like from our own childhood or popular media. Unless you are a trained teacher, this would be a mistake. We strongly recommend that families approach these curriculum by learning with their kids, rather than trying to “teach them.” Engage, ask questions, model learning and offer feedback when children ask for help. Be patient and model what it looks like to be a good learner. Let children work at their own pace. Let them stop when they seem tired and unfocused. Praise process and hard work, rather than results. Celebrate moving past difficult spots, celebrate failures as part of the journey to learning. The physical curricula includes easy to follow instructions for activities. If children are working through digital apps, we advise that families don’t use them as entertainment to distract kids, but sit next to their children and participate, asking questions to help kids clarify and encouraging them as they go. For more specific strategies on being your child’s teacher, see our post on family involvement in education.
Why use a full curriculum at home with kids
A full curriculum can be a helpful way for families to ensure that all core subjects are being covered without having to do the extra leg work of mixing and matching different curriculum. Or, just for piece of mind, they can use a core curriculum as a base to make sure their child is on track, and has the option to return to traditional school, while supplementing with materials and resources they find appealing and engaging for their child at their leisure. In general, we almost always recommend that families supplement any full curriculum with a math-specific curriculum. Math has unique challenges, and the best curricula are designed specifically for math. This is also true of early literacy, as the science of reading is quite complex, and there are only a select number of curriculum available that are designed according to the research.
About your guide
Manisha Snoyer is the CEO and founder of Modulo. Over the last 20 years, she’s taught over 2000 children PreK-12th grade in 3 countries in public, private, homeschool and afterschool environments with a wide range of learning abilities and preferences. In addition to Modulo, Manisha organized the largest coalition effort of tech and non-profits helping families impacted by school closures (schoolclosures.org), a non-profit to provide free online tutoring to K12 students in math (masteryhour.org) and CottageClass, the first platform to help teachers start microschools in 2015. In her free time, she enjoys meeting new friends in coffee shops around the world, hiking and tasting tea and chocolate. As a child, Manisha loved spending long hours with her mom as she read Little House on the Prairie or the Wizard of Oz series. Manisha remembers learning to read herself as a very painful and unpleasant experience, but since she learned, it’s been her greatest delight - and she’s had her nose buried in a book ever since.