8 Curriculum Types for Homeschooling

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When I first started teaching public school, the first thing that overwhelmed me were all the different acronyms and terminology that were used, as if they were common knowledge. I felt as if I needed an interpreter just to get through staff developments or meetings. It seemed like by the time I had a grip on them (10 years later), I took a drastic turn in my life and entered the world of home school. And guess what? I became overwhelmed, once again, with all the acronyms and terminology used in all the home-school Facebook groups that I joined. I found myself searching on google and taking notes, just so that I could "blend in"! Below are the 8 different curriculum types for homeschooling, with explanations and links. Keep in mind that these are not the only curriculum available. There are a ton more! These are just the most commonly used within their type.

1. Traditional Education
This type of home-school most resembles the traditional ways of a public classroom. It is sometimes referred to as "boxed curriculum" because the publishers "box" everything needed, such as check boxes for daily work, textbooks, workbooks, exams, answer sheets, teacher manuals, and manipulatives. The lesson plans are already organized by the day and the teacher (parent) just needs to read from the script and follow instructions. Using a "boxed" curriculum is ideal, especially when you are new to teaching. One drawback is that they tend to be the most expensive option, some ranging from $100 to $1,000 per child! If you are on a budget, you may also find these items used on Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Half-Price book stores, or libraries.  Here is a list of some of the popular traditional education curriculum (the estimated costs are based on 4th grade pricing):

• Abeka - about $881.80 for a complete grade level, child and parent kit combined. This is a Christian curriculum.
• BJU Press Home-school - about $899 for a complete grade level. This is a Christian curriculum.
• Sonlight - about $1,025.70 for a complete grade level. This is a Christian curriculum.

2. Classical Education
According to welltrainedmind.com, classical education has a three part process. The first few years are the "grammar stage", where the student spends time memorizing facts. The middle school years are the "logic age" where they start applying it to their subjects. Then the high school years are the "rhetoric stage" where they used all that they have built on to express their own conclusions. While there are several curriculum publishers that follow this model, the most known is Classical Conversations.

• Classical Conversations - They offer a community, which is parent-led, where a group meets weekly and follows their teaching methods. This is a good option because it allows your child to learn with their peers, but you still have full control of your homeschool. This is also a faith-based curriculum. The drawback for this type is also that it can be very expensive. Based on this fee sheet, it will run about $470 per student. But I am not sure if this includes books. This is a Christian curriculum.

 

• Classical Academic Press - We are currently using their writing curriculum, called Writing & Rhetoric. I like it because it uses a different approach to teach writing. I plan to do a review on it soon! This is a Christian curriculum, although I have yet to see anything religious mentioned. We are almost done with the book.

3. Charlotte Mason Philosophy
According to simplycharlottemason.com, this type of curriculum method teaches the "whole" person, not just the child's mind. Instead of using textbooks, they use living books. Children are encouraged to be outside in nature and learn about artists and composers. I encourage you to read her book to learn more about this education model. Charlotte Mason itself is not a curriculum though, but there are many that are Charlotte Mason "inspired". You can teach this method for free, but it will require some work on your part to find and put together your lessons.

• Masterbooks - this is a Christian curriculum.
• Simply Charlotte Mason
• Ambleside Online - free
• My Father's World - this is a Christian curriculum.
• Sabbath Mood Homeschool
• A Gentle Feast

4. Unit Studies
​Unit studies are a collection of activities that are tied to a theme. With unit studies, you are able to incorporate all subjects, such as math, science, language arts, and social studies, within the theme. This method is popular because they can be modified to each grade level and are a hands-on learning approach. This type of curriculum can range from free to fairly inexpensive. The drawback to this method is that it will require more planning and prepping on your part.

• Teachers Pay Teachers - this site sells lessons created by other teachers. You can search and buy unit studies, among other things.
• The Good and the Beautiful - they offer unit studies for science. This is a Christian curriculum.
• Pinterest - my friend has many unit studies pinned to her boards. It is just easier for me to follow her boards and refer to them when I am ready to do a new unit study, lol!

5. Computer-Based Home School
Computer-Based learning is similar to the textbook method, except instead of paper books,  your child's curriculum is through an online company or CD-ROM. This method works great for your visual and independent learners. This method is also a good option if you work from home and are unable to do the "teaching".  The price will range from free to moderate to expensive. 

• Khan Academy - this is a free option for math at all levels. Their other subjects are geared more towards the upper grades. This is a secular option.

• Easy Peasy All In One - this is a full curriculum that has all the daily lessons posted online for FREE. The parent is responsible to grading the assignments. This is a Christian curriculum.
• Monarch - $39.95/month for 1 student or $69.95/month for up to 3 students. This is a Christian curriculum.
• Switch-On Schoolhouse - this is from the same publishers Alpha Omega Publications, except that you buy the courses on a flash-drive, instead of having to rely on the internet. This is a good option if you don't want your kids to have internet access, or you are "on the road", etc. 
• Acellus Powerhouse - $25/month per student for 6 subjects (grades K-12). This is a secular option.
• Time4Learning - $19.95/ month per student for 4 subjects (grades preK-8th) and $30/month for high school. Siblings are $14.95 additional for preK-8th. This is a secular option.
• Study.com - this site offers extensive classes from middle school through college level. Unlimited subjects for $59.99, with the ability to earn college credit during middle school and high school. This is a secular option.
• Outschool - this is latest trend with homeschoolers. They are a marketplace for live, online classes of a variety of subjects that are geared for students. They have over 8,000 classes to choose from and the cost can vary. You can easily find something for every budget. This is a secular option.
• Abeka - this curriculum was mentioned above in #1. They also offer it in DVD or online.
• BJU Press Homeschool - this curriculum was also mentioned in #1 and is offered on DVD or online.
• Stand-Alone Subjects Online
  
  • ​Math-​
    
    • Teaching Textbooks- This is a self-graded math curriculum that teaches the math lessons for you, online. It is from Math 3 to Pre-Calculus. Make sure to take the placement test before signing up. This is a secular curriculum. This is a secular option.
    • DIVE Shormann Math- Video instruction, auto-graded, and online. It is from Algebra 1-Calculus 1. This is a Christian curriculum
  • ​English-​
    • Essentials In Writing and Essentials In Literature- These are great curriculum for the struggling writer and reader. They watch short videos then complete one lesson per day. Writing is broken down into manageable steps. The Literature pieces that are used are interesting, engaging and well explained. There isn't a huge focus on grammar, so I like this one for the upper grades (7 grade and up). This is a secular curriculum.
  • ​​Science-
    • ​DIVE Science- Self-paced courses done online, interactive worksheets, auto-grading, and video labs (with option to buy kits to complete at home). It is from 7th/8th grade Earth Science to 11th/12th grade Physics.
      

6. Virtual Public School
Virtual public school is not necessarily home-school. It is just public school completed at home. The parent has no input on the curriculum being used, the content being covered, or the pace of the class. The student also has to meet the state requirements, including state testing. This option is still great for many students. They offer actual teachers that are available to help. Not only is the option completely free, but some districts offer free internet, laptops and supplies. Below are the 2 options available for our school district. 

• Connections Academy - this is a secular curriculum.
• K12 - this is a secular curriculum.

7. Unschooling
This is an informal learning style that promotes learner-chosen activities as the primary path to learning. If something peaks your child's interest or curiosity, then you dive into that topic. This can include research, hands-on activities, etc. It is similar to unit studies, but the child directs the learning and the topics of interest. The best part about unschooling is that the child doesn't "feel" like they are doing school, but they are learning, and most likely cover all subjects too. The drawback to this style of curriculum is that it does take effort from the parent to keep track of what is being learned and make sure to spin everything into a learning opportunity.

8. Eclectic Homeschooling
This approach to homeschooling is when you do a little bit of this and a little bit of that, until you cover all subjects. Our home-school is very much eclectic. We do some things in a traditional way, some are Charlotte Mason inspired, our writing curriculum is classical, some computer-based learning, some unit studies, and a lot of unschooling. I like the freedom to choose the best part of each "approach" that best fits each of my children's learning style and personality. Each one of my boys learn different and so they use different things for every subject. Here are a few other curriculums that we have used in the past, that are not mentioned in the other sections:

• Evan-Moor Educational Publishers- I have used many of their workbooks, especially for writing. They are simple and most are broken down to one short lesson per day. They are very affordable and you can earn reward points for future purchases. This is a secular curriculum.
• Kumon Math Workbooks- I love these for math practice in the lower grades. And they are very affordable. This is a secular curriculum.

Always remember that there is no ONE WAY to learn! Every child is different and their education should accommodate their individual style. Also, don't feel that you need to be married to a curriculum that you chose and started at the beginning of the year. If you find that it is not a good fit, then change it!