Our FINAL Homeschool Curriculum Picks 2024-2025

It’s that time again!

I am the quintessential nerd. I grew up with my nose perpetually in a book. Belle was always my favorite Disney princess. I adore the smell of newly printed books, and shopping for new school supplies was always a highlight of my year.

Is it any wonder, then, that selecting curriculum for the new school year has become one of my favorite pastimes? My one regret is having to narrow down all these amazing resources.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a good curriculum if it wasn’t manageable enough to execute elegantly, and so narrowed down they must be. With no further ado, here are our curriculum picks for the 2024-2025 academic year:

2-year-old

To keep my little one occupied during school hours, I have gathered an arsenal in the form of busy bins. (For my best tips on homeschooling with littles, check out this post.)

Preschool

I am of the Charlotte Mason, free-range set who believe that no formal education in the preschool years is necessary, and what children at this age in fact need is lots of time outdoors, baking muffins, and snuggling up to great picture books.

However, as a mom of many little ones, I also recognize the value of each having his own turn, his own special time with mom as his older siblings. If I had all the time in the world, I would use My Father’s World preschool program. I love the social-emotional development and how well every little thing ties in, especially the Bible component. Instead, I just use the character book (a MUST!), a finger tracing book, and he will join us during family Bible time.

We will also use Kate Snow’s Preschool Math at Home, and from the Good and the Beautiful we use the handwriting and preschool program daily and continue with the kinder prep when that is complete.

Kindergarten

My son has a late birthday, so he has actually already started kindergarten and is progressing with his reading very well. He is so self-motivated, even breaking out his reader to struggle through independently at night. The reader has been discontinued by The Good and the Beautiful, but you can still find it on ebay. I will say that it is not magic so much as a personality thing; my daughter is an avid reader now, but she fought me on that same reader tooth and nail when she was in kinder!

He will continue with The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts K, and I am still on the fence about Math. We switched to Math with Confidence last year, which was absolutely the right call for my 3rd grader (better organization and teaching instructions, better foundation of conceptual math), but my son is missing the fun and silly nature of The Good and the Beautiful, and at this age, that might be more critical. We will see. Either way, we will definitely switch to MWC by Grade 2.

He is loving the Magic Treehouse books and itching to be able to read them independently, so I am excited to see where he goes with it. He is also excited to begin writing his own stories, and spends hours building Legos. Such a fun age! I have a hunch he would really enjoy Minecraft, but I’m not sure what we’d be getting into.

Should we? Shouldn’t we? What are the pros and cons? Let me know!

Third Grade

Language Arts

Our third grader reads voraciously of her own accord, so I don’t assign any reading other than what we read aloud together. We have fallen in love with The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts, and I was really on the fence about whether to bump her up a grade as she doesn’t need the extra help with phonics at this point, but we are sticking with grade level as I think the writing component is more her speed, and why rush?

Spelling

The only thing we skip is the spelling component, as we both prefer a more traditional, straight foward approach (I actually didn’t even realize there were spelling rules until I started teaching this curriculum, and memorizing them felt burdensome even to me. I got nearly perfect verbal scores, graduated valedictorian, and became a published author all before learning of the existence of these rules, so I figure if I can make it work, so can she!). We use Evan-Moor for spelling, and I wouldn’t say she loves it, but she prefers it and does enjoy testing each week.

Math

As stated above, Math With Confidence all the way! I also love that I will only have to repurchase the workbooks, as the text and manipulatives will be the same.

Typing and Handwriting

We are using The Good and the Beautiful. I honestly love their handwriting and so do my kiddos. They don’t always do the extra little connect the dots, drawing and coloring, but sometimes they are drawn to them and it brightens the day and takes the fight out of homeschooling (which I will say G&B does shine in that arena in general). She will finish early and move on whenever she is ready, and we both like it that way.

I am not married to this typing program and still searching for something better (send your suggestions). I feel that electronic feedback would really help with this subject. Then again, I never actually took a formal typing class. I learned in the wilds of MSN Instant Messenger. If you have a suggestion (that isn’t an online chat or forum) let me know!

Family Subjects

Hymns

We will be using a selection from this hymnbook. I absolutely adore the historical blurbs. We usually take one verse a week, and by the end of the month we are familiar with the chorus and melody, which is my goal for my kiddos at this age.

Latin

We are just dipping our toes in this year by learning our prayers in Latin using this beautiful book (honestly, I will buy anything by Kate Warner, sight unseen), which we will do during our morning tea time. They already know most of the essentials in English, so this year we are focusing on Latin (again, probably one per month — or however long until we know it well).

Read Alouds

I am still compiling our official list, but they will all come from my American History Read Aloud booklist, which I promise to publish in the near-ish future.

Bible

We have loved using Bible resources over the past few years. The Jesus Storybook Bible is still my favorite, and the kids enjoyed the Read Aloud Bible (even if I have some theological qualms with minor bits of content). The activities from this one were mostly hits, with some exceptions (and some issues of execution on my part for poor planning).

This year, we are diving into the Biggest Story Bible Curriculum from Crossway, which I will verbally edit for theological errors as I go, but am thrilled with what I have seen so far. You can read from the Bible, use their Bible storybook, or watch the stories on YouTube before diving into your lesson. I am honestly so impressed with the quality and range of activities that go along with this, and you can basically access all the content for free on their website. No, it isn’t Catholic (please, somebody, make a quality Catholic Bible curriculum!), but I feel pretty confident in my ability to adapt this to be theologically accurate. I know it isn’t that way for all parents, so I definitely respect those who stick to Catholic-created resources.

Science

We are finishing up our K-3 living books curriculum (let me know if you are interested in the booklist and lesson plans I created!), and headed into a new frontier with Noeo Science. I love that it is based on living books and the science experiments are simple and integrated — the kids learn the content by doing, not just adding on — and that it came with a kit so I am not scrambling for materials.

I am definitely going to have mine spiral bound. I also liked the example pages I saw on flip throughs, but that wasn’t what came. I emailed the publisher and they emailed me a PDF for free right away, so A+ for customer service! I’ll keep you updated on how we enjoy it, but I am optimistic!

History

We are finishing up Notgrass 50 States, which was honestly a little repetitive for me, but the kids have declared it their favorite, and it has been fun to fill out our travel bucket list as we go. My oldest has become enamored of the Everglades and wants to hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine to be the first in the US to see the sunrise. It is helping to form our family culture to go through these together, so I suppose I can’t ask for more than that!

Once we finish, we will move on to Notgrass’s Star-Spangled History. I have flipped through it and I honestly love these stories. I am going to learn so much, and I am also a huge fan of the simple worksheets to check for understanding. My oldest will take the tests, while the littles will just listen along and complete the other activities. I am not going to use the literature component as I have a more ambitious, less realistic schedule of read-alouds in mind. I’ll let you know how it goes.

Supplements and Electives

Both our older kids take karate and piano classes. I love being able to outsource these as my skills, interests, and talents really all lie within the narrow range of academic subjects. Lucky for me as homeschooling mom, and lucky for instructors of the “fun” things I can pay them to teach my kids.

For writing, I am purchasing this little journal for my daughter and I as she is at the age of most intense interest in relationship with mom, or so my child development books tell me. We might also dive into this cute Writer’s Toolbox, and my son wants to write a book so we might get this kit for him as well.

As for the computer, my daughter adores Teaching Textbooks Math (which I attribute entirely to how wholly we have deprived our children of screens to this point), and plan to add Night Zookeeper which seems like a fantastic supplemental language resource.

We also get a monthly letter from Letters From Afar which is an absolute win for geography. If I had unlimited resources, I would add History Unboxed, Universal Yums, Saint of the Month, and The Mass Box to our subscriptions. But. I don’t. Hint, hint, gift-givers…

We might also add an art class or some kind of social meet-ups; those are all being formed and scheduled but still nebulous at this point. We will do what works with our schedule, with priority on forming friendships with other kids. If we don’t end up in an in-person art class, I will do art once a week with my kiddos based on this Usborne book that introduces different artists and has instructions for imitation and — what else? — living books.

I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. After all, we are living and breathing the education we give our kids. An atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. The most important lessons are often the ones we don’t even intend to teach, like how to calm down when we’re angry, and how to apologize when we lose our cool (if only someone could teach their mom how not to lose her cool in the first place…).

What are your curriculum picks this year??

How I Plan Our Homeschool Year

As a homeschooling mother of four, planning our homeschool year is a blend of prayer, research, and organization. Here’s a glimpse into my process:

Step 1: Prayer

Before diving into the logistics, I start with prayer. I ask for guidance and wisdom to choose the best resources and activities for my children.

Step 2: Choosing Curriculum

Selecting the right curriculum is crucial. I spend time watching videos, trying out samples, and watching lots of flip-throughs on YouTube. This helps me get a feel for the materials and see if they align with our family’s needs and values.

Step 3: Selecting Extracurriculars

To protect our calendar, I choose extracurricular activities that multiple children can attend. This not only saves time but also fosters a sense of community and shared experiences among my kids.

Step 4: Planning Week

I take an entire week mid-summer to sit down and finalize all the details, order whatever’s left on the list and/or supplies that need refreshing, and to organize all the printables and materials we will need for the weeks ahead.

Planning Week Checklist

1. Highlight and Count School Days

Using my Mardel homeschooling planner (an absolute MUST I could never live without), I highlight and count up school days in green. I mark my husband’s days off and planned trips in purple.

We usually plan for a 4-day week, taking all of Advent off starting Thanksgiving week to focus on Advent activities and studying Christmas around the world. We also take a week off in March for planting our spring garden and aim to wrap up by early May to enjoy the summer weather before starting back in August when it’s too hot to be outside.

2. Create New Chore Charts

I create new chore charts for the year, setting out our new rhythm to account for changes in age development and curriculum for our four kiddos. This helps maintain a structured yet flexible routine. We are using these sliding daily checklist charts this year, which are pretty cheap but effective (and I like being able to customize). I added magnets to the back to stick them to the fridge.

3. Schedule Curriculum

I look over and roughly schedule out the curriculum subject by subject. Some subjects, like Math with Confidence and The Good and the Beautiful Language Arts, are truly open-and-go or low-prep. Others, like our new Bible and Noeo Science programs, require a bit of forethought, which is very worth it. I prefer a general overview and a quick Sunday re-check.

I also make a list of read-alouds, hymns, and prayers, taking the time we need with each and not rushing to stick to a strict schedule. I keep copies on hand and store them in order by subject in a crate folder system, along with my roadmap for that subject.

4. Seasonal Books and Activities

I make a list of seasonal books to buy or order from the library and have activities on hand for those (coloring pages or little crafts from Hobby Lobby or Oriental Trading). This includes our first day of school traditions, which add a special touch to our homeschooling journey.

By following these steps, I ensure our homeschool year is well-organized, flexible, and filled with meaningful learning experiences.

How do you plan your homeschool year? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks!

How I Keep Homeschool Records

As a homeschooling parent, keeping accurate records is essential. Whether you’re required to do so by state regulations or simply want to maintain a comprehensive record of your child’s educational journey, effective record-keeping ensures clarity, accountability, and peace of mind. In this post, I share my approach to homeschool record-keeping, including practical tips and recommended tools.

State Programs: Overture and Tech Trep

Before diving into the details, let’s address two state programs that offer unique opportunities for record-keeping:

1. Overture Learning: If you’re in Idaho, consider signing up for Overture Learning. This K-12 distance education program provides support, curriculum, and resources to homeschooling families. By submitting work samples, you can receive state reimbursement for non-religious materials, zoo admission, and more. Overture becomes your grade/school of record, making it an excellent option for organized record-keeping.

2. Tech Trep Academy: Available in several states, including Idaho, Tech Trep Academy offers personalized, tuition-free education (this is the option we use). While not mandatory, it’s wise to keep records even if you participate in Tech Trep. Their flexible approach allows parents to choose learning resources that suit their child’s needs. You’ll receive a supplemental learning fund to enhance your homeschool experience. Tech Trep also offers virtual classes, clubs, and monthly field trips, fostering a well-rounded education.

Essential Record-Keeping Components

Regardless of state requirements, here are the key components to include in your homeschool records:

1. Attendance Records: Keep track of the days your child participates in educational activities. Even if not mandated, attendance records provide a clear picture of your homeschooling journey.

2. Curriculum Information: Document the textbooks, workbooks, and online resources you use. Note the subjects covered and any unique materials you incorporate.

3. Samples of Student Work: Collect samples of your child’s schoolwork—essays, projects, artwork, and assessments. These demonstrate progress and achievement.

4. Correspondence: Save any communication with school officials, including letters of withdrawal (if applicable). These interactions validate your homeschooling efforts.

5. Portfolios and Test Results: Create portfolios as keepsakes. Include student work, progress reports, and any standardized test scores or evaluations.

The Mardel Planner: A Game-Changer

One tool I highly recommend is the Mardel A Simple Plan Homeschool Planner. Here’s why it’s fantastic:

• Comprehensive Sections: This planner covers all bases. From lesson planning to attendance tracking, it’s designed to simplify your homeschool organization. As an added plus for large families, it has space for up to 6 kids!

• Versatile Learning Funds: If you’re part of a program like Tech Trep, the planner accommodates the $1700 learning fund provided per student. Use it for approved educational resources, technology items, and extracurricular activities.

• Virtual Classes and Clubs: The planner helps you schedule virtual classes and track club participation. It’s a hub for your child’s educational experiences.

Crafting a Homeschool Portfolio: A Time Capsule of Learning

Creating a homeschool portfolio is more than just a record-keeping exercise; it’s a way to capture the essence of your child’s educational journey. While not required in Idaho, we choose to compile portfolios as cherished keepsakes, allowing us to reflect on the growth and accomplishments of each school year.

The Art of Portfolio Creation

I love this video that offers a step-by-step guide on assembling a meaningful collection of your child’s work. This resource simplifies the process, ensuring that your portfolio not only serves as a record but also as a celebration of your child’s progress.

My Basic Portfolio Template

In addition to the video, I offer my basic portfolio template, designed to streamline your record-keeping. This template is a tool to help you organize work samples, highlight milestones, and create a tangible reflection of your homeschooling experience. It’s an easy-to-use framework that supports you in documenting the learning adventure you and your children embark on each year.

The Value of a Portfolio

Even though portfolios aren’t mandated, their value is immeasurable. They serve as a time capsule, capturing the essence of your homeschooling days—every project, every lesson, and every discovery. As you flip through the pages, you’ll be transported back to those moments of shared learning, and you’ll see, in vivid detail, just how far you’ve come together.

A portfolio is more than a collection of papers; it’s a narrative of your homeschooling path, a story that unfolds with each added piece. So, let’s create something beautiful that you and your children will treasure for years to come.

Remember, even if your state doesn’t require extensive record-keeping, maintaining organized records benefits both you and your child. Whether you choose Overture, Tech Trep, or another approach, find a system that works for your family. With the right tools and a dash of creativity, you’ll create a meaningful record of your homeschooling adventure.

Happy homeschooling!

Summer Bible Study for Catholic Families: Engage Your Kids with Scripture

Summer is the perfect season to explore faith with your children, and what better way to do it than through a Bible study that’s engaging, educational, and fun? Whether you’re lounging on the beach or enjoying the shade of your backyard tree, these resources will help you and your little ones dive into the Word of God together.

Not Consumed: A Non-Denominational Treasure First on our list is Not Consumed. While it’s not specifically Catholic, it comes highly recommended for its universal Christian values. It’s a fantastic resource for parents looking to instill a strong foundation of faith in their children, regardless of denomination.

The Biggest Story: An Animated Adventure Next, we have The Biggest Story curriculum. This is a gem for visual and auditory learners. You can watch beautifully animated Bible stories for free on YouTube, which is a great way to bring the scriptures to life. If you prefer reading, the Bible storybook is available for around $20. The Biggest Story also offers activity pages, craft templates, and coloring sheets for FREE on their website—perfect for hands-on learning.

DK Family Illustrated Bible: A Visual Feast For those who love to learn through images, the DK Family Illustrated Bible is a must-have. It’s not only visually stunning but also comes with a nihil obstat, indicating that it’s free from doctrinal or moral error. This Bible is a fantastic tool for teaching your kids about the stories and teachings of the Bible in a way that’s both informative and captivating.

Marigold Hunt’s Story-Based Learning If you’re looking for a story-based approach, Marigold Hunt’s books are a wonderful option. She offers a Catechism adventure that’s both engaging and educational. Her works on the life of Christ and the book of Acts are particularly noteworthy for bringing these powerful stories to life in a way that resonates with young readers.

Crafting a Summer of Faith
With these resources at your fingertips, you’re all set to create a summer Bible study that your kids will love. Mix and match reading, watching, and doing to cater to your children’s learning styles. Remember, the goal is to make the Bible accessible and enjoyable, fostering a love for God’s Word that will grow with them.

So grab some lemonade, gather your little ones, and embark on a summer adventure through the Bible. It’s a journey that promises to enrich your family’s faith and create lasting memories.

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The BEST Homeschool Subscription Boxes

Homeschooling can be a challenging yet rewarding journey, and finding the right resources to keep your children engaged is key to a successful educational experience. Subscription boxes have become a popular tool for parents looking to enrich their homeschooling curriculum with hands-on activities and global insights.

Here is my curated list of the top subscription boxes to complement your curriculum and spark joy in learning.

History:

• History Unboxed: History comes alive with History Unboxed. This subscription service offers a unique blend of crafts, stories, and activities that span ancient, medieval, and American history. It’s perfect for making history lessons more engaging and interactive.

Geography:

• Universal Yums: Explore the world through snacks with Universal Yums. Each box features treats from a different country, along with trivia and games, perfect for a tasty geography lesson.

• Letters from Afar: Isabelle, the fictional explorer, will take your children on a literary journey around the world with Letters from Afar. Each month, they’ll receive beautifully illustrated letters, field notes, and maps that explore different cultures and destinations. Pair this with Saints Around the World by Meg Hunter-Kilmer and Rick Steves’s travel documentaries for an immersive geography and cultural experience.

Faith:

• Mass Box: The Mass Box is a craft box that helps prepare kids for Sunday and Holy Day church services. It includes crafts, activities, and videos that correspond to the Bible readings, making it a great addition to religious education at home.

• Saint of the Month: Dive into the lives of the saints with Saint of the Month. Each box contains 4-5 gifts, a brochure, and a set of goals related to the featured saint, offering a unique way to learn about faith and holiness.

Science:

• Kiwi Crate: Kiwi Crate sparks creativity and innovation in children aged 5-8 with STEAM-based projects. From science experiments to art activities, each crate is designed to inspire young minds and develop problem-solving skills.

• Crunch Labs: Designed by former NASA engineer Mark Rober, Crunch Labs encourages kids to think like engineers. The Build Box and Hack Pack subscriptions provide DIY toys and robots that teach engineering principles through play. (This one is on my husband’s wishlist!)

For the Little Ones:

• LoveEvery: For the littlest learners in your family, LoveEvery provides stage-based play kits filled with playthings, books, and developmental guides. These kits support your child’s brain development and keep them busy while older siblings focus on their studies..

These subscription boxes are more than just fun; they’re a gateway to knowledge and creativity. Whether your child is crafting a historical artifact, tasting international cuisine, deepening their faith, or building a robot, these boxes will enrich their homeschooling experience in the most delightful ways.

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How to Homeschool with Littles

Ah, the eternal question: how to keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied during the big kids’ school time?

The pious answer? Pray.
The humorous answer? Drink.
The unhelpful answer? Get used to the mess and chaos.

I am fairly certain I have read every post and listened to every podcast episode that attempts to answer this question, and I can tell you one thing: they all fall short. None of them has the magic answer, and spoiler alert: I don’t either. There just is no easy way to homeschool in the middle of the chaos of toddlers and preschoolers.

There are, however, a few tips and tricks that make the roar quieter and the messes smaller. So, take solace in the fact that it is not just you; this is a tough season for everyone, and I am told by many a wise mother that better days are ahead. In the meantime, here is what is (sort of) working for us.

1. Pray.

   This is not a trite or pat answer. We have a later 9:00 start time precisely so I can fit in some nuggets of prayer while caring for my early risers (nursing the little one and entertaining my 4-year-old). Then, we start the homeschooling day in prayer. When things are going wrong, I abandon myself to Jesus in prayer like my toddler crawls crying into my lap after scraping her knee. Prayer is like oxygen; it is amazing what the simple act of breathing can do for a person.

2. Routine

   Having an optimized routine can help things to go more smoothly. I try to fill my little ones up before their schooling big siblings wake for the day —- with attention, and with plenty of snacks. We do art, science experiments, and other messy or involved projects while the baby is napping (anyone else still call their youngest “the baby” even though she’s nearly 2?). We have “tea time” with snacks and coloring pages while I do read alouds so their mouths are full and their hands are busy. Having everyone filled up also prevents hanger-induced tantrums, which is always a plus.

3. Busy Bins

   For the longest time, I avoided giving them sensory bins because I didn’t want to deal with the inevitable grains of rice and stray beans on the floor. However, after scrubbing toothpaste and butt cream and paint off various surfaces, I reconsidered and changed the out-of-control messes for limited messes of my choosing. I realized part of the reason my wild child was getting into such trouble every time he was out of sight was because he needed that sensory input I’d been depriving him of. This is a great book on making your own busy bags, and I have a post dedicated to the themed bins that we rotate through. This is a variation on the advice to have toys that they can only access during school times, and it has honestly worked wonders and been a huge relief — totally worth the initial investment and a heck of a lot cheaper than the preschool tuition I’d been considering to solve the problem. The way I see it, these items are necessary parts of our curriculum.

   A tip for managing the expense? Create an Amazon wishlist and let relatives know what you’re working on. Kinds honestly love these things so much, and it has been so much better to have toys and activities that actually occupy our kids and stimulate their creativity than another remote control toy or Barbie accessory.

4. Do Preschool.

   So, for a first or only kid, I am not a big fan of preschool. They get everything they need from storytime with mom, playtime in nature, visits to the library, and trips to the zoo — you get the picture. But as our family has grown, my perspective on preschool has changed. What this looks like will depend entirely on the interests and temperament of your individual little one, but having some kind of “school” for your little makes him feel like he, too, is special and a part of the action. This could be his own copy of the worksheet to scribble on alongside his siblings, or he might be ready for his own “table work” with mom. (We use The Good and the Beautiful’s preschool program and kindergarten prep along with Kate Snow’s Preschool Math at Home). We also use the books from My Father’s World. I’d love to implement the whole program, but it is too overwhelming for managing multiple grade levels). You make the call, but the more they feel included, the less they have to act out to garner attention.

5. Embrace it.

   I know I said this advice is unhelpful, but it is also a reminder I need constantly. THIS is the time for snuggles and silly picture books. THIS is the time to bake the cookies and have sweet conversations with our little ones. Especially as our focus moves to educating our older kiddos, it is so easy to lose touch with meeting the needs of our littlest. Remembering that this, too, shall pass, is both a great relief and a cause for sorrow depending on how my day has gone. Our time with our kids is so brief (one of the reasons we homeschool in the first place), and yet how often do I find myself rushing my kids onto the next thing or looking wistfully over the proverbial fence to those ages when the trials of this current stage will be long past?

   This stage is sticky, cacophonous, chaotic — a never-ending avalanche of clutter to be swept and booboos to be kissed. But it is also filled to the brim with the sweetest snuggles and the wonder of discovery. GK Chesterton said that “The way to really love a thing is to remember that it may be lost.” So, take the time to remind yourself that these are the days that we will soon long for.

Our THEMED Toddler and Preschool Busy Bins

Ah, the seemingly-eternal question: how to keep toddlers and preschoolers occupied during the big kids’ school time?

That is worth of a post in itself.

Here, you’ll find recipes with ingredients for themed busy bins, designed to be low-mess, independent, and engaging for those little hands and minds. Each has sensory, fine motor, building, and creative components and can be rotated on a daily basis to keep each activity fresh and exciting for your little one.

They don’t need to be themed (I just find buying to be easier and more fun this way), and if your little one enjoys some activities more than others, feel free to lean heavier on his interests!

Please let me know how you enjoy these! We have been having a blast so far. (Amazon links are affliliate links, so if you do purchase via these links, it’s like sending me a “thank-you for the idea” tip, at no extra cost to you.)

For each of these, I purchase and label a scrapbox bin for storing the items. I get mine for $5 on sale at Michael’s, but these Amazon options also work well. If a book doesn’t fit, I just store it on top of the bin, and if an activity has just too many pieces, I store just enough to keep those little hands moving in a little bag inside the box. The rest of the set goes into one of our regular play spaces for other times of the day.

FARM
Sensory: Bean bin with Montessori tools
Fine-motor: Melissa and Doug Hide and Seek Wooden Farm
Building: Duplo At the Farm Set
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Farm Water WOW
Puzzles: Melissa and Doug Cube Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle
Book: Melissa and Doug Poke a Dot Farm

OCEAN
Sensory: Kinetic Sand with Ocean Molds
Fine-motor: Learning Locks
Building: Plus Plus Ocean Creatures
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Ocean Water WOW, Crayola Color Wonder Magic Light “Watercolor”
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Fishing Puzzle
Book: Peek-a-Flap Ocean

BEARS/FOREST
Sensory: Play Dough Fun Set
Fine-motor: Lauri animal foam and peg stackers, Lincoln Logs
Building: Magnatile Forest Animals
Creativity: Color Wonder Alpha Pets
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Wooden Bear Family Dress-up
Book: Peek-a-Flap WHO

DINOSAURS
Sensory: Colored Rice and Dino Figures
Fine-motor: Skillmatics Foil Fun Dinos
Building: Infantino Sensory Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW, Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy stickers, Color Wonder Dinos
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle
Book: The Ultimate Book of Dinosaurs

ICE CREAM RAINBOW
Sensory: Kinetic Sand Ice Cream Set, (also baking soda, vinegar, and food coloring in muffin tins with dropper to disperse the vinegar into tins filled with baking soda)
Fine-motor: Skillmatics Magnetic Alphabet Rainbow, Magnetic Ice Cream Color Matching
Building: Picasso Tiles, Magnetic Montessori Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Play Ice Cream Store (store the pieces only in the box), Ice-cream scented dot markers
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Ice Cream Magnetic Puzzle Set
Book: Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons, Let’s Lace

JUNGLE/SAFARI
Sensory: Safari creatures, rice, and sensory scoops
Fine-motor: Geo-Board
Building: Learning Resources Tangrams/Pattern Blocks
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy Stickers, Melissa and Doug Safari Puppets
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Jungle Book/Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Safari Jigsaw
Book: Peek a Flap Zoo

LIFE CYCLES
Sensory/Fine Motor: Water play and Learning Resources Fine Motor Tool Set with Life Cycle Set
Building: Brain Flakes Building Set
Creativity: Crayola Color Wonder Stamp Set
Puzzle: 5-Layer Wooden Frog Puzzle
Book: DK How Does a Frog Grow Board Book, DK Life Cycles

CONSTRUCTION/VEHICLES
Sensory: Lentils and construction vehicles, Construction play sand set
Fine-motor: ImagiMake Shape Vehicle Puzzle, Skoolzy Nuts and Bolts
Building: Construction Magnatiles, Magnatile set (worth their weight in GOLD)
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW
Puzzle: Melissa and Doug Chunky Puzzle, Melissa and Doug Construction Jigsaw
Book: The Ultimate Book of Vehicles, Richard Scarry Busy Box Set, Melissa and Dog Poke a Dot Contruction

SPACE
Sensory: Pop tubes and space sensory bins
Fine-motor: Skillmatics “Dot It” Space Sticker Activity
Building: Kapla Planks, Space Duplos
Creativity: Melissa and Doug Water WOW, Paint by Sticker
Puzzle: Learning Resources Magnetic Solar System
Book: The Ultimate Book of Space

PRINCESS/CASTLE

Sensory: Little People Princess Set and dried peas OR Unicorn Sensory bin with kinetic sand
Fine-motor: Tea Party Set, Disney Princess Magnetic Dress Up
Building: Magnetic Castle, Magnetic Princess Blocks
Creativity: Play Scarves, Melissa and Doug Reusable Puffy Sticker Sets
Puzzle: Disney Princess Wooden Cube Puzzle, Minnie Mouse Mix and Match
Book: Beauty and the Beast Classic Pop-up

National Parks Unit Study

Everything We Used for Our National Parks Unit Study

We are not campers by any means, and our version of hiking usually includes a stroller. However, we aspire to become people of the outdoors, and as such, we have made it a goal to visit all 63 National Parks as a family. Never one to pass up an opportunity for travel or to educate my kids by doing, I designed a National Parks Unit Study that we can dip in and out of as our visits to the Parks occur. This can also be used as a stand-alone unit study.

I am ever-inspired by Charlotte Mason’s description of education as an atmosphere, a discipline, and a life. As such, you’ll find resources below not only to educate your children about the National Parks, but to help them become an integral part of their imaginations and your family culture.

Spine:
We used both DK National Parks For Kids and USA: Lands of Wonder as a wealth of information and for their gorgeous photos. I also liked Wide Eyed’s National Parks Book for lovely illustrations and approachable descriptions. If I have to choose one, I pick Lands of Wonder, but honestly, why choose? Our local library has them all and I bet yours does, too (although I did invest in these as we plan to revisit them again and again).

Activities:
Our kids actually did all of these on our road trip to visit the National Parks. They loved DK National Parks Sticker Book and the
National Parks Activity Book, but their favorite was this Sticker by Number book.

Read Alouds:
We have enjoyed the National Parks Mystery Series. The chapters are short and it has illustrations, making it a perfect fit for our morning time. I was a little bummed that the books didn’t match the exact parks we were visiting (we’ve been to Carlsbad, Hawaii Volcanoes, and Arches so far). I hear the author plans to make it a ten book series, so maybe your favorite park will be next! (Mine is Arches).

Games:
We have one day a week dedicated to gameschooling, and the kids also pull these out at random times for fun during the week. National Parks Trivia, Trekking the National Parks, and this gorgeous Parks Strategy Game are great for older kids. If you have a younger set, I recommend National Parks Bingo, National Parks Memory Game (also gorgeous), and what has probably been the biggest hit in our household so far, the Melissa and Doug National Parks Magnet Matching activity.

Pretend:
For igniting those little imaginations, you have to love Melissa and Doug’s Yellowstone Bear Set and Park Ranger Set.

Viewing:
America’s National Parks doesn’t feature every park, but it was the only series I found that held my kiddo’s attention. After viewing the episode on Hawaii Volcanoes, my 5-year-old was telling anyone who would listen that his favorite bug was a lava cricket — so I know learning was happening during all those leaps between couch cushions.

Ongoing:
As for the atmosphere part, I invested in this Wooden Keepsake Map for our family. It is beautifully made and comes with little green trees that press into the spaces to mark where your family has visited. I was also temped by this more affordable scratch-off poster which is still attractive but at a healthier price-point. I wish I had seen these National Parks Passports before we first embarked. I can’t find the ones we originally bought but am seriously thinking of just transferring the stamps we had into these because they are so lovely! (Also, I don’t have this throw blanket just yet, but it is on my wish list and my birthday is coming up! Hint, hint, husband!)

I also have to mention the Junior Ranger Program, in which the kids can receive badges for activites completed online or by visiting the Parks in person.

Happy hiking!

The ULTIMATE Catholic Homeschooling Booklist

Living books for all seasons

Building a robust homeschool library is both a dream come true (you mean it’s my responsibility to buy a lot of books??) and a never ending project, akin to a garden which must be consistently weeded, watered, and fertilized according to changing needs and seasons.

And while I hope this list can be helpful for you, it has been borne mostly out of my own need to obsessively curate an environment of living books to entice, attract, and enrich my children throughout their years of schooling.

A few disclaimers:

• Some of these will be read-alouds and others can be independently read. Many will be both. You will have to make the call for your own children based on their maturity and reading levels. There is never an age at which we should stop reading aloud to our children.

• I do not own all of these books…yet; this list is my way of keeping track of the books I plan to acquire slowly over the years at whatever pace my husband’s salary can reasonably accommodate.

• We still use the library. Frequently. I do not wish to acquire every book we read, particularly when diving deep on subjects of science and history. I lean heavily into purchasing religious materials (which our library doesn’t have), works of fiction that are beautiful and edifying (which our library has hidden amongst the twaddle and liberal propaganda), and high quality anthologies and encyclopedias which we will return to again and again.

• A note on “appropriateness”: While I do make every effort to shield our young minds from the pollution of contemporary propaganda running rampant in the libraries of even our very red state, we don’t believe in shielding our children from the realities of life, particularly as depicted in time-tested literature. We subscribe to the GK Chesterton philosophy of fiction: “Fairy tales do not tell children the dragons exist. Children already know that dragons exist. Fairy tales tell children the dragons can be killed.” In other words, encountering life’s difficulties via fiction enables children to practice both empathy and resilience. Bad things happen in these books (particularly the latter grades), sometimes terrible things. The content may be beyond the line you wish to draw for your own children in terms of how sheltered you wish them to be. Familiarize yourself with the books in question and make your own call as to your child’s maturity, readiness to grapple with the material in conversation with you, the parent, whose job it is to guide your children in making meaning from these stories.

• This list is a work in progress, changing and shifting as I encounter good books and my children grow. If you don’t see your favorite, drop a comment.
  
  I would LOVE to discover new books from you!

Baby Books

Never Touch a Dragon
Goodnight Moon
Ten Little Ladybugs
A Missal for Toddlers
Little Owl’s Night
Touch the Brightest Star
Llama Llama Red Pajama
The Napping House
Brown Bear

Pre-K

Elmer
Winnie the Pooh
The Velveteen Rabbit
Beatrix Potter
Madeline
Eloise
Brambly Hedge
My Father’s Dragon
Mouse Nuns Series
Lyle Lyle Crocodile
Curious George
Blueberries for Sal
Make Way for Ducklings
Are You My Mother?
Green Eggs and Ham
If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
Stellaluna
Berenstain Bears/Mercer Mayer
How I Became a Pirate
Mother Bruce
The Monster at the End of this Book
Goodnight Goon
Little Blue Truck
Goodnight Goodnight Construction Site
The Jesus Storybook Bible
Fr. Ben Gets Ready for Mass
I Went to Mass. What Did I See?
Our Lady’s Wardrobe
Our Lady’s Picture Book
The Crippled Lamb
You Are Special
You Are Mine
Because I Love You

Early Readers

Charlotte’s Web
Little House on the Prairie
A Little Princess
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E Frankweiler
Mr. Popper’s Penguins
The Mouse and the Motorcycle
The Indian in the Cupboard
Mary Poppins
The Chronicles of Narnia
The Railway Children
5 Children and It
Mary, Mother of All
Jesus and the Miracle of the Mass
One Holy Marriage
Jack Giorgio, Future Priest
Lily Lolek, Future Saint
Light of the Saints

I-Can-Read Books That Don’t Make Me Want to Tear My Ears Off

Fancy Nancy
Amelia Bedelia
Dr. Seuss
Princess in Black (we just pretend book #10 Prince in Pink doesn’t exist)
Billie B Brown
Hey Jack
The Magic Treehouse

Primary Grades

The Princess Bride
Grimm’s Fairy Tales
Heidi
The Wind in the Willows
The Boxcar Children
Black Beauty
The Giver
Ender’s Game
Old Yeller
Where the Red Fern Grows
The Secret Garden
Pollyanna
Anne of Green Gables
Little Women
Bridge to Terabithia
A Ring of Endless Light
McElderry Greek Myths
Usborne Complete Shakespeare (content warning; it’s Shakespeare)
Redwall Series
The Phantom Tollbooth
Because of Winn Dixie
Ella Enchanted
Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer
Robin Hood
The Tale of Desperaux
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Hatchet
Holes
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
Flowers for Algernon
The Rifle
Swallows and Amazons
The Princess and the Goblin
The Courage of Sarah Noble
Across Five Aprils
The Witch of Blackbird Pond
The Egypt Game
To Be a Slave
Sing Down the Moon
Jacob Have I Loved
Afternoon of the Elves
Maniac Magee
Out of the Dust
The Princess Academy
Heart of a Samurai
We Dream of Space
My Name Is Philomena
The Princess and the Kiss

Middle Grades

The Hobbit
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Outsiders
The Hunger Games
The Divergent Series
What Happens Next
The Kate In Between
What Happened to Rachel Riley
Harry Potter (yes, we read Harry Potter)
Corrie Ten Boom
Number the Stars
She Said Yes
The Diary of Anne Frank
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul (check year of publications; who knows what they slip into in the new editions these days?)
Johnny Tremain
Men of Athens
The Fault in Our Stars
Flipped
Wonder
Mockingbird
Watership Down
Animal Farm

High School

Silence
The Count of Monte Cristo
The Three Musketeers
The Brothers Karamozov
Jane Austen
Flannery O’Connor
John Steinbeck
East of Eden
Dr. Jeckyl and Mr. Hyde
Frankenstein
The Lord of the Rings
King Arthur
The Divine Comedy
Confessions
The Consolation of Philosophy
All the Light We Cannot See
Brideshead Revisited
The Great Divorce
The Screwtape Letters
The Abolition of Man
1984
Farenheit 451
Brave New World
Death Comes for the Archbishop
Love in the Ruins
Kristin Lavransdatter
Anna Karenena
The Great Gatsby
For Whom the Bell Tolls
The Time Traveler’s Wife
Dune
Hannah Coulter
Redeeming Love
Hopkins
Chardin
Rumi
Johnny Cash
Mary Oliver
Emily Dickinson
Robert Frost
Walt Whitman
Thoreau
Into the Wild
Beloved
The Color Purple
The Red Badge of Courage
Dickens
Shakespeare
Bronte
Les Miserables
The Everlasting Man
What’s Wrong With the World

I will likely also add more theology texts, especially, from these 2 lists of the best Catholic books of all time from Bishop Barron.

Encyclopedias, Collections, and Anthologies

Saints Around the World
Saint Stories
DK National Parks x 2
DK Encyclopedias
DK Anthologies
Dover Coloring Books
What Was Series
Magic School Bus Series
Conservation for Kids
One Small Square
Sir Cumference

Be on the lookout for “Our Favorite Gameschooling Games” and “The BEST Homeschool Subscriptions” and “TV Schooling”