This is a master list of all the curriculum and resources I have used while homeschooling that I can highly recommend. I’m going to add this page to my right-hand margin, and I’ll add more resources to it as we use more. I’ll also add my reviews as I write them. Everything is secular except where noted.
Reading
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Starfall.com
Language Arts
Institute for Excellence in Writing’s Student Writing Intensive Level A
Fix It! Grammar: The Nose Tree: Student Book 1 with Teacher’s Manual
Michael Clay Thompson: Grammar Program, Grammar Island
All About Spelling
Calligraphy Set & an Instruction Book (makes learning to write fun)
Handwriting Without Tears
Beginning Traditional Cursive
Free Typing Lessons
Math
Life of Fred* elementary series
Life of Fred* intermediate series
Spectrum Workbooks
Singapore Math (U.S.) (Level 1A & 1B)
Social Studies
my husband’s history lectures
The Kingfisher History Encyclopedia
The Usborne Encyclopedia of World History
One World, Many Religions: The Ways We Worship
The Kids Books of World Religions
Documentaries!
Follow my history lesson logs.
Science
Documentaries!!!
Magic School Bus Books
Let’s Read and Find Out Science Books
My Citizen Science Projects
See my homeschool science posts for more ideas.
Spanish
Risas y Sonrisas
Salsa
Mango (free via public library)
Art
Developing a Sketchbook Habit (doing this has been invaluable)
Cave Paintings to Picasso
Georgia Museum of Art (field trips to)
Carla Sonheim online art classes (link goes to her free stuff)
Of course, I also recommend my little e-book, The Everyday Homeschooler’s Guide to Teaching 1st Grade, for anyone with a child up to eight-years-old. It will get you started in creating an atmosphere at home that will promote independent learning. It also has a big list of secular resources in the back. And tons of other tips and practical advice. I hope you’ll check it out.
* The author of the Life of Fred series is religious, and this is apparent in the books, but there are very few references and nothing preachy. He does throw in a lot of lessons in common sense, which I think most people can agree on.
