Here are our favorite homeschool curriculums for elementary grades.
Favorite Homeschool Curriculums for Elementary Grades
One of things we 7Sisters have treasured most about homeschooling our kids is being able to nurture a love of learning. We have found that when our kids learn while they are young that education is fun, the process is easier all the way through graduation!
Our kids have especially loved hands-on and/or enjoyable learning. We have found that young learners (well, learners of any age) remember best when they are engaging in their lessons or laughing while they work.
Over the years, we have found a number of elementary school resources we love. We also know our 7th Sisters (have you joined our Facebook group, if not, please do) have lots of favorites, so we asked them about the elementary curriculum they love. Check out this big list of favorites!
(BTW- We are not affiliates of any of the not-7Sisters curriculum, we just like to share about curriculum we love.)
Here are some of our favorite homeschool curriculums for elementary grades:
Guide to a Developmental Approach to Teaching Kindergarten 7SistersHomeschool
- 7Sister Vicki always felt that children were being forced into formal education way too early. (Better Late Than Early by Raymond and Dorothy Moore has inspired many homeschool moms to invest in developmental, inspiring learning-preparation during kindergarten. This gives youngsters time to build the necessary neural pathways for attention and learning which makes learning so much easier.
- So rather than thrust her five year-olds into formal education, she did LOTS of reading and education preparation. She shared her kindergarten program in this simple and cost-effecient, 21-page downloadable pdf resource guide that includes:
- an overview of developmental milestones
- activities for developing
- perceptual motor skills
- visual skills
- auditory skills
- cognitive skills
- number skills
- reading skills
- So rather than thrust her five year-olds into formal education, she did LOTS of reading and education preparation. She shared her kindergarten program in this simple and cost-effecient, 21-page downloadable pdf resource guide that includes:
Elementary Literature Activity Guides 7SistersHomeschool
What are literature activity guides? These fun and cost-efficient guides take classic children’s books at various reading levels and give them fun, hands-on activities that aid in learning:
- reading/phonics and learning skills
- teach life concepts
- reinforce knowledge and already-learned skills
- have fun learning by doing
- Homeschool parents can use these guides as attention-keeping enrichment, for engaging co-op activities, or to build delightful unit studies.
7Sisters delightful Joey Monster storybook and learning activity guides include:
7Sisters Literature Activity Guides based on favorite books include:
- Curious George, 2nd Grade
- Just in time for Christmas, 2nd Grade
- Sunflower House, 2nd Grade
- The One in the Middle is a Green Kangaroo, 2nd Grade
- The Reason for a Flower, 2nd Grade
- The Very Hungry Caterpillar, 2nd Grade
- Freckle Juice, 2nd/3rd Grade
- Miss Rumphius, 2nd/3rd Grade
- A New Coat for Anna, 3rd Grade
- Corduroy, 3rd Grade
- Aunt Flossie’s Hats, 3rd Grade
- If you Made a Million, 3rd Grade
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, 3rd Grade
- Miss Nelson is Missing, 3rd Grade
- The Tale of Peter Rabbit, 3rd Grade
- The Whale’s Song, 3rd Grade
- Amazing Grace, 3rd/4th Grade
- You Are Special, 3rd/4th Grade FREEBIE- Try out this 7Sisters Literature Activity Guide at not cost!
- Beethoven Lives Upstairs, 4th Grade
- The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, 5th Grade
- You can find a complete list of Literature Activity Guides here (with a download freebie). Note the importance of reading fiction and non-fiction during these early years.
Read Wayne Thorp’s post on the philosophy of education.
Literature Guides for Later Elementary 7SistersHomeschool
These are traditional literature study guides but pared down to the basics so that there is no busywork that would kill the book for young readers!
- Anne of Green Gables FREEBIE discussion guide for the whole family
- Misty of Chincoteague FREEBIE for your late elementary reader (or middle schooler- according to their ability and interest)
- Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH
- Sarah, Plain and Tall
- Snow Treasure
Grammar Galaxy, Fun to Learn Books
One of the biggest regrets is that this delightful grammar curriculum did not arrive until all our kids were beyond middle school (but that hasn’t stopped 7Sister Vicki from listening in on some of the grammar adventures).
- This is a series of grammar texts are short, entertaining stories that teach language arts concepts in a memorable way.
- The accompanying workbooks are no workbook at all, but a Mission Manual asking your student to help save the galaxy from the chaos the Gremlin creates.
Curriculum for Learning How to Read
- All About Reading
- This series includes learning activities and is a favorite of several 7th Sisters.
- Barton Reading
- Classic “how to tutor your child” series, great for learning differences. Recommended by several 7th Sisters.
- Horizons Phonics and Reading
- Classic, workbook-style phonics and reading program liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Explode the Code
Spelling
- Many of us used Explode the Code. See this post from BJ’s Homeschool to find out why.
Writing
- Book making activity. Lovely introduction to writing a story in this post by our friend, Betsy.
- How to Write a Fable post from Adventures in Mommydom in this post by our friend, Ticia.
- How to Write a Progressive Story (fun group activity) 7SistersHomeschool
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-_y7VZG1OQ&t=3s
Drama Resources for Elementary-Aged Homeschoolers 7SistersHomeschool
Kids often love being part of a drama production. Here are a couple of favorite resources:
- FREEBIE: The Drama Starts Here
- How to get started with drama in your homeschool group.
- The Christmas Carol War
- A play by 7Sister Sabrina for young learners.
History Resources
We did much of our history together at co-op. Many of these suggestions work at home and/or co-op!
- Hands-on Pompeii activities in this post from Adventures in Mommydom
- How Catapults Changed History activity post from Adventures in Mommydom
- Thirty Years War Hands-on Activities post from Adventures in Mommydom
- Story of the World/Mystery of History
- This is a classic series mentioned by several 7th Sisters. Lots of read-aloud and discussion.
- Treasure Hunt Activity from our friend, Kim.
- Lots of curriculum favorites from our friend, Betsy.
Language Arts/History/Science Unit Study Approaches
- Amanda Bennett Unit Studies
- THE classic unit studies since early homeschool times. Liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Five in a Row
- A favorite of a number of 7th Sisters.
- Guest Hollow
- Handouts, activities and more. Liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Heart of Dakota
- This was mentioned by several of our 7th Sisters.
- Master Books
- Liked by several 7th Sisters.
- My Father’s World
- A Charlotte Mason approach liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Sonlight
- Classic, literature based program liked by several 7th Sisters.
- The Good and the Beautiful
- Family-style approach recommended by several 7th Sisters.
Math Resources
- LearnInColor
- This website has tons of downloadable and freebies. There’s even a how-to on teaching math without a curriculum.
- Right Start Math
- Visualization and game-based math curriculum liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Singapore Math
- Workbook math for parents looking for rigor. Liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Teaching Textbooks Math
- Fun, computer-based math that Vicki’s kids actually liked!
Music
- Music in Our Homeschool
- Self-paced, online, interesting music appreciation lessons with our friend, Gena Mayo. Check out the freebies.
- Musik at Home
- Online developmental music education classes with our friend, Kathryn Brunner.
Science Resources
We 7Sisters did most of our science together in co-op. Even if you do not have a co-op, you will enjoy some of these hands-on learning activities and curriculums!
- Jupiter Hands-on Art and Science Unit in this post from Adventures in Mommydom.
- SO many handouts and freebies from our friend, Samantha Shank, LearnInColor.com!
- Lots of experiments and fun ideas from Homeschool Scientist.
- Apologia
- Classic, textbook approach. Liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Christian Kids Explore Science
- Creation-based science curriculum liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Sassafras Science
- A story-based science curriculum liked by several 7th Sisters.
- Lots of curriculum ideas from our friend, Betsy.
Social Skills for Children 7SistersHomeschool
While you are working on academics, you can also increase your children’s confidence and good manners with this cost-efficient fifteen-page booklet that describes ten of the most important social skills for children. You and your kids will enjoy it because it includes practical activities to help your children learn each skill.
How about using read-alouds for teaching positive character traits?
Special Needs
If you have a child with learning differences or other special needs, SPED Homeschool is an endless wealth of resources, videos, encouragement and ideas.
World Languages
Elementary years are the best for learning another language. Our Cousin Karim Morato offers popular Spanish course for elementary-aged homeschoolers. Children learn from fun, from-birth Spanish speakers. Check out Spanish Homeschool Curriculum.
One of our friends reminded us of Spanish for You.
Need more homeschool curriculum ideas?
- One of our very favorite resources has been Cathy Duffy’s reviews. Check them out.
Okay, feeling overwhelmed at this point? That’s okay! Take a breath and have some fun with this post where your 7Sisters get real and share our Aha! moments.
7Sisters email subscribers receive periodic practical encouragement, special offers and NO SPAM EVER.
Click the image above to periodically receive real homeschool value in your inbox.
