Our Eclectic, Charlotte Mason–Inspired Homeschool Curriculum
Updated: 1 day ago
One of the things I love about homeschooling is the freedom to choose curriculum based on my child's individual needs rather than following grade levels rigidly. Children develop at different rates and may be ahead in one subject while needing more time in another. Homeschooling allows me to meet my child where he is and adjust as he grows.
When I first started choosing curriculum for my son, I used placement tests offered by curriculum companies to help determine the best starting point. We had already been working on some math and reading skills before officially starting school, so these tests helped me identify his current abilities and choose appropriate materials. I recommend taking advantage of placement tests whenever they're available, as they can help you select curriculum based on your child's skills rather than simply their age or grade.
My son was ready to move ahead early, so he completed quite a bit of first-grade work during kindergarten. We've continued choosing materials based on his readiness, and he's now working through some resources labeled for second grade. Every child is different, and my goal is to find the right balance of academic challenge, a strong foundation, and an enjoyable learning experience.
Over time, I've learned that I don't need one curriculum to do everything. I take an eclectic approach inspired by Charlotte Mason.
I use structured programs for subjects such as math, spelling, grammar, science and handwriting. For literature, geography, and history, I rely heavily on living books—books that bring ideas to life, engage a child's imagination, and nourish the mind and spirit rather than simply presenting a collection of facts. I believe education should be about more than memorizing facts or checking off lessons. I want my son to develop a genuine love of learning through great books, nature, meaningful experiences, and opportunities to explore the world around him.
I also value narration, discussion, and gradually developing written expression as ways for my son to process what he's learning and put his thoughts into his own words.
This approach allows me to combine the structure we need in foundational subjects with the flexibility to follow our interests, spend time with worthwhile books, and adapt our lessons to my son's needs. I don't follow one method or curriculum rigidly; instead, I draw from the resources and practices that best support the kind of education I want to provide.
In this post, I'm sharing the curriculum we used during kindergarten and the resources we're using now for first grade, along with why I've chosen them,
We use Math with Confidence by Kate Snow for our main math curriculum. My son completed Level 1 last year, and we're working through Level 2 now because he was ahead in math and ready to move forward.
If you're unsure which level to choose, you can take the Math with Confidence placement test to help determine the best starting point for your child. Typically, 1st graders would need level 1 and so on.
I appreciate the parent guide, which lays out lessons, explanations, and activities clearly. The games provide a break from worksheets and drills while giving children a fun way to practice math skills.
We usually complete about one workbook page a day. I take 1 or 2 days to cover new concepts from the parent guide with him. We skip over some of it and use only what he needs. Since my son moves through the material quickly.
I've also started supplementing with Singapore Math Intensive Practice about twice a week to provide additional practice and problem-solving challenges.
This combination lets us continue with a curriculum that works well for our routine while giving him more opportunities to stretch his mathematical thinking.
Reading and Spelling: All About Reading and All About Spelling
During kindergarten, we worked through All About Reading Level 1, and it was a much better fit for my son than our first attempt at trying a reading program.
Before trying All About Reading, we had used Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. Unfortunately, the lessons moved too quickly for my child, so we needed a different approach, but a lot of people have success with this program.
Before choosing a level, I recommend giving your child the All About Reading placement test. We did this before starting, and it recommended Level 1 for my son. It was helpful to have a starting point based on his skills rather than his age.
All About Reading includes phonics games and readers that gave my son opportunities to practice new skills. After completing Level 1, reading really started to click for him and we didn't need to continue the other levels!
Instead, we transitioned to beginner readers to help him continue to build his fluency and enjoy reading independently. This gave him time to apply what he'd learned without adding another formal program.
Building a Habit of Independent Reading
Now that reading has clicked, my son has quiet reading time for at least 20 minutes a day. He's read through book series like Little Bear, Henry and Mudge, and the Wild Kratts Beginner Readers. More recently, he's been reading through the Boxcar Children series and also enjoys going to the library to pick out his favorite sports books.
I love seeing him move from learning how to read to choosing books based on his own interests. Giving him time to read independently has become a meaningful part of our homeschool routine, and I enjoy watching his confidence and love of reading grow.
This year, we're using All About Spelling Level 1. I appreciate having a clear sequence for introducing spelling concepts, practicing them, and reviewing what we've learned. Its multisensory activities give children ways to work with words beyond memorizing a list.
We complete lessons about one to two times a week, which keeps spelling consistent without making it a daily requirement.
We're still working through Level 1, and the lessons are easy to fit into our homeschool week.
I'd recommend starting with All About Reading Level 1 during your first year of formal reading instruction, then introducing All About Spelling once your child has developed reading fluency. Both programs are excellent, but they can be time-consuming to work through together. Focusing on one at a time can make your homeschool routine more manageable while allowing your child to build a strong foundation before adding another program.
For grammar, we're using Scholastic Success with Grammar, Grade 1. This was the least expensive of the curriculum books I purchased, and its simplicity is exactly what I wanted.
It's a straightforward workbook for introducing grammar concepts and practicing them without adding much to our day. We use it about once a week, completing a few exercises before moving on to other subjects.
For families looking for an affordable way to include basic grammar practice, this workbook is worth considering.
Handwriting: The Good and the Beautiful
We started The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting Level 1 during kindergarten, and we're working through Level 2 now. Level 1 is typically the best fit for first graders.
We typically complete about one page a day. The lessons provide structured practice with letter formation and legibility, and the short daily routine makes handwriting easy to fit into our schedule.
I'm happy with how this curriculum has worked for us and plan to continue using it as my son develops his handwriting skills.
For science, we're using Apologia's Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day.
My son loves science, so it's a subject we both look forward to. As a Christian homeschool mom, I appreciate that Apologia approaches science through a biblical understanding of Creation, which aligns with our family's beliefs.
One especially useful feature is the included audiobook. I can have my son listen while I take care of other things around the house. I also enjoy reading the book with him when I can because the content gives us plenty to discuss together.
We've found the textbook more useful than the accompanying notebooking journal at this stage. Many of the workbook activities seem better suited to older students, so we focus more on reading and discussing the textbook rather than trying to complete every activity. This has allowed us to enjoy the science content without feeling like we need to use every component of the program.
We usually do science one to two times a week, leaving room for conversation, nature observation, and questions that come up during our reading.
During kindergarten, we used Apologia's Exploring Creation with Astronomy, which we absolutely loved. That experience made it an easy choice to continue with Apologia for our science studies.
Apologia is also great for families with kids with multiple age ranges. Kids can learn science together, and you can adapt the activities you do based on the specific age range. All kids can do the science experiments together. Older children can do the writing assignments, while younger children can just narrate back what they learned to you.
Literature, Geography, and History: Ambleside Online
For literature, geography, and history, I use Ambleside Online as a resource for finding living books. It's a free Charlotte Mason–inspired homeschool resource with extensive book lists that have helped me discover worthwhile books for our homeschool.
I don't follow Ambleside Online's curriculum exactly. Instead, I choose books from its lists based on our interests and what fits our homeschool at the time. I especially love the books that have history, geography, and nature/science themes. Sometimes we read books out of order, and I adjust our selections to suit our family. I also don't feel that we have to read every book on the list.
So far in first grade, we've read Pocahontas, Paddle-to-the-Sea, and Minn of the Mississippi, along with a few excerpts from The Burgess Bird Book. These books have given us opportunities to explore American history, geography, and the natural world through engaging stories and descriptions of the places and creatures we encounter.
Next, we plan to read George Washington and Buffalo Bill, both by Ingri and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. I'm looking forward to continuing our history studies through these illustrated biographies.
Our reading routine is flexible. Short picture books are usually read in one sitting, while longer books and chapter books may take weeks or even months to finish. I want us to have time to enjoy the stories, discuss what we're learning, and explore topics that spark our curiosity.
Living books also give us natural opportunities to connect subjects. We might find a place from a story on a map, learn more about a historical figure, or explore a related topic through nature study or art.
If you're interested in a Charlotte Mason approach but want the freedom to choose your own books and pace, Ambleside Online is an excellent free resource to explore. You can use its book lists as a starting point and adapt your reading selections to fit your own family.
Narration and Writing
After reading a passage from a book, I ask my son to narrate, or summarize, what happened in his own words. Now that he's developing his writing, spelling, and handwriting skills, we're gradually incorporating written narration and reflective writing into our routine.
Sometimes, he'll write a few sentences about a story we've read. We don't do this every day, but we're building the habit gradually to help him strengthen his writing fluency while learning to express his thoughts clearly.
What Our Homeschool Routine Looks Like
We don't complete every subject every day. I prefer a general rhythm that helps us make consistent progress while leaving room to spend extra time on something that captures my son's interest. We make sure to do math, reading, and writing every day we do school, but grammar, science, and the math enrichment only happen 1-2 times per week.
Here's how often we typically use our curriculum:
Math with Confidence: About one workbook page a day.
Singapore Math Intensive Practice: About twice a week.
Independent reading: At least 20 minutes a day.
Living books and read-alouds: Typically one reading a day.
All About Spelling Level 1: One to two times a week.
Scholastic Success with Grammar: About once a week.
The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting: About one page a day.
Apologia Zoology: Usually one to two times a week.
Our read-aloud routine varies depending on the book. Short picture books are usually read in one sitting, while longer books may be spread out over several weeks or months. We often take months to work through chapter books, reading a little at a time rather than rushing to finish.
My son also has at least 20 minutes of quiet reading time each day. I love seeing him develop his own reading interests and gain confidence as an independent reader.
This approach gives us time to enjoy good books, talk about what we're reading, and let the stories and ideas sink in. It also makes it easier to fit literature, geography, and history into our homeschool without feeling like we have to finish everything quickly.
Our routine balances regular practice in foundational skills with time for science, reading, and exploration. Your family's routine may look completely different, and that's okay. The goal is to find a rhythm that works for your child and your household.
Art, Foreign Language, & Music
We make time for artist studies about twice a month, observing famous paintings and trying our hand at recreating them with watercolors. I enjoy giving my son opportunities to appreciate great works of art while exploring his own creativity. I developed a resource to make this more simple- purchase it here.
We've also dabbled in beginner Spanish through videos and apps, but I'm still looking for the right resources and approach for our family. If you have any favorite Spanish resources for young homeschoolers, I'd love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
This coming year, I also hope to incorporate composer studies into our homeschool. I want to introduce my son to great composers and their music, giving him opportunities to listen, appreciate, and become more familiar with classical music as part of a well-rounded education.
Why I Like Combining Different Resources
I don't need one curriculum to do everything. I use structured programs for subjects such as math, spelling, grammar, and handwriting, while living books guide much of our literature, geography, and history. For science, Apologia offers a blend of both approaches. Its textbooks are beautifully written, rooted in a biblical Creation perspective, and designed to do more than simply present facts. They invite children to engage with the subject matter and develop a deeper appreciation for the world God created.
This eclectic approach allows me to choose resources based on what my son needs and what works best for our family, rather than following one program simply because it covers every subject.
Final Thoughts: Finding What Works for Your Homeschool
These are some of our favorite homeschool curriculum choices, but every family and child is different. What works well for us may need to be adapted for another child, and that's perfectly fine.
My goal is to build a strong academic foundation while cultivating a love of learning through good books, nature, and meaningful experiences. I want our homeschool to be purposeful without becoming so focused on checking off lessons that we lose sight of the joy of learning.
If you're planning your own homeschool year, consider your child's needs, interests, and learning pace.
You don't have to find one perfect curriculum that does everything. Sometimes the best approach is a thoughtful combination of structured lessons, quality books, and opportunities to explore the world around you.
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