Tips For Navigating All of the Homeschool Curriculum Options!

So you’ve decided to homeschool!

But how? There are so many different curriculums out there and before you ever touch one it's important to know what your options are and what the different types of curriculum will look like. In the last five years, since Covid happened and so many people had to do virtual school, there have been a huge growth in homeschooled kids. While I support homeschooling and encourage homeschool parents, I’d have to say this sudden influx has really produced a whole bunch of people who don’t have any idea why they are homeschooling or what the options available to them are.

Of course along with that is not understanding the pros and cons of the options available. If you are a parent who wants to homeschool and you aren’t sure of your why yet, or you want to explore your options, I encourage you to check out this booklist. 

Today’s tip includes a breakdown of some different educational approaches when you are considering or are already homeschooling!

You are probably familiar with at least a few of these options so I have tried to keep the explanations brief. If you want to find out more about each one, keep checking this space for a deeper dive!

Now for the disclaimer, there is not one right way to homeschool. Every child and every family is different and you might appreciate a traditional approach for English but use something like Teaching Textbooks which is an app for math! Often these options are similar in some ways, with the lines between them being quite blurry. 

The Traditional Textbook Approach

As the name suggests, this method relies heavily on learning straight from textbooks. It often includes an instructor guide and is typically worksheet-heavy. This is a more structured, classic style of education—similar to what traditional schools followed before the widespread use of digital devices like Chromebooks. A traditional textbook approach will often come from a curriculum provider that has a full grade pack including all the subjects from English and reading instruction, Math, History, Science and sometimes even Art and Music. The instructor guide will often be scripted, telling you just what to say. If the traditional textbook approach is something that you are interested in looking into there are a lot of options out there. Some of the oldest mainstream homeschool curriculums take this approach. In this approach you are often fully responsible for all of the teaching and there can be a lot of prep necessary depending upon the option that you choose.

Online Options

Online homeschooling is often the approach I see people asking about these days. It is what it sounds like. All the course lessons, tests, projects, etc are online. Some online programs will also include printable components, but others are strictly online. Some online platforms will allow a child to go entirely at their own pace, while others will have instructors on certain days and the child will be required to watch the lecture and participate in that way. Online homeschooling  is similar to virtual public school but usually more flexible. A common mistake of new homeschool parents is to mistake an online public school option for homeschooling. While there is nothing inherently wrong with either approach the laws surrounding them are vastly different in most states. If you are choosing to use an online homeschooling curriculum, you get to decide how and when you school. In an online public school option you are still subject to the laws and guidelines that the public school has put into place. Those programs can often come with stringent guidelines and a lot of busy work so just be sure to research the option you have chosen to make sure it is a good fit for your family. Many online curriculum programs let you set your own schedule and offer a lighter daily workload compared to traditional school days. This approach tends to be popular with people who don’t want to be a part of the instructional process but want to homeschool. 

All-in-One Curriculum

An all-in-one curriculum comes from a single provider and includes materials for all core subjects. It’s a convenient, comprehensive option—ideal for families who want a ready-to-go solution without the need to piece together different resources. These programs often aim to weave subjects together into a cohesive learning experience. For example, what your child is reading in English might tie into an art project, math could relate to a musical concept, and history might highlight a key mathematician. Science lessons may connect to the week’s nature study.

This integrated approach can be especially helpful for families new to homeschooling or those going through a busy season of life and needing something more streamlined. Some providers do this very well, creating engaging and meaningful connections across subjects, while others may fall short. All-in-one curricula often share similarities with the unit study approach, as both aim to create thematic links between subjects for a more immersive learning experience.

Unschooling 

Unschooling prioritizes experiential, interest-led learning. There’s no set curriculum, structure, or textbook use. Instead, children learn through exploration, curiosity, and real-life experiences. This approach values freedom and intrinsic motivation above all else. It is sometimes referred to as “child led learning” which just means that the child in question gets to guide the learning. You as the parent or facilitator provide the materials that will help your child accomplish learning about what they are interested in. This can look many different ways but the important distinction is that there isn’t a set curriculum or a rigid schedule, or sometimes even a schedule at all. 

Literature-Based or Charlotte Mason Approach

This style is rooted in the educational philosophy of Charlotte Mason, a 19th-century educator who championed rich, meaningful learning through “living books”—well-written, engaging books often written by a single author with a passion for the subject. Rather than relying on dry textbooks, Mason believed that children thrive when exposed to ideas through quality literature, real-world experiences, and time spent in nature.

Charlotte Mason emphasized the importance of nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and helping mothers (and all educators) create a harmonious, thoughtful home learning environment. Her methods encourage deep thinking, nature study, habit formation, and a lifelong love of learning. Today, there are many formal curriculum options that follow the Charlotte Mason philosophy, as well as countless free resources for families who want to take a more flexible, literature-based approach. Picture books aren't just for young children—great stories can open up worlds and ideas that spark imagination and inquiry at any age. This educational style can lead to a rich, book-filled, adventurous life that feels both intentional and joyful.

Unit StudiesUnit studies are thematic and can focus on whatever captures your child’s interest. They can last a week, a month, or however long you’d like. For example, we’ve done a unit study on Greek mythology alongside our regular math and reading. You can purchase pre-made unit studies or create your own. The idea of a unit study is that you can learn about whatever interests your children or your family, while also incorporating traditional school subjects. You can choose to add in a unit study to skill subjects like Math and Reading or just use unit studies which often have   

Eclectic Curriculum 

Eclectic homeschoolers mix and match curricula from different providers. For example, you might choose a math program from one source, language arts from another, and science from a third. This approach allows you to tailor your child’s education to their unique learning needs and interests. Eclectic homeschooling takes a little bit of this and a little bit of that to create a tailored curriculum specifically for your homeschooled child. 

While all of these options have pro’s and con’s you should consider each one carefully before picking a path. And remember that the curriculum you choose is a tool. If it doesn’t work for you, it is ok to choose a different tool or a different path! What works for one family might not work for you!