So, you want to homeschool but you have NO IDEA what to even do? And you don’t want to spend a fortune. If you’re honest, you just want to do some cheap homeschool online but still give your child an amazing education. I get it and I’m not going to go on and on about how it can be overwhelming. I’ll just jump straight to the point.
Here is a very short list of programs that I have either used or that looked great (and were affordable) in my homeschool research.
Core Knowledge
- 100 percent free if you wish to strictly go digital. I used all the free digital downloads and then printed some of the pages. So my only cost was ink and paper.
- This program is a bit harder for homeschooling (I will have a post about how to best do this later!)
- I love the phonics program but I suggest supplementing games to make it fun.
- There is no math to download.
- Science and social studies are incorporated into language arts read-alouds. I highly suggest supplementing with fun activities and projects.
- They have began making history and geography units but, again, they are not homeschool friendly.
- Check out why – despite it not being homeschool friendly – I love it.
The Good and the Beautiful
- This includes language arts, handwriting, math, history, science and several ‘elective’ courses.
- They also have high school language arts.
- Some of the units are free downloads. Those that are not, though, I feel are reasonably priced.
- Biblical principals and stories are incorporated throughout.
Time for Learning
- Language arts, math, science and social studies for all ages.
- This is a digital platform. Children watch videos and then a worksheet is usually included.
- Activities, worksheets and other plans are included in the parent portal.
- I recommend knowing what your child is working on and providing supplemental games for them to play.
- This has a monthly fee. But, if you use the program for multiple subjects and/or daily, I feel the fee is very fair.
Kahn Academy
- FREE, FREE, FREE!
- I would not use this as your only curriculum but it is a good supplement and/or jump start for all lessons and a great way to make a plan.
- The app for Pre-K through 1st grade is wonderful.
- For second grade and up, you can follow along in the order that is set out for you, earning points along the way.
- There are quizzes and unit tests along the way to make sure you know your stuff.
Easy Peasy All-in-One Homeschool
- This is probably the easiest, FREE homeschool curriculum I have found.
- Many subjects: language arts/reading, math, art, music, PE, Bible, computer, Spanish.
- Each plan is set up with specific, simple directions on what to do each day. Many include links to games to play online.
DK Worksbooks
- There are workbooks for all subject areas for all grade levels.
- Each workbook is around $7.
- You would not use JUST these workbooks. They are great guides and resources but I used YouTube, Pinterest, Teachers Pay Teachers and any other resource I could find to actually teach him.
Teachers Pay Teachers
- Many teachers have created a whole year of fun, engaging units for every subject.
- Prices vary depending on the seller.
- I liked this one for teaching writing.
- This one also looked good for teaching grammar (though I never used it).
The nerdy, teacher mom in me is so ready to begin….yet I know once we do it will be a loooooooooong time until May! And, to help me get started, a friend got me this planner. I’m about to go nerd-out!
Stay tuned for posts about homeschooling with Core Knowledge as well as art and music lessons for the entire year!
Until then, do you have any options that I could add to the list?
