Resources

Helpful links, curriculum ideas, tools, and supports that strengthen your homeschool experience — personally tested and recommended.

Many excellent curricula exist. The resources below are ones I have personally used, plan to try, or recommend based on trusted sources. You are always free to use any curriculum or method you prefer. The majority of my recommendations are Christian-based, reflecting what I use in my home. For non-religious curricula, I have heard good things about Time4Learning.

Complete Curriculum

  • EasyPeasy All-in-One Homeschool — Free, online, based on PA requirements. Pick courses à la carte or use as a full curriculum. Free PDF printouts; pre-printed workbooks available.
  • The Good and the Beautiful — Core subjects K–12; literature incorporates geography. Free K–8 language arts and math. Video lessons included.

Learning to Read

  • Sing, Spell, Read, and Write — Formerly our favorite K–2 reading program. Sometimes found on eBay. Key components are the workbooks and YouTube songs.
  • All About Reading (AAR) — Multi-sensory, research-based phonics curriculum. Non-religious. Suitable from preschool through ~2nd grade.

Writing, Spelling & Handwriting

  • WriteShop — Hands-on writing activities; higher parent involvement pays off long-term.
  • Spelling You See (Demme Learning) — Phonics and visual memory-based program (levels A–G). Teaches the concept of spelling, improving reading skills too.
  • PenTime Handwriting Series — Cursive has been shown to help develop visual tracking skills that improve reading. Goes up to level 8.

History & Literature

  • Notgrass History — Family-style, Christian history for grades 1–12 including literature, projects, art, and music.
  • Mystery of History — Biblical worldview; guides students from ancient times to modern history in a meaningful, engaging way.

Math

  • Simply Good and Beautiful Math (K–8) — Colorful spiral-review curriculum with video lessons. Free PDF downloads or inexpensive workbooks.
  • Saxon Math (9–12) — Highly recommended for high school. "My Math Assistant" companion site with videos and self-grading. Algebra 1 & 2 together cover geometry.
  • Math-U-See (K–12) — Visual, mastery-based. Manipulatives and videos. Goes through calculus.

Science

  • Science Shepherd — Christian-based with video instruction and workbook activities. Good for building student independence.
  • Apologia — Biblical perspective, conversational tone, hands-on learning. Requires more parent involvement but is comprehensive.

Other Resources

Homeschool Law

  • Ask Pauline — No longer updated but still a great PA homeschool law reference.
  • HSLDA — Home School Legal Defense Association. Advocates for homeschooling families; offers membership scholarships and curriculum grants.

Bible

  • The Bible Project — Free, biblically accurate (non-denomination-specific) summary videos for every book plus round-table courses.
  • Answers in Genesis — Answers for life's toughest questions.
  • Apologetics Press — Excellent middle & high school resource covering faith and worldview tensions.

Reading

  • SnapWords (K–4) — Flashcards with evidence-based sight words, pictures drawn into each word, and actions. Great for visual and kinesthetic learners.
  • Starfall (K–5) — Multisensory early-learning platform with untimed games for reading and math.
  • ReadWorks (K–12) — Free high-quality literacy resources with paired texts, question sets, audio options, and Spanish texts.

College Prep

  • Saylor Academy — Free college courses transferable to Degree Completion Partners including Penn State World Campus.
  • OpenStax — Free peer-reviewed digital textbooks.
  • PSAT & SAT Prep Resources — Free prep resources for homeschooled students planning ahead for college entrance exams.

Math, Tools & Grants

  • Musical Multiplication App — A playful way to memorize multiplication facts through songs and gamified practice.
  • Math Worksheet Generator — Free tool for creating custom math practice worksheets.
  • CHAP Foundation — PA nonprofit offering assistance for curriculum, unexpected expenses, and special needs homeschool costs.
  • HSLDA Compassion Grants — For curriculum, co-op tuition, testing fees. Also offers disaster relief and need-based memberships.
  • FAFSA / Pell Grant — Apply even if you're unsure you qualify — many colleges and loans require it.
  • Sonlight · HERO · Regent University · Study.com scholarships — Various merit and homeschool-specific scholarship programs. Inquire with your college of choice for additional options.

I do not receive any compensation for recommending these resources. These are simply things we have used and enjoyed or plan to use based on others' recommendations. You are always free to use any curriculum, resource, or method you prefer.