3 PARTS: 1. Curriculum (print /dvd / videos / downloads/live/online schools) 2. Where to Buy/Sell Used Curriculum 3. Other school supplies
- CURRICULUM
In homeschooling, the parents get to decide the courses/subjects their student will learn. Parent’s also have the choice of the level and pace of the subjects being taught. The curriculum can be designed specifically for your child. If your child is struggling in grammar but good in math, then you can move a grade forward in math and go slower in grammar. Working one on one with a child is the secret to teaching and homeschooling provides this opportunity, so your child will get on ‘grade level’ and eventually get ahead. Choosing the right curriculum is hard at first, since there are so many options. Experienced homeschool teachers find a curriculum among various publishers is best. Below are some of the most popular companies providing quality curriculum, online courses as well as live online schools.
Curriculum listed in alphabetical order:
ABEKA – website
Christian curriculum for Pre-K to 12 in print and/or online. ABEKA is highly recommended by homeschoolers and a great place to start for beginners to homeschool. ABEKA has the best phonics program. They also have an online school. ABEKA is the pioneer in Christian curriculum with many years of experience and has been used by many homeschoolers as well as private schools.
ANGLICUM ACADEMY – website
Christian classical education and philosophy, Greek & Latin to Ethics and Logic
BOB JONES – BJU HOMESCHOOL – website
Christian curriculum for Pre-K to 12 in print with an option of video lessons (DVD or online). The rigor of BJU is higher, but their higher rigor is not always easy to follow or logically sequenced. Typically, BJU curriculum is more expensive with multiple texts for one subject. BJU is popular for co-ops and hybrid schools due to the pre-made tests/quizzes/rigor.
CATHOLIC HERITAGE CURRICULA – website
“Authentic Catholic education with Heaven as the ultimate goal.” Excellent history curriculum that excels in keeping our Creator in HIS-Story! If you want your child to really understand the truth of history to get a real Biblical World view – they do an excellent job. Simple and straight-forward.
COMPASS CLASSROOM – website
“Unique homeschool video courses that help teach a Biblical worldview and critical thinking skills” Bible courses with videos that the whole family can can learn and grow together.
EASY PEASY All-in-One Homeschool website
A complete, FREE / and for purchase, homeschool curriculum. Very basic and simple curriculum that is faith based.
HALF a HUNDRED ACRE WOOD – website
HEART of DAKOTA PUBLISHING – website
HSLDA – Online Academy – website
Live, interactive Christian courses for 7th grade through 12 grade. Pay per course = full year or semester. HSLDA – The Home School Legal Defense Association is well known for their homeschool advocacy and providing legal assistance to homeschool families nationwide.
ICR Institute for Creation Research – website
Free! ICR magazine Acts & Facts – sign up here Great Christian resources for science, Bible, history, government and more! Also make sure you visit the ICR DISCOVERY CENTER – in Irving, TX (Dallas metroplex).
KOLBE ACADEMY – website
Christian curriculum for Pre-K to 12th in print coordinating/linking Biblical stories to all subjects. Traditional homeschool, self-paced or live virtual classrooms. This school will get your student college ready! Due to the depth and rigor of this academy, it is good to start off with one or two classes.
MASTER BOOKS – website
Faith based curriculum (pre-K to 12th grade) -physical print books or printables/downloads. Simple curriculum with excellent science labs (sold separately), plus many books and audiobooks for sale
MATH-U-SEE – website
Math curriculum from kindergarten through calculus. Traditional homeschool, easy to follow with some videos available. The curriculum is made for homeschoolers and is logically designed to be completed in one year.
MILESTON BOOKS – website
Christian curriculum for Pre-K to 10 in print. They have Rod and Staff Publishing as well as Pathway Reading curriculum books. This is a great place for Christian storybooks.
SAXON MATH – website
A math curriculum in print form. Saxon does offer some digital formats along with some online resources.
SETON Educational Media– website
Christian curriculum for Pre-K to 12 in print (some DVD options) including Catholic and Protestant perspectives as well as secular education materials. Seton books are wonderful with beautiful Christian artwork, teacher keys in the back of the books, and prices you can’t beat for new books. Seton also offers testing services for the Stanford10, The Iowa Tests, CogAT and more.
TAN HOMESCHOOL – website
Catholic curriculum (known for their history curriculum – see website for more subjects) for Pre-K to 12 in print, videos and audio formats.
TEXAS HOME SCHOOL COALITION – website
Various educational events such as Capital Days where you get hands on learning about our Texas government in action in Austin, Texas at the Capital. These hands-on educational opportunities are way better than reading about it in a textbook. There are many good reason to join the Texas Home School Coalition. They defend your rights, promote homeschool, building homeschool communities, offer practical help, support local groups and fight for the Free Speech.
SWITCHED-ON SCHOOLHOUSE – website
Curriculum for grades 3-12 that offers DVD computer based learning. This is not the best option if you want your child to have less screen time, but a good option for those of you who want more assistance without the cost or bandwidth cost of online schools.
THE GREAT COURSES – website
Streaming and DVD courses over a wide variety of subjects for all ages.
TEACHING TEXTBOOKS – website
A math curriculum in DVD or online format. Great for those parents who don’t feel comfortable teaching math or need assistance teaching math for the upper grades.
WriteShop – website
The Homeschool Writing Curriculum that grows with you – an incremental writing program
- 2. WHERE TO BUY/SELL USED (or new) CURRICULUM
Here are some places to buy and sell used (or some new) homeschool curriculum. (Listed in alphabetical order).
AbeBooks – website
Amazon – website
Christianbook – website
Ebay – website -MOST recommended! Best place for homeschoolers to buy and sell their books! EASY! You also get some buyer/seller protection and tracking for your packages – something you don’t get on facebook or other platforms that just use paypal alone. Typically, Ebay will have better deals than other sites, but always check between at least two.
Facebook – Marketplace
Local Co-op – Check with your local co-ops and see if they are having a book sale.
Pea Picker Bookstore – 2803 University Blvd. Tyler Texas – website
TACHE – website – Tyler Area Christian Home Educators – Usually have an annual book sale. Check their website for dates.
Thrift Books – website – recommended for great deals on used books
Join a local homeschool group and have a book sale.
- 3. OTHER SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Local Library – Free education! Go to your local library and encourage your child to get books on the topics that interest them.
Old Book Stores – Finding old book stores/sales in your area is a great way to build your home library.
EAST TEXAS BOOK STORES:
Barnes & Noble – Tyler – website
Books & Barrels – Longview – website
Bound Books – Lindale – 108 N. Main St., 10am-5pm M-F
Elsewhere Books – Whitehouse – FB
Geektopia – Kilgore – FB
Gladewater Books – Gladewater – website
Half Priced Books – Tyler – website
Mardel Christian & Education – Tyler and Longview –
Pea Picker Bookstore – Tyler – FB
The Last Book Store – Tyler – website
Your LOCAL LIBRARY – has book sales from time to time – an inexpensive way to build your home library!
***Remember homeschooling isn’t a specific building, or a perfect study room, it is everywhere. You and your child can explore God’s world where ever you go and what ever you do. Be free and enjoy learning beyond the limited brick and mortar public schools or the very expensive private schools. Together you can: read good books, get outside, go on field trips, go to church, go see Grandma and Grandpa, go to the library, volunteer, go to the park, a museum, or an airplane ride. Your limits are only your imagination. Let God guide you to the best education that your family will ever experience!*** I pray that Home school doesn’t only educate your child, but bonds your family together and brings you closer to God.
Piney Woods Homeschooling 