Where to Begin:

Everything you need to begin with confidence

Choosing to homeschool is one of the most important decisions a family can make. For some, the decision comes after much prayer. Others arrive at it because of a child's learning needs, concerns about the school environment, family circumstances, or a desire to place Christ at the center of everyday learning. Whatever has led to this decision, one truth remains the same. God loves your children even more than you do, and He promises to give wisdom to parents who seek Him. You do not have to know everything before you begin. You simply need to be willing to take the first step in faith. Start with Prayer Every worthwhile journey begins with prayer. Before ordering curriculum or organizing a schoolroom, spend time asking God for wisdom and direction. James 1:5 offers this encouraging promise: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives generously to all without finding fault." Before beginning, parents should become familiar with the regulations where they live. These may include notifying local authorities, keeping attendance records, maintaining a portfolio, or completing evaluations. Understanding the legal requirements early allows families to homeschool with confidence and peace of mind. Find a Christian Community Look for Christian homeschool groups, church ministries, co-ops, or local support organizations where families can share ideas, ask questions, and build lasting friendships. Experienced homeschool parents often remember what it was like to be new, and many are eager to encourage those who are just beginning. Children also benefit from friendships with other homeschool students who are growing in faith and learning alongside them.  If you need assistance with legal matters you have a number of choices. Homeschool Legal Defence focuses only on Homeschool Issues, and is membership based. Pacific Justice Institute includes homeschool issues but has a broader scope to include Child Protective Services. If they take your c is not.

Homeschool Legal Defense

Homeschool Legal Defense

Homeschool Companion has a close business relationship with Homeschool Legal Defense. Please contact us first for a free consultation to see if your situation rises to the level of contacting HSLDA. Dr. Rose Gamblin is a Special Educationist and works tirelessly with HSLDA for homeschool freedoms, especially when it comes to students with special needs. Dr. Gamblin can be reached at 301-824-3162 or [email protected].

Pacific Justice Institute

Pacific Justice Institute

Homeschool Companion also has a personal relationship with Pacific Justice Institute, this law firm is also a non-profit 501(c)(3) legal defense organization specializing in the defense of religious freedom, parental rights, and other civil liberties. Pacific Justice Institute works diligently, without charge, to protect parental rights.

Finding your fit

Homeschool Curriculum Styles Explained

There is no single right way to homeschool. Most families land on a style — or a thoughtful blend — that fits their children's learning personalities and their own strengths as a teacher. Here is a plain-language overview of the most common approaches.

Core structured & philosophy-based styles

Classical

The Trivium: Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric

Follows the "trivium" — grammar, logic, and rhetoric stages — matching a child's natural mental growth from memorizing facts to critical thinking and persuasive speaking.

Charlotte Mason

Living Books, Nature, and Narration

Uses short 15-minute lessons, "living books" instead of dry textbooks, nature study, and art appreciation to nurture a natural love for learning.

Traditional

School-at-Home Structure

Replicates a standard classroom at home using boxed curricula, textbooks, grade levels, and a fixed daily schedule. The most familiar starting point for families new to homeschooling.

Montessori

Hands-On, Self-Directed Discovery

Focuses on independent, hands-on learning with tactile objects where children guide their own progress in a carefully prepared environment. Especially powerful for ages 2–12.

Waldorf

Whole-Child: Mind, Body, and Soul

Teaches the whole child by delaying formal academics for young children and focusing heavily on arts, music, crafts, and nature. Academic subjects are introduced gradually as the child matures.

Flexible & child-led styles

Unschooling

Curiosity-Led, No Curriculum

Leaves education entirely up to the child's daily curiosity and real-life experiences rather than a set curriculum. Learning happens through play, projects, and following interests wherever they lead.

Interest-led

Deep Dives Into What They Love

Centers studies around deep dives into specific topics the child loves, blending projects, field trips, and books. More structured than unschooling but still driven by the child's passions.

Unit studies

All Subjects Through One Theme

Connects all core subjects — math, history, science, reading — to one single theme or central topic. Highly engaging and ideal for teaching multiple ages at the same time.

Eclectic

Custom-Built for Your Child

Mixes parts of different homeschool styles and curricula to custom-build an approach that fits each unique child. Most experienced homeschool families land here eventually.

Not sure which style fits your family?

Most families do not fit neatly into only one category, and that is fine. Browse various styles, compare specific curricula, and read the spotlights below. These can also help you see what other families are using at your child's stage.

Featured resources

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Free classOpen to all homeschool families

How to Use AI in Your Homeschool Classroom

AI can generate a lesson plan in seconds, but it cannot pray for a struggling student, offer an encouraging smile, or share a personal testimony of faith. AI as a digital teaching assistant that handles tedious paperwork so you have more time for face-to-face mentorship and relationship-building. While AI can suggest biblical connections or devotional ideas, the heart of faith integration comes from your own walk with God and authentic conversations with your students. Redeeming your time with AI isn't about doing less work. It's about directing your energy toward the work that matters most. By combining tools with prayerful discernment, you can streamline your load while keeping your core mission centered on faith, character, and love. As a long-time champion of one room schools, I would love to help you see what AI can do for you. You are lesson planner, tech coordinator, counselor, and janitor, all in one. This free e-mail class is designed with you in mind. Learn how AI can become your quiet classroom assistant, helping you plan, organize, and teach more effectively.

I want the FREE Email Class on Using AI in Homeschools

Choosing your approach

Curriculum Styles Worth Knowing

Before choosing a curriculum, it helps to understand the major teaching philosophies behind them. Most families settle into one style — or a thoughtful blend — that fits their children and their own strengths as a teacher. Here are the approaches you will encounter most often, with trusted resources for each.

Classical

The Trivium: Grammar, Logic, Rhetoric

Classical education moves through three stages that match how children naturally develop — absorbing facts early, learning to analyze in the middle years, and mastering persuasion and communication in high school. It is literature-rich, writing-intensive, and produces strong independent thinkers.

Charlotte Mason

Living Books, Nature, and Narration

Charlotte Mason believed children deserve to be educated by ideas, not just facts. Her method centers on living books, nature study, narration, and short focused lessons. It is gentle, literature-soaked, and deeply respectful of childhood — and many families find it the most joyful and sustainable approach over the long haul.

Eclectic

The Best of Everything, Mixed to Fit Your Child

Eclectic homeschooling draws from multiple methods and curricula to build a custom approach for each child. A family might use Saxon for math, Ambleside for history, and IEW for writing. It requires more planning but gives you the freedom to match every subject to what actually works. Most experienced families land here eventually.

Unit studies

All Subjects Through One Central Theme

Unit studies organize all subjects around a single theme — history, science, language arts, and art all woven together. A unit on Ancient Egypt might include reading mythology, calculating pyramid dimensions, writing a pharaoh's journal, and painting hieroglyphics. Highly engaging and ideal for teaching multiple ages at once.

Unschooling

Child-Led, Interest-Driven Learning

Unschooling trusts children to pursue knowledge naturally when given freedom, resources, and a rich environment. There are no formal lesson plans or curricula — learning happens through play, projects, conversation, and following curiosity wherever it leads. It works remarkably well for highly self-motivated children and families willing to embrace a very different rhythm.

School at home

Traditional Structure, at Your Own Pace

School-at-home mirrors the structure of a conventional classroom — textbooks, workbooks, scheduled subjects, grades, and tests — but delivers it one-on-one at home. It is the most familiar approach for families transitioning out of traditional school, and all-in-one boxed curricula make it especially accessible for those just starting out.

Not sure which style fits your family?

Most families do not fit neatly into one category — and that is completely fine. Browse Cathy Duffy Reviews to compare specific curricula across every style and subject, or read The Homeschool Mom's style overview for a plain-language tour of every major approach. The age-group spotlights in the resource library below can also help you see what other families are using at your child's stage.

Browse all resources

Subject

Age group

All ages — K–12 essentials

The Resources Every Homeschool Family Should Know

Some resources are not tied to a grade level or a single subject — they are the ones homeschool families return to year after year, from the first day of kindergarten through high school graduation. These are the books, websites, and organizations that have earned their reputation across decades and hundreds of thousands of families. Whether you are brand new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran looking to fill a gap, this is the list to start with. Select an age group above to see resources tailored to a specific stage, or use the subject filters below to narrow by topic.

Featured article

Welcome to the Homeschool Companion Family

If you've found your way to Homeschool Companion, there's a good chance homeschooling has been on your mind for a while. Maybe you've been reading books, watching videos, talking to friends, or quietly praying, "Lord...can I really do this?"

The short answer? Yes...you can.

Homeschooling isn't about knowing everything before you begin. It's about loving your children enough to take the first step and trusting God to guide you through the rest. Before you buy a single workbook, answer one simple question: Why do you want to homeschool? That's your vision — and your vision becomes the compass that guides every decision you'll make.

God didn't call you to homeschool someone else's children. He called you to love and teach yours. And remember — you don't have to figure this out by yourself. That's why we're here.

Have questions or want to share your thoughts?Reply to this article
The Well-Trained MindClassical

Susan Wise Bauer's comprehensive guide to classical homeschooling from kindergarten through high school. The single most recommended book for families who want a coherent, rigorous K–12 plan — covers curriculum choices, scheduling, and what to expect at every stage.

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Khan Academy (All Grades)Free

Free, mastery-based video lessons and practice problems covering math, science, language arts, history, and more from kindergarten through college. An invaluable supplement at every grade level — use it to fill gaps, reinforce concepts, or let a motivated student run ahead.

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Read-Aloud RevivalFree

Sarah Mackenzie's beloved podcast and book list resource makes the case — backed by research — that reading aloud together is the highest-leverage thing a homeschool family can do at any age. The book lists alone are worth the visit.

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Cathy Duffy ReviewsReviews

The most trusted independent curriculum review site in homeschooling. Cathy Duffy has reviewed hundreds of programs across every subject and grade level — an essential first stop when you are comparing curricula and trying to find the right fit for your learner.

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Ambleside OnlineFree

A free, Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum spanning K–12. Built around living books, nature study, narration, and short lessons. One of the most complete free curriculum frameworks available — used by thousands of families worldwide.

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The Homeschool MomCommunity

A warm, practical resource hub covering curriculum reviews, homeschool styles, state laws, and encouragement for families at every stage. Especially helpful for parents who are just starting out and need a trustworthy, non-overwhelming overview of their options.

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HSLDA — Home School Legal Defense AssociationLegal

Legal support, state-by-state law summaries, and advocacy for homeschool families across the country. Whether you are just starting out and need to understand your state's requirements, or you are a veteran family who wants legal protection, HSLDA is the go-to resource.

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Homeschool.comHub

One of the longest-running homeschool resource hubs on the internet. Covers curriculum reviews, teaching styles, co-ops, conventions, and community — a reliable starting point for families researching their options at any grade level.

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Where to start if you are new

If you are just beginning your homeschool journey, start with two things: understand your state's legal requirements at HSLDA, then read The Well-Trained Mind to get a clear picture of the road ahead. From there, Cathy Duffy Reviews will help you compare specific curricula for your child's age and learning style. Khan Academy and Ambleside Online are both free and can serve as a complete starting point while you find your footing. The Homeschool Mom and Homeschool.com are great places to browse when you want a broader sense of the community and your options. And no matter what else you do, read aloud together every day — Read-Aloud Revival will show you why it matters more than almost anything else.

Showing all 1 resources

Language arts85 pages

Story-Based Reading Program

Develop fluency and comprehension.

Lesson plan
Grades 3–5

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