Curriculum Reviews

Find the best homeschooling resources with our thorough curriculum reviews written by an eclectic homeschool mom with over 7 years of experience. Covering Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Electives we provide insights on top curricula, books, apps, and educational tools to enhance your homeschooling journey. Don’t settle for less than perfect. Let me help you find the ideal program for your child.

20+ Delightful Spring Activities for Kids and  Valentine’s Day Unit Study Ideas❤️ | Thematic Learning
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20+ Delightful Spring Activities for Kids and Valentine’s Day Unit Study Ideas❤️ | Thematic Learning

Inside: Looking for engaging Spring activities for kids and a Valentine’s Day Unit Study to sprinkle some fun and learning into your homeschool day? You’re in the right place. From engaging activity ideas to learning about myths and developing literacy and numeracy skills, this post has it all! Spring is…

How to Excel at Junior High Book Reports: Free Book Report Template Inside!
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How to Excel at Junior High Book Reports: Free Book Report Template Inside!

Inside: Thinking of ditching book reports in junior high? Hold that thought! Book reports teach vital skills to teens. Learn how to quickly organize and effectively create comprehensive book reports by using my free book report template, a sample of my comprehensive The Ultimate Book Report Master Guide. In elementary…

Forbrain Review – How We Teach a Foreign Language with a Twist
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Forbrain Review – How We Teach a Foreign Language with a Twist

Our personal journey with Forbrain reveals significant improvements in language acquisition, especially in teaching a foreign language at home. This review delves into how Forbrain enhances speech, attention, memory, and boosts confidence in language learning, alongside tips and insights for homeschooling families. Find out how Forbrain, combined with tools like Rosetta Stone, can revolutionize your approach to homeschool language education.

Discovering Life’s Story Review (Vol. 1) | The History of Science
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Discovering Life’s Story Review (Vol. 1) | The History of Science

Reading is an important part of our homeschooling but it’s difficult to find those special, inspiring books that not only inform but also rouse curiosity. When it comes to STEM, my son’s passion knows no bounds (some of you know his interests). So, imagine my delight when I stumbled upon…

Why We Chose BookShark Curriculum Level G for 7th Grade History and Language Arts | Review
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Why We Chose BookShark Curriculum Level G for 7th Grade History and Language Arts | Review

From the very first moment I opened our BookShark curriculum box over a year ago, I had a strong feeling that this was a homeschooling gem we’d treasure for years to come. And I wasn’t wrong. Because, honestly, what’s not to love about it? If you love reading, you’ll love…

Homeschool Art Classes for Kids- Connecting Through Art | Sparketh Review
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Homeschool Art Classes for Kids- Connecting Through Art | Sparketh Review

Do you do art in your homeschool? Are you looking for an art curriculum for homeschool? If you’re looking for online art classes for kids to incorporate into your homeschool, you’ll want to consider Sparketh. This unique art curriculum has something special to offer, especially if you want a way…

Raise Creators, not Consumers of Tech | Teach Computer Skills for Kids
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Raise Creators, not Consumers of Tech | Teach Computer Skills for Kids

There’s a common misconception that kids can pick up all computer skills for kids on their own. We might assume that because our little ones are tech-savvy with iPads or our teens breeze through video games, they’re already tech experts and computer literate. But here’s a different way to think…

iugo.world Review | The Best Homeschool Community Hub

iugo.world Review | The Best Homeschool Community Hub

Homeschooling is a remarkable journey filled with opportunities, flexibility, and the ability to tailor learning to your children’s unique needs and interests. However, let’s be honest; it’s not all rainbows and sunshine. Whether you’re a seasoned homeschooling veteran or just starting out, there’s a common struggle that often goes unaddressed…

Self directed learning with Elephango | Review
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Self directed learning with Elephango | Review

Homeschooling has introduced us to some unexpected yet delightful surprises, and one of the best revelations has been experiencing the power of self-directed learning firsthand. It’s truly inspiring to witness Marc delving into his own interests and taking his learning to new depths. We’ve been using BrainPop until recently, but…

Mr D Math Geometry Review | Empowering Independence and Confidence
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Mr D Math Geometry Review | Empowering Independence and Confidence

You know what terrifies me? High school math. 🤣 Yep, I’ve been there already, staring at those thick, intimidating textbooks, trying to remember what all those formulas even mean, and breaking a cold sweat. But then we stumbled upon something magical the self-paced math courses with Mr. D Math! Let…

Harry Potter Unit Study: Waldock’s Wizards and Wands Review
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Harry Potter Unit Study: Waldock’s Wizards and Wands Review

Do you have Harry Potter fans? Do your kids wish for a Hogwarts homeschool? Then this post is for you. I’ve discovered an amazing Harry Potter unit study that has the potential to transform your muggle homeschool into a school of wizardry! Waldock’s Wizards and Wands from The Waldock Way…

One-of-a-Kind Unbiased High School History Curriculum | The Nomadic Professor Review
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One-of-a-Kind Unbiased High School History Curriculum | The Nomadic Professor Review

High school history curriculum. Are you considering any? Skipping history altogether? While it may be tempting to focus on more practical subjects, teaching high school history offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond this particular subject. While I am guilty of shoving history to the bottom of the priority list,…

10 Tips for Teaching Multiplication to Struggling Students
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10 Tips for Teaching Multiplication to Struggling Students

After going through Algebra 1 and elementary math in our homeschool, I can say with certainty that teaching basic math is sometimes more difficult than Algebra 1. We had our fair share of hurdles in math, despite my rising 7th grader getting ready for high school Geometry for the upcoming…

Unlocking the Secrets of Singapore Math: Beyond Rote Memorization (Singapore Math Dimensions)
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Unlocking the Secrets of Singapore Math: Beyond Rote Memorization (Singapore Math Dimensions)

Are you curious about finding a more effective way to teach math to your child? Are you on the lookout for a curriculum that goes beyond mere rote memorization and fosters a genuine understanding of mathematical concepts? Then keep reading. As I reflect on our homeschooling journey, I can confidently…

From Novice to Word Wizard! Wordela Homeschool Online Vocabulary App | Review
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From Novice to Word Wizard! Wordela Homeschool Online Vocabulary App | Review

We all know vocabulary is an important tool in communication. But many times, in our homeschool, we tend to ignore teaching or implementing it. We assume children learn it from exposure, from great literature, and from all sorts of communication being carried around them. There are countless vocabulary curricula out…

Greg Landry Homeschool Science – Life Prep Physics  | Review (✞)
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Greg Landry Homeschool Science – Life Prep Physics | Review (✞)

Finding the right science curriculum can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not well-versed in science yourself (🙋🏻‍♀️). Add a high schooler that hates science to the mix, so what should you choose for them? Greg Landry Homeschool Science provides a Christian-focused high school science curriculum for non-STEM learners….

College Alternative for Homeschoolers – Online Vocational Courses
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College Alternative for Homeschoolers – Online Vocational Courses

Let’s face it: college isn’t the only path to success. There are plenty of alternatives to college that can lead to successful and fulfilling careers. I know many of us understand this, but we also worry because we want the best opportunities for our kids. That’s where online vocational courses…

An IEW Structure and Style for Students Review – From Doubt to Confidence (VI)
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An IEW Structure and Style for Students Review – From Doubt to Confidence (VI)

Are you a homeschool mom struggling with reluctant or disorganized writers? For the past six blog posts, we’ve been looking at IEW Structure and Style for Students in a complete review of the homeschool writing curriculum that has the potential to revolutionize how we teach writing. We’re now at the…

10+ IEW Tools You Wish You Knew About| Enriching SSS  (IV)
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10+ IEW Tools You Wish You Knew About| Enriching SSS (IV)

Did you know that you can enrich your writing experience by using various IEW tools regardless of the writing program you’re using? We’ve been using the Institute for Excellence in Writing for two years and I’m continually discovering new gems on their website. They have so many valuable tools for…

Boost Your Learning with the Online Unit Studies from Techie Homeschool Mom
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Boost Your Learning with the Online Unit Studies from Techie Homeschool Mom

You might have noticed I don’t talk much about interest-led studying or unit studies. That’s not because we aren’t doing interest-led, it’s because most of the time it goes unnoticed. I am not in the habit of spending hours to plan unit studies because Marc’s interests change quickly and he’s…

The “Write” Way Forward: A Holistic Writing Curriculum | IEW (I)
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The “Write” Way Forward: A Holistic Writing Curriculum | IEW (I)

Do you remember the last time you read something that truly captured your attention and held it until the very end? Writing is a powerful tool that allows us to communicate our ideas and connect with others, yet this essential skill has seen a decline over the past years. As…

What’s Inside IEW’s Structure and Style for Students? | Key Components (III)
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What’s Inside IEW’s Structure and Style for Students? | Key Components (III)

We’ve already talked about IEW’s holistic approach to writing and seen how IEW teaches writing through the three programs it offers. Now let’s dive in and explore the components of Structure and Style for Students, a video-based writing program that has been consistently ranked among the best in the industry….

The Truth About IEW Writing Programs : SSS, TWSS, TBW (II)
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The Truth About IEW Writing Programs : SSS, TWSS, TBW (II)

Are you feeling confused or overwhelmed about all the options you have with IEW writing? Then you’re in the right place! We’ve talked about IEW’s holistic approach to writing and why that’s important when teaching writing, now let’s dive into the way IEW teaches writing, and the 3 different options…

Early Learning Made Easy with Homeschool+ {Review} | Adaptive Learning Platform
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Early Learning Made Easy with Homeschool+ {Review} | Adaptive Learning Platform

I vividly remember Marc’s first steps into the world of learning- it wasn’t always easy, and I didn’t always know what I was doing along the way. Now, as a middle schooler, he’s tackling subjects and concepts that are far beyond his years with excitement and curiosity. But it all…

Laugh and Learn with WordUp! The Vocab Show| Review | The Ultimate Vocabulary Booster
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Laugh and Learn with WordUp! The Vocab Show| Review | The Ultimate Vocabulary Booster

Never had I thought I would see my 6th grader excited to learn vocabulary! But this is what happened to us with WordUp! The Vocab Show, a gem of a vocabulary program that would spice up your cumbersome vocabulary lessons. In this review, I’ll share everything you need to know…

Revolutionize Your High Schooler’s Study Skills with “8 Steps to Powerful Studying” | Curriculum Review
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Revolutionize Your High Schooler’s Study Skills with “8 Steps to Powerful Studying” | Curriculum Review

We all want to set our high schoolers up for success, whether for college, a job, or being able to navigate life independently. But how do we ensure they have what it takes to be successful and organized? How do we teach competencies like study skills and time management skills?…

The Tan Book Review | Learning Language Arts Through Literature {6th grade}
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The Tan Book Review | Learning Language Arts Through Literature {6th grade}

A real struggle over the years for us has been to find an all-in-one language arts curriculum that fits all the checklists: concise, easy to implement, affordable, and based on classical books. While there is no such thing as a perfect curriculum, Learning Language Arts Through Literature from Common Sense…

Discover the Advantages of a Small College Education at Thiel College | A Homeschool Friendly College
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Discover the Advantages of a Small College Education at Thiel College | A Homeschool Friendly College

Years seem to fly by so quickly! When we started homeschooling college was the last thought on my mind. College years seemed so far back then, but they are approaching fast now. There are so many variables to consider when thinking about colleges and so many options available that I…

How to choose the best 6th grade homeschool curriculum | Eclectic curriculum

How to choose the best 6th grade homeschool curriculum | Eclectic curriculum

When it comes to choosing a 6th grade homeschool curriculum, it’s important to find one that works well for both you and your child. Keep in mind that there is no perfect curriculum, but you can come pretty close to perfection by selecting a combination that makes sense for both…

Homeschool Science Curriculum – EdisonLearnNow Review
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Homeschool Science Curriculum – EdisonLearnNow Review

Science has always been M’s strong subject. He is devouring our homeschool science curricula and accelerating faster than with any other subject. While that’s amazing for him, it’s a constant source of stress for me because I always need to be on the lookout for more science curricula to keep…

The Best Homeschool History Curriculum | BookShark Level F –  Full Review (We ❤️ it!)
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The Best Homeschool History Curriculum | BookShark Level F – Full Review (We ❤️ it!)

After 6 years of homeschooling, I can finally say I am head over heels in love with our curriculum choices, especially our homeschool history curriculum: Bookshark History Level F- Eastern Hemisphere. (Keep an eye out for the full reveal of our other 6th-grade choices, soon). Ok, this is the LONGEST…

Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Membership – Self-paced science ✞
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Greg Landry’s Homeschool Science Membership – Self-paced science ✞

Do your children take notes? Mine hates the idea. But I couldn’t learn any other way. And I am so grateful I can access resources like Greg Landry’s self-paced science that puts the accent on HOW to learn. Because once you know how to learn, you can learn anything! Greg…

Finding and Filling Learning Gaps- Education Perfect Review
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Finding and Filling Learning Gaps- Education Perfect Review

Homeschooling, just like regular school, will inevitably leave some learning gaps. But how do we find these? And most importantly, how do we fill them? There are various ways to discover these gaps, from a casual conversation (where you discover your homeschooler doesn’t know what erosion is 😒) to testing….

Our favorite educational platform – BrainPOP Homeschool Review
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Our favorite educational platform – BrainPOP Homeschool Review

One of the best homeschooling investments you could make is to get access to a good online educational platform. This would serve either as a launch pad for introducing new topics or starting new curiosities or as a supplemental resource hub when you get stuck. I’ve written about multiple platforms…

Independent Science Curriculum – Heron Books- Circulation of the Blood Review
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Independent Science Curriculum – Heron Books- Circulation of the Blood Review

Science isn’t an easy subject to teach at home. Many times parents place it at the bottom of the list because there’s not enough time for it or they don’t know how to tackle it. The perfect solution to this dilemma is to get an independent science curriculum. Kids will…

Getting Online High School Credits and College Readiness
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Getting Online High School Credits and College Readiness

Maybe I’m ahead of myself, but lately, I’ve started reading more and more about online high school credits, college credits, and AP courses in order to get a clearer picture of our path ahead. I know it all seems very complicated, but once you understand where you’re going things are…

Easy-to-use Writing Curriculum by Common Sense Press- Wordsmith Apprentice Review
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Easy-to-use Writing Curriculum by Common Sense Press- Wordsmith Apprentice Review

Do your kids enjoy writing? I know a lot of homeschoolers are struggling with this subject, us included. That’s why I am constantly testing out programs and looking out for a writing curriculum that would encourage, hone, and teach proper writing skills to M. And hopefully not make him shed…

Timeline Figures and how to use them – Home School in the Woods review
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Timeline Figures and how to use them – Home School in the Woods review

Over the years I’ve been hoarding a lot of materials to use for history. The problem I have now is tying them all up to paint a broader picture. This is where timelines and timeline figures come in. The latest addition to our collection, the timeline figures from Amy Pak,…

Literature-Based History Curriculum – Level D Intro to American History from Sonlight
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Literature-Based History Curriculum – Level D Intro to American History from Sonlight

When it comes to history, I didn’t want to fall into the single-point-of-view trap. That’s why I decided to switch our whole approach to a literature-based history curriculum. Reading different accounts of an event would create a broader picture of what actually happened and provide us with the chance to…

Why Cursive Handwriting Is Important – And You Can Teach It
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Why Cursive Handwriting Is Important – And You Can Teach It

Many experts say it, and I agree: cursive handwriting is an important skill to have. I am saddened to see that more and more US schools have given up on cursive handwriting. I have already written about how to turn reluctant writers around and what I recommend for starting writing…

How about summer camps? – IObotics Unplugged Computer Science in Bucharest
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How about summer camps? – IObotics Unplugged Computer Science in Bucharest

This post will be different because it’s location-specific, but the idea behind it is so cool that it could serve as an inspiration for people worldwide: Unplugged Computer Science. We all know the woe with computer classes. They add up to the screen time which is at higher and higher…

Online, Live Classes for Homeschoolers with Allschool
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Online, Live Classes for Homeschoolers with Allschool

Whether you’re a homeschooler that prefers online learning or not, you’ll inevitably end up with a couple of online live classes as your children grow. We don’t always find the classes we’re looking for nearby and some children want to learn about weird stuff like the mantis shrimp or what’s…

Interactive History Lessons with History Pockets from Evan Moor
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Interactive History Lessons with History Pockets from Evan Moor

One subject I cannot recall much about from school is history. Boring textbooks and dry teachers didn’t help me develop an interest in it and I wish they had the materials to present an interactive history to us back then. Thankfully, homeschoolers nowadays have so many options for history and…

Project-Based Science Curriculum – Science Lessons & Investigations
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Project-Based Science Curriculum – Science Lessons & Investigations

A problem a lot of science programs have is that most lack critical thinking skills. This problem would be easily solved with a good project-based science curriculum, and that’s what we just found! Even if M is advanced in science, an aspect I felt lacking was the scientific method implementation….

Gain English Communication Skills with PAC-High School Curriculum | Homeschool Review
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Gain English Communication Skills with PAC-High School Curriculum | Homeschool Review

The English communication skills curriculum I am writing about today is aimed at high schoolers and it’s not our regular choice. I know we only just completed our 5th grade and started planning for middle school, but I am always on the lookout for new curriculum, so I was curious…

The Best Grammar Curriculum for Homeschoolers | Fix it Grammar Review  {4th edition}
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The Best Grammar Curriculum for Homeschoolers | Fix it Grammar Review {4th edition}

Updated: March 26, 2024 Inside: Fix It! Grammar is a one-of-a-kind grammar curriculum for homeschoolers because it transforms traditional grammar lessons into engaging, story-based adventures. Kids learn grammar and editing skills in context without even realizing they are actually learning the complexities of language. This is why the Fix It!…

Online Music Classes with Great Bend Center for Music HighKey Kids™
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Online Music Classes with Great Bend Center for Music HighKey Kids™

Music is uplifting and a necessary outlet for emotions at every age. But many communities don’t have access to quality music lessons. That’s where online music classes might be a good option for families worldwide. I’ve already written about why I introduced music into our regular curriculum, and why I…

Homeschool Music Learning  with My Rock Online – Guitar Lessons
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Homeschool Music Learning with My Rock Online – Guitar Lessons

I recently realized that I’ve made a mistake by mostly ignoring homeschool music learning. Since M didn’t show any special interest in music, I just let it slide. Thankfully, it’s never too late to learn how to play an instrument and there are so many options today, saving you time…

Academic Vocabulary-Take Your Homeschool Vocabulary Further with Evan Moor
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Academic Vocabulary-Take Your Homeschool Vocabulary Further with Evan Moor

While we can learn new vocabulary by reading, and M is a voracious reader, I still feel that we need to work on it diligently, year after year. But an aspect that I feel isn’t covered enough by just reading literary works is academic vocabulary. If you’re like me, you’re…

Easy-to-Implement Spelling Curriculum- Evan Moor’s Building Spelling Skills
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Easy-to-Implement Spelling Curriculum- Evan Moor’s Building Spelling Skills

Spelling skills are an important part of our homeschool. We’ve tried numerous programs over the years and all had good and bad parts. Despite the fact that Marc is a great speller, we will continue with spelling instruction because I feel he would still benefit from it. Of course, we…

Mentor Junior review- a great option for finding mentors for free
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Mentor Junior review- a great option for finding mentors for free

Mentor Junior came to our life when M. started delving deeper and deeper into chemistry. I knew I was out of my league and I asked for help in my homeschooling group. They all helped me brainstorm and someone stumbled upon this lovely website. About Mentor Junior Mentor Junior (Mentor…

Homeschooling with Bridgeway Academy Review- The Most Flexible School

Homeschooling with Bridgeway Academy Review- The Most Flexible School

We’ve been homeschooling with Bridgeway Academy for almost 2 years now and we couldn’t be happier. Here’s our review and experience with them. UPDATE 2022: Since this post has been useful to so many parents, here are some changes that Bridgeway Academy rolled in since I wrote this post: Everything…

Our 4th Grade Language Arts Curriculum Choices for Secular, Eclectic Homeschoolers
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Our 4th Grade Language Arts Curriculum Choices for Secular, Eclectic Homeschoolers

Inside: The main challenge for eclectic homeschoolers is to balance all the bits and pieces and create a functional curriculum, but language arts always seems to be the hardest to piece together because so many pieces overlap. Keep reading to find out how we pieced together our 4th grade language…

8 Engaging 4th Grade Geography Curriculum Ideas for Homeschooling
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8 Engaging 4th Grade Geography Curriculum Ideas for Homeschooling

Inside: An engaging curriculum for 4th grade geography is a combination of books and hands-on resources. Read on to find out more details about each of them and get more ideas you can incorporate in your geography study for 4th grade. Welcome to our journey through 4th grade geography! As…