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These Are a Few of My Favorite (Homeschool) Things



As a homeschool mom dedicated to nurturing a love for learning and exploration, I understand how important it is to have the right resources at our fingertips.


In this post, I’m excited to share some of my favorite books, resources, and products that have enriched our homeschooling journey and enhanced our nature studies. These selections have been invaluable in encouraging me as a homeschool mama over the years. I’ve listed our favorite curriculums that we have used and loved, along with some of the activities and materials we’re enjoying in the Little Explorers Nature Club.


I’ll be continually updating this list with new discoveries and cherished classics as they come to mind. Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase through them. Your support helps fuel our adventures in learning!



Books of Encouragement on Your Homeschool Journey:




Finding calm and balance in the busy homeschool life. If you only read one book, THIS IS THE ONE!







The Call of the Wild + Free by Ainsley Arment

Encourages a nature-based, unstructured approach to learning.







Modern Miss Mason by Leah Boden

A contemporary take on Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy.






A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola

Insights into implementing Charlotte Mason’s philosophy.







A guide focused on the early years of education using the Charlotte Mason approach.





A resource for cultivating good habits in children through the Charlotte Mason method.






A practical guide for parents wanting to adopt the Charlotte Mason method in their homeschool.






Further insights and guidance on implementing Charlotte Mason’s educational philosophy.






A focus on the importance of self-care for homeschooling mothers.






A concise guide to homeschooling with less stress.







Strategies for thriving in a homeschool environment.







Educating the Wholehearted Child by Clay Clarkson and Sally Clarkson

A holistic approach to homeschooling that emphasizes nurturing the heart, mind, and spirit of children.





by iHomeschool Network

Practical insights from experienced homeschooling mothers.






The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell and Michael Farris

A comprehensive and very practical resource for homeschooling families.






Practical strategies for creating a rich homeschooling experience.







Guidance about how your child learns best and selecting the best curriculum for their learning style. I believe most of her reviews are also found on her review website.




Understanding and teaching to children's unique learning styles.







A guide to fostering a nurturing and loving environment.






For the Children’s Sake by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay

A foundational book that outlines the philosophy and principles of a Charlotte Mason education, encouraging a nurturing approach to learning that values the child as a whole.





This book provides practical strategies for implementing Charlotte Mason’s educational principles in today's context, helping children develop a love for learning.



This book encourages a joyful and imaginative approach to homeschooling, helping parents find magic in everyday learning experience






People Who Have Encouraged Me Along the Way

There are lots of resources out there to encourage homeschooling mamas. These are some of the main homeschool educators who come to mind and have encouraged me over the years.  


  • Charlotte Mason 

  • Sarah Mackenzie - Author of Teaching from Rest

  • Sonya Shafer (Simply Charlotte Mason)

  • Jessica Hulcey (KONOS)

  • Sally Clarkson

  • Heidi St. John 

  • Rachael McCaghren Carman (Apologia)

  • Diana Waring (History Alive)

  • Mary Pride - Practical Homeschooling Magazine

  • Steve Demme (Math U See)

  • Andrew Pudewa (IEW)



Homeschool Curriculum

Complete (Mostly) Curriculum (PreK/K-12th)


A multi-subject curriculum that integrates history, geography, and literature, focusing on a hands-on approach to learning. MFW is wonderful Hands down my FAVORITE! We have done 10 different years of the MFW program. They provide fantastic booklists in the back of their teacher manuals, making it easy to find great literature and resources.


A publisher that offers a wide range of engaging, faith-based educational materials for various subjects, particularly strong in science and history. We have used many of their books for the kids through middle and high school. My kids have all enjoyed these books, and I plan to incorporate some with Charlotte as well, as they are engaging and educational.


This curriculum provides resources and tools aligned with Charlotte Mason's philosophy, emphasizing literature, nature study, and the development of good habits. They have great booklists available on their website, along with a comprehensive scope and sequence that aligns with Charlotte Mason's educational philosophy.


Known for its strong literature focus, Sonlight provides excellent booklists that can be easily accessed on their website, allowing for rich, immersive learning experiences.


A curriculum focused on literature and hands-on learning, KONOS promotes an experiential approach to education, making learning engaging and memorable.


A literature-based curriculum that uses classic children's books to guide learning in a unit study style, fostering a love for reading while integrating multiple subjects. They have the volumes for children in preschool all the way up thru middle school. I have used the Before Five in a Row and Five in a Row books, and they are WONDERFUL!


A well-known curriculum provider that offers a full, structured educational program with a focus on traditional methods and comprehensive lesson plans.

This was the curriculum I started with. It offers a very good and thorough education but is quite textbook-oriented, leaning more towards "homeschool at home" vs. "homeschooling." A lot of private schools use Abeka. While I am not a fan of the complete curriculum I do love their phonics program; it's how my older girls learned to read. Their spelling books are phenomenal and can stand alone without the other curriculum.


This curriculum focuses on history, science and geography by utilizing amazing books, focusing on literature-based learning that encourages a love of reading and thoughtful discussions.


A completely online curriculum that offers a flexible and thorough approach to homeschooling. One of my boys is in his 3rd year with this program, he likes it. It is a great option for working parents!


A free Charlotte Mason curriculum that provides resources and guidance for implementing the Charlotte Mason philosophy, emphasizing literature, nature study, and living books.

 


Phonics & Reading

I taught both of my older daughters to read using the Abeka phonics program, at the time it was all I knew. When it came time to teach my boys, they struggled. A friend recommended Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, Bob Books and Explode the Code books. They were a total game-changer!! The struggle turned into success.

Even today my 18-year-old son will tell you to use "100 Easy Lessons" because it made such a monumental difference.

A step-by-step program designed to teach reading using phonics, providing structured lessons that build confidence and skills in young readers.


A series of workbooks that focus on phonics and reading comprehension through engaging exercises, making it easier for children to develop their reading skills progressively.


A collection of simple, phonics-based readers designed for early learners, featuring short stories with repetitive text and fun illustrations to build reading confidence and fluency.



A comprehensive, multisensory program that combines music, movement, and phonics to teach children how to read and write, making the learning process enjoyable and engaging. I also used these workbooks, phonics games and songs with my boys. They really enjoyed them!



Writing 

IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing)

A structured writing program designed to help students of all ages develop strong writing skills through a step-by-step approach, focusing on storytelling and effective communication.


Online writing courses that offer personalized instruction and practical assignments, helping students improve their writing skills at their own pace in a supportive environment.



Math

A hands-on, mastery math curriculum that emphasizes understanding concepts through manipulatives and visual aids, providing a solid foundation for problem-solving and critical thinking.


An interactive, computer-based math curriculum designed for independent learners, featuring engaging lessons, practice problems, and instant feedback to help students grasp mathematical concepts. With Teaching Textbooks the teaching and grading are done for you.



Library Card – Seriously! You should definitely know about the Marina Interlibrary Loan System.


Here’s how I get our library books: I visit the Marina website and do a simple search for the book I want. It tells me if my county has it, and if so, I request it from my county. If not, I can request it from another county. The library staff will pull the books for me and have them waiting on a shelf to pick up.


While it's a lot of fun to search for books at the library with a little one (and we do enjoy that), if you’re looking for several specific titles, THIS IS THE WAY!



Nature Club Favorites












































































































































































Canon G7020 All-in-One Printer Home Office | Wireless Supertank (Megatank) Printer | Copier | Scan, | Fax and ADF with Mobile Printing. I'm including this printer on my list because it is seriously amazing! I’ve gone through countless printers over the years, and I feel like I have finally found "the one!" I’ve had this printer for over a year, and I honestly don’t think I’ve refilled the tanks yet; if I have, it was only once. I print a lot—everything from nature club materials to recipe pages. I’m always printing something!

 
 
 

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