As I’ve shared previously, we have been homeschooling for several years, and value secular resources for our schooling. On this page you’ll find a curriculum and resources spreadsheet, by subject. This is not an exhaustive list as it will truly show what I have knowledge on, so I can answer questions and provide true experience on the content.
Below that, you’ll see more in depth explanations of curriculum companies we have extensively used and how I made them work for my family.
For books that align with these topics and resources, you can check out my booklist at the bottom of my website landing page.
You will also find at the bottom a few more resources that are free that asked to be linked directly!
If you have questions, feel free to contact me through my socials or through my email: diversebooksandschooling@gmail.com
Curriculum and Resources Spreadsheet
This document will feature info on a variety of curriculums and resources, by subject, that I have used with my learners or through my own self-directed learning. It is by no means the only or “best” out there for those subjects, as this is all catered to how I like to teach my learners and what meets their needs. These resources are secular and value diverse representation, with a few caveats that will be listed as well.
How are they organized? Each tab will be labeled by subject and will list the curriculum or resource with this info:
- Curriculum/Resource Name
- Company Name
- Age Range Recommendation
- General Topics
- Style: Hands-on, Book Based, Video Based, Online, etc.
- Price Point (Free, Under 100, Over 100)
- Where to Find
- Caveats/Things to Know
You can find this spreadsheet below, but it is still continually being added to, so can appear sparse at first.
Curriculum Spotlights
I could chat about learning, all day. Books and learning are special interests of mine, so forgive me if I’m wordy, and I hope you find it helpful!
For my family, the following curriculums have been used for multiple levels and/or many years:
- Beast Academy
- mint + bloom
- Build Your Library
- Hoffman Academy
- Science Mom
- Soul Sparklettes
I will share how we used them, what we enjoyed, and how I made it work for specific learning styles at home. This isn’t the only way to do things, nor do I specifically recommend you try this path for your child, it’s genuinely just to share our experience to learn from. These are not the only curriculums we have used, but the ones we have really gained a lot from.
Beast Academy
What is it?
Beast Academy is a rigorous, critical thinking approach to mathematics. While it does teach some traditional math concepts, it doesn’t utilize drill and practice that many traditional curriculums use.
The program has two different ways you can utilize it, or combining both for a rich experience. The digital curriculum allows for gamified learning, lessons in sections, and video explanations that are thorough and able to be reviewed time and time again. The workbooks version does not have video access and shorter explanations for concepts, but more problems per lesson included. The third option, a combined version of the two, allows for in depth practice, requiring an online membership but only the student workbooks purchased from the paper option.
How We Used It:
We originally started with the paper version, and I found that much more retention was happening when we switched to online version. We currently have been through levels 1-4 of BA. We plan on buying workbooks to supplement and enrich level 5 to make sure all concepts are clearly understood before moving to Pre-Algebra courses.
Pros and Cons:
This program is wonderful for math-gifted children, it’s a challenge and requires more than just rote memory. It builds on concepts throughout, and does include feedback when problems are incorrect, as well as intuitive caregiver controls
The Cons: It is a bit pricy. The online membership is 100 dollars per year, however, it can be used for multi-levels in that year allowing for you get the most value. It is absolutely worth the cost in my opinion, it’s not full of fluff.
Note: We are currently in the process of working through BA Science 3, and more information will be provided as we continue and finish out in the coming months!
mint + bloom
What is it?
I’ll admit, I am absolutely biased to Helen and Arielle, but they create some of the most engaging, thought provoking and sometimes, grossly hilarious curriculums out there. They have several curriculums, but the newest releases include a decolonized, own voices perspective of Big World History and US History. Through their curriculum, learners will engage with videos, multiple books, worksheets, group activities, and podcasts to really immerse themselves in the topic. These two curriculums are best for upper middle grade students and above, due to content, or will have to be heavily screened and modified for younger ages.
Another favorite curriculum of theirs is Melancholy Grammar. This grammar curriculum is hilarious, spooky, and engaging, allowing learners to explore creative writing and learn grammar while having lots of laughs. It’s best for an average 4th grader and beyond.
How We Used It:
We have done an abbreviated version of Big World History, which my learners loved what they were exposed to. In a few years, we will be doing the full middle grade version before moving to the full middle grade version of US History. We learned so much throughout the exploration we did! I have done the US History course as an adult with my friend group, and we found ourselves having a lot of in depth discussions, bringing to light major comparisons in history repeating itself.
My learners ADORE Melancholy Grammar, and we plan on using it another round, even. It utilizes Khan Academy as a video and practice tool, as well as engaging worksheets created by mint + bloom. We used all parts of this curriculum, and it really got my learners to fall in love with not only drawing stories, but writing them as well.
Pros and Cons:
Helen and Arielle truly care about the content they put out. If a video is removed from their suggestions, or a book is deemed problematic, they immediately take steps to update the curriculum and resolve any issues. They provide a lot of content for an affordable price, and collaborate with ESA funds to help support homeschoolers who choose this pathway as well.
There aren’t many cons to their curriculum, in my opinion, but they can be a bit printer heavy. There are ways to modify it to suit your learner and make it digital based as well. Books are easy to source, but can be a bit pricy at times due to being newer releases.
Build Your Library
What is it?
Build Your Library is a literature exploration, connecting subjects like geography, world history, science topics, social justice issues and more, across every grade level. Throughout the curriculum levels, you will find connections for recommended other curriculums that align, as well as so many different unit studies, and caregiver studies as well! Truly a well thought out curriculum, as well as a responsive creator. The book lists feature a wide range of cultures and perspectives, too!
How We Used It:
We currently use it in a hybrid format with other book studies added in, as that’s what works for my family. Her curriculum is wonderful as is, We are just book dragons with a lot of choices already.
Pros and Cons:
Build Your Library is affordable, but book heavy, so sourcing books is going to be your most cost heavy portion. The book lists are updated as often as she is able, but there can sometimes be books that are harder to source. Thankfully she and her extensive group of experienced users provide suggestions for supplementing and changing out as needed, in between updating her levels and resources.
Hoffman Academy
What is it?
Hoffman Academy is a wonderful online music curriculum that teaches music theory as well as piano lessons. These can be done for free, if your learner is able to memorize music/pause to read from screen when needed, but they do offer a paid version with a lot of resources that can be accessed.
How We Used It:
My two learners are musically gifted and memorized their sheet music fairly quickly. Because of this, we currently use the free version. However, as we get to the final units with more complex pieces, we will switch to a paid membership or utilize their printed songbooks.
Pros and Cons:
The teacher is a wonderful, encouraging guide for learners of all ages. My kids love Mr. Hoffman and his way of explaining things, but if your student is not musically inclined, the paid membership would be most beneficial, but pricey.
Science Mom/Math Dad
What is it?
Science Mom and Math Dad are two parents who are extremely knowledgeable on science and math concepts, but spoken in kid friendly ways. They host several video based courses with hand designed workbook accompaniment, including projects and quizzes for assessing understanding. The courses can be done through prerecorded options or live attendance as well!
How We Used It:
We took their first science course for free, Earth Science, which they are redoing with better equipment in the Late Winter/Spring of 2027. My learners really enjoyed it, regardless of the quirks that happen when recording a curriculum. We plan on utilizing their middle school courses soon as well! I cannot attest to the full content of Math Dad’s curriculum, however I know that he is passionate about math concepts and responsive to feedback/providing assistance.
Pros and Cons:
For visual learners, this is a great way to learn! The videos are engaging, offer banter, and learners form an understanding of how the concepts connect to the world around them. The courses are over 100 dollars each, which can be a price barrier for some, but they do involve a lot of components, making it worth the price for what you get.
Soul Sparklettes
What is it?
Soul Sparklettes is an art hub for homeschooling families! It’s especially unique as it aligns many lessons with secular curriculums, providing art extensions for popular curriculums you may already be using for literature or science (Like Torchlight, Blossom and Root, or Hearth and Story for example).
The lessons are engaging, often require minimal art supplies, and provide step by step video or printed out lessons. They have new lesson packets that release monthly with themes, as well as pop-up free lessons and resources for general public to snag. A wealth of resources for different abilities from PreK-High School.
How We Used It:
We use Soul Sparklettes often! We love the LitARTure novel companions with several art projects, extensions for discussion, etc. We also utilize their 50 states lessons with our US exploration. We often find ourselves doing a random lesson together as a family as well.
Pros and Cons:
The lessons have adaptations for learner with varying motor control development , as well as suggestions for book connections or videos/science hands-on opportunities.
The downside to Soul Sparklettes is that it can be a bit of a work around to find a membership, either through watching for their “open enrollment” or seeking out a curriculum affiliate who has a link for purchase. (Torchlight, Hearth and Story, and I believe Blossom and Root have them!)
The membership can be pricy as well, depending on the options you choose, but it is the best out there I have found for art curriculum and alignment.
More Resources!
For an upcoming resource that is launching, including some homeschooling advice, check here! Disclaimer: I do not fully back every resource here, but this is valuable for those that do.
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