By Core Knowledge Foundation·Language Arts · History · Geography · Science · Mathematics · Music · Visual Arts · Civics · Computer Science
8 video reviews: 7 positive · 1 critical
Core Knowledge is the rare curriculum reviewers discuss as much for its price — free — as for its content. The most sustained endorsement comes from a family that has used the history and geography units for social studies since kindergarten: each unit pairs a student reader with a teacher's guide, you read together, check vocabulary and comprehension, and occasionally add a project or a video. Her summary is simply that it works and she has no complaints. Another homeschooler uses Core Knowledge readers as one spine in a self-built sixth/seventh-grade history plan and raves about the printed books' paper quality, noting everything is also free online but that reading on a screen is hard on the eyes and impossible to mark up. A third family used *What Your Preschooler Needs to Know* — poems, songs, classic tales — as their main preschool curriculum alongside its week-by-week activity guide. The criticism is real, though. One reviewer who planned Core Knowledge for middle school history called it whitewash history she would have to balance with more inclusive, multi-perspective resources, and abandoned the plan when that supplementation load looked unsustainable. Another passed because she didn't want to download heaps of PDFs and then have it feel textbook-like. The pattern is clear: families who want a free, structured, knowledge-rich spine they can print, adapt, and supplement are happy; those who want a low-prep, ready-made package or history told from multiple perspectives out of the box look elsewhere.
Synthesized from 8 independent video reviews — every claim sourced from what real homeschool parents said on camera.
Budget-conscious families who want a free, structured, reader-plus-teacher-guide spine they can print, adapt, and supplement anywhere from preschool through middle school.
Parents who dislike downloading and printing lots of PDFs, want something less textbook-like, or want history told from multiple perspectives without doing their own supplementing.
Why Secular Curriculum is Not Enough | Homeschool Collab This video is in collaboration with MichelleG where were discussing why our homeschool curriculum beeds to be more than just sexular. Check out Michelle’s video here: https://youtu.be/Ql7NOMvAXoQ?si=6FWU86K06vuinEt0 Here is snother video I did with a flip through of Core Knowledge History of the United States: https://youtu.be/JC68Vz_nhGg?si=WPnFRxO0stxOWtnN Here are the resources from TPT we've used this school year: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Collection/homeschool-resources-3f7883e2c790d813 My Amazon Storefront contains items that I have shared in my videos: https://www.amazon.com/shop/themommalibrarian?ref_=cm_sw_r_apin_aipsfshop_P3ASVEKZE208XD7G1BG0&language=en-US Shop for homeschool unit studies at Harbor & Sprout: https://www.harborandsprout.com/?ref=prafvmzo and use the code THEMOMMALIBRARIAN for 10% off your purchase. Shop for homeschool unit studies at Thistles & Biscuits: https://www.thistlesandbiscuits.com/?ref=hofkpqkv Use code THEMOMMALIBRARIAN for 10% off your purchase. If you like this video, please like, comment, and subscribe!👍🏻 📖📔📚📓📒📖 Hi, I'm Kara! I'm a librarian turned homeschool mom sharing my love for books and learning! We are a secular, liberal, progressive, and inclusive homeschooling family. Our curriculum choices and videos on this channel reflect these values. Follow me on Instagram @themommalibrarianhomeschools This video is not sponsored. *The description may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for any purchases you make through these links. This is to help support my channel. Thank you for your support. This video is not made for children.
Early Preschool Wins- Secular Homeschool
Unboxing Curriculum & Books for 2026-27 Homeschool | Upcoming 5th and 7th Grades The account that I mentioned that has tons of great recommendations and flip throughs is @ddchomeschool Happy Homeschooling! Resources mentioned mainly come from @WellTrainedMindOfficial @coreknowledgefoundation and @memoriapress #homeschoolmom #homeschool #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolingmom #secularhomeschool #homeschoollife @WellTrainedMindOfficial @memoriapress
🧪🔬 Still Searching For Secular Science? | Best Homeschool Resources & Tips 🔬🧪 Are you still on the hunt for reliable secular science resources for homeschooling? Me too! Look no further! In this video, we dive deep into the challenges homeschooling parents face when seeking quality secular science materials and provide solutions that'll make your journey easier. Sourced from your recommendations! 🔍 Struggling to find trustworthy secular science options? You're not alone. Join us as we explore the maze of homeschooling resources and recommend top-notch picks straight from you! 📚 From comprehensive curriculum packages to engaging online platforms, we've curated a list of must-look resources tailored for secular homeschoolers. 🌟 Don't let the challenges of finding secular science materials dampen your homeschooling journey. With recommendations and insights, we'll navigate the landscape with confidence and unlock enriching educational experiences for our children. 🔔 Hit the subscribe button and turn on notifications to stay updated on the latest homeschooling tips, resources, and inspiration. Let's embark on this exciting educational adventure together! #StillSearchingForSecularScience #MakingEverydayMagic #SecularScience -💖Shanna Just a mama making magic! Links: Middle School Chemistry https://www.acs.org/middleschoolchemistry.html Blossom&Root https://blossomandroot.com/ Science Mom https://science.mom/ Build Your Library https://buildyourlibrary.com/ BookShark https://www.bookshark.com/ Elevate Science https://homeschool.savvas.com/index.cfm?locator=PS3dVx Ellen McHenry's Basement Workshop https://ellenjmchenry.com/ The Amoeba Sisters https://www.amoebasisters.com/ Real Science Odyssey https://www.pandiapress.com/real-science-odyssey/ Core Knowledge https://www.coreknowledge.org/ Be sure to share the magic and subscribe for more magic https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwHXtQS5-ylYroyA8dWpANg?sub_confirmation=1 0:00 Intro 0:58 I asked, You Answered! 1:39 My Selection Process 3:25 What We Have Done This Year 4:45 Science Suggestions 4:51 Blossom & Root 7:04 Science Mom 9:09 Build Your Library 10:03 BookShark 11:25 Elevate Science 12:09 Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop 12:54 The Amoeba Sisters 13:45 Real Science Odyssey 14:10 Core Knowledge 14:30 What I Am Leaning Toward 14:47 Middle School Chemistry 21:28 Conclusion 🎞More Magic Vids you may like: *https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwHXtQS5-ylYroyA8dWpANg/videos 🎟See the Rest of the Playlist Here: * https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzzGqiUPPglqdQCH9w3Lyeux_YOQ95Z3P 🎇More Magic Blog: https://makingeverydaymagic.com/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/makingeverydaymagic/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/makingeverydaymagic/ Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/makingeverydaymagic/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/EverydayShanna Amazon Store: https://www.amazon.com/shop/makingeverydaymagic 💌 Contact Directly: hello@makingeverydaymagic.com 🛒 Shop my Favorites https://www.amazon.com/shop/makingeverydaymagic https://makingeverydaymagic.com/favorites/ ✨DISCLOSURE Thank you for listening to my honest opinions and using them to decide on your future purchases. I always disclose affiliate or sponsored information. By sharing the Magic, you allow me to earn a small commission if you make a purchase through my affiliate/referral links. You will never see any difference in the checkout process unless I can secure a magical discount or offer. Thank you for your Magical Support! Audio Used With Permission from YouTube or AudioHero
Real- Life Secular Homeschool Day | Lessons, Curriculum Review, and Socializing Join us for a day in our homeschooling life! From hands-on learning and outdoor adventures to cozy reading time and rock climbing fun, I’m sharing how we make learning an everyday adventure. In this video, you’ll get a peek into our routine, the curriculums we love, and the ways we bring lessons to life. ✨ Highlights: * Morning lessons * A walk through of some of my favorite curriculums * Hands-on learning with real-life applications School Curriculum List: 1st grade Reading and Writing Logic of English Foundations (level C&D) https://store.logicofenglish.com/coll... Writing: Handwriting without Tears https://amzn.to/3TvUwih Mathematics Math with Confidence- https://amzn.to/4gjkxuK Supplementing with Beast Academy for an extra challenge https://beastacademy.com/books/level-1 Science Real Science Odyssey- Life Science https://www.pandiapress.com/product/r... Social Studies Core Knowledge History & Geography 1st Grade https://www.coreknowledge.org/history... Art Soul Sparklettes Art https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2147908355/cAaDFLm4 Music shorturl.at/FIHOS If you love family adventures and real homeschooling moments, don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to join us on this journey! 🌟 #homeschooling #dayinmylife #dayinthelife #homeschoolroutine #momvlog #momlife
Thoughts of a Secular Homeschooling Mom: Curriculum review, preschool, balancing motherhood If you’ve ever wondered what a day in the life of a secular homeschooling mom who also works from home looks like, welcome! From hands on learning and fun, to sharing how I try and balance motherhood and making time for hobbies this vlog gives you an honest peak in a non aesthetic real life family. ✨ Highlights ✨ - second grade lessons - preschool activities - curriculum review and thoughts - marriage life Follow on IG for daily videos! https://www.instagram.com/celenakinsey?igsh=MWx1bWx0a3p0MW9kbA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr 📚CURRICULUMS for second grade Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts (this link gives you $10 off!)- https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp (We are doing Ra The Mighty: Cat Detective- you can get the book from amazon https://amzn.to/45zfpQ2 Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Opinion-Narrative-and-Informative-Writing-Curriculum-with-Prompts-7798694 I also have Write by Number- https://writebynumber.com/ but it’s much more technical so I recommend the print one from TPT Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Science: Real Science Odyssey- https://www.pandiapress.com/real-science-odyssey/ref/203/#rso-level1 (I am doing Astronomy and potentially Earth Science this year) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/stageworthy-by-widy-performing-arts-education Health: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2nd-Grade-Health-Curriculum-Full-Year-Health-Curriculum-for-Print-and-Online-13098256 If you love family activities, homeschooling and just real life moments don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe to join in on this journey! #homeschooling #preschool #dayinmylife #motherhood #secularhomeschool
2025 Lower Elementary Secular Homeschool Curriculum Recap | Walkthrough & Review In this video, I’m recapping our current second grade curriculums for our secular homeschooling family. I share reasons why we love it, why it works well, and I give you a sneak peek into all of them! Whether you’re new to homeschooling or searching for fresh secular options, this homeschool recap should help you in choosing a curriculum that may work for your lower elementary student I have a substack post with a huge curriculum roundup- https://open.substack.com/pub/celenak... 📚CURRICULUMS: Some of these links are affiliate links so I do get a small commission when you click on them Spelling: All About Spelling- https://www.allaboutlearningpress.net/go.php?id=2959 Reading: Brave Writer Darts https://bravewriter.refr.cc/brave-writer/u/celenak?s=sp&t=cp Writing: Handwriting without tears cursive- https://amzn.to/3UN8s7E Writing print- https://tinyurl.com/35vbct29 Grammar: MCT Island Level- https://www.rfwp.com/mct-language-arts/seven-levels/level-1-the-island-level/ Math: Beast Academy- https://beastacademy.com/ Math with confidence second grade- https://amzn.to/48NRn43 Science: Real Science Odyssey- pandiapress.com/products/real-science-odyssey-astronomy-1?ref=Celena D Kinsey (I am doing Astronomy) Social Studies: Core Knowledge (FREE) - https://www.coreknowledge.org/download-free-curriculum/ Storylark- https://storylarkroad.com/?ref=CELENAKINSEY Art: Soul Sparklettes- https://soul-sparklettes-art-llc.mykajabi.com/a/2148144642/cAaDFLm4 Music: Stageworthy by Widy- https://tinyurl.com/2p9nr5bh Health https://tinyurl.com/33r6vdyu ✅ Subscribe for more secular homeschool tips, curriculum reviews, and day in the life videos! Follow Me: Instagram - www.instagram.com/celenakinsey Tiktok - www.tiktok.com/@casakinsey Substack - https://substack.com/@celenakinsey #homeschooling #homeschool #homeschoolcurriculum #secularhomeschool #curriculum
UPDATE: Middle School History Curriculum | Secular Homeschooling In this video I am sharing an update to out 8th grade US history curriculum pick woth Mint and Bloom. Curriculum changes and updates | Secular homeschool | Middle school https://youtu.be/TXjjplkL3FQ Here are the resources from TPT we've used this school year: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Collection/homeschool-resources-3f7883e2c790d813 Shop for homeschool unit studies at Harbor & Sprout: https://www.harborandsprout.com/?ref=prafvmzo and use the code THEMOMMALIBRARIAN for 10% off your purchase. Shop for homeschool unit studies at Thistles & Biscuits: https://www.thistlesandbiscuits.com/?ref=hofkpqkv Use code THEMOMMALIBRARIAN for 10% off your purchase. If you like this video, please like, comment, and subscribe!👍🏻 📖📔📚📓📒📖 Hi, I'm Kara! I'm a librarian turned homeschool mom sharing my love for books and learning! We are a secular, liberal, progressive, and inclusive homeschooling family. Our curriculum choices and videos on this channel reflect these values. Follow me on Instagram @themommalibrarianhomeschools This video is not sponsored. *The description may contain affiliate links. I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for any purchases you make through these links. This is to help support my channel. Thank you for your support. This video is not made for children.
“I use Core Knowledge. It is free. I think it does a good job. Um, it is very easy to use. Basically, they kids get a reader and you get a teacher's manual that goes with the reader”
“It's worked. It's worked for us. I've been using it since kindergarten. I have no complaints.”
“This book is a compilation of poems, songs, classic tales, and tidbits of knowledge that are both fun and appropriate for little learners”
“we were planning to use Core Knowledge this year for history. Um, and I had a whole plan. I planned the first six weeks um to really be able to balance kind of this whitewash history um with a more in my opinion um inclusive multi-perspective um history”
“Gosh, I really love these uh these books, these readers from Core Knowledge.”
“I have looked a little bit at core knowledge um as far as it goes I don't again want to just download heaps on heaps on heaps of PDF to then have to do the work that way and then have it be text Booky”
Reviews tell you what worked for someone else's kid. A 5-minute profile tells you what's likely to work for yours — matched across 1,307 programs, free, no signup needed to see your top picks.
Yes. Reviewers go to the Core Knowledge site, click download free curriculum, filter by subject, grade, and language, and download an entire unit at once — student book, teacher's guide, and extras. One reviewer who buys the printed readers confirms everything she bought is also available free online.
For the history and geography units, kids get a student reader and the parent gets a teacher's guide that goes with it. You read a chapter together, talk through the vocabulary and comprehension questions written out in the guide, and finish with a check for understanding. Not every chapter has an activity, so one parent adds a video or her own activity when she finds it necessary.
The curriculum comes as downloadable PDFs, so printing is part of the deal — one parent prints two to three sheets per page to save ink, and notes the teacher's guide includes the student book plus all the worksheets and unit assessments at the end. Another reviewer bought the printed readers instead because reading from a screen is hard on the eyes and you can't easily annotate or flip back and forth.
Reviewers in these videos use it from preschool through middle school: one family used What Your Preschooler Needs to Know with its week-by-week activity guide as their main preschool curriculum, one has used the history and geography units since kindergarten, and another bought sixth/seventh-grade readers. Reviewers note the upper elementary and middle school units involve a lot more reading.
One reviewer didn't think so — she described it as whitewash history that she planned to balance with more inclusive, multi-perspective resources, and ultimately dropped it because maintaining that supplementation all year wasn't sustainable for her homeschool. Families wanting diverse perspectives built in should expect to add their own materials.
Yes, that's how reviewers use it. One supplements the readings with videos, projects, and unit studies; another folds Core Knowledge readers into a self-assembled history curriculum combining several different spines.