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A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

These summer unit study ideas will keep kids of all ages having fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Also, look at my page Best Homeschool Unit Studies.

Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies.

You can make them hands-on with outdoor activities or beat the heat with a trip to an air-conditioned library to pick out the books you’ll need.

A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas

And if you pair a living book with a summer topic, you can have an easy summer learning activity.

Too, many homeschoolers prefer to start their homeschool year during the summer.

There are many advantages to beginning your homeschool year in the summer.

Advantages to Begin Your Year in Summer

For example, look at these advantages.

  • There is a slower start to the year.
  • You can cover one unit study for a few weeks before any other curriculum.
  • Also there is more time to give 1:1 to each child.
  • The day can be shorter to allow time for swimming and other fun summer activities.
  • In addition, some subjects like science and geography are better done outside during the summer season.

Start with this ultimate list of A to Z Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas and let your imaginations run wild!

A

Summer Unit Study Ideas

B

C

Summer Themed Unit Study Topics

Next, add some of these fun living books to your summer day.

Summer Reading List for Kids

Add one or two of these books to your kid's summer reading list.

D

E

More Summer Learning Activities

F

G

H

Summer Unit Study Ideas
  • Hiking
  • Hygiene

More Summer Learning Activities

  • Hydration/heat
  • Herb garden

I

J

K

  • Kites
  • Knots

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

And we always love nature walks anytime of the year and love this series of nature books!

Our Journey Westward
  • Stars
  • Sun/sunscreen
  • Spiders

T

U

  • Underwater creatures
  • Underneath the ground
  • Underwear (history)

Summer Unit Study Ideas

V

  • Vision

W

X

Y

  • Yaks

Z

You’ll love these other ideas:

I hope this list of 100 ideas will get you thinking about hands-on A to Z summer unit study fun!

This blog hop is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutual beneficial projects.

Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies. Kids of all ages can have fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Click here to look at this A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas!
Summer is a perfect time to get in some relaxed themed learning with unit studies. Kids of all ages can have fun learning with topics they will be eager to study. Click here to look at this A to Z List: 100 Fun Summer Homeschool Unit Study Ideas!

Day 24 Finding homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today is day 24 finding homeschool curriculum for unique learners. You’ll find the other tips for this new to homeschool boot camp on 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers.

When I first started leading classes for new homeschoolers, I thought the most challenging parents I had to help were those with triplets.

Then, numerous parents who are homeschooling children with special needs or unique learners entered my workshops throughout the years.

My journey of understanding their needs began because I do not have a special needs child.

Day 24 Finding homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

How would it be possible to help somebody if I didn’t have a child with special needs? I did have one child with speech delay so I could sympathize, but it is still not the same.

By helping families that have children with ADHD, dyslexia, processing disorders or autism, I learned that these parents have to be the best advocate for their children.

There is no way another person can fully appreciate what a parent goes through that has a unique learner.

These parents seem to find an inner strength that I admire.

They share with me how their special needs child slapped them in the face because the child didn’t know how to deal with feelings of frustration.

They find a way each day to look past those types of things and go on.

Parents with unique learners are the backbone of the homeschool community.

They know the traditional way of learning in a classroom will not meet the needs of their children, most of whom are very bright.

5 Sanity Savers for Parents of Unique Learners @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

5 Sanity Savers For Parents of Unique Learners

My best advice to these parents who are determined to homeschool with a hardiness that a lot of us can learn from is this:

1.) There is nobody else, even professionals who knows your child better.

Make it your determination to know EVERYTHING there is to know about your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

2.) Without trying to make you feel defeated, I want you to know that there does not exist curriculum that is just for unique learners.

There is curriculum that is easier to tweak for your learner, but most of it does not fall into the boxed curriculum method..

3.) Do not try to follow the scope and sequence of ANY curriculum.

Children that learn differently develop skills, for example, like reading at a later time. Teach to their strengths.

They may be developmentally ready later for reading but excel at math. Focus on what they can do instead of what they cannot do.

4.) I have learned that visual aids help challenged children chart their progress.

Because a lot of unique learners may also be right brain learners they have to “see” math or “see” language arts.

They can be learners that learn whole to parts, which is opposite of the way that phonics is taught. This is opposite of the way a lot of public schools teach.

For example, phonics is taught through letter sounds put together to form words, then sentences and then paragraphs which is parts to whole words and sentences teaching.

Challenged learners sometimes learn better by seeing the whole picture first or globally, then focus on the parts.

5.) Resources that educate you are far more important in understanding curriculum than looking for years in frustration trying to find curriculum that your child can use.

They help you to turn any resource into something that a unique learner can use.

Homeschool Resources for Teaching Unique Learners

Look for curriculum that is more visual along with learning aids or hands-on that makes it easier to teach children that learn differently.

An example of some of the curriculum resources that parents have used for unique learners are: All About Spelling, Math U See, Living Math, Brave Writer, Handwriting Without Tears, Explode the Code, Games like Stack the States on the iPad, Eyewitness Book by Dorling Kindersley, Kidspiration Software and Life Of Fred.

Some take delight in making lapbooks.  My blog has lots of free lapbooks.

Tapping out music to sounds they are learning or creating art to learn about history are other creative ways to learn.

Online resources about history and geography, drawing significant events in history and even playing Mine Craft are strengths of visual learners.

Please do not discount creative ways like playing games as not learning.

Children of any age can learn any subject by playing a learning game, but unique learners especially benefit.

More importantly than finding curriculum is understanding the fact that you are teaching a child and not curriculum.

Do not get on the band wagon of those who always use a left brain measuring stick for progress. If you do, instead of realizing the brilliant child you have, you may feel like you have a child that is always behind.

When we all accept that our children learn outside the box and equally praise a gifted artist right alongside a child that read early, then we have tapped into the real meaning of an excellent education.

Struggling with the challenges of a unique learner now produces a confident teacher later.

Resources for Educating Unique Learners

By helping families that have children with ADHD, dyslexia, processing disorders or autism, I learned that these parents have to be the best advocate for their children. 

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

22- 28 Homeschool Preschoolers, Highschoolers, and Unique Learners

Day 24 Finding homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp
Day 24 Finding homeschool Curriculum For Unique Learners. {31 Day Boot Camp For New Homeschoolers on My Blog}

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today for Day 17 how to choose a homeschool curriculum is our topic for the 31 Day Free Boot Camp for New Homeschoolers. 

Appreciating the fact that children come “pre-wired” helps you to be selective when it comes to choosing a homeschool curriculum.

And when you’re new knowing how to choose a homeschool curriculum can be scary.

But we accept the fact that we cannot change our children.

Instead of seeing our children for what we think they should be, we start accepting their personalities.

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

Also, instead of choosing A Beka, Bob Jones, Rod & Staff, Sonlight, or Tapestry of Grace because our best friend uses one of them and it seems to work for her, determine what are your needs as the priority.

And my experience after 20 years is that best friends or seasoned veterans find it hard to reach back to the time when they were new.

Much of the advice they give you is based on hindsight.

How to Choose A Homeschool Curriculum

While hindsight can certainly be of value, you will still need to experience the “newness” on your own.

I don’t want you to discount advice from seasoned veterans.

I want you to think about your needs. Following another homeschooler exactly is not your goal.

You came to homeschooling because you have unique needs.

5 Tips for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

5 Tips for Choosing Homeschool Curriculum

Look at these five tips for choosing a homeschool curriculum.

1. In the beginning focus most of your time and energy on the subject your child struggles in.

There are free placement tests that will give you a better idea of what grade your child is in.

I have said this over again and that is please don’t assume that you take your child out of one grade and that he is in the next one up.

Even if your child places at a grade lower, it is better to have an easier year your first year instead of tears the whole year because you thought they would get behind. They will not.

Many homeschoolers can testify to the fact that children learn like an ebb and flow pattern.

They can move a couple levels ahead  one year and then one year they need longer to dwell on a subject.

But, most all of the families that struggled wished they would have taken the advice to choose something a little more relaxed the first year.

Focus your energy on the one or two things you want to accomplish. If it’s math, then spend extra time focusing on that right now and leave off science, history or art.

Though they may be fun and exciting, you have time to add those. The more children you have, the more time this takes.

Who is Tina Robertson

But before you can appreciate how I can help you here are a few things about me. Sure, this free new homeschooler boot camp is all about you.

However, you need to know that I’m not new to the homeschool world.  

It has been several years since I wrote this series and I want to update you on my successes. And I’ve helped HUNDREDS get on the road to homeschooling.

Too, I have 3 homeschooled grads. So I’m well past having my oldest kid being 10 years old.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

But the best part is that what I have for you works.

Also, look at a few other things about me.

Day 16 Practical Tips for Learning Styles and New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp 

That is enough about me.

2. Purchase only the 3 R’s right now. Fold in Other Subjects Gradually.

With the growing number of subjects that you may want to teach, remember that the basics are the core of any year.

By spending your time focusing on math and language arts, you have time to purchase history or science after you boot up your school. Any routine needs a warming up period.

Forget pulling ALL your material out on Day 1 of your school and be stressed out by trying to get through it all.

Day 1 can include math and some writing and then glow in the fact that you got that done.

That is a simple doable two thing checklist for the day. Gradually, over the next few weeks fold in the rest of your subjects. You will LOVE this!

Be aware that there ARE differences between subjects in the order you should teach.

For example, when teaching a child to read, it is a natural progression to recognize the ABC’s, then to associate a sound with the letter and then to put those sounds together to make a word.

However, does it really matter the order if you study about the ocean versus the Amazon rain forest? Absolutely not. It does matter the order of the 3 R’s.

Again, lap up this time to learn to focus on making good choices for the 3 R’s for your children.

Don’t overload yourself in trying to purchase everything by August because there is no need to.

There is NO race. You have now gotten off the little school bus and guess what? Curriculum providers sell curriculum year around. tee hee hee

Actually there is a huge advantage to start homeschooling with just the core subjects because you can slowly read the teacher’s manual and get familiar with the schedule.

Your focus is not torn between trying to start the science experiment right away and getting in the core subjects.

Then after a few weeks or longer of doing your core or 3 R’s, you will be a little more discerning when choosing history, science, art and anything other subject that your family has a desire to learn.

You can now give those subjects your utmost attention and make better choices. Avoid beginning all your children on EVER Y subject on the first day.

There simply is need to do that and it is a first timer’s mistake. You are now becoming a little more experienced following this series.

3. If a Teacher’s Manual Makes You Feel Secure, Purchase One, Two or Three.

Most new homeschoolers that I have helped do not feel totally secure with their new found freedom. They derive some comfort from a teacher’s manual that has perhaps suggestions on scheduling and teaching.

I have often heard seasoned veterans recommend to new bees that they don’t need a teacher’s manual for teaching a subject.

While this may be true, you are the only one to decide if you need one or not.

However, one reason veterans may encourage you to not purchase a teacher’s manual is because it may only be an answer page and not really give you any background information or teaching tips.

It is important at this point to understand that not all teacher’s manuals are created equal. Some teacher’s manual have turned out to provide gold nuggets of information and others I have pondered why I purchased them.

One more factor to determine if a teacher’s manual is an asset for you is how much background information you have on the subject.

Maybe you are a public school teacher who formerly taught math. Obviously then, math is your strength and you will not need as much assistance.

To help you narrow down your favorite teacher’s manual, I have a printable check off list as you hunt through curriculum.

teacher's manual checklist @ Tina's Dynamic Homeschool Plus

Download below my Checklist for Purchasing Teachers Manuals. What to Look for!

teachers-manual-checklist-copyright-Tina-Robertson.pdf (7393 downloads )

Determine which subjects you need more help in and examine each teacher’s manual as you choose curriculum. They can really help or hinder your progress as a home educator.

4. Boxed Curriculum Can Help Boot Your School Up or Box You In

. Back on Day 1: Learn the Lingo – Then Go, I encouraged you to get familiar with the definition of a boxed curriculum. Just so that you don’t have to click back there right now I want to remind you that it basically is a “curriculum or grade in a box”.

The lesson plans are laid out day by day for you and the teacher’s manuals tend to be scripted. Every subject you need and every book comes in the grade level.

A lot of new bees find this comforting and there is value in having a pattern to follow as you learn to homeschool.

A mistake a lot of veterans make in the beginning is to feel the need to complete EVERY assignment. Instead of remembering that they are teaching a child and not trying to cross or mark off a check box for each day, they became a slave to the curriculum.

If you decide to use a boxed curriculum keep in mind that you ARE the teacher!

This means you can skip, yes SKIP and even THROW AWAY and yes – TEAR OUT pages that absolutely make no sense to do.

Boxed curriculum providers do provide busy work too. Avoid the I-am-only-on-Lesson-70-and-I-SUPPOSE-to-be-on Lesson-90 mentality.

There is no  suppose to be place, there is only where your children are suppose to be.

Balance is needed because boxed curriculum can provide relief when life is stressful and you do not want to lesson plan.

Following a well laid out lesson plan has its advantages because then as you move away from a boxed curriculum, you learn what a well planned day can feel like.

5. Does it fit the Approach You want to follow?

For example, if you decide that you feel more comfortable with laid out lesson plans then do not spend time on curriculum that requires you finding material and lesson planning.

You can give them a peek as you start to school.

This very simple tip will keep you from looking right now at EVERYTHING. Believe me when I say this, but you will have LOTS of time to swoon over books and curriculum and to feed your love of curriculum.

Right now, you need to focus on the 3 R’s and the subjects that your children struggle with the most.

Conserve your energy so that it lasts the whole year. Curriculum providers are ALWAYS ready to sell anytime of the year.

There are many approaches in how to choose a homeschool curriculum. 

You do not have to take an “all or nothing” attitude toward curriculum choices. In other words you do not have to be ALL textbooks OR ALL unschooling. P

ick and choose what you like in each approach and avoid an “all or nothing” thinking.

Finally, knowing how to choose a homeschool curriculum doesn’t happen overnight.

Focus on the elements of each approach and see what fits your family’s lifestyle and apply it.

Because we have different learning styles, we might be using multiple curriculum even within the same family. Be willing to adjust along the way.

The last thing I want to share is a quote from a book by Sally Clarkson Educating the Wholehearted Child that I really liked because of how much curriculum I had hoarded needed my first year:

It is nearly a rite of passage for new homeschooling families to buy curricula that ends up gathering dust on the shelf. Usually, it turns out to require more preparation and involvement than they are willing to invest, or it doesn’t fit their lifestyle. It becomes an investment in experience. What we all learn, though, is that any curriculum is only a tool — it doesn’t really “teach” anything. The attitude and commitment of the teacher is far more important than the tool. So if it doesn’t work, don’t worry. Put your unused used curriculum on the table with everyone else’s and buy real books next time. You’re experienced now.

Day 17 How to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum And New Homeschooler Free Bootcamp

New to Homeschooling Start with the Basics

1 – 7 Start with the Homeschool Basics

8-14 Homeschool Organization 101 for Beginners

15 – 21 Best tips for New Homeschoolers Choosing Curriculum

Day 17 How To Choose Curriculum Other Than the "Looks Good" Method

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Delightful kindergarten homeschool curriculum which promote a love of learning can be hard to find. Find my other tips for Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum on my page.

Not only will I share how to choose a delightful curriculum, but I’ll explain the essentials.

Besides, it’s hard to choose a curriculum if you don’t know what subjects to teach.

Another important part of a kindergarten homeschool curriculum is the hands-on part.

Kindergarten aged children learn best by playing, exploring, and discovering.

Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

When a curriculum for kindergarten is overly focused on academics instead of promoting a love of learning, a child’s start can be stunted.

From the beginning, all children have a love of learning.

So, it’s important that whatever resource you use to teach your kindergartener that it will continue to nurture the love for learning.

First, what is a delightful kindergarten?

Appreciating how to sort curriculum begins with what you know and don’t know.

Back 20 years or so ago, it was much easier to choose a kindergarten homeschool curriculum because educators mostly agreed that children should play learn.

Now with a shift in education, there is a mindset that more lessons, earlier academic lessons, and a busier schedule works. It does not.

Instead, I’ve seen young adults push back at being what they perceived as over achieving or forced learning.

From the parents perspective, they thought they were conscientious educators.

What a horrible mistake to make.

Some of those families who started their homeschool journey when I did have a strained relationship with their young adult kids. How sad.

This may sound dramatic, but the truth of it is from kindergarten, their parents constantly pushed their children. Being overly ambitious bites.

As I mentioned briefly, defining what is delightful will help you to match curriculum with a child’s development.

What is Delight-Directed Study

And the BEST description of what is delight-directed learning still comes from Greg Harris which I read over 25 years ago.

A delight-directed study is like a wonderful fire in the mind of a student. It starts small, but as it grows, it begins to consume vast amounts of information until it bursts into a roaring blaze of insight, understanding, and creativity. It takes on a life of its own. — Gregg Harris

Can you see why what you choose from the beginning matters?

What Kindergarten Subjects to Teach

Now, learning what is foundational to teach and what part of a body of knowledge can wait or added in later matters.

From the meaning of delight-directed study, the essential kindergarten subjects are math and language arts.

Taking this a step further, the components of language arts change from kindergarten to high school.

For example, composition is a component of language arts, but that skill is not necessary until about fourth grade.

Before you can narrow down your choices for language arts, you need to know what is language arts.

Language arts includes all facets of English. Phonics, reading/literature, spelling/vocabulary, grammar, composition, penmanship, and even oral speaking are the components.

What are the Kindergarten Language Art Subjects

As you can see a kindergarten homeschool curriculum should not cover unnecessary language arts.

When a program does this, it takes away from the basics.

It is not nurturing lifelong learners by stuffing in academics.

The language arts components to a kindergarten curriculum for homeschool are phonics, reading, penmanship, and oral speaking.

Language arts is learning to both write and speak English.

Let’s not make this any more complicated than it must be.

Also, if you want a big picture of the subjects to teach, you’ll love my online self-paced course, Teaching the Stages of Homeschool.

Best Language Arts Curriculum for Kindergarten

With that being said, look at some of my favorite language arts programs for kindergarten.

I have listed both all-in-one which means all subjects are purchased together and separate components.

Moreover, I have listed a variety of the best language arts curriculum for kindergarten because you need to decide what are you needs this year.

For example, if you’re just teaching one or two children you can hand pick a phonics and reading program.

If you have a sweet handful of younger learners where you’re outnumbered, you may want to go with something put together already.

However, the best part of homeschooling Kindergarten is when you can hand pick each component.

There are so many wonderful resources now in the homeschool world which benefit your kids.

Best Language Art Separate Components

Learning through nature, hands-on games, and interactive content are some of my favorite ways.

All About Reading

Whether you’re teaching kindergartener handwriting (hopefully not too much) or you want to teach them to read, you’ll love these resources.

Moving on to math, it is the second important component of a kindergarten program.

Homeschool Math Kindergarten and Supplements

Too, math is best learned hands-on with math manipulatives.

Some programs push a child to give up the concrete for the abstract of ideas too soon.

  • Math U See Primer
  • Math U See Manipulatives Starter Set and Completer Set with Wooden Storage Boxes

I’m an advocate of keeping math hands-on as long as the child needs it not until a certain grade.

And some days you should skip formal math lessons in favor of a fun game. There is NOT a subject that can’t be taught through either a board game, card game, or a fun app.

Furthermore, the fun subjects are what keeps kindergarten fun.

Although language arts and math are the foundation, science, geography, history, art and nature are just as important.

However, remember to keep it a skinny lady in your teaching so that you stay clearly focused on what is important.

The skinny lady subjects are math and language arts.

So, when you become overwhelmed, focus on those two content areas.

History Curriculum for Kindergarten

Whether you’re looking for geography books for kindergarten, history books for kindergarten or history activities for kindergarten, you’ll love some of these resources.

And don’t forget I have these fun Westward Expansion Coloring sheets to engage your young historian.

Science Curriculum for Kindergarten

Finally, here are some fun kindergarten science homeschool curriculum resources.

Before you jump into choosing, you’ll need to decide if you want to use one which is Christian-based, secular, or faith-neutral.

I find that most resources I can tweak to my worldview or what is important to me.

In other words, just be aware but don’t get caught up in too much worldview at this age.

You have much time as your child grows to help him think critically. At this age, let him explore the world around him.

However, what I like more are science kits and games because science is about doing.

  • Magic School Bus science club through (The Young Scientist Club) has 12 kits with the program and each kit has a 12 page colorful manual. For ages 5 to 12 years old with younger kids needing some supervision.
Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning
Delightful Kindergarten Homeschool Curriculum Which Promote a Love of Learning

Finally, remember that forced learning before a child is ready can not only hamper, but harm a child’s ability to love learning.

Kindergarten Curriculum

A child needs to explore in nature, have plenty of time indoors and outdoors to play, and not be rushed when he is intrigued.

It’s not hard to pique curiosity at this age. Follow your child’s lead in what interests him, and he’ll carry that same love of learning all the way to high school and into adulthood.

What do you think? See anything that can help you or do you have questions?

Look at these other posts:

10 Popular High School Chemistry Homeschool Curriculum

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This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see my full disclosure policy.

Today, I’m sharing ten popular high school chemistry homeschool curriculum. Sorting through popular chemistry homeschool curriculum can be daunting. Check out my how to homeschool high school page for awesome tips.

However, a practical high school chemistry homeschool curriculum should be easy to understand.

Both a non-science oriented teen and strong science oriented teen can find a curriculum to match their interests.

10 Popular High School Chemistry Homeschool Curriculum

Also, I’ve included choices for homeschool chemistry curriculum whether your teen is on a college track or career track.

The beginning of teaching chemistry can seem scary; I’m not sure how a fear of teaching chemistry began.

I know, I felt that way at first too.

However, as a non-science mom and after three homeschooled grads, my love and education for chemistry has grown.

With the right choices of curriculum and ideas, you and your teen can really enjoy the study of chemistry.

Besides, we practice or use chemistry every day.

From the food we eat to watching lightning produce fire, chemistry can be a fun subject to learn.

Once I moved past thinking it was only for science majors, my teens and I could dive into learning even beyond the basics.

The point is chemistry can be fun and should always be hands-on.

And one of my favorite parts is that any science study can be tied to learning the history of it. Chemistry is no different.

5 Pointers Before Choosing High School Chemistry Curriculum

And as you sort through each one, here are a few points to be aware of:

  • A lot of the major providers suggest prerequisites like having completed Algebra 1 and/or Geometry before chemistry;
  • And some providers integrate physics and chemistry because they feel all science subjects are intertwined and best taught together;
  • Still other providers which integrate physics and chemistry don’t require complex math to encourage student curiosity;
  • Too, some courses are a honor course and still others are basic chemistry; and
  • Lastly, pay attention to the credits assigned, if any, and the worldview. Some are secular and some Christian.

High School Chemistry Homeschool Curriculum

Next, look at these ten popular high school chemistry homeschool curriculum.

1. BOB JONES CHEMISTRY

BJU Press offers Chemistry in the 11th grade. They recommend that students should be taking Algebra 2 and Chemistry at the same time. According to their site, students in Chemistry have already completed Algebra 1 and Geometry.

This set is an example of an all-in-one. The complete set has a student edition, teacher’s manual, lab manual, assessments, and answer key. And like their other courses at this level, it is a solid college prep course and strong Christian worldview.

2. DISCOVERING DESIGN WITH CHEMISTRY for non-science student

3. DISCOVERING DESIGN WITH CHEMISTRY, SUPPLEMENT 2 for science student

Then, Discovering Design With Chemistry series were designed for use in 10th grade and require Algebra 1 math level. Too, they have a strong Christian worldview.

Designed as an all-in-one, they also offer video on demand classes.

4. FOCUS ON HIGH SCHOOL CHEMISTRY

Another awesome option is Focus On High School Chemistry.

When Real Science 4 Kids came on the homeschooling scene homeschoolers swooned. They’re still swooning at the ease and options offered.

Focus On High School Chemistry is offered for grades 9 to 12. It introduces students to high school basic chemistry and some concepts found in college-level chemistry.

This curriculum goes into more depth than a lot of chemistry high school programs, but does not cover all topics.

You’ll love how the experiments are broken down and easy to implement.

This original series is a one-semester course and can count as half of a high school credit. One more note of detail is that this course has a secular slant.

If your student is wanting a basic overview of chemistry, is undecided about chemistry as a science major, or wants just an overview, this curriculum keeps all options open.

5.FRIENDLY CHEMISTRY

Further, there is a reason this next chemistry option is called Friendly Chemistry.

This high school chemistry curriculum uses friendly language and introduces chemistry in a fun way.

I’ve not looked at the current editions, but some of the first editions had several typos. To some this can diminish the weight of the content.

Although I don’t like typos, I know it happens. I have a higher standard for curriculum providers. But I do not think it is a reflection of the content and the way the chemistry is taught.

Many homeschoolers love using it because their teens can use it independently.

The same lessons are taught in like a traditional high school course.

Unlike some other courses, motivated junior high-aged children complete the lessons in Friendly Chemistry.

Because this is a high school level course, you can count it as a credit because it’s intended to be completed in a year.

6. CHEMEXPLAINED

Next, if your teen prefers to learn online and take a college-prep course, then ChemExplained may be a good option.

Taught by a chemistry teacher, the videos are short and explanations are well.

Too, you’ll want to encourage your teen to take notes while learning.

Additionally, it’s hard to find faith-neutral curriculum.

A faith-neutral curriculum strives to leave religious or secular slants out of their curriculum. If you want to teach your own worldview, this is an option.

7. INTEGRATED PHYSICS AND CHEMISTRY

Not to be overlooked is Integrated Physics and Chemistry by Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum. I’ve used several of their worktexts and my teens have loved the different courses.

Unlike other programs, the pacs are separate worktexts.

Encouraging the teen to learn independently with minimal supervision is the focus on their courses.

The course has twelve chapters of text and twelve companion student activities.

Whether your student chooses 9th or 10th grade to study Integrated Physics and Chemistry by Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum, it introduces students to the people, places and principles of physics and chemistry.

Also, it is a secular curriculum, but I found it easy to add faith-based ideas.

8. CONCEPTUAL CHEMISTRY

Then another solid choice is Conceptual Chemistry.

As the title of the textbook states there is emphasis on concepts, but with a fun conversational quality.

Non-science majors will love the practical part of the explanations in easy to learn language.

Introducing easy hands-on activities is another strength of this curriculum. With structure to encourage an independent learner, there is enough content to also foster critical thinking skills.

If your will teen will be a non-chemistry major or has a solid, but basic understanding of math, this is a great option. It can be used for any grade in high school.

9. Chemistry in the Kitchen

In addition, Chemistry in the Kitchen by Guest Hollow is a fun slant on chemistry.

Cooking their way through learning chemistry, teens in 9t to 12th grade don’t have to have higher levels of math.

Just a love of science and to learn in a different way are all that are required.

10. Homeschool Buyer’s Selection.

Finally, another popular option is the assortment which Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op offers each year. It’s popular because who doesn’t like to save money when you can.

Each year, Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op will list chemistry options and supplements. Be sure to check what is discounted there too.

10 Popular High School Chemistry Homeschool Curriculum

Be sure to look at my fun ideas for all ages to add to supplement your curriculum.

What do think? Are you feeling a little less intimidated about choosing a homeschool high school chemistry curriculum?

Chemistry Homeschool Ideas

If have some other chemistry homeschool ideas to help make teaching this subject fun like it should be.