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You are here: Home / Homeschooling / Choosing Our First Homeschool Curriculum: Tools for New Homeschoolers

Choosing Our First Homeschool Curriculum: Tools for New Homeschoolers

23.04.25 | Josselyn | 2 Comments

Choosing a homeschool curriculum for the first time can feel completely overwhelming — especially when you’re not just planning for your own kids, but a whole group! Whether you’re homeschooling one child or organizing a homeschool pod (also called co-ops) like I did, here’s what helped me research and pick our first homeschool curriculum.

If you read my last post, you know I was on track to open a homeschooling pod for a mix of 8 kindergarten and first graders. So when I first started researching curriculum, I wasn’t choosing just for my kids—I was choosing for a group. Basically, I needed a “one size fits all” situation and I had no idea where to start.

The Tools That Helped Me Choose Our First Homeschool Curriculum

Here’s what actually helped me narrow things down without completely losing my mind.

How ChatGPT Helped Me Pick a Homeschool Curriculum

What on earth is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a computer program that you can talk to, like you’re having a conversation with a person. You type something, and it answers back. It can answer questions, help you write things, explain ideas, brainstorm with you, even make worksheets! It’s powered by “artificial intelligence” (AI). 

So here is what I asked:

“I would like to create a homeschooling pod for kindergarten and first graders. There will be individual subjects like math and language arts and group subjects like social studies and science. It can be religious but I do not want to teach religious content. I would like to focus on human kindness and emotional intelligence at this age instead. We will incorporate cooking, gardening, and we also have chickens and a yard for the kids to play in. It can have online components, but it will not be an online curriculum. We can pay for the curriculum. Please incorporate math, language arts, social studies, art, science. We have visual learners as well as kinesthetic learners.”

These are the results it gave me:

CurriculumTorchlightThe Good and the Beautiful (TGTB)Oak MeadowBuild Your Library (BYL)
Overall StyleLiterature-based, focuses on emotional intelligence & diverse perspectivesTraditional, structured, beautifully illustrated booksWaldorf-inspired, creative, gentle academicsLiterature-based, secular, with a strong global focus
Religious ContentSecular but emphasizes kindness & emotional intelligenceChristian, but light on doctrine (can be adapted for secular use)Secular, but inspired by Waldorf, which has spiritual elementsFully secular, but includes world religions in history studies
Teaching ApproachLiterature-rich, Socratic questioning, encourages deep discussionsStructured, workbook-based, strong phonics and math instructionHands-on, creative, nature-based, encourages storytellingLiterature-based, Charlotte Mason-inspired, global history focus
MathNot included; requires a separate math curriculumStrong math program with a conceptual approachGentle, real-world-based mathNot included; requires a separate math curriculum
Reading & WritingHeavy on read-alouds, integrates writing into discussion-based learningPhonics-based reading instruction, handwriting practiceEncourages storytelling, creative writing, and hands-on projectsHeavy on read-alouds, copywork, and writing activities
ScienceFocuses on inquiry-based learning, hands-on activitiesTraditional but engaging, includes beautiful illustrations and experimentsNature-based, integrates with seasonal studiesLiterature-based, encourages hands-on exploration and experiments
History & Social StudiesWorld history with diverse perspectives, encourages empathyU.S.-centric, faith-friendly historyStorytelling-based, gentle introduction to historyGlobal history, strong booklist, diverse perspectives
Outdoor/Nature FocusEncourages nature study but not centralSome nature study, but not a main focusVery nature-focused, integrates outdoor learningSome nature study, mostly through literature
Best for Your Homeschool Pod?Yes—if you want a focus on kindness, literature, and emotional intelligenceYes—if you want structured learning with an easy-to-follow formatYes—if you want a slower, creative, nature-based approachYes—if you love using books to guide discussions and learning

You could go on to ask it all kinds of questions, break things down further, expand the list, etc. The possibilities with ChatGPT are endless (scarily).

That initial list gave me a great place to start digging deeper. After some research, we landed on a starter mix of The Good and the Beautiful (TGTB) and Build Your Library (BYL).

Using Facebook Groups to Choose a Homeschool Curriculum


I also joined general homeschool groups, curriculum-specific groups, and even buy/sell curriculum groups. Those were gold in choosing homeschool curriculums. I searched through old posts and asked my own questions. This is actually how we ended up switching from TGTB math to Math with Confidence (MWC)—thanks to some very convincing parent reviews.

YouTube: Curriculum Reviews and Homeschool Curriculum Comparisons

So. Many. Videos.


There are reviews, walk-throughs, and side-by-side comparisons of different levels. It’s like curriculum window shopping from your couch, and it’s essential if you’re trying to visualize what the day-to-day would actually look like.

Curriculum Websites: Free Homeschool Samples

The homeschool Costco!

Curriculum companies want you to love their programs, so most offer free samples.

  • TGTB offers free Math & Language Arts downloads.
  • Build Your Library offers a free week download.
  • Most others offer something similar.

Definitely try before you buy — it can save you money and stress.

Tailoring Our Homeschool Curriculum to My Kids

So once we had our picks for the Co-op, we of course changed it all up (again, check out my last post to find out why). There is such a difference planning for a group of kids than just your own kids.

And this is where everything shifted for me.
I was no longer picking something that would kinda work for a group—I could finally tailor each subject to my kids’ learning styles, interests, and pace.

And that’s when the real fun began. Check out our tailor-made curriculum choices here!

Are You Choosing Your First Homeschool Curriculum?

Choosing a homeschool curriculum for the first time definitely felt overwhelming at first, but with the right tools, it became one of the most exciting parts of our homeschooling journey.

Are you in the middle of picking your first homeschool curriculum, too? I’d love to hear what’s helping you!
Comment below or share your favorite resources — I’m always looking for new ideas!

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How We Ended Up Homeschooling (Even Though I Swore I’d Never)
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Homeschool Kindergarten & First Grade Curriculum Picks

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#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum 
Hello everyone!
In this video, we are talking about our family curriculum picks for Kindergarten and First Grade for our first year of homeschooling! We are going on some fun adventures and I’m so excited to share them with you! 

*Blossom and Root Great Space Adventure - https://www.blossomandroot.com/level-0

* Build Your Library Level 0 - https://buildyourlibrary.com/purchase-level-0-curriculum/

* Homeschool Languages Spanish Level 1 - https://www.homeschoollanguages.com/product-page/spanish-print-at-home-curriculum?srsltid=AfmBOoru3SPc-SX-ma5QfE1RLQfUFfDui2FfPnyUolmjvhYUkZPIBeIe



*****Videos Mentioned***** 
Individual Curriculum Picks for Kindergarten & First Grade | First Time Homeschoolers
ChatGPT Helped Pick Our Homeschool Curriculum! How Facebook & YouTube Played a Role, Too!



This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Family Subjects Kindergarten & 1st Grade | Come on an Adventure with us! | 2025-2026 Curriculum Pick
#kindergartencurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #firstgradecurriculum
Hey everyone!
I'm so excited to finally share our kindergarten and first grade individual subject picks for the 2025-2026 school year! 

*What curriculum are YOU using this year? Let me know in the comments!*

Materials mentioned: 

* Carson Dellosa Prekindergarten Workbook – https://a.co/d/0iTyooH  

* Kindergarten Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/gVqOADF  
* First Grade Math With Confidence – https://a.co/d/c9SF0oC  

* Crayola Glitter & Pearl Crayon Set – https://a.co/d/0yoBwi0  

* Engineer Academy – https://a.co/d/2vwaYXT  

* Get Ready, Get Set, Go for the Code (A, B & C) – https://a.co/d/8qAMnj8  
* Explode the Code Set 1–4 – https://a.co/d/9zI1kpE  

* Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - https://a.co/d/577iEB9

HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS:
* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM  
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9  
* Slate Chalkboard – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/slate-chalkboard/01t4V000007a2ayQAA  
* Little Chalk Bits – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/little-chalk-bits/01t4V000007a2cZQAQ  
* Blackboard with Double Lines – https://shopping.lwtears.com/product/blackboard-with-double-lines/01t4V000007a2bgQAA  


---

💛 This is my brand-new channel and I’m SO EXCITED to share our homeschool journey with you!  
👉 Don’t forget to **like, comment, and subscribe** so you don’t miss anything.  

---

💻 CONNECT WITH ME:

📧 EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com  
🌐 BLOG → https://www.thetravelingesprit.com  

---

**DISCLAIMER:**  
This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool. Thanks for supporting my channel!  

**FTC Notice:** As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  
**COPPA Disclaimer:** This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Individual Curriculum Picks for Kindergarten & First Grade | First Time Homeschoolers
#thegoodandthebeautiful  #homeschoolcurriculum #kindergartencurriculum 
Hello everyone! 
In this video, I’m talking about why The Good and the Beautiful Kinder Prep and Level K language arts isn't a great fit for our first year of homeschooling. 

*www.goodandbeautiful.com*

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Why we said "No" to the Good and the Beautiful Language Arts for Kindergarten and First Grade
In this video, I’m sharing my honest fears as a mom new to homeschooling. From deschooling myself to worrying about balance, losing my "me time," and the pressure to make everything magical — am I crazy for going down this path?!

I see all the shiny, beautiful homeschool videos on YouTube and wonder… what if my homeschool journey is just a hot mess?

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure about homeschooling too, you’re not alone. 

Chime in below — what’s your biggest homeschooling fear right now?

New here? I’m an island mom homeschooling my little ones and figuring it out one day at a time.
Will Homeschool Just Be a Hot Mess? | Confessions on Deschooling, Expectations & Losing "Me" Time
Hey everyone! Welcome back! 👋
In today’s video, I’m breaking down the exact steps (using ChatGPT,  Curriculum websites, Facebook, and YouTube) I took to choose our homeschool curriculum for the 2025–2026 school year.

📌 My ChatGPT Prompt (feel free to copy and tweak!):
“I would like to create a homeschooling pod for kindergarten and first graders. There will be individual subjects like math and language arts and group subjects like social studies and science. It can be religious but I do not want to teach religious content. I would like to focus on human kindness and emotional intelligence at this age instead. We will incorporate cooking, gardening, and we also have chickens and a yard for the kids to play in. It can have online components, but it will not be an online curriculum. We can pay for the curriculum. Please incorporate math, language arts, social studies, art, science. We have visual learners as well as kinesthetic learners.”

📄 Helpful Curriculum Resource
Rainbow Resource Curriculum Planning Guide:
👉 https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf
https://www.rainbowresource.com/pdfs/resources/FamilyWay_Curriculum.pdf?srsltid=AfmBOoo8HUuIcr68FuzIYR5XTx59NOVLNQdKA9kWaGOZx8ao_d76OkM7

📝 More Info on My Blog
If you're a new homeschooler, I’ve written more about my curriculum research process here:
👉 https://thetravelingesprit.com/choosing-our-first-homeschool-curriculum-tools-for-new-homeschoolers/
ChatGPT Helped Pick Our Homeschool Curriculum! How Facebook & YouTube Played a Role, Too!
Hey there! I'm Joss — city girl turned island mom, homeschooler, and accidental farm girl living in the Virgin Islands. On this channel, I'm sharing our journey — the good, the messy, and everything in between — with a little sunshine and sarcasm along the way.

Hit subscribe and come hang out! And if you’re a fellow homeschooler, say hi in the comments — I’d love to connect.
How We Ended Up Homeschooling | Our story!! Quick Introduction to US!
#handwritingwithouttears #homeschoolcurriculum #kindergartencurriculum 
Hello everyone!
In this video, I’m comparing the first three levels of Handwriting Without Tears to help you really see and choose which level is right for your kiddo!

* Kickstart Kindergarten – https://amzn.to/4jI5SKM
* Letters & Numbers for Me – https://amzn.to/3RDggr9
* My Printing Book – https://amzn.to/3RHTyy6

This is my brand-new channel and I'm SO EXCITED to be here and share our journey with you!
👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you don’t miss anything! See you soon!


💻CONNECT with me 💻

📧 CONTACT EMAIL → thebirdsnestvi@gmail.com
🌐 BLOG → wwww.thetravelingesprit.com


***This video is not sponsored. All opinions are my own. Some links may be affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you. I only share resources we truly use and love in our homeschool! Thank you for supporting my channel!

FTC Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you.
COPPA Disclaimer: This video is intended for parents and educators and is not made for children.
Handwriting Without Tears KickStart Kindergarten, Letters & Numbers for Me, & My Printing Book
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