A Little Insight

11-27-24

Hi there, and welcome to A Little Insights!

I’m Shea, a homeschool mom navigating the exciting, sometimes challenging, but always rewarding journey of educating my two children. Over the years, homeschooling has become not only a way to tailor learning to my kids' unique needs but also a lifestyle that allows us to learn, grow, and explore together.

Our homeschooling adventure started when my oldest, a highly gifted learner, was just two years old. Even before we officially began, I noticed her insatiable curiosity and ability to grasp concepts far beyond her age. From that moment, I knew our path would be anything but traditional. What started as Pinterest-inspired preschool activities quickly evolved into a passion for creating a child-led, flexible, and enriched educational experience.

We’ve tried a variety of curricula, experimented with different approaches, and discovered the beauty of letting learning unfold naturally. Along the way, I’ve learned to adapt to each child’s needs, embrace their interests, and cherish the joy of learning together.

Whether you’re new to homeschooling, curious about curricula, or just here to gather ideas, I hope A Little Insight becomes a space of encouragement, inspiration, and connection.

11-27-24

Our Homeschool Curriculum Journey

Over the years, our homeschool approach has evolved to meet my daughter’s unique needs and learning style. In her preschool and kindergarten years, we embraced a child-led approach with no set schedule. She worked on lessons and activities whenever she wanted, often diving deep into topics she was curious about.

By the time we transitioned to first-grade level work, we introduced more structure, working 3-5 days a week for 1-2 hours a day. This balance allowed us to explore subjects thoroughly while keeping the learning experience joyful and engaging.

This year, we’re maintaining the same schedule but refining our focus. We dedicate 15-30 minutes per subject to keep lessons concise and productive, ensuring she stays excited about learning without feeling overwhelmed. This flexibility and adaptability have been key to fostering her love of learning while ensuring she continues to thrive academically.

Below is a detailed list of the curricula we’ve used throughout the years, organized by year, grade, and subject. I hope it inspires and guides you in your own homeschooling journey!

I’ll continue to update this list as we move through the year. Here’s what I’m currently planning for this year.

2024–2025: 

Second Grade (Curriculum for My Daughter)

Social Studies, Literature, History, Poetry, Art, Music

• Torchlight: Level 1

History

• Curiosity Chronicles: Ancient Times, book and student activity book

Grammar

• Michael Clay Thompson(MCT): Poodle Level (Note: I purchased used on Facebook).

Spelling

• Logic of English: Essentials, Levels B & C (Note: We  wil not do both levels, still,  she tested into C, but based on reviews I decided to start with B, but might move up to C soon as it is proving to be too easy, or might drop and move to MCT Island Level).

Creative Writing

• Brave Writer: Jot It Down

Handwriting

• Rhythm of Handwriting Cursive (Logic of English) (Note: I'm going back and using the cursive writing portion of Foundations that we skipped when we used it for reading and spelling).

• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting © 2025 Grade 1 Student Edition

Math

• Math With Confidence: Second Grade

Science

• Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding(BFSU): Volume 1, Year 2. I used BFSU Volume 1 alongside Early Elementary Science Education(EESE), an abridged companion guide to BFSU. Both are fantastic resources for creating a solid foundation in science education.

Notes:

• I’ve linked to the publisher, where you can purchase a $10 PDF version of BFSU, and EESE used to be available as a PDF as well, but I couldn't find the link. (Note: The PDF is not printable.) Physical copies are also available from multiple retailers.

• There’s an excellent Facebook Group dedicated to BFSU, which offers a wealth of resources, including files, Trello boards, worksheets(religous, not hard to make secular), and lesson PowerPoints. The group is very active, and the author often answers questions directly.

• BFSU is also the foundation for Scientific Connections through Inquiry(SCI), which takes a similar approach to inquiry-based science education.

• This curriculum is highly adaptable, and the supportive community makes it an even better tool for teaching science in a hands-on, engaging way.

• Homeopathy: First Grade

Art

• Soul Sparkettes: GlitterBomb Art (Note: We are doign the projects that they have matched up with Torchlight Curriculum, Level 1. They are a subscription based curriculum with open windows to join throught the year. They also offer individual themed packets).

Spanish

• Homeschool Languages: Spanish 1 (Note: Hoping to get beyond Unit 1).

Coding

• Scratch

Logic

• miniLuk Brain Challenger Complete Set

• Critical Thinking Co.:

  • Can You Find Me?, K-1

  • Building Thinking Skills, Primary 

  • Building Thinking Skills, Level 1

  • Dr. DooRiddles, A1

  • Mind Benders, Level 2

Social Emotional

• Big Life Journal: Growth Mindset

• Big Life Journal: Resilience Kits

• Big Life Journal: Growth Mindset Conversation Cards (Note: We pull out these cards during meal times, I also have their adult journal).

• Evan-Moor: 

  • Brain Games and Activities Wrokbook, Ages 6-7

  • Social SKills Activities for Today's Kids Workbook, Ages 6-7

  • The Never-Board Kid Book, Grades 1-2 Activity Book

  • Heart and Mind Activities for Today's Kids, Ages 6-7

  • Listen and Learn: Animals, Grade 1

Extracurriculars

• Girl Scouts

• Gymnastics

• Local Children’s Theatre

Preschool (Curriculum for My Son)

• Blossom and Root: Early Years I

• A Year of Playing Skillfully (Note: This is a religous curriculum. I purchased the full year including the Summer packet.)

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

Note: At age three, my son is revisiting Blossom and Root, Early Years I alongside A Year of Playing Skillfully. This approach builds on familiar concepts while introducing fun, hands-on activities tailored to his development and interests.

2023–2024: 

First Grade (Curriculum for My Daughter)

Language Arts, Science, Social Studies

• Beyond the Page: Level 5-7 (Note: they used to be Moving Beyond the Page. They offer an online option that comes with a really neat calendar scheduler).

Social Studies & Literature

• Build Your Library: Level 0

• Torchlight: Level K

  • Combination of the two curriculums: Half of Europe, Africa

• Homeschool Together Podcast: I linked their website. They have an amazing Youtube channel, podcast, website, and Facebook group with a wealth of inforamtion that helped me start my homeschool journey. 

  • Touring the Work Resource Guilds (Note: they offer their resource  guides as a pay what you want scale).

Phonics, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Grammar

• Logic of English: Foundations C & D (Note: I did use the online supplement for Level D along with the book lessons and I loved it.) 

Creative Writing

• Brave Writer: Jot It Down; Three Fairy Tales

Math

• Singapore Dimensions Math: 1A & 1B

• Beast Academy: Level 1A (Note: Online option available. I ordered all of Level 1 books)

• Math With Confidence Addition Facts That Stick (Note: I linked Kate Snows website, I purchaged mine as a PDF through a well trained mind webstite, you can buy her curriculam at several different retailers). 

• Math With Confidence Subtraction Facts That Stick (Note: I linked Kate Snows website, I purchaged mine as a PDF through a well trained mind webstite, you can buy her curriculam at several different retailers). 

Science

• Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding(BFSU): Volume 1, Year 1. I used BFSU Volume 1 alongside Early Elementary Science Education(EESE), an abridged companion guide to BFSU. Both are fantastic resources for creating a solid foundation in science education.

Notes:

• I’ve linked to the publisher, where you can purchase a $10 PDF version of BFSU, and EESE used to be available as a PDF as well, but I couldn't find the link. (Note: The PDF is not printable.) Physical copies are also available from multiple retailers.

• There’s an excellent Facebook Group dedicated to BFSU, which offers a wealth of resources, including files, Trello boards, worksheets(religous, not hard to make secular), and lesson PowerPoints. The group is very active, and the author often answers questions directly.

• BFSU is also the foundation for Scientific Connections through Inquiry(SCI), which takes a similar approach to inquiry-based science education.

• This curriculum is highly adaptable, and the supportive community makes it an even better tool for teaching science in a hands-on, engaging way.

• Homeopathy: Pre-K/Kindergarten

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

Spanish

• Homeschool Languages: Spanish 1 (Note: we redid unit one. I also have 12 month unit studies they used to offer).

Art

• Soul Sparkettes: GlitterBomb Art (Note: They are a subscription based curriculum with open windows to join throught the year. They also offer individual themed packets).

• Homeschool Art Classes at our local Art Center

History

• Build Your Library: Unit Study: Prehistory

• Blossom and Root: Wonders of the Prehistoric World (Year 3 Science Extension Unit) (Note: Sample is unter the Year 3 Science Download Samples on their website).

PE

• Gymnastics

Coding

• Scratch Jr.

• Code Ninjas: White Belt (Note: Look for Code Nindja locations near you).

Social Emotional

• Big Life Journal: Emotional Intelligence Kit

• Big Life Journal: Journal - Daily Edition

Logic

• miniLuk Brain Challenger Complete Set

Handwriting

• Zaner-Bloser Handwriting: Grade K Student Edition (Note: When you sign up for an account you get a discount. They have QR Code videos on every page). 

Extracurriculars

• Girl Scouts

• Co-op: Zoology, International Studies, Theatre, Science Experiments, Cooking

Preschool (Curriculum for My Son)

• Blossom and Root: Early Years I

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

  • (Note: For my two-year-old son, we focused on key categories of the curriculum in flexible ways, like cooking together weekly, rather than strictly following each activity).

2022–2023: 

Kindergarten (Curriculum for My Daughter)

Language Arts, Space Science, Nature Studies, Art

• Blossom & Root: Level 0 (Kindergarten)

Social Studies & Literature

• Build Your Library: 

  • Level 0

  • A Jan Brett Christmas Unit Study

• Torchlight: Level K

  • Combination of the two curriculums: North America, South America, Asia, Australia, Antarctica, Half of Europe

• Homeschool Together Podcast: I linked their website. They have an amazing Youtube channel, podcast, website and Facebook group with a wealth of inforamtion that helped me start my homeschool journey. 

  • Touring the Work Resource Guilds (Note: they offer their resource  guides as a pay what you want scale).

Phonics & Spelling

• Logic of English: Foundations A & B (Note: I purchaed used from Facebook. They offer online options. I did not use for these levels).

• CoreKnowledge (Note: Free curriculum. I printed or viewed on a tablet all the decodable readers from kindergarten, first grade, and second grade)

• Critical Thinking Co.: Fun-Time Phonics

Math

• Singapore Dimensions Math: KA & KB (Note: I linked the website, but I purchased mine used from Facebook. Also, I did try Kate Snow Math With Confidence Kindergarten, but at the time I also had a baby and I couln't handle all the moving parts, plus my daughter was really into worksheets that year).

Science

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

Handwriting

• Handwriting Without Tears: Kick Start Kindergarten (Note: They do have an updated version).

Logic

• miniLuk Brain Challenger Complete Set

• Critical Thinking Co.:

  • Mind Benders, Level 1

  • Building Thinking Skills, Beginning 2

  • Visual Perceptual Skill Building, Book 1

PE

• Gymnastics

Spanish

• Homeschool Languages: Spanish 1 (Note: we only did unit one. I also have 12 month unit studies they used to offer).

Fun Activities

• A Year of Playing Skillfully (Note: This is a religous curriculum. I purchased the full year including the Summer packet).

2021–2022: 

Pre-K (Curriculum for My Daughter)

Language Arts, Social Emotional, Science, Art, Music

• Torchlight: Pre-K

Language Arts & Math

• The Good and The Beautiful: K Primer (Note: Religous curriculum. They updated thier curriculum it is now called Kindergarten Prep, I have not used it).

Phonics

• All About Reading: Pre-Reading (Note: They offer a full year refund when you order through their site. Also, when you oder you can request a drawing on your box. I asked for "anything puple" and we got a hand drawing of the Cheshire Cat from Alice and Wonderland which we still have today, it's worth an ask.).

Math

• Kate Snow: Preschool at Home

Extras

• Critical Thinking Co.:

  • Building Thinking Skills, Beginning 1

  • Mathematical Reasoning, Beginning 1

  • Mathematical Reasoning, Beginning 2

  • PreKindergarten Thinking Skills

Science

• Entomology (Co-op)

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

2020–2021: 

Preschool (Curriculum for My Daughter)

• Mother Goose Time: Non-Religious, Muli-Age - Monthly Themes: Around the World, Garden, Home, Space (Note: their curriculum monthly themes are on a three year rotation. They are secular with a religous add-on option).

• Blossom & Root: Early Years I

• Science class at our local Science Museum 

• Montessori Reading Workbook (Note: I ordered my copy form Amazon).