I’ve watched more than one family spend a few hundred dollars on a gorgeous boxed homeschool curriculum in July, then quietly shelve half of it by October. Nobody did anything wrong. The curriculum just wasn’t built for their kid.
Choosing homeschool curriculum is the fun part, and also the part where it’s easiest to get overwhelmed. There are thousands of options, and every one of them promises to be the one. So here’s how I’d think about it if you’re homeschooling in Pennsylvania, from someone who has taught reading, math, and everything in between for almost 20 years.
Start with what Pennsylvania requires, not a catalog
Before you buy anything, look at the subjects Pennsylvania requires. For elementary, that’s English, arithmetic, science, geography, civics, United States and Pennsylvania history, health, PE, music, art, and safety education. Secondary adds things like algebra, geometry, literature, and world history. I lay out the full list in my step-by-step guide to homeschooling in Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Department of Education guide has the official version.
Here’s the thing that takes the pressure off. You don’t need a separate homeschool curriculum for every subject on that list. Most of them can be covered with a little planning and a lot of real life.
7 ways to choose homeschool curriculum without overbuying
1. Spend your money on reading and math
If you’re going to invest anywhere, invest here. These are the skills that build on themselves, and gaps get bigger over time. For early readers, look for a reading program with explicit, systematic phonics. That means it teaches letter sounds and spelling patterns in a clear order and gives your child lots of practice reading decodable text. I spent six years as a literacy specialist, and this is the one place I’d never wing it.
For math, pick one program and give it a real try before switching. Add hands-on tools like counters, base ten blocks, and a number line. Kids understand math better when they can touch it.
2. Let real life cover the extras
Art, music, PE, health, and safety education don’t need a boxed program. A library music class, a weekly hike, cooking dinner together, and a visit to your local fire station count. Just remember to jot it in your log so it shows up in your portfolio.
3. Teach siblings together when you can
Science, history, geography, and art work beautifully as family subjects. Everyone learns about the same topic, and you adjust what each child produces. Your 2nd grader draws and labels a picture. Your 6th grader writes a paragraph. One lesson, two levels.
4. Make Pennsylvania history a field trip
Pennsylvania history is required, and honestly, we live in one of the best states for it. The State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg, local historical societies, state parks, and old canal towns turn history into something your kids will actually remember. Pair a trip with a picture book or a short read-aloud and you’ve got a full unit.
5. Match the curriculum to your child, not your memories of school
A lot of us pick homeschool curriculum that looks like the school we went to. But your child might need shorter lessons, more movement, more hands-on work, or more visuals. If your child has an IEP, autism, ADHD, or a learning disability, this matters even more. The best curriculum is the one your child can actually access and you can actually teach.
6. Use free and low-cost resources first
Your public library is your best friend. So are free tools like PBS LearningMedia and Khan Academy. Try free options for a few weeks before you buy, and you’ll learn a lot about what your child responds to.
7. Plan in small chunks
You don’t need a full year mapped out in August. Your affidavit needs objectives for each subject, but those can be broad. Plan six weeks at a time, look at what’s working, and adjust. That’s what good teachers do in classrooms too.
Don’t forget structure
This is the piece I see families skip most often, and it’s the one that makes the biggest difference. A simple visual schedule on the fridge, a predictable start to the day, and a clear “first this, then that” routine help kids settle in and focus. Structure isn’t about turning your home into a classroom. It’s about helping your child know what’s coming so they can actually learn.
Homeschool curriculum ideas by subject
- Reading: an explicit phonics program for beginning readers, plus daily read-alouds for everyone
- Writing: a daily journal, letters to family, and short research projects
- Math: one core program with hands-on tools and real-life practice like cooking and money
- Science: nature study, kitchen experiments, and library books on whatever your kids are curious about
- Social studies: maps, picture books, Pennsylvania field trips, and family history projects
- Art, music, and PE: library programs, co-ops, community classes, and plenty of outside time
Want help building your plan?
Picking homeschool curriculum is so much easier with someone who has seen what works for different kinds of learners. I help Pennsylvania homeschool families choose curriculum, write objectives for the affidavit, and set up routines that make the day run smoother. I also offer tutoring if your child needs extra support in reading or math.
Take a look at my homeschool family services or email me at [email protected]. And when spring comes around, here’s what to expect at your homeschool evaluation.