Tricia Goyer’s Top Homeschool Curriculum Recommendations

Audio By Carbonatix

Welcome to my curriculum guide! As a mom of 10 kids and now a grandmother, I frequently get asked what curriculum we love in the Goyer home. When John and I started this journey over thirty years ago, I stared at stacks of catalogs feeling entirely overwhelmed. Over the decades, we have learned what resources bring our family together and make learning a joy. Whether we are reading on the couch or gathering around the kitchen table, our goal is always to foster a love for Jesus and a love for learning.

Before we dive into grade levels, let me share my primary strategy. First, I love to combine ages. I do not buy ten different curricula for ten different kids. I also rely heavily on literature-based learning so we can all read together. This saves time and builds incredible family bonds. Also, I love to take advantage of a curriculum that offers flexibility. With our busy schedule, I need to be able to pick up a book wherever we left off and jump back in.

Faith & Family Connection: Bible and Morning Time

Over the years, if you’d looked into my dining room at 8:00 AM, you wouldn’t have seen a pristine classroom. You will likely see a scene that looks more like a crowded bus station! But the mornings have always been my favorite time of day. We call it “Table Time” (others call it a Morning Basket), and it has been the anchor of our homeschool.

Instead of sending everyone off to their separate corners immediately, we start together. This is where we focus on heart issues and discipleship, which matters far more than long division.

Recommended Reading: The Grumble-Free Year

If you feel like your home is filled more with whining than worship, this book chronicles our family’s real-life, year-long quest to root out grumbling. It offers honest, practical steps for replacing complaints with gratitude and creating a more peaceful home atmosphere.

• Bible: For the younger years, I highly recommend The Discoverer’s Bible (NIrV). It breaks long sentences into shorter ones, making it accessible for early readers without watering down the truth. For ourselves and older teen girls, I love using resources like Praying Through the Bible in One Year. It guides you through Scripture while focusing your heart on prayer.

Recommended Reading: Prayers That Changed History

I wrote this to show children that prayer isn’t just a bedtime ritual—it shapes the world. This book highlights twenty-five historical figures, from brave reformers to scientists, who turned to God in prayer during critical moments. It is a powerful way to teach history and faith simultaneously.

• Missions: To help our kids look beyond themselves, we use Window on the World. It is a beautiful book that introduces children to different people groups and how to pray for them. It pairs beautifully with the Christian Heroes: Then & Now biographies, which we read aloud. Hearing stories of faithful men and women like Gladys Aylward or George Müller inspires courage in my kids that no textbook could ever provide.
• Gratitude: We also use this time for gratitude journals. It is a simple practice, but starting the day by listing three things we are thankful for changes the entire atmosphere of the home.

Recommended Reading: The Grumbles: A Story about Gratitude

For the younger ones who might be struggling with a bad attitude, this picture book follows the Grumble family. It is a gentle, funny way to show children how complaints can pile up like spots on a shirt—and how gratitude washes them clean.

Remember, the goal isn’t to have a theology degree. The goal is to open the Word, read it together, and let the Holy Spirit do the teaching.

The Gentle Start: Five in a Row (Preschool – 2nd Grade)

If you are looking for a gentle, literature-rich approach for your “littles,” I cannot recommend Five in a Row enough. It has been a staple in our home for years, especially when I needed to slow down and simply enjoy being with my children. The concept is wonderfully simple. You read the same high-quality picture book—classics like The Story About Ping or Madeline—every day for five days.

Each day, you focus on a different topic related to the story. On Monday, you might discuss the setting’s geography. On Tuesday, you might cover a science concept found in the illustrations. It allows for natural learning that feels more like snuggling than schooling. (A win!)

I love this curriculum because it requires very little preparation. When I was juggling teenagers and preschoolers, Five in a Row saved my sanity. We would pile onto the couch, open a book, and let the conversations flow. It builds a shared family culture and beautiful memories without the stress of worksheets. This curriculum taught me that learning does not have to be complicated to be effective.

For moms who are worried about “doing enough” in the early years, this is your permission to relax. Five in a Row covers social studies, language arts, art, math, and science in a way that sticks because it is attached to a story they love. It is the perfect bridge into more formal schooling.

Early Elementary (Kindergarten through 3rd Grade)

In these early years, the goal is to nurture curiosity and establish basic skills without causing burnout.

• Literature and History: Sonlight is my absolute favorite for the elementary years. The read-alouds are phenomenal. Sitting together and reading is the cornerstone of our homeschool day.
• Science: We use Apologia for science. It is an outstanding science series that teaches from a biblical worldview. For the younger kids, I also love sprinkling in resources like GeoSafari Jr. Talking Microscope and My First Book About Backyard Nature to keep things highly interactive.

Recommended Reading: Wonders of the Ocean Realm

If you are studying marine biology or just have a child who loves the ocean, this book from my Marvels of the Wild series is a perfect add-on. It combines fascinating scientific facts about sea creatures with short, faith-based stories that point children back to the Creator.

• Writing: We keep writing very simple at this stage. Copying short Bible verses or sentences from our read-alouds is a great way to start. Also, I often have my children dictate stories to me, and then we illustrate them. This helps them develop their storytelling skills and keeps “writing” fun.

Recommended Reading: Whit’s End Mealtime Devotions

While not a writing curriculum, this is excellent for building communication skills. Based on Adventures in Odyssey, it provides 90 fun discussion starters and faith-building ideas that get kids talking and thinking critically.

Upper Elementary and Middle School (4th through 8th Grade)

As the kids grow, they become more independent. We still prioritize shared learning whenever possible.

• Literature and History: We continue with Sonlight. I often combine my middle-grade kids into one level, such as Sonlight Level D. We also incorporate the Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by Janet and Geoff Benge. These books weave history and faith beautifully and are a core component of our Epic Learning online courses.
• Writing: This is an excellent time to introduce structured writing. I highly recommend the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW). It provides a solid framework that takes the tears out of writing assignments.
• Science: We stick with Apologia. Their upper elementary and middle school texts are engaging and thorough without being dry.
• Math: We​​ use Math-U-See. Their distinctive manipulatives help abstract math concepts come to life in clear, relatable ways. This enables students to develop a concrete understanding. I’ve also used Right Start Math, which is another excellent program.

Recommended Reading: Faith That Sticks

The middle years can be tricky. I wrote this guide to give parents a roadmap for discipling preteens. It moves beyond just behavior modification and offers five real-life ways—including service and prayer—to help your child’s faith become their own.

High School (9th through 12th Grade)

High school can sound intimidating. It is actually a wonderful time of deep conversation and discovering your teen’s unique gifts.

• History and Literature: Sonlight Level 100 has been a staple for my high schoolers. It offers rich and challenging literature that sparks excellent discussions. I often read the high school read-alouds to the younger kids, too. It is amazing how much everyone gleans from the same story.
• Living Books: I recommend my novels for history. As the author, I know the historical content is accurate and engaging.  

Recommended Reading: The Liberator Series (From Dust and Ashes, Night Song, Arms of Deliverance, and Dawn of a Thousand Nights) and The Clockwork Chronicles (Breath of Bones, Flight of Fate, Twist of Time)

For World War II history, my Liberator series immerses students in the true stories of WW2, told in a fictional style. For teens who enjoy a twist of fantasy with their history, Twist of Time (co-written with my son Nathan) explores 1945 Prague through a speculative lens, making it a great discussion starter on spiritual warfare.

• Writing and Electives: The best thing to help teens with writing is to encourage them to write as much as possible. I have my teens read books on writing and encourage them to start writing stories, poetry, and even journal entries. This helps them develop their unique writing style. For essay writing, we use the Lost Tools of Writing. It’s very clear and leads teens step by step to writing powerful essays.

Recommended Reading: Trust the Stars

This novel is ideal for teens who love dual-timeline stories. It weaves together the modern-day struggles of a teen in Little Rock with the historical heroism of Princess Alessandra Appiani in WWII Rome. It’s a wonderful tool for discussing how God’s faithfulness spans generations.

• Science: Apologia’s high school courses are rigorous and outstanding for college preparation. I highly recommend Exploring Creation with Marine Biology

Recommended Reading: Before You Meet Your Future Husband

This is a favorite for teen girls. Rather than just focusing on dating rules, it offers 30 questions and prayers to help young women prepare their hearts, minds, and character for future relationships, grounded in God’s love for them.

Remember that curriculum is a tool to serve your family. You do not have to check every single box in the teacher’s guide. 

Encouragement for the Parent

Remember that curriculum is a tool to serve your family. You do not have to check every single box in the teacher’s guide.

You might be looking at this list and feeling a mix of excitement and panic. That is completely normal! Please remember that these books and resources are just tools. They are meant to serve you, not rule over you.

If you buy a curriculum and it brings tears instead of joy, set it aside. If a book isn’t capturing your child’s heart, it is okay to close it and pick another. The freedom of homeschooling means you can pivot when something isn’t working.

"He tends his flock like a shepherd:
    He gathers the lambs in his arms
and carries them close to his heart;
    he gently leads those that have young." - Isaiah 40:11

The most important curriculum you will ever teach is your own life.

Your children are learning from how you handle stress, how you apologize, and how you seek Jesus in the chaos. You do not need to be an expert in every subject. You simply need to be a faithful lead learner.

God chose you for your children. He knew exactly what they needed, and He placed them in your care for a reason. He promises to gently lead those who have young (Isaiah 40:11). Lean into that promise today.

Take a deep breath. Pour another cup of coffee. Trust that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion.

You are doing a wonderful job, Momma.

Blessings,

Tricia

Additional Resources

Recommended video: The Number One Habit That Grew My Kids’ Faith

This discussion covers practical ways to handle the turbulent preteen years and build stronger relationships in your homeschool.

Recommended Reading: Homeschool Basics

Co-authored with my friend Kristi Clover, this book is the “mentor” I wish I had when I started. We cover the nitty-gritty of getting started, staying motivated, and organizing your homeschool without losing your joy. It is perfect for both new homeschoolers and veterans needing a reset.