Yes! Many Gather 'Round families use this curriculum on its own for all their children and all their subjects—right through high school! We have testimonies of many grad students who have successfully made the leap to college or university, fully equipped to think for themselves and read the subtext of what is being presented. That being said, we also have some families who choose to supplement based on their student's needs or because they have a curriculum that they just love and don't want to give up.While there are some reviews online that question whether we are enough, it is important to note that those were often done in the early years when we were still a startup. We have created many more resources to help close gaps, beef up our content, and find the elusive balance between "enough" and "too much". Our style is different, we focus on less quantity and more contextual learning—which can feel too simple especially if you are coming from a more traditional curriculum. However, many of our parents say that their students actually remember what they are learning and the results speak for themselves over time.

Choose a unit/topic that either interests you or meets a need (such as if you are working toward certain credits).Purchase either the digital full family bundle (which includes both the Teacher's Guide and all levels of student books), the one student bundle (which includes the Teacher's Guide and one level of your choice), or the printed books. If you decide to go with our beautiful, high-end printed books . . . you will need the Teacher's Guide and one book for each student.

What do I need to add?

The units cover all of your subjects but math. Our Modular Math program is available to cover K-grade 9 math, but high school math is not yet available on our site (though we do have plans to create it). Currently, you will need to get about 8 units per year along with about 8 math units per student in order to create a full curriculum year. Some families choose to add seatwork or our other Language Arts add-ons, fun holiday mini-units, and more . . . but these are not required.

How do I choose levels for multiple kids?

Our main units are designed to be used with the whole family. We have individual student books available in the following levels.Pre-Reader: recommended for younger students who are not ready to read/write (preschool/kindergarten age)Early Reader: recommended for emerging readers/writers (6-8 years old)Early Elementary: recommended for students who are comfortable using a word bank to write some of their answers (8-10 years old)Upper Elementary: recommended for students who are ready to write a sentence response (10-13 years old)Middle School: recommended for students who are ready for paragraph responses and more personal application/light research (13-16 years old)High School: prepares students to ask big questions, think for themselves, and apply topics to their own lives. This level is recommended for 16-18 years old and includes papers, essays, and more research.Some of our units are shorter or more simplified into levels 1, 2, and 3. For these, Level 3 is designed for Middle and High, level 2 for Early Elementary and Upper Elementary, and Level 1 for Pre-Reader and Early Reader.

How Long does it take?

Each unit is designed to take about a month—which means you will never get bored! You get to create your year based on your students' interests, covering all your subjects for all your grades, through one cohesive program that all points to Jesus! Each lesson is designed to take about 2-4 hours (depending on how many students you have, their ages, and whether you are completing the option rabbit trails or watching the resource videos available on our app). You will read the Teacher's Guide first to all students (which takes about 40 minutes to an hour depending on how many videos you show or the discussions you have) and then students will move to their student workbooks and complete their pages there. Units that have 20 lessons can be done 5 days a week and therefore being completed in 4 weeks. Or they can be done 4 days a week and take a bit longer. Because of this, most families work through about 8 units in a year with breaks and co-op days mixed in.

All of our units come with answer keys to help you mark your student's work. We have tried a bit of everything: including the answers in the Teacher's Guide, having them in the back of student notebooks, and eventually settling on including them in your downloads immediately after your order. You can use the answer key to help assign grades, but we recommend using a rubric for more accurate grading. To do this, you would assign points based on things like understanding (30%), completion (50%), effort (15%), and neatness (5%).

What is Modular Math?

Modular Math is our brand new math curriculum that covers K-grade 9 math—taking students all the way through Algebra 1. The units are topical and each step takes about 1 month. This means they can be used in either a mastery approach (staying on a topic and working on it through multiple levels) or spiral approach (completing one step of each topic throughout the year). This program was created with steps instead of grades, allowing you to custom-tailor the program to your student without discouraging them with where they are at. It can be used as a remedial program or for gifted students who want to move faster. Each day includes 2 pages. Day 1 teaches a new concept (and includes a devotional) and day 2 has practice that builds throughout the unit in a spiral approach. All you have to do is take a placement test on a topic and jump in! It is open and go with no teacher's guide, no manipulatives or resources required, and written directly to the student so that they can work independently. Yes, math can be this easy!

Curriculum itself cannot be accredited, only schools can. Accreditation means a school with qualified teachers, reporting, and grading that is following the government requirements for each grade. That being said, Gather 'Round Homeschool curriculum can absolutely be used all the way through High School by you, the parent! Most schools use the Carnegie method to assign credits, this means that 120 hours of instruction in a topic = 1 credit. We've made it super easy to you by training our very own Gather bot! All of our units cover such a wide variety of subjects that you can use the bot to help figure out how many credits have been covered (or will be covered) based on the units you have done or are planning on. We also have access to full high school plans, transcripts, and unit credit breakdowns on our high school page here.

What is the Online Academy?

The Online Academy is our new online school. We have about 600 students who tune in online to watch a lesson being taught live—complete with live polls, comments, reactions, and resources. Replays are also available for families who miss a class. Homework is assigned and families complete their student notebooks together—we are even looking at adding in grading and report cards! There are currently three frequency options available (or three different levels of homeschool support): One day a week (join us every Tuesday at 10am EST)Two days a week (join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am EST)Four days a week (join us Monday-Thursday for every single lesson!)Currently, these lessons are being taught by the founder, Rebecca Spooner, though we hope to expand to hire more teachers and offer more class times and options in the future. Learn more

Can I use it in a group?

Gather 'Round is licensed for individual family use only (which means to a parent/guardian and the children they are legal guardians of). If you want to use this in a small group (with your sister, friend, or a few friends), you will need to make sure that each person owns their own materials, as file sharing and copying (or teaching to student's outside your home) is not allowed. If you want to use this in a co-op or hybrid model to a large group of students, we do require that you purchase print and sign an agreement stating that you will not photocopy or share. With this option, we also do have a group discount available. Learn more here.

Welcome to Beekeeping

Step into the busy, buzzing world of the honeybee as we explore how a hive grows and thrives. In this twelve‑lesson unit, students will learn how a colony works, how bees use the land around them, and how beekeepers support their hives with the tools and knowledge they need. Each lesson is filled with rich information, hands‑on learning, and meaningful discussion as students follow the rhythms of the hive from spring build‑up to winter rest. Whether you already have a hive in your backyard, hope to start one someday, or are simply curious about the remarkable life of honeybees, this unit will give you a richer appreciation for the colony and the world it depends on.

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Subject Cards

Science

Students explore the world of bees through hands-on and observational learning. Topics include bee anatomy, roles within the hive, pollination, hive structures, seasonal hive activity, and honey production. They also examine practical beekeeping skills such as hive management, introducing a queen, harvesting honey, and handling challenges like pests and swarming.

Geography

Students discover how bees and beekeeping connect to the world around them. They explore global beekeeping practices, including ancient Egypt, the Mediterranean, and the Himalayas, while also studying how bees spread across continents. Mapping activities focus on ecosystems, seasonal patterns, and the relationship between bees and their environments.

Language Arts

Students build vocabulary related to bees and beekeeping while working through a consistent unit project. As they progress, they develop language skills through increasingly advanced vocabulary and written responses, focusing on clear communication and understanding key concepts tied to the unit.

History

Students examine the historical role of beekeeping, including its practice in ancient Egypt and the movement of bees from Europe to North America. They also explore early advancements in hive design and the use of honey in natural remedies, connecting beekeeping to human history and innovation.

Social Studies

Students consider the relationship between people and bees, focusing on stewardship, responsibility, and community roles. They explore topics such as caring for hives, regulations, leadership, sustainability, and how beekeeping can contribute to both ecosystems and livelihoods.

Art

Students express their understanding creatively through bee-themed projects. Activities include designing homes, creating maps, drawing hieroglyphics, and developing visual ideas such as logos or models. These projects encourage creativity while reinforcing concepts from the unit.

Bible

Through selected scriptures, students explore themes of God’s provision, design, and care for creation. The passages highlight the value of each individual’s role, the importance of perseverance, wisdom, and watchfulness, and the reality that all of creation belongs to God. Together, these verses point to trusting God’s timing, recognizing His goodness, and living as faithful stewards of what He has made.

Resources

Access helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.

Explore Resources

Resources

Access helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.

Explore Resources

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Beekeeping

Level 1

Geography

Bees around the world
Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
How bees came to North America from Europe
Hives from around the world
Cliff honey in the Himalayas
Rooftop beekeeping around the world
Beekeeping in the Mediterranean
Seasons around the world
Global spread of varroa mites
Seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Color map where Tupelo honey is harvested
Draw a bee map of your home/neighborhood

Science

Pollination
Wild vs. domestic bees
Bees vs. wasps vs. hornets
Roles in the colony: queen, workers, drones
Classified as insects
Anatomy: head, thorax, abdomen
Life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Birth of a queen bee
Anatomy of the hive
Langstroth hive
Top-bar hive
Flow hive
Warre hive
Gear: suit, veil, gloves, boots
Tools: smoker, hive tool, bee brush, queen excluder, pollen trap
Choosing the right spot
Importance of a hive's location
Accepting a new queen
Plants that attract bees in a garden
Bees collect nectar and pollen
Steps to make honey: passing nectar, reducing moisture, capping, and crystalization
Enzymes
Process of nectar becoming honey
Spring cleaning in the hive
Full activities of summer
Fall preparations
Activity slows during the winter
Cold-blooded creatures
Integrated Pest Management
Varroa mites
Wax moths
Hive beetles
Fungal diseases: chalkbrood, nosema
Predators
Swarm to relocate
A new queen from the remaining bees
Recognizing a potential swarm
Splitting a hive
When to harvest honey
Moisture content of nectar
Extraction methods: crush–and–strain, extractor machine
Steps of extraction
Rendering wax
Honey yield calculations
Reading a honey refractometer
Plants layered seasonally
Native plants thrive and provide
Biodiversity planning
Planning for the future
Beekeeping effects the whole community
Circle water sources safe for bees

Language Arts

Vocabulary: devote, agile
Unit project: All About Bees poster
Short story: life without bees
Vocabulary: thrum, blur
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add roles and jobs
Vocabulary: solitary, hexagon
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add life cycle
Vocabulary: cavity, craft
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add types of hives
Vocabulary: resin, landmark
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add beekeeping tools
Vocabulary: don, waft
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add how to welcome bees to a new hive
Vocabulary: glide, protein
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add how bees create honey
Vocabulary: signal, dwindle
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add names of the seasons
Vocabulary: debris, lure
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add pests and diseases
Vocabulary: impulse, crisis
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add swarming flow chart
Vocabulary: modest, glint
Unit project: All About Bees poster – add cutouts about steps to collect honey
Vocabulary: cultivate, sparse
Unit Project: All About Bees poster — present your poster and evaluation of presentation

History

Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
Bees' journey from Europe to North America
Hippocrates and natural remedies

Social Studies

We can help bees help our ecosystem
Life without bees
Roles and gifts
Choosing a path for the future
Humans try to make homes for bees
Types of homes
Choosing your bees
Package vs. nuc
Feeding the hive
Inspecting the hive for growth
Hive care calendar
Leadership qualities
Stewardship and sustainability

Art

Draw bee hieroglyphics
Draw something you like doing
Design your own home

Home Economics

Bake homemade bread

Bible

Exodus 3:8a
A land flowing with milk and honey
1 Corinthians 12:4–5
There are a variety of services but the same Lord
1 Peter 4:10a
Spiritual gifts
Psalm 139:13–14
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Proverbs 16:9
God guides our steps
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength
Proverbs 4:23
Prepare your heart
Psalm 121:4
God never sleeps
Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary of doing good
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober–minded; be watchful
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's

Level 2

Geography

Bees around the world
Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
How bees came to North America from Europe
Hives from around the world
Cliff honey in the Himalayas
Rooftop beekeeping around the world
Beekeeping in the Mediterranean
Seasons around the world
Global spread of varroa mites
Seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Label map where Tupelo trees grow
Create a list or map of a bees path around your home/neighborhood

Science

Pollination
Wild vs. domestic bees
Bees vs. wasps vs. hornets
Roles in the colony: queen, workers, drones
Duties of workers: cell cleaners, nurse bees and queen attendants, house bees, wax producers and comb builders, guard bee, foragers
Waggle dance communication
Classified as insects
Anatomy: head, thorax, abdomen
Wings, legs, antennae, wax glands, and barbed stinger make bees unique
Life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Metamorphosis
Birth of a queen bee
Anatomical differences of a queen
Anatomy of the hive
Langstroth hive
Top-bar hive
Flow Hive
Warre hive
Gear: suit, veil, gloves, boots
Confidence is an invisible tool
Tools: smoker, hive tool, bee brush, queen excluder, pollen trap
Choosing the right spot
Importance of a hive's location
Accepting a new queen
Methods of introducing a new queen
A rejected queen
Answer questions about plants that attract bees in a garden
Bees collect nectar and pollen
Electric charges aid in pollen collection
Steps to make honey: passing nectar, reducing moisture, capping, and crystalization
Enzymes
Process of nectar becoming honey
Spring cleaning in the hive
Full activities of summer
Fall preparations
Activity slows during the winter
Venn diagram: cold-blooded creatures vs. warm-blooded creatures
Integrated Pest Management
Varroa mites: prevention, observation, and response
Wax moths: prevention, observation, and response
Hive beetles: prevention, observation, and response
Fungal disease: prevention, observation, and response
Predators
Honey used to help heal sea turtles
Swarm to relocate
Conditions leading to a swarm
Decision-making process
Recognizing a potential swarm
Preventing a swarm
Splitting a hive
Choosing a queen for each colony
When to harvest honey
Moisture content of nectar
Extraction methods: crush–and–strain, extractor machine
Steps of extraction
Rendering wax
Versatility of beeswax
Honey yield calculations
Keeping harvest records
Reading a honey refractometer
Plants layered seasonally
Plants for seasons and other insects
Native plants thrive and provide
Check with local experts on recommendations and regulations
Biodiversity planning
Being thoughtful about chemicals
Beekeeping effects the whole community
Evaluate water sources safe for bees

Language Arts

Vocabulary: ritual, crevice
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – choose topics
Short story: life without bees
Vocabulary: navigate, solely
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – rough draft of one topic
Vocabulary: diverse, precision
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – add paragraph on bee life cycle
Vocabulary: suspend, secrete
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – describe different types of hives
Vocabulary: intention, defensive
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – add paragraph describing tools and how they are used (add adjectives and adverbs)
Vocabulary: upfront, resilient
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – explain how beekeepers install bees (use two transition words)
Vocabulary: remarkable, random
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – describe how bees make honey
Vocabulary: sluggish, merge
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – explain how bees manage each season (use similes or metaphors)
Vocabulary: parasites, deformed
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – organize paragraphs; add introduction and conclusion
Vocabulary: suppressing, imminent
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – final copy checklist
Vocabulary: extractor, rendering
Unit project: All About Bees oral presentation – practice giving presentation (with visual aid)
Vocabulary: invasive, biodiversity
Unit Project: All About Bees presentation — give and self–evaluate presentation

History

Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
Bees' journey from Europe to North America
Man-made hive created that did not harm the colony (1851)
Hippocrates and natural remedies

Social Studies

Entertainment and entrepreneurial opportunities
We can help bees help our ecosystem
Life without bees
Roles and gifts
Choosing a path for the future
Humans try to make homes for bees
Answer questions about types of homes
Local hive regulations
Choosing your bees
Package vs. nuc
Feeding the hive
Inspecting the hive for growth
Keeping a hive log
Keepers may need to help the hive in early pring
Monitoring growth and needs during the summer
Ensuring the colony is strong for the winter
Winter managment supports the colony
Hive care calendar
Leadership qualities
Stewardship and sustainability
Beekeeping teaches patience, humility, and gratitude

Art

Draw bee hieroglyphics
Design your own home
Draw a map of best hive location in your yard

Bible

Exodus 3:8a
A land flowing with milk and honey
1 Corinthians 12:4–5
There are a variety of services but the same Lord
1 Peter 4:10a
Spiritual gifts
Psalm 139:13–14
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Proverbs 16:9
God guides our steps
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength
Proverbs 4:23
Prepare your heart
Psalm 121:4
God never sleeps
Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary of doing good
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober–minded; be watchful
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's

Level 3

Geography

Label ecosystems of bees around the world
Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
Label Nile River and surrounding countries
How bees came to North America from Europe
Hives from around the world
Create Venn diagram comparing two types of hives
Cliff honey in the Himalayas
Rooftop beekeeping around the world
Beekeeping in the Mediterranean
Seasons around the world
Global spread of varroa mites
Seasons in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres
Label map where Tupelo trees grow
Research and evaluate supportive vs. harmful areas for bees around your community
Extension activity: write a letter to a community leader about supporting bees

Science

Pollination
Wild vs. domestic bees
Bees vs. wasps vs. hornets
Roles in the colony: queen, workers, drones
Duties of workers: cell cleaners, nurse bees and queen attendants, house bees, wax producers and comb builders, guard bee, foragers
Waggle dance communication
Classified as insects
Anatomy: head, thorax, abdomen
Wings, legs, antennae, wax glands, and barbed stinger make bees unique
Life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, adult
Metamorphosis
Birth of a queen bee
Anatomical differences of a queen
Anatomy of the hive
Langstroth hive
Top-bar hive
Flow Hive
Warre hive
Gear: suit, veil, gloves, boots
Confidence is an invisible tool
Tools: smoker, hive tool, bee brush, queen excluder, pollen trap
Choosing the right spot
Importance of a hive's location
Benefits of sunlight to your health
Accepting a new queen
Methods of introducing a new queen
A rejected queen
Plants that attract bees in a garden
Bees collect nectar and pollen
Electric charges aid in pollen collection
Steps to make honey: passing nectar, reducing moisture, capping, and crystalization
Enzymes
Flower types impact honey composition
Process of nectar becoming honey
Extension activity: make sugar-water mixture and observe
Spring cleaning in the hive
Full activities of summer
Fall preparations
Activity slows during the winter
Venn diagram: cold-blooded creatures vs. warm-blooded creatures
Integrated Pest Management
Varroa mites: prevention, observation, and response
Wax moths: prevention, observation, and response
Hive beetles: prevention, observation, and response
Fungal disease: prevention, observation, and response
Predators
Swarm to relocate
Conditions leading to a swarm
Decision-making process
The new queen's mating flight
Recognizing a potential swarm
Preventing a swarm
Splitting a hive
Choosing a queen for each colony
When to harvest honey
Moisture content of nectar
Extraction methods: crush–and–strain, extractor machine
Steps of extraction
Rendering wax
Versatility of beeswax
Honey yield calculations
Keeping harvest records
Answer questions about how beekeepers test honey
Plants layered seasonally
Plants for seasons and other insects
Native plants thrive and provide
Check with local experts on recommendations and regulations
Biodiversity planning
Being thoughtful about chemicals
Beekeeping effects the whole community
Evaluate good and bad locations for hives

Language Arts

Vocabulary: motivation, apiarist
Extension activity: write brief summary of how bees affect the world around you
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – develop business plan
Short story: life without bees
Vocabulary: coordinated, pheromone
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – create executive summary
Vocabulary: astonishingly, metamorphosis
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – identify your customers
Vocabulary: organic, naturalist
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – complete competion analysis
Vocabulary: agitated, zoning
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – design product packaging
Vocabulary: genetics, temperament
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – choose a way to promote your business
Vocabulary: ultraviolet, consistency
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – create financial plan
Vocabulary: momentum, surplus
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – set prices on your products
Vocabulary: pesticides, ferment
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – create weekly plan of how your business will operate
Vocabulary: consensus, converging
Unit project: Beekeeping Business – roles and responsibilities
Vocabulary: indefinitely, versatile
Extension Activity: write a short summary on Tupelo honey video
Unit project: Beekeeping Business — long–term plan
Vocabulary: stewardship, sustainability
Unit project: Beekeeping Business — present your business plan to your family

History

Beekeeping in ancient Egypt
Create timeline of bees journey from Europe to North America
Man-made hive created that did not harm the colony (1851)
Hippocrates and natural remedies

Social Studies

Entertainment and entrepreneurial opportunities
We can help bees help our ecosystem
Roles and gifts
Choosing a path for the future
Humans try to make homes for bees
Types of homes
Local hive regulations
Choosing your bees
Package vs. nuc
Feeding the hive
Inspecting the hive for growth
Keeping a hive log
Keepers may need to help the hive in early spring
Monitoring growth and needs during the summer
Ensuring the colony is strong for the winter
Winter managment supports the colony
Hive care calendar
Stewardship and sustainability
Beekeeping teaches patience, humility, and gratitude

Art

Design a logo for your apiary business
Create short message with your own hieroglyphics
Draw and label parts of your home
Draw a map of best hive location in your yard (include a legend)
Create sketch or model of how honey helps with healing

Bible

Exodus 3:8a
A land flowing with milk and honey
1 Corinthians 12:4–5
There are a variety of services but the same Lord
1 Peter 4:10a
Spiritual gifts test
Psalm 139:13–14
I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Proverbs 16:9
The Lord establishes his steps
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength
Proverbs 4:23
Prepare your heart
Psalm 121:4
God never sleeps
Galatians 6:9
Let us not grow weary of doing good
Ecclesiastes 3:1
For everything there is a season
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober–minded; be watchful
Isaiah 43:19
Behold, I am doing a new thing
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are your words
Psalm 24:1
The earth is the Lord's

Certificate

When you complete the unit, grab a certificate to celebrate your progress!

Download Certificate

Certificate

When you complete the unit, grab a certificate to celebrate your progress!

Download Certificate

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