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 Indiana

Uncover a landscape shifting between sandy lakeshore dunes, flat farmland, and thick forests. Indiana Dunes National Park, the University of Notre Dame, and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway add some fun during your travels. You’ll learn about the rich history, nature, wildlife, and weather, too. There’s lots to discover about the economy and people of Indiana, so pull on your boots and let's get to work.

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Subject Cards

Science

Students explore hands-on, Indiana-connected science themes like reaction times, seasonal patterns, plants (annual vs. perennial), and wildlife topics such as bioluminescence, insects, migrations, bats, and salamanders. Older students go deeper with cause-and-effect (geography and weather), an earthquake fault zone connection, center of mass/weight distribution, and an experiment + scientific method tie-in (popcorn).

Geography

Learners build a strong sense of place by locating key Indiana cities and landmarks (like Indianapolis, Lake Michigan, the Ohio River, and state parks) and identifying major regions and landforms. As levels increase, students expand outward to regional context (Great Lakes/Upper Midwest/Canada), caves, major waterways and lakes, and practical mapping skills like understanding how interstates are numbered and how places connect across the U.S.

Language Arts

This subject develops vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing through Indiana-based topics (symbols, economy/industry, and a spotlight on Tecumseh). Younger students create a unit banner project with facts and symbols, while older students add summaries, guided notes, poetry writing, riddles, a short story, and a final presentation with a rubric-based assessment.

History

Students trace major moments tied to Indiana’s story, from early French settlement through statehood (1816) and events like Tecumseh, Tippecanoe, and the War of 1812. They also study historical uses of Indiana caves, the rise of steel production, and the development of the Interstate Highway System, with increasing detail and context at higher levels.

Social Studies

Students learn what makes Indiana unique through state identity (flag, seal, nicknames, fun facts), communities and culture (including Amish and Mennonite groups), state symbols, and major attractions. Older levels add time zones, government structure, regional cultural differences, industry and cost-of-living connections, current events research, and applied projects like creating a news report or planning a hospitality event.

Art

Art activities reinforce unit learning through creative projects like a poetry-inspired drawing and designing an original state symbol, with options that scale from simple creativity to more intentional design.

Bible

Scripture memory and reflection focus on God’s unchanging nature, His delight in His people, shining our light, perseverance, and bearing one another’s burdens (passages include Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6, James 1:17, Psalm 18:2, Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 5, and Galatians 6).

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

Booklist

Meet Indiana

H is for Hoosier: An Indiana Alphabet

by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds

What’s Great About Indiana? (Our Great States)

by Candice Ransom

The Indiana Way: A State History

by James H. Madison

Nature and Weather

Curious Critters Indiana

by David FitzSimmons

Tarsi the Sandhill Crane

by Liz Drewien Thach

Indiana Wildlife Encyclopedia: An Illustrated Guide to Birds, Fish, Mammals, Reptiles, and Amphibians

by Scott Shupe

Industry and Economy

My Family’s Corn Farm

by Katie Olthoff

My Family’s Soybean Farm

by Katie Olthoff

Ruthie’s Gift

by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Zorrie

by Laird Hunt

People and Governance

Tecumseh (My Itty-Bitty Bio)

by June Thiele

The Mighty Tecumseh for Kids: Warrior and Peacemaker

by Sarah Michaels

Tecumseh: A Biography

By Amy H. Sturgis

Supplies

Meet Indiana

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

shallow tray or baking sheet
sand or flour
small straws or a blow-dryer
small rulers or sticks

Student Notebook

Science: Reaction Times (Lesson 1, page 2;)

a ruler
red, green, and yellow sheets of construction paper (1 of each color)
tape
scissors

Science: Reaction Times (Lesson 1, page 2;)

a timer
a ruler
a volunteer
something that plays music or makes noise

Science: Reaction Times (Lesson 1, page 2;)

a timer
a ruler
a volunteer
something that plays music or makes noise
a room where you can control the light

People and Governance

Student Notebooks

Hands-on Activity

cardboard to use as a weaving loom
weaving supplies, such as yarn, string, sticks, flowers, etc.

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Indiana

Level 1

Lesson 1

Science

Reaction times
Seasons

Geography

Indianapolis
Great Lakes region
Moraines
Lake Michigan
Indiana regions: Great Lakes Plains, Till Plains, Southern Lowlands
Ohio River
Shipshewana
Brown County State Park and Hesitation Point

Language Arts

Vocabulary: dune, teem
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Indiana
Poetry study: "The Frost is on the Punkin"

History

Late-1600s French settlers
First professional baeball game played in Fort Wayne (1871)
Concept of rearview mirrors invented (1911)
Corps of Discovery assembled in Clarksville
Famous poet James Whitcomb Riley

Social Studies

State flag and seal
"Crossroads of America"
Hoosier State
Indiana Dunes National Park and Tower
University of Notre Dame
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indy 500)
Fun facts
Amish and Mennonite communities

Art

Poetry study drawing

Bible

Hebrews 13:8
Malachi 3:6
James 1:17
Psalm 18:2
Isaiah 40:8

Lesson 2

Science

Perennial plants
Bioluminescence
Entomology
Sandhill cranes
Bird migrations
Bats: behaviors, diet, use of caves
Four distinct seasons in Indiana
Life cycle of perennial plants
Annual plants

Geography

Canada
Upper Midwest

Language Arts

Vocabulary: value, forage
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana's symbols
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Uses of Indiana caves throughout history

Social Studies

State flower: peony
State tree: tulip poplar
State bird: northern cardinal
State insect: Say's firefly

Art

Design your own state symbol

Bible

Psalm 149:4
Matthew 5:16a

Lesson 3

Science

Use of iron ore and limestone to make steel
How popcorn pops

Geography

Gary
Types of roads
Washington
Massachusetts

Language Arts

Vocabulary: core, dense
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana's industry and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Indiana to the unit project

History

Steel production begins in Indiana in the early 1900s
History of the Interstate Highway System

Social Studies

Main industries: farming, steel production, transportation
Top state crops: corn and soybeans
Foods made from grains

Bible

Galatians 6:9

Lesson 4

Science

Weight distribution
Heavy vs. light

Geography

Beech Grove
Warsaw
Lafayette
Prophetstown

Language Arts

Vocabulary: humbly, rally
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana
Add a spotlight on Tecumseh to the unit project

History

Early-1800s Indiana Territory
Tecumseh: his life, achievements, death in 1813

Social Studies

Hoosier hospitality
Weird laws
Create a pretend news report
Ways to show kindness, lend a hand, and be welcoming

Bible

Galatians 6:2

Level 2

Lesson 1

Science

Reaction times

Geography

Indianapolis
Great Lakes region
Prophetstown
Moraines
Lake Michigan
Indiana regions: Great Lakes Plains, Till Plains, Southern Lowlands
Ohio River
Chicago
Evansville
Shipshewana
Brown County State Park and Hesitation Point

Language Arts

Vocabulary: crossroads, moraine
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Indiana
Poetry study: "The Frost is on the Punkin"
Write a poem

History

Late-1600s French settlers
French and Indian War
December 1816: Indiana statehood
First professional baeball game played in Fort Wayne (1871)
Concept of rearview mirrors invented (1911) Corps of Discovery assembled in Clarksville
Famous poet James Whitcomb Riley

Social Studies

State flag and seal
"Crossroads of America"
Hoosier State
Indiana Dunes National Park and Tower
Time zones: Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time
University of Notre Dame
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indy 500)
Fun facts
Amish and Mennonite communities

Bible

Hebrews 13:8
Malachi 3:6
James 1:17
Psalm 18:2
Isaiah 40:8

Lesson 2

Science

Perennial plants
Bioluminescence
Entomology
Sandhill cranes
Bird migrations
Bats: behaviors, diet, use of caves
Hellbender salamander
Four distinct seasons in Indiana
Effect of geographic features on weather
Life cycle of perennial plants
Annual plants

Geography

Canada
Upper Midwest
Wyandotte Caves

Language Arts

Vocabulary: memorable, congregate
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana's symbols
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Uses of Indiana caves throughout history

Social Studies

State flower: peony
State tree: tulip poplar
State bird: northern cardinal
State insect: Say's firefly

Art

Design your own state symbol

Bible

Psalm 149:4
Matthew 5:16

Lesson 3

Science

Use of iron ore and limestone to make steel
How popcorn pops

Geography

Gary
Elkhart
Goshen
Washington
Massachusetts
Houston
Texas
How the interstates are numbered

Language Arts

Vocabulary: economy, mill
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana's industry and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Indiana to the unit project

History

Steel production begins in Indiana in the early 1900s
History of the Interstate Highway System

Social Studies

Main industries: farming, steel production, transportation
Top state crops: corn and soybeans
RV Capital of the World
Second-largest FedEx hub in Indianapolis
Cost of living in Indiana
Whole grains
Health benefits of grains
Foods made from grains

Bible

Galatians 6:9

Lesson 4

Science

Weight distribution

Geography

Beech Grove
Warsaw
Lafayette
Prophetstown

Language Arts

Vocabulary: practical, nuisance
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana
Add a spotlight on Tecumseh to the unit project

History

Early-1800s Indiana Territory
Tecumseh: his life, achievements, death in 1813
Battle of Tippecanoe
War of 1812

Social Studies

Hoosier hospitality
Cultural differences according to region
Indiana sports
Governmental structure
Weird laws
Research and outline a current event in Indiana
Ways to show kindness, lend a hand, and be welcoming

Bible

Galatians 6:2

Level 3

Lesson 1

Science

Reaction times

Geography

Indianapolis
Great Lakes region
Prophetstown
Moraines
Lake Michigan
Indiana regions: Great Lakes Plains, Till Plains, Southern Lowlands
Ohio River
Chicago
Evansville
Shipshewana
Brown County State Park and Hesitation Point

Language Arts

Vocabulary: confederacy, quad
Start planning a unit project presentation
Poetry study: "The Frost is on the Punkin"
Write a poem

History

Late-1600s French settlers
French and Indian War
December 1816: Indiana statehood
First professional baeball game played in Fort Wayne (1871)
Concept of rearview mirrors invented (1911)
Corps of Discovery assembled in Clarksville
Famous poet James Whitcomb Riley

Social Studies

State flag and seal
"Crossroads of America"
Hoosier State
Indiana Dunes National Park and Tower
Time zones: Eastern Standard Time and Central Standard Time
University of Notre Dame
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indy 500)
Fun facts
Amish and Mennonite communities

Bible

Hebrews 13:8
Malachi 3:6
James 1:17
Psalm 18:2
Isaiah 40:8

Lesson 2

Science

Perennial plants
Bioluminescence
Entomology
Sandhill cranes
Bird migrations
Bats: behaviors, diet, use of caves
Hellbender salamander
Four distinct seasons in Indiana
Effect of geographic features on weather
Earthquake fault zone
Life cycle of perennial plants
Compare and contrast perennial and annual plants

Geography

Canada
Upper Midwest
Wyandotte Caves

Language Arts

Vocabulary: bioluminescence, naturalist
Answer comprehension questions about Indiana's symbols
Write a summary of the lesson
Write a short story about caves
Add state symbols to the unit project
Write riddles about the state symbols
Write a poem using provincial symbols

History

Uses of Indiana caves throughout history

Social Studies

State flower: peony
State tree: tulip poplar
State bird: northern cardinal
State insect: Say's firefly

Art

Design your own state symbol

Bible

Psalm 149:4
Matthew 5:14–16

Lesson 3

Science

Use of iron ore and limestone to make steel
How popcorn pops
Popcorn experiment
Scientific method

Geography

Gary
Elkhart
Goshen
Washington
Idaho
Montana
Wyoming
South Dakota
Minnesota
Wisconsin
Indiana
Ohio
Pennsylvania
New York
California
Arizona
New Mexico
Texas
Louisiana
Mississippi
Alabama
Florida
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Lake Erie
Lake Michigan
Lake Huron
Lake Ontario
Lake Superior
How the interstates are numbered

Language Arts

Vocabulary: artificial, utilities
Listening comprehension: Indiana's industry and economy
Use guided notes to create a summary about Indiana's industry and economy
Write about an industry that had an important impact on the economy and add it to the unit project

History