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 Kansas

Our study of this midwestern state covers the extreme weather found toward the center of Tornado Alley, flora and fauna, the impact of agriculture and railroads on the economy of Kansas, and spotlights Amelia Earhart. Student Book activities include mapping, lesson summaries, salt, van Gogh’s Sunflowers, accents, and basketball. We'll meet you there!

Buy Now

Subject Cards

Science

Students explore Kansas’s natural world through topics like prairie ecosystems, native plants and animals, meteorites, weather patterns, tornadoes, drought, and farming. They also investigate salt, food preservation, natural resources, renewable energy, aviation, and simple science experiments.

Geography

Students discover the landscape and landmarks of Kansas by learning about its capital, regions, rivers, bordering states, and important locations across the state. They also practice map skills while exploring places like the Tallgrass Prairie, Strataca Salt Mine, Dodge City, and the geography of the Santa Fe Trail.

Language Arts

Language Arts builds vocabulary, reading and listening comprehension, summarizing, creative writing, and presentation skills through the study of Kansas’s nature, economy, people, and history. Students also complete a unit project that includes facts, symbols, writing prompts, and a final presentation..

History

Students learn about important events and people from Kansas history, including the Louisiana Purchase, Bleeding Kansas, the Santa Fe Trail, the Civil War, the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, salt mining, and the Homestead Act. They also study Amelia Earhart, basketball, civil rights, and Brown v. Board of Education.

Social Studies

Students explore Kansas’ culture, economy, and communities through topics like state symbols, accents and dialects, industries, agriculture, immigration, food traditions, budgeting, rural and urban life, and current events. They also consider how people’s actions shape a state and examine unique parts of Kansas life, from basketball culture to unusual laws.

Art

Art activities invite students to appreciate famous artwork, design a state symbol, and create a game inspired by what they are learning. These projects encourage creativity while connecting art to the themes of the unit.

Bible

Bible lessons connect the study of Kansas to Scripture by focusing on God’s view of the heart, abiding in Him, wise planning, His provision, and working wholeheartedly for the Lord. These passages help students reflect on character, dependence on God, and faithful living.

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 Kansas

S is For Sunflower: A Kansas Alphabet

by Devin Scillian

Little House on the Prairie

by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

by L. Frank Baum

It Happened in Kansas: Remarkable Events That Shaped History

by Sarah Smarsh

Nature and Weather

P is for Prairie Dog: A Prairie Alphabet

by Anthony D. Fredericks

The Buffalo Are Back

by Jean Craighead George

Kansas Wildlife

by Joseph T. Collins

Industry and Economy

From Wheat to Bread (Who Made My Lunch?)

by Bridget Heos

The Biography of Wheat

by Jennifer D. B. Lackey

The Great American Dust Bowl

by Don Brown

People and Governance

I Am Amelia Earhart (Ordinary People Change The World)

by Brad Meltzer

Who Was Amelia Earhart?

by Kate Boehm Jerome

Amelia Earhart: A Life from Beginning to End

by Hourly History

Supplies

Meet Kansas

Student Books

Science: Salt (Lesson 1, page 2)

9 x 13 oven-safe dish
3.5 teaspoons of salt (whatever kind you have)
4 cups of water
a pitcher (or container for mixing the salt and water together)
a spoon

Nature and Weather

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

2 clear plastic cups
soil or dirt
some shredded paper, yarn, or grass clippings
a tray
water

People and Governance

Student Notebooks

Science: Ripples on the Water (Lesson 4, page 2)

a shallow pan
water to fill the pan
a marble or coin
glitter or pepper

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Kansas

Level 1

Lesson 1

Science

Table salt vs. sea salt
Salt experiment: predictions and result

Geography

Topeka: capital city
Latitude and longitude
State boundaries: Missouri, Missouri River
Lebanon: center of the Lower 48
Dodge City
Mushroom Rock State Park
Strataca Salt Mine
Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve
Kansas City
Liberal
Coffeyville
Goodland
Identify lines of latitude and longitude on a map
Geography of the Santa Fe Trail
New Mexico

Language Arts

Vocabulary: accent, remnant
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Kansas

History

Louisiana Purchase (1800s)
Railroad reached the area (late 1800s)
Santa Fe Trail

Social Studies

Quick facts: state motto, nickname, size, population
State symbols: flag, seal
Fun facts

Art

Art appreciation: Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7b

Lesson 2

Science

Cottonwood
Western meadowlark
Sunflower
American bison
Prairie dogs
Meteorites
Seasons in Kansas
How topography affects weather patterns
Meteorology
Record weather
Observe weather patterns

Language Arts

Vocabulary: landmark, buffer
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' nature and weather
Accents vs. dialects
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Western meadowlark named state bird (1930s)
Bison named state animal (1950s)

Social Studies

Accents
Dialects

Art

Design a state symbol

Bible

John 15:4–5
Psalm 121:1–2

Lesson 3

Science

Crop rotation
Effects of drought on farming
Using salt to preserve food
Natural vs. man-made resources

Geography

Hutchinson
California

Language Arts

Vocabulary: suited, rotate
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Kansas to the unit project

History

1930s Dust Bowl
Great Depression
Late-1800s salt mining

Social Studies

Industries in Kansas
How manufacturing helps agriculture
Needs vs. wants
Budgeting
Rural vs. urban areas

Bible

Proverbs 21:5

Lesson 4

Science

Pilots and aviation
Ripples on water

Geography

Lawrence
Atchison

Language Arts

Vocabulary: loyal, defy
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' people and government
Add a spotlight on Amelia Earhart to the unit project

History

Homestead Act (late 1800s)
Amelia Earhart
Sport of basketball

Social Studies

How the actions of people impact a state
Effects of farming on farmers and their community
Immigrants to Kansas: Czech, German
Food of immigrants: kolaches, bierocks
Kansas basketball (Kansas University Jayhawks)
Weird laws
Create a pretend news report

Art

Create a game

Bible

Colossians 3:23–24

Level 2

Lesson 1

Science

Table salt vs. sea salt
Salt experiment: hypothesis, observations, results

Geography

Topeka: capital city
Nebraska
Latitude and longitude
State boundaries: Missouri, Missouri River
Lebanon: center of the Lower 48
Regions of Kansas
Arkansas River
Dodge City
Mushroom Rock State Park
Strataca Salt Mine
Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve
Kansas City
Liberal
Coffeyville
Goodland
Identify lines of latitude and longitude, Missouri River, Missouri, and Topeka on a map
Geography of the Santa Fe Trail
New Mexico

Language Arts

Vocabulary: opposing, surveyor
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Kansas

History

Louisiana Purchase (1800s)
Bleeding Kansas (mid-1800s)
Kansas entered the Civil War (1861)
Railroad reached the area (late 1800s)
Santa Fe Trail

Social Studies

Quick facts: state motto, nickname, size, population
State symbols: flag, seal
Fun facts

Art

Art appreciation: Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7b

Lesson 2

Science

Cottonwood
Western meadowlark
Sunflower
American bison
Tallgrass prairie ecosystem
Perils of overfarming
Prairie dogs
Meteorites
Seasons in Kansas
How topography affects weather patterns
Tornadoes
Meteorology
Record weather
Observe weather patterns

Geography

Flint Hills
Great Plains
Tornado Alley
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Canada

Language Arts

Vocabulary: erosion, supercell
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' nature and weather
Accents vs. dialects
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Western meadowlark named state bird (1930s)
Bison named state animal (1950s)

Social Studies

Accents
The Wizard of Oz
Dialects

Art

Design a state symbol

Bible

John 15:4–5
Psalm 121:1–2

Lesson 3

Science

Crop rotation
Effects of drought on farming
Longhorn cattle
Using salt to preserve food
Natural gas and wind as forms of energy
Natural resources
Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources

Geography

Texas
Abilene
Witchita
Hutchinson
California

Language Arts

Vocabulary: offset, feedlot
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Kansas to the unit project

History

1930s Dust Bowl
Great Depression
World Wars I and II
Late-1800s salt mining

Social Studies

Industries in Kansas
Cattle drives and cow towns
How manufacturing helps agriculture
"The Air Capital of The World"
Cost of living in Kansas
Empathy: the Great Depression
Rural vs. urban areas

Bible

Proverbs 21:5

Lesson 4

Science

Pilots and aviation
Ripples on water

Geography

Lawrence
Atchison

Language Arts

Vocabulary: influence, alumni
Answer comprehension questions about Kansas' people and government
Add a spotlight on Amelia Earhart to the unit project

History

Homestead Act (late 1800s)
Amelia Earhart
Sport of basketball

Social Studies

How the actions of people impact a state
Effects of farming on farmers and their community
Immigrants to Kansas: Czech, German
Food of immigrants: kolaches, bierocks
Kansas basketball (Kansas University Jayhawks)
Political divide
Weird laws
Research and outline a current event in Kansas

Art

Create a game

Bible

Colossians 3:23–24

Level 3

Lesson 1

Science

Research the difference between table salt and sea salt

Geography

Topeka: capital city
Nebraska
Latitude and longitude
State boundaries: Missouri, Missouri River
Lebanon: center of the Lower 48
Regions of Kansas
Arkansas River
Dodge City
Mushroom Rock State Park
Strataca Salt Mine
Tallgrass Prairie Nature Preserve
Kansas City
Liberal
Coffeyville
Goodland
Identify lines of latitude and longitude, bordering states, Missouri River, and Topeka on a map
Geography of the Santa Fe Trail
Colorado
Oklahoma
New Mexico
Texas

Language Arts

Vocabulary: plethora, reenactment
Write a journal entry from the perspective of someone on the Santa Fe Trail
Start planning a unit project presentation

History

Louisiana Purchase (1800s)
Bleeding Kansas (mid-1800s)
Kansas entered the Civil War (1861)
Railroad reached the area (late 1800s)
Santa Fe Trail
Mexican-American War

Social Studies

Quick facts: state motto, nickname, size, population
State symbols: flag, seal
Fun facts

Art

Art appreciation: Van Gogh's Sunflowers

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7b

Lesson 2

Science

Cottonwood
Western meadowlark
Sunflower
American bison
Tallgrass prairie ecosystem
Perils of overfarming
Prairie dogs
Meteorites
Seasons in Kansas
How topography affects weather patterns
Tornadoes
Meteorology
Observe weather patterns

Geography

Flint Hills
Great Plains
Tornado Alley
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Canada

Language Arts

Vocabulary: synonymous, ceremonial
Listening comprehension: Kansas' nature and weather
Use guided notes to write a summary about Kansas' nature and weather
Accents vs. dialects
Add state symbols to the unit project
Write riddles about the state symbols

History

Western meadowlark named state bird (1930s)
Bison named state animal (1950s)

Social Studies

Accents
The Wizard of Oz
Dialects: regional, social or cultural, ethnic or heritage

Art

Design a state symbol

Bible

John 15:4–5
Psalm 121:1–4

Lesson 3

Science

Crop rotation
Effects of drought on farming
Longhorn cattle
Using salt to preserve food
Natural gas and wind as forms of energy
Natural resources
Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources

Geography

Texas
Abilene
Witchita
Hutchinson
California

Language Arts

Vocabulary: limitation, mechanics
Listening comprehension: Kansas' industries and economy
Use guided notes to write a summary about Kansas' industries and economy
Write about an industry that had an important impact on the economy in Kansas and add it to the unit project

History