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 Kentucky

Welcome to the Bluegrass State! Check out Red River Gorge, the Kentucky Horse Park, or the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Learn about the layers of history, nature, wildlife, symbols, and a bustling agricultural economy.Student Book activities include mapping, lesson summaries, the science of chewing gum, Noah’s Ark, mimicry defenses, Model Ts, and the Kentucky Derby. Grab your fanciest hat for the races!

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Subject Cards

Science

Students explore the natural features that make Kentucky unique, from limestone caves and sinkholes to the rare moonbow. They learn about native plants and animals, animal mimicry, and seasonal changes, while also connecting science to real-world industries like farming, horse care, and coal mining. Hands-on concepts such as carbonation, acids, and material properties are woven throughout.

Geography

Students journey across Kentucky as they locate key regions, cities, and landmarks such as the Appalachian Mountains, Ohio River, Mammoth Cave, and Cumberland Falls. Through map work and exploration, they gain a clear understanding of how Kentucky’s landscape shapes its culture, communities, and way of life.

Language Arts

Students build strong literacy skills through engaging Kentucky-themed activities, including vocabulary development, comprehension, creative writing, and listening exercises. Throughout the unit, they work toward a final project where they compile facts, reflect on their learning, and present what they’ve discovered about Kentucky in a meaningful way.

History

Students step into Kentucky’s past, learning about early Indigenous peoples, pioneers like Daniel Boone, and the state’s role in the Civil War. They also explore the lives of notable figures such as Abraham Lincoln and Colonel Harland Sanders, along with cultural milestones like the creation of “Happy Birthday” and the origins of the Kentucky Derby.

Social Studies

Students gain insight into everyday life in Kentucky by exploring its economy, culture, and communities. They learn about farming, horse industries, transportation hubs like UPS Worldport, and cultural traditions such as burgoo and the Kentucky Derby. The unit also touches on government, current events, and unique aspects of Kentucky life.

Art

Students express their creativity by designing their own state symbols and illustrating imaginative creations inspired by what they’ve learned about Kentucky.

Bible

Students read and reflect on selected Scripture passages, including verses from Psalms, Genesis, Ecclesiastes, Matthew, Proverbs, Romans, James, Galatians, and Philippians. They also explore the story of Noah’s ark through questions and answers.

Home Economics

Students bring learning into the kitchen by preparing a traditional Kentucky dish—blackberry cobbler—connecting food, culture, and practical life skills.

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 Kentucky

B is For Bluegrass: A Kentucky Alphabet

by Mary Ann McCabe Riehle

Daniel Boone: Woodsman of Kentucky (In the Footsteps of Explorers)

by John Paul Zronik

Mammoth Cave and the Kentucky Cave Region

by Bob and Judi Thompson

Nature and Weather

Animals of Kentucky!

by Hope Aicher

A Kentucky Adventure

by Mollie P. Sawyer

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

by Scott Shupe

Industry and Economy

Thoroughbred Horses

by Grace Hansen

M. C. Higgins, The Great

by Virginia Hamilton

River of Earth

by James Still

People and Governance

Gaston Goes to the Kentucky Derby

by James Rice

D is for Derby: A Kentucky Derby Alphabet

by Helen L. Wilbur

Colonel Sanders and the American Dream (Discovering America)

by Josh Ozersky

Supplies

Meet Kentucky

Student Books

Science: Chewing Gum (Lesson 1, page 2)

chewing gum

Nature and Weather

Student Notebooks

Home Economics: Blackberry Cobbler (Lesson 2, page 3)

1 cup of all-purpose flour
1 cup of granulated sugar
4 cups of fresh blackberries
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1 egg
6 tablespoons of melted butter
whipped cream (optional)
8-inch square baking dish

People and Governance

Student Notebooks

Science: Carbonation (Lesson 4, page 2)

a clear cup
some cold clear soda
a raisin
a spoon or straw

Science: Carbonation (Lesson 4, page 2)

2 clear cups
a permanent marker
some cold clear soda (from the refrigerator)
some warm or room-temperature soda (but not hot)

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Kentucky

Level 1

Lesson 1

Science

Limestone caves
Sinkholes
Moonbow
Components of chewing gum
Saliva
Jaw

Geography

Frankfort
Appalachian Mountains
Ohio River
Bluegrass Region
Louisville
Lexington
Mammoth Cave
Cumberland Falls
Jackson Purchase
Red River Gorge
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
Sinking Spring
Land Between the Lakes
Kentucky Lake
Lake Barkley
Elk & Bison Prairie

Language Arts

Vocabulary: hollow, enrich
Freewrite: Daniel Boone
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Kentucky

History

Frankfort became the capital (1792)
Indigenous people of Kentucky: Shawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw
European settlers arrive (1700s)
Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Trail
Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis' birthplace
"Happy Birthday" written (1893)
Pharmacist John Colgan invents a modern chewing gum (1873)

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, size, population
Kentucky Horse Park
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Ark Encounter
Creation Museum

Bible

Psalm 95:4
Noah's ark: questions and answers
Genesis 6:15
Genesis 6:20–21
Genesis 9:13

Lesson 2

Science

Viceroy butterfly
Goldenrod
Blackberries
Thoroughbred
Tulip poplar
Kentucky coffeetree
White-tailed deer
Kentucky bluegrass
Seasons in Kentucky
Mimicry defenses of animals
Hover fly
Mimic octopus
Spider-tailed horned viper

Geography

Georgetown

Language Arts

Vocabulary: lurk, mimic
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Goldenrod named state flower (1926)
State tree changed to the Kentucky coffeetree (1976)
State tree changed back to the tulip poplar (1994)

Art

Draw a made-up animal
Design a state symbol

Bible

Ecclesiastes 3:1
Matthew 6:28b–29

Home Economics

Bake a blackberry cobbler

Lesson 3

Science

Staple crops
Pest- and disease-resistant crops
Livestock farming
Horse care
Coal mining
What calcium does for the body

Language Arts

Vocabulary: century, staple crop
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky's industries and economy
Word study: perseverance
Add fact cards about industries in Kentucky to the unit project

History

Henry Ford
Model T roadster

Social Studies

Farming communities
Horse industry
Car factories
Energy production
Compare a modern vehicle to Model T

Bible

Proverbs 27:23
Romans 5:3

Lesson 4

Science

Carbonation

Geography

Winchester
Hazard
Corbin
Salt Lake City, Utah

Language Arts

Vocabulary: spire, sedan
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky
Add a spotlight on Colonel Sanders to the unit project

History

Ale-8-One (1920s)
Churchill Downs (1875)
Colonel Harland Sanders
founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken®
Kentucky Derby

Social Studies

Traditional foods: burgoo, Ale-8-One
Kentucky Derby culture
Political leanings in Kentucky
Weird laws
Franchising restaurants
Kentucky Derby race rules
Create a pretend news report

Bible

Philippians 2:4

Level 2

Lesson 1

Science

Limestone caves
Sinkholes
Moonbow
Componants of chewing gum
Saliva
Neutralizing acids

Geography

Frankfort
Appalachian Mountains
Ohio River
Bluegrass Region
Louisville
Lexington
Mammoth Cave
Cumberland Falls
Jackson Purchase
Red River Gorge
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
Sinking Spring
Land Between the Lakes
Kentucky Lake
Lake Barkley
Elk & Bison Prairie

Language Arts

Vocabulary: frontier, gorge
Freewrite: Daniel Boone
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Kentucky

History

Frankfort became the capital (1792)
Indigenous people of Kentucky: Shawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw
European settlers arrive (1700s)
Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Trail
Civil War: the Union and Confederacy
Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis' birthplace
"Happy Birthday" written (1893)
Pharmacist John Colgan invents a modern chewing gum (1873)

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, size, population
Kentucky Horse Park
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Ark Encounter
Creation Museum

Bible

Psalm 95:4
Noah's ark: questions and answers
Genesis 6:15
Genesis 6:20–21
Genesis 9:13

Lesson 2

Science

Viceroy butterfly
Goldenrod
Blackberries
Thoroughbred
Tulip poplar
Kentucky coffeetree
White-tailed deer
Kentucky bluegrass
Hellbender salamander
Seasons in Kentucky
Mimicry defenses of animals
Hover fly
Mimic octopus
Spider-tailed horned viper
Foureye butterflyfish

Geography

Georgetown

Language Arts

Vocabulary: emblem, bramble
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Goldenrod named state flower (1926)
State tree changed to the Kentucky coffeetree (1976)
State tree changed back to the tulip poplar (1994)

Art

Design a state symbol

Bible

Ecclesiastes 3:1
Matthew 6:28b–29

Home Economics

Bake a blackberry cobbler

Lesson 3

Science

Staple crops
Pest- and disease-resistant crops
Livestock farming
Horse care
Coal mining
What calcium does for the body

Language Arts

Vocabulary: potential, farrier
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky's industries and economy
Word study: perseverance
Add fact cards about industries in Kentucky to the unit project

History

Henry Ford
Model T roadster

Social Studies

Farming communities
Horse industry
Car factories
Energy production
UPS Worldport air hub
Cost of living in Kentucky
Compare a modern vehicle to Model T

Bible

Proverbs 27:23
Romans 5:3–5a

Lesson 4

Science

Carbonation

Geography

Winchester
Hazard
Corbin
Salt Lake City, Utah

Language Arts

Vocabulary: rivalry, progressive
Answer comprehension questions about Kentucky
Add a spotlight on Colonel Sanders to the unit project

History

Ale-8-One (1920s)
Churchill Downs (1875)
Colonel Harland Sanders
founder of Kentucky Fried Chicken®
Kentucky Derby

Social Studies

Traditional foods: burgoo, Ale-8-One
Kentucky Derby culture
College basketball rivalry
Political leanings in Kentucky
Weird laws
Franchising restaurants
Kentucky Derby race rules
Research and outline a current event in Kentucky

Bible

Philippians 2:4

Level 3

Lesson 1

Science

Limestone caves
Sinkholes
Moonbow
Components of chewing gum
Synthetic
Polymers
Neutralizing acids
Tensile
Hydrophobic
Neurotransmitters
Effect of heat on hydrophobic polymers

Geography

Frankfort
Appalachian Mountains
Ohio River
Bluegrass Region
Louisville
Lexington
Mammoth Cave
Cumberland Falls
Jackson Purchase
Red River Gorge
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Park
Sinking Spring
Land Between the Lakes
Kentucky Lake
Lake Barkley
Elk & Bison Prairie

Language Arts

Vocabulary: segregation, quaint
Freewrite: Daniel Boone
Start planning a unit project presentation

History

Frankfort became the capital (1792)
Indigenous people of Kentucky: Shawnee, Cherokee, Chickasaw
European settlers arrive (1700s)
Daniel Boone and the Wilderness Trail
Civil War: the Union and Confederacy
Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis's birthplace
"Happy Birthday" written (1893)
Pharmacist John Colgan invents a modern chewing gum (1873)

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, size, population
Kentucky Horse Park
Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory
Ark Encounter
Creation Museum

Bible

Psalm 95:4
Noah's ark: questions and answers
Genesis 6:15
Genesis 6:21

Lesson 2

Science

Viceroy butterfly
Goldenrod
Blackberries
Thoroughbred
Tulip poplar
Kentucky coffeetree
White-tailed deer
Kentucky bluegrass
Hellbender salamander
Seasons in Kentucky
Mimicry in animals
Batesian defense
Aggressive mimicry
Automimicry

Geography

Georgetown

Language Arts

Vocabulary: scrumptious, watershed
Listening comprehension: Kentucky's nature and weather
Use guided notes to write a summary about Kentucky's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit project
Write riddles about the state symbols

History

Goldenrod named state flower (1926)
State tree changed to the Kentucky coffeetree (1976)
State tree changed back to the tulip poplar (1994)

Art

Design a state symbol

Bible

Ecclesiastes 3:1
Matthew 6:28–29

Home Economics

Bake a blackberry cobbler

Lesson 3

Science

Staple crops
Pest- and disease-resistant crops
Livestock farming
Horse care
Coal mining
What calcium does for the body

Language Arts

Vocabulary: livelihood, logistics
Listening comprehension: Kentucky's industries and economy
Use guided notes to write a summary about Kentucky's industries and economy
Word study: perseverance
Write about an industry that had an important impact on the economy in Kentucky and add it to the unit project

History