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 Maine

Join us as we wander through the Pine Tree State! On the next stop of our Fifty States road trip, we will drive, sail, and hike by scenic views of steep mountains, coastal-town lobster boats, and blankets of wild blueberries. We will spot the mighty moose, visit the L.L. Bean flagship store, and learn how Mainers deal with some pretty cold, wintry weather. We’ll also meet beloved children’s author E.B. White and see how the state inspired his children's classics like Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little. We will talk about the fishing, logging, manufacturing, and tourism industries that are so important to Maine as well. Student Book activities include mapping, lesson summaries, the science behind papermaking, Atlantic puffins, folklore, a poetry study, lobster habitats, and budgeting.

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Subject Cards

Science

Students explore Maine’s natural world, including its rocky coastline, forests, and changing seasons. They study native wildlife and ecosystems, learning how plants and animals adapt to their environment. The unit also introduces concepts like ocean life, tides, and natural resources, helping students understand how Maine’s environment shapes daily life and industry.

Geography

Students discover Maine’s location and landscape by identifying key cities, regions, and natural features such as the Atlantic coastline, forests, and waterways. They build map skills while learning how Maine’s geography influences its climate, communities, and way of life.

Language Arts

Students strengthen literacy skills through Maine-themed vocabulary, reading comprehension, listening activities, and writing tasks. They engage with the content through creative and structured responses, building toward a final project that allows them to present what they’ve learned about the state.

History

Students explore Maine’s history from early settlement through its development as a state. They learn about key events, industries, and people that shaped Maine, including its connection to maritime life, shipbuilding, and coastal communities.

Social Studies

Students gain insight into Maine’s culture, economy, and daily life. They explore industries such as fishing and forestry, as well as traditions and community life shaped by Maine’s environment. The unit helps students understand how people live and work in this region.

Art

Students express their creativity through projects inspired by Maine, including designing state-related artwork and participating in open-ended drawing activities connected to the unit.

Bible

Students reflect on Scripture passages that connect Maine’s natural beauty, including its forests and eastern white pine, to the glory and power of God. They explore how creation praises Him, how His Word gives guidance, and how He is the one who builds, renews, and directs our lives. Students also consider the importance of sharing God’s wonderful works with the next generation.

Math

Students practice practical money skills by making a financial plan. Older students build on this with broader financial planning, helping them connect math to real-life decision-making.

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 Maine

L Is For Lobster: A Maine Alphabet

by Cynthia Furlong Reynolds

Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie

by Connie and Peter Roop

Lost on a Mountain in Maine

by Donn Fendler

Nature and Weather

Blueberries For Sal

by Robert McCloskey

The Ultimate Maine Guide for Kids: From Lobsters to Lighthouses

by Barb Perry

North Woods at Night: Literary Reflections on Maine's Largest Forest

by Steven Long

Industry and Economy

Grandma Drove the Lobster Boat

by Katie Clark

Timberrr . . . : A History of Logging in New England

by Mary Morton Cowan

Life in a North Woods Lumber Camp: A Picturesque Story of Logging and Lumbering Activities, Lumberjacks, and Family Life

by William J. O'Hern

People and Governance

Stuart Little

by E.B. White

Charlotte’s Web

by E.B. White

Maine Has Moxie

by Deborah Meroff

E. B. White: Beyond Charlotte's Web and Stuart Little (People to Know)

by Laura Baskes Litwin

Supplies

Meet Maine

Student Notebooks

Science: Waterproof (Lesson 1, page 2)

a bowl
water
a sheet of foil
two paper towels
a sheet of wax paper

Science: Waterproof (Lesson 1, page 2)

a bowl
water
a sheet of foil
two paper towels
a piece of cardboard
a piece of leather (or similar material)
a roll of plastic wrap
a sheet of wax paper

Nature AND Weather

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity (All Levels)

soil
two small containers
crushed ice
thermometer

Student Notebooks

Science: Atlantic Puffins (Lesson 2, page 2)

water
ice
a big bowl or tub (large enough to fit the student's hand)
shortening
2-gallon plastic bags

Industry and Economy

Student Notebooks

Science: The Science of Paper (Lesson 3, page 2)

recycled paper, such as printer paper or used coloring sheets
water
bowl
blender
wire hanger
duct tape
stockings
an iron

Science: The Science of Paper (Lesson 3, page 2)

5 glasses
a roll of paper towels
water
food coloring

People and Governance

Student Notebooks

Science: Lobster Habitats Extension Activity (Lesson 4, page 2)

large container or sink
1 gallon of warm water
6 tablespoons of salt
rocks or shells

Science: Lobster Habitats Extension Activity (Lesson 4, page 2)

large container or sink
1 gallon of warm water
6 tablespoons of salt
rocks or shells
kitchen thermometer

Science: Lobster Habitats Extension Activity (Lesson 4, page 2)

large container or sink
1 gallon of warm water
6 tablespoons of salt
rocks or shells
kitchen thermometer
pH strips (optional)
baking soda or vinegar (optional)

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Maine

Level 1

Lesson 1

Science

Tidal changes
Experiment with waterproof and non-waterproof materials

Geography

East Coast
Regions of Maine: New England Uplands, White Mountains, and Coastal Lowlands
Atlantic Ocean
New England
Appalachian Mountains
Mount Katahdin
Kennebunkport
Kennebunk River
Walker's Point
Freeport
Boothbay Harbor
Ocean Point
Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain
Baxter State Park
Moosehead Lake
Longfellow Mountains
California
Eastport
Label the regions and capital of Maine on a map

Language Arts

Vocabulary: upland, adorn
Poetry study: "The Inward Morning"
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Maine

History

Wabanaki tribe
European explorers (1600s)
President George H. W. Bush
L.L. Bean (1912)
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Henry David Thoreau

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, population, size
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Weird facts
Philanthropies
Charities

Bible

Psalm 119:105

Lesson 2

Science

Effects felt from catastrophies in other places
Maine weather and climate
How paper is made

Language Arts

Vocabulary: endure, vivid
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's symbols
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Folklore

Art

Design a new state symbol

Bible

Proverbs 3:5–6
Psalm 96:12b

Home Economics

Smith Island Cake

Lesson 3

Science

Effects felt from catastrophies in other places
Maine weather and climate
How paper is made

Geography

Northeastern United States
Europe
Asia
Germany
Switzerland

Language Arts

Vocabulary: emerge, enable
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Maine to the unit project

History

Mount Tambora eruption (1815)
"The Year Without a Summer" (1816)

Social Studies

Maine industries: fishing, forestry, shipbuilding, manufacturing
Effects of industry on domestic migration
Mill towns
Budgeting

Bible

Psalm 127:1a

Math

Making a financial plan

Lesson 4

Science

Lobster habitats
Make your own lobster habitat

Geography

British Isles
Canada
South Berwick

Language Arts

Different storytelling techniques
Charlotte's Web
Stuart Little
Vocabulary: quirk, shallow
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's people and government
Write or dictate a story
Add a spotlight on E.B. White to the unit project

History

Author E.B. White
Milton Bradley

Social Studies

Multigenerational occupations
Life in Maine for tourists vs. residents
Food culture: lobster, whoopie pies, Moxie soda
Lobstering
Weird laws
Board games
Create a pretend news report

Bible

Psalm 78:4

Level 2

Lesson 1

Science

Tidal changes
Experiment with waterproof and non-waterproof materials

Geography

East Coast
Regions of Maine: New England Uplands, White Mountains, and Coastal Lowlands
Atlantic Ocean
New England
Appalachian Mountains
Mount Katahdin
New Hampshire
Kennebunkport
Kennebunk River
Walker's Point
Freeport
Boothbay Harbor
Ocean Point
Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain
Baxter State Park
Moosehead Lake
Longfellow Mountains
California
Eastport
Label the regions and capital of Maine on a map

Language Arts

Vocabulary: mere, complement
Poetry study: "The Inward Morning"
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Maine

History

Wabanaki tribe
European explorers (1600s)
Massachusetts colony
District of Maine
War of 1812
Statehood: March 20, 1820
President George H. W. Bush
L.L. Bean (1912)
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Henry David Thoreau

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, population, size
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Weird facts
Philanthropies
Charities
Plan your own philanthropy

Bible

Psalm 119:105

Lesson 2

Science

Eastern white pine
Moose
Wild blueberry
Pollinators
Black-capped chickadee
Tidal pools
Puffins
Temperate forest
Boreal forest
Snowshoe hare
Canada lynx
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Red fox
Common loon
Bird migration
Maine seasons
Fog
Fun facts about Atlantic puffins
Effects of blubber for insulation

Geography

Gulf of Maine

Language Arts

Vocabulary: parasite, cultivated
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's symbols
Write your own folklore about fog
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

Folklore

Art

Design a new state symbol

Bible

Proverbs 3:5–6
Psalm 96:11–12

Home Economics

Smith Island Cake

Lesson 3

Science

Effects felt from catastrophies in other places
Maine weather and climate
How paper is made
Make your own paper

Geography

Indonesia
Northeastern United States
Europe
Asia
Germany
Switzerland

Language Arts

Vocabulary: frugal, sector
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Maine to the unit project

History

Mount Tambora eruption (1815)
"The Year Without a Summer" (1816)

Social Studies

Maine industries: fishing, forestry, shipbuilding, manufacturing
Family trades
Effects of industry on domestic migration
Mill towns
Seasonal economies
Cost of living in Maine
Budgeting

Bible

Psalm 127:1a

Math

Making a financial plan

Lesson 4

Science

Lobster habitats
Make your own lobster habitat

Geography

British Isles
Canada
South Berwick

Language Arts

Different storytelling techniques
Charlotte's Web
Stuart Little
Vocabulary: calloused, textile
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's people and government
Research and outline a current event
Add a spotlight on E.B. White to the unit project

History

French-Canadian settlers
Author E.B. White
Milton Bradley

Social Studies

Multigenerational occupations
Life in Maine for tourists vs. residents
Food culture: lobster, whoopie pies, Moxie soda
Lobstering
Maine government structure
Weird laws
Board games
Current events in Maine

Bible

Psalm 78:4

Level 3

Lesson 1

Science

Tidal changes
Create a miniature waterproof boot

Geography

East Coast
Regions of Maine: New England Uplands, White Mountains, and Coastal Lowlands
Atlantic Ocean
New England
Appalachian Mountains
Mount Katahdin
New Hampshire
Kennebunkport
Kennebunk River
Walker's Point
Freeport
Boothbay Harbor
Ocean Point
Bar Harbor
Acadia National Park
Cadillac Mountain
Baxter State Park
Moosehead Lake
Longfellow Mountains
California
Eastport
Label Maine's regions, Augusta, Atlantic Ocean, Moosehead Lake, Canada, Mount Katahdin, and Appalachian Mountains on a map

Language Arts

Vocabulary: displacement, quintessentially
Poetry study: "The Inward Morning"
Start planning a unit project presentation

History

Wabanaki tribe
European explorers (1600s)
Massachusetts colony
District of Maine
War of 1812
Statehood: March 20, 1820
President George H. W. Bush
L.L. Bean (1912)
John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
Henry David Thoreau

Social Studies

Quick facts: motto, nickname, population, size
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens
Weird facts
Philanthropies vs. charities
W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Southwestern Diabetic Foundation
World Medical Mission
Plan your own philanthropy

Bible

Psalm 119:105
2 Corinthians 5:17

Lesson 2

Science

Eastern white pine
Moose
Wild blueberry
Pollinators
Black-capped chickadee
Tidal pools
Puffins
Temperate forest
Boreal forest
Snowshoe hare
Canada lynx
White-tailed deer
Black bear
Red fox
Common loon
Bird migration
Maine seasons
Fog
Atlantic puffins: appearance, habitat, diet, life cycle, interesting facts
Effects of blubber for insulation

Geography

Gulf of Maine

Language Arts

Vocabulary: elusive, sustenance
Answer comprehension questions about Maine's symbols
Write a summary of the lesson
Write your own folklore about fog
Add state symbols to the unit project
Write riddles about the state symbols
Write a poem using state symbols

History

Folklore

Art

Design a new state symbol

Bible

Proverbs 3:5–6
Psalm 96:11–12

Home Economics

Smith Island Cake

Lesson 3

Science

Effects felt from catastrophies in other places
Maine weather and climate
How paper is made
Capillary action
Lignins in wood pulp
Celery or walking-rainbow experiment

Geography

Indonesia
Northeastern United States
Europe
Asia
Germany
Switzerland

Language Arts

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

History