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 Gather ‘Round Academy is our online school, designed to fit into your home with the support your family needs. Our teachers offer school-year planning assistance, grading, report cards, transcripts, and tutoring. We also offer online courses to accompany several of our Gather ‘Round units. You can choose to enroll for a full year of support, subscribe for access to our complete video library, or join as a member for a 15% discount on video courses and stand-alone services. Memberships are just $39 USD a month and are included with Independent Enrollment or an Insider Subscription, with access to our student community and parent hub with monthly summits.Live ClassesWe have about 600 students who tune in online to watch a lesson being taught live by a teacher - complete with polls, comments, reactions and resources. Replays are also available for 10 weeks for families who miss a class. Homework is assigned and families complete their student notebooks together. Classes run daily from Monday-Thursday at 10:00 am EST or 2:00 pm EST, with scheduled breaks between units and during holidays.On-Demand Video Courses Currently available is Modular Math Number Sense, Ready to Read 1, Music, Botany, US History 4 and Entrepreneurship. Each of our live classes will also be available on demand, with additional Modular Math and Ready to Read videos in production! Eventually we hope to have video lessons available for all Gather ‘Round Units.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 Montana

Buy Now

Discover Big Sky Country in this engaging four‑day Montana mini unit! Students will explore the state’s dramatic landscapes, historic towns, and surprising scientific wonders through short readings and hands‑on activities. From icy glaciers and rolling prairies to gemstones, snowflakes, and the Continental Divide, this unit blends geography, history, culture, and science in a way that keeps learners curious from start to finish.

Subject Cards

Gold, Grit, and New Beginnings

Montana’s story has been shaped by Indigenous nations, the excitement of the gold rush, westward exploration, and families building new lives on the frontier. Discover how these people and events transformed communities across the state and left their mark on the Montana we know today.

Snowflakes, Summits, and the Continental Divide

What makes every snowflake unique, and how can a mountain determine which direction water flows? Investigate Montana’s winter weather and towering terrain as students discover the science of snowflakes and explore how the Continental Divide shapes rivers, ecosystems, and landscapes across the state.

Huckleberries, Grizzlies, and Glacier Wonders

From huckleberries and towering ponderosa pines to grizzly bears and colorful hot springs, Montana is filled with fascinating natural treasures. Students will discover the science and stories behind these iconic features while exploring the wild landscapes that make Big Sky Country one of a kind.

Ranches, Rodeos, and Mountain Communities

Experience life on Montana’s wide-open ranges, where ranching has shaped communities and traditions for generations. Students will discover how cattle, rodeos, food, and daily life reflect the state’s ranching heritage while exploring the resourcefulness and strong sense of community needed to make a home on the mountains and prairies.

Gemstones, Geysers, and Creative Curiosity

Montana’s landscapes and natural wonders provide plenty of inspiration for words, puzzles, and creativity! Build language skills through riddles, analogies, vocabulary, and creative writing while uncovering the science behind gemstones, geysers, and hot springs. Bring it all together with an original Montana-inspired symbol or illustration.

Legends and Legacies of Montana

Discover the fascinating people whose determination, daring ideas, and unique stories became part of Montana’s history. From Evel Knievel’s legendary feats to influential figures from the state’s past, students will consider how courage, perseverance, and individual choices can leave a lasting legacy.

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 Montana

B is for Big Sky Country: A Montana Alphabet

by Sneed B. Collard III and Joanna Yardley

M Is for Montana

by Gayle Shirley

Hattie Big Sky

by Kirby Larson

Nature and Weather

M Is for Montana

by Stephanie Miles and Christin Farley

Montana for Kids: The Story of Our State

by Allen Morris Jones

History of Montana: A Captivating Guide to Historical Events and Facts You Should Know About the Treasure State

by Captivating History

Industry and Economy

Help Mom Work from Home

by Diana Murray

When Daddy Works from Home

by Paul Schofield

Glacier National Park

by Joanne Mattern

What I Saw in Glacier: A Kid's Guide to the National Park

by Ellen Horowitz

War of the Copper Kings

by C. B. Glasscock

People and Governance

Goodnight Montana

by Adam Gamble

The Ultimate Guide to Montana for Kids

by Alex Heinen

Glacier National Park 2025–2026: Wild Heart of the Rockies

by Emma Anderson

Supplies

Meet Montana

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

ice cube
dirt or sand
tray

Student Notebooks

Science: Large Snowflakes (Page 2)

pipe cleaner (white or light colors work best)
short piece of string
pencil or popsicle stick
wide jar or cup
hot water
3–4 tablespoons of borax
food coloring (optional)

Science: Large Snowflakes (Page 2)

2 pipe cleaners (white or light colors work best)
2 short pieces of string
2 pencils or popsicle sticks
2 wide jars or cups
hot water
3–4 tablespoons of borax
food coloring (optional)

Nature And Weather

Student Notebooks

History + Science: Roots in Early American History (Page 3)

a root from a nearby plant and tools to dig it up

Industry and Economy

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

supplies to make a family history timeline (paper, marker, stickers, scissors, etc.)

Student Notebooks

History + Art: The History of Hats (Page 3)

supplies to make a head covering of your own (including an old hat, fabric, ribbons, etc.)

People and Governance

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

try to do something without looking at instructions (puzzle, LEGO bricks, bake cookies without directions)

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Montana

Level 1

Geography

Alder Gulch
Geographic regions of Montana
Continental Divide
Rocky Mountains
Triple Divide: Pacific, Atlantic, and Artic Oceans
Glacier country
Yellowstone National Park
Makoshika State Park
Helena
Missouri River
Glacier National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
International Peace Park
Roe River
Giant Springs State Park
Gardiner
Label Montana, Missouri River, and Helena
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Oregon Trail
Montana forests
Yogo Gulch
Missouri River
Milky Way galaxy
Butte
The Richest Hill on Earth
Bozeman
Beautiful landscapes
Long distances between towns

Science

Dinosaur fossils
Snowflakes
Montana weather
Chinook
Crystals
Gems
Medicine from roots
Gem formation cycle
Volcanos
Gold
Silver
Copper
Sapphires
Adrenaline
Heart, lungs, brain, muscles

Language Arts

Vocabulary: gulch, convert
Color the flag
Begin the unit project: add flag, quick facts, etc.
Vocabulary: token, faint
Add state symbols to unit project
Vocabulary: appealing, taper
Remote work
Make a timeline
Color the fact cards and add them to your unit project
Vocabulary: advantage, daredevil
Current event
Complete unit project

History

Indigenous tribes: Crow, Blackfeet, and Salish
Lewis and Clark (early 1800s)
Gold discovered (1863)
Chinese immigrants
Battle of the Little Big Horn
Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
General George A. Custer
Virginia City mining town (1860)
Last Chance Gulch (late 1860s)
Largest recorded snowflake (1887)
Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes
Big Sky Country
Yakima tribe
Trading posts
Boom-and-bust cycle
Barter or trade
Weird laws
Evel Knievel (born Robert Craig Knievel) known for motorcycle stunts

Social Studies

Fast facts: nickname, population, size, etc.
Little Big Horn National Monument
Grizzly bear
Omnivores
Ponderosa pine
Bitterroot
Sapphires
Headwaters
Cutthroat trout
Bison
Prairie dogs
Pollution
Snow-eaters
Cedar root
Blueroot
Bison
Ear of corn
Flint and stone
Hides
Trading goods
Furs
Glass trade beads
Tin cups and cookware
Wool blankets
Tea, sugar, and coffee
Gunpowder and lead
Mining
Railroads connected Montana to the rest of the country
Farming
Ranching
Technology companies
Handmade goods
Beaver pelts
Jobs or businesses
Hats made of beaver fur
Cowboy hat
Bonnet
Baseball cap
Ever-changing climate
Towns are growing
Lifestyles are transforming
Landscape has changed
Life during different seasons
Rodeos, horseback riding, roping, working with livestock
Montana's ranching roots
People gather to celebrate
Fly-fishing and hunting
Snowboarding
Huckleberries
Self-sufficiency

Art

Snowflake experiment
Design state symbol
Draw a root
Draw something made with gold, silver, or copper
Design your own trading post

Bible

Psalm 104:24
God is an intentional creator
Romans 8:38–39
Love of God
Matthew 5:14–16
Let your light shine
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
He gives strength
Isaiah 40:8
God's word does not fade
James 5:16b
Pray for someone to know Jesus
Psalm 28:7a
Rely on God

Level 2

Geography

Alder Gulch
Geographic regions of Montana
Continental Divide
Rocky Mountains
Triple Divide: Pacific, Atlantic, and Artic Oceans
Glacier country
Yellowstone National Park
Canadian boundary line
Makoshika State Park
Helena
Missouri River
Glacier National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
International Peace Park
Roe River
Giant Springs State Park
Gardiner
Label Montana, Missouri River, Helena, and the Continental Divide
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Oregon Trail
Montana forests
Yogo Gulch
Missouri River
Milky Way galaxy
Butte
The Richest Hill on Earth
Bozeman
Beautiful landscapes
Rugged mountains
Long distances between towns

Science

Dinosaur fossils
Snowflakes
Humidity
Montana weather
Chinook
Crystals
Gems
Medicine from roots
Gem formation cycle
Volcanos and tectonic plates
Quartz
Parts of a root
Gold
Silver
Copper
Sapphires
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Adrenaline
Heart, lungs, brain, muscles, vision

Language Arts

Vocabulary: margin, bolster
Sketch and color the flag
Begin the unit project: add flag, quick facts, etc.
Vocabulary: trademark, blustery
Add state symbols to unit project
Vocabulary: cultivate, deposit
Remote work
Make a timeline
Write facts and add them to your unit project
Vocabulary: legislate, entity
Current event
Complete unit project

History

Indigenous tribes: Crow, Blackfeet, and Salish
Lewis and Clark (early 1800s)
Gold discovered (1863)
Chinese immigrants
Battle of the Little Big Horn
Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
General George A. Custer
Virginia City mining town (1860)
Last Chance Gulch (late 1860s)
Largest recorded snowflake (1887)
Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes
Big Sky Country
Yakima tribe
Trading posts
Boom-and-bust cycle
Barter or trade
Rich natural resources
Fur traders and trappers
Weird laws
Evel Knievel (born Robert Craig Knievel) known for motorcycle stunts

Social Studies

Fast facts: nickname, population, size, etc.
Little Big Horn National Monument
Grizzly bear
Omnivores
Ponderosa pine
Bitterroot
Sapphires
Headwaters
Cutthroat trout
Bison
Prairie dogs
Wildfires
Pollution
Snow-eaters
Cedar root
Blueroot
Yucca root
Bison
Ear of corn
Flint and stone
Hides
Trading goods
Furs
Glass trade beads
Tin cups and cookware
Wool blankets
Tea, sugar, and coffee
Gunpowder and lead
Mining
Railroads connected Montana to the rest of the country
Farming
Ranching
Technology companies
Tourism
Economy
Handmade goods
Beaver pelts
Jobs or businesses
Hats made of beaver fur
Cowboy hat
Bonnet
Silk top hat
Baseball cap
Ever-changing climate
Towns are growing
Lifestyles are transforming
Landscape has changed
Life during different seasons
Rodeos, horseback riding, roping, working with livestock
Montana's ranching roots
People gather to celebrate
Fly-fishing and hunting
Snowboarding
Huckleberries
Montana's government
Necessities
Self-sufficiency

Art

Snowflakes and time experiment
Design state symbol
Draw and label a root
Design a modern-day trading post

Bible

Psalm 104:24
God is an intentional creator
Romans 8:38–39
Love of God
Matthew 5:14–16
Let your light shine
Isaiah 40:29 (NIV)
He gives strength
Isaiah 40:8
God's word does not fade
James 5:16b
Pray for someone to know Jesus
Psalm 28:7a
Rely on God

Level 3

Geography

Alder Gulch
Geographic regions of Montana
Continental Divide
Rocky Mountains
Triple Divide: Pacific, Atlantic, and Artic Oceans
Glacier country
Yellowstone National Park
Canadian boundary line
Makoshika State Park
Helena
Missouri River
Glacier National Park
Waterton Lakes National Park
International Peace Park
Roe River
Giant Springs State Park
Gardiner
Label the map
Atlantic Ocean
Pacific Ocean
The Oregon Trail
Montana forests
Yogo Gulch
Missouri River
Milky Way galaxy
Butte
The Richest Hill on Earth
Bozeman
Beautiful landscapes
Long distances between towns

Science

Dinosaur fossils
Snowflakes
Humidity
Hypotheses and conclusions
Montana weather
Chinook
Crystals
Gems
Medicine from roots
Gem formation cycle
Volcanos and tectonic plates
Parts of a root
Gold
Silver
Copper
Sapphires
Coal
Oil
Natural gas
Mohs hardness scale
Adrenaline
Heart, lungs, brain, muscles, vision, hearing
Hysterical strength

Language Arts

Vocabulary: parcel, menagerie
Sketch and color the flag and state seal
Write a biography
Choose a type of unit project and begin brainstorming
Vocabulary: nutrient, moniker
Add state symbols to unit project
Vocabulary: influx, commerce
Remote work
Make a timeline
Write a summary about what you have learned
Write a paragraph on an industry you think has been most impactful on Big Sky Country
Vocabulary: libertarian, self-sufficiency
Current event
Complete unit project