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 Texas

Buy Now

Discover what makes Texas larger than life in this four-day mini-unit packed with history, innovation, and unforgettable traditions! Students will journey from legendary cattle drives and the stories of Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin to NASA space exploration, wind energy, bluebonnets, prickly pear cactus, barbecue, football, and more. With a fascinating mix of people, places, and culture, this study brings the Lone Star State to life and shows why Texas is truly one of a kind.

Subject Cards

Texas Trails and Tall Tales

Follow the paths carved by explorers, cowhands, and early settlers as you learn how Texans traveled, traded, and built communities across prairies, plains, and rugged canyons. Meet the storytellers and leaders who helped shape the state’s identity and kept its history alive.

Skies, Space, and the Lone Star Spirit

From wide‑open horizons to NASA’s Johnson Space Center, discover how Texans have always looked upward. Explore simple astronomy, communication science, and the bold innovation that helped launch missions beyond Earth.

Prairies, Pecans, and Prairie Winds

Learn about the plants, animals, and natural wonders that make Texas unique. Bluebonnets, prickly pear cacti, pecan trees, longhorns, and nine‑banded armadillos help students understand how geography shapes culture, food, and daily life.

Cowboys, Cattle, and Community

Dive into ranching history, cattle drives, and the teamwork required to thrive on the frontier. Students will explore how ranch life influenced Texas traditions, from rodeos to recipes, and how cooperation kept communities strong.

Soda Shops and State Symbols

Enjoy vocabulary, riddles, analogies, and creative writing inspired by Texas culture. Then peek behind the trade secrets of a famous soda born in Texas, learn flower names, and design your own Texas‑themed symbol or illustration.

Texans Who Changed the Story

Read about leaders like Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin and discuss how their choices shaped the future of the state. Students will explore themes of courage, leadership, and perseverance while learning how Texas grew from a frontier nation into part of the United States.

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 Texas

Welcome to Texas (Welcome To)

by Asa Gilland

The Little Book of Texas Facts: Fascinating Things You Never Knew About the Lone Star State

by Jonah Keene

The Gates of the Alamo

by Stephen Harrigan

Nature and Weather

This is Texas, Y’All!: The Lone Star State from A–Z

by Misha Blaise

I Survived the Galveston Hurricane, 1900 (I Survived #21)

by Lauren Tarshis

Isaac’s Storm: A Man, A Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History

by Erik Larson

Industry and Economy

Only in Texas

by Heather Alexander

History of Texas

by Captivating History

Unsettled Land: From Revolution to Republic, the Struggle for Texas

by Sam W. Haynes

People and Governance

Good Night Texas

by Adam Gamble and Mark Jasper

Make Way For Sam Houston

by Jean Fritz

The Raven: A Biography of Sam Houston

by Marquis James

Supplies

Meet Texas

Student Notebooks

Social Studies: Soda Trade Secrets

2 or more flavored liquids (soda, juice, etc.)
a large cup
a spoon
several small cups
optional add-ins (vanilla extract, spices, tea, etc.) (Levels 2–3)
2 large cups (Level 3)
paper (Level 3)
pencil (Level 3)

Nature And Weather

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

modeling clay, wooden craft sticks, or aluminum foil
sink, bathtub, or container of water
pennies, marbles, or other small objects

Industry and Economy

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

cardboard tubes, paper towel rolls, pool noodles cut in half (any materials you have to make a pipeline)
index cards
tape
marbles, pom-poms, or a small ball

Student Notebooks

Science: Wind Turbines (Page 2)

the pinwheel cutout (from the Appendix)
scissors
a piece of straw (about 1 inch)
a straight pin
a pencil with an eraser
crayons or markers

Science: Wind Turbines (Page 2)

1 6-inch square of paper
ruler
scissors
a piece of straw (about 1 inch)
a straight pin
a pencil with an eraser
1 small cup
modeling clay or Play-Doh

Science: Wind Turbines (Page 2)

1 6-inch square of paper
ruler
scissors
a piece of straw (about 1 inch)
a straight pin
a pencil with an eraser
a small cup
modeling clay or Play-Doh
a fan with multiple speeds

People and Governance

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

2 types of food or cuisine (your choice)

Student Notebooks

Science + Social Studies: Texas Barbecue Sauce (Page 2)

1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon black pepper

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Texas

Level 1

Geography

Texas
Gulf Coast
Great Plains
Spain
United States
Mexico
Chihuahuan Desert
Rio Grande River
Llano Estacado: "Stalked Plains"
Louisiana
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Big Bend National Park
Santa Elena Canyon
North America
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: "Grand Canyon of Texas"
The Lighthouse
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo
Fort Worth Stockyards
Enchanted Rock
San Antonio
The Alamo
River Walk
San Antonio River
NASA's Johnson Space Center
Houston
Austin
Virginia
Texas beaches
Canada
Tennessee

Science

Astronauts
Pharmacist
Haboob
Flash flooding
Severe storms
Hurricanes
Snow and ice storms
Multipurpose plants
Create your own pinwheel
Learn the science behind barbecue

Language Arts

Vocabulary: outnumber, payoff
Begin the unit project: add flag, quick facts, etc.
Vocabulary: sprawling, muggy
Add state symbols to unit project
Vocabulary: sorghum, aviation
Trace the names of industries
Use a word bank to complete the analogies
Add important industries to unit project
Vocabulary: memento, tension
Trace the names of favorite Texas activities
Create a breaking news report about a current event in Texas
Add a picture and information about Sam Houston to unit project

History

Republic of Texas
Indigenous tribes: Caddo, Karankawa, Comanche
Stephen F. Austin
Texas Revolution
Alamo
General Sam Houston
Apollo Moon landings
International Space Station
Buc-ee's
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Mission Control
NASA
Apollo 11
Names of flowers: sunflower, snapdragon, bird of paradise
Color code a cattle drive illustration
Indigenous tribe: Apache
Spanish settlers
Immigrants: German, Czech
Black Americans
Customs and traditions
US Army
Andrew Jackson
War of 1812
Cherokee Nation
Battle of San Jacinto
The Union
Civil War
Confederacy

Social Studies

Fast facts: nicknames, size, population, etc.
Christianity
Presidios
Regions: Big Bend Country, Panhandle Plains, Hill Country, South Texas Plains, Piney Woods, Big Thicket, Prairies & Lakes, Gulf Coast
Plateau
Aquifer
Fossilized dinosaur footprints
Texas longhorns
Fun facts
Dr. Pepper
23 different flavors
Trade secret
Bluebonnet
Horned lizard
Pecan tree
Nine-banded armadillo
Habitats
Kemp's ridley sea turtles
Mexican free-tailed bats
Monarch butterflies
Whooping cranes
Prickly pear cacti
Oak trees
Native animals
Wild plants
Crops: corn, beans, squash, rice, oranges, grapefruit, wheat, hay, sorghum, vegetables, watermelons
Spanish explorers
Horses, cattle, sheep, goats
Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers
Cotton
Oil
Natural gas
Turbines
Farming
Energy production
Railroads
Food, medical equipment, computers, electronics, construction materials, computer chips, phones, laptops, cars, kitchen appliances
Aerospace, airplanes, helicopters, satellites, spacecraft
Engineers
Tex-Mex
Barbecue, chili, chicken-fried steak, kolaches, Blue Bell ice cream
High school football
Dallas Cowboys
Rodeos, county fairs, livestock shows
Country music
Hunting, fishing, camping, exploring state parks
Weird laws

Art

Build your own "republic"
Color the flag
Build a raft
Color the state symbols
Color and label the plant
Create your own flower that looks like something else
Design your own state symbol
Design a pipeline

Math

Play a game and calculate if you get a first down and advance to the end zone

Home Economics

Create your own secret soda recipe
Create your own fusion food
Make barbecue sauce or watch a video on how it is made

Bible

Proverbs 19:21
God has a purpose
God is sovereign
Mark 10:43
The best leaders are servants
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
God provides protection
Ephesians 6:11
The armor of God
Colossians 3:23
Work heartily
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches
Joshua 1:7
Be strong and courageous in God's word

Level 2

Geography

Texas
Gulf Coast
Great Plains
Spain
United States
Mexico
Chihuahuan Desert
Rio Grande River
Llano Estacado: "Stalked Plains"
Louisiana
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Big Bend National Park
Santa Elena Canyon
North America
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: "Grand Canyon of Texas"
The Lighthouse
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo
Fort Worth Stockyards
Enchanted Rock
San Antonio
The Alamo
River Walk
San Antonio River
NASA's Johnson Space Center
Houston
Austin
Virginia
Texas beaches
Canada
Asia
Dallas
Tennessee

Science

Astronauts
Pharmacist
Haboob
Flash flooding
Severe storms
Hurricanes
Snow and ice storms
Multipurpose plants
Create a model wind turbine
Learn the science behind barbecue

Language Arts

Vocabulary: hoodoo, sacred
Begin the unit project: add flag, quick facts, etc.
Vocabulary: iconic, dense
Label the state symbols
Add state symbols to unit project
Vocabulary: profile, cargo
Label important industries
Use a word bank to complete the analogies
Add important industries to unit project
Vocabulary: dispute, fusion
Label favorite Texas activities
Create a presentation about a current event in Texas
Add a picture and information about Sam Houston to unit project

History

Republic of Texas
Indigenous tribes: Caddo, Karankawa, Comanche
Stephen F. Austin
Texas Revolution
Alamo
General Sam Houston
Apollo Moon landings
International Space Station
Buc-ee's
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Mission Control
NASA
Apollo 11
Gemini
1900 Galveston hurricane
Names of flowers: sunflower, bluebonnet, snapdragon, bird of paradise, bleeding heart
Answer questions about 1800s cattle drives
Indigenous tribe: Apache
Spanish settlers
Immigrants: German, Czech
Black Americans
Customs and traditions
US Army
Andrew Jackson
War of 1812
Cherokee Nation
Battle of San Jacinto
The Union
Civil War
Confederacy

Social Studies

Fast facts: nicknames, size, population, etc.
Christianity
Presidios
Regions: Big Bend Country, Panhandle Plains, Hill Country, South Texas Plains, Piney Woods, Big Thicket, Prairies & Lakes, Gulf Coast
Plateau
Aquifer
Fossilized dinosaur footprints
Texas longhorns
Fun facts
Dr. Pepper
23 different flavors
Trade secret
Bluebonnet
Horned lizard
Pecan tree
Nine-banded armadillo
Habitats
Kemp's ridley sea turtles
Mexican free-tailed bats
Monarch butterflies
Whooping cranes
Prickly pear cacti
Oak trees
"Pine Curtain"
Native animals
Wild plants
Crops: corn, beans, squash, rice, oranges, grapefruit, wheat, hay, sorghum, vegetables, watermelons
Spanish explorers
Horses, cattle, sheep, goats
Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers
Cotton
Oil
Natural gas
Turbines
Farming
Energy production
Railroads
Food, medical equipment, computers, electronics, construction materials, computer chips, phones, laptops, cars, kitchen appliances
Aerospace, airplanes, helicopters, satellites, spacecraft
Engineers
Cattle trails, rivers
Highways, rail lines, airports
International trade
Industries: manufacturing, technology, health care, finance, transportation, aerospace, and tourism
Economy
Businesses
Jobs
Rodeos, music festivals, State Fair of Texas
Cost of living
Tex-Mex
Barbecue, chili, chicken-fried steak, kolaches, Blue Bell ice cream
High school football
Dallas Cowboys
Rodeos, county fairs, livestock shows
Country music
Hunting, fishing, camping, exploring state parks
Government branches: executive, legislative (Texas Legislature), judicial
Senate, House of Representatives
Voting
Weird laws

Art

Build your own "republic"
Sketch and color the flag
Build a raft
Sketch the flowers and color them
Design your own state symbol
Design a pipeline

Math

Play a game to calculate downs and penalties to advance to the end zone

Home Economics

Create your own secret soda recipe
Create your own fusion food
Make barbecue sauce or watch a video on how it is made

Bible

Proverbs 19:21
God has a purpose
God is sovereign
Mark 10:43
The best leaders are servants
Psalm 91:4 (NIV)
God provides protection
Ephesians 6:11
The armor of God
Colossians 3:23
Work heartily
John 15:5
I am the vine; you are the branches
Joshua 1:7
Be strong and courageous in God's word

Level 3

Geography

Texas
Gulf Coast
Great Plains
Spain
United States
Mexico
Chihuahuan Desert
Rio Grande River
Llano Estacado: "Stalked Plains"
Louisiana
Arkansas
Oklahoma
Gulf of America (Gulf of Mexico)
Big Bend National Park
Santa Elena Canyon
North America
Palo Duro Canyon State Park: "Grand Canyon of Texas"
The Lighthouse
Cadillac Ranch
Amarillo
Fort Worth Stockyards
Enchanted Rock
San Antonio
The Alamo
River Walk
San Antonio River
NASA's Johnson Space Center
Houston
New Mexico
Austin
Virginia
Texas beaches
Canada
Asia
Dallas
Washington, DC
Tennessee

Science

Astronauts
Scientists
Engineers
Pharmacist
Haboob
Flash flooding
Severe storms
Hurricanes
Snow and ice storms
Polychrest herbs
Create a model wind turbine
Learn the science behind barbecue

Language Arts

Vocabulary: mesquite, smorgasbord
Begin the unit project: add flag, quick facts, etc.
Vocabulary: precipitation, debris
Write a summary about the state symbols
Add state symbols to unit project
Write a poem about the state symbols using hyperbole
Vocabulary: logistics, ebb
Write a summary paragraph from what you learned in the lesson
Complete the analogies
Write a rough draft paragraph about the industry you find most impactful
Vocabulary: motorcade, conspiracy
Write a summary paragraph about activities in Texas
Create a news article about a current event in Texas
Add a final section to unit project and present it

History

Republic of Texas
Indigenous tribes: Caddo, Karankawa, Comanche
Stephen F. Austin
Texas Revolution
Alamo
General Sam Houston
Apollo Moon landings
International Space Station
Buc-ee's
Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center
Mission Control
NASA
Apollo 11
Gemini
Neil Armstrong
Buzz Aldrin
1900 Galveston hurricane
Names of flowers: sunflower, bluebonnet, snapdragon, bird of paradise, bleeding heart
Create a presentation comparing historic cattle drives with modern cattle ranching
Indigenous tribe: Apache
Spanish settlers
Immigrants: German, Czech
Black Americans
Customs and traditions
President John F. Kennedy
Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson
Air Force One
Lee Harvey Oswald
JFK's assassination
US Army
Andrew Jackson
War of 1812
Cherokee Nation
Battle of San Jacinto
The Union
Civil War
Confederacy

Social Studies

Fast facts: nicknames, size, population, etc.
Christianity
Presidios
Regions: Big Bend Country, Panhandle Plains, Hill Country, South Texas Plains, Piney woods, Big Thicket, Prairies & Lakes, Gulf Coast
Plateau
Aquifer
Fossilized dinosaur footprints
Texas longhorns
Fun facts
Dr. Pepper
23 different flavors
Trade secret
Bluebonnet
Horned lizard
Pecan tree
Nine-banded armadillo
Habitats
Kemp's ridley sea turtles
Mexican free-tailed bats
Monarch butterflies
Whooping cranes
Prickly pear cacti
Oak trees
"Pine Curtain"
Native animals
Wild plants
Crops: corn, beans, squash, rice, oranges, grapefruit, wheat, hay, sorghum, vegetables, watermelons
Spanish explorers
Horses, cattle, sheep, goats
Agriculture
Farmers and ranchers
Cotton
Oil
Natural gas
Turbines
Farming
Energy production
Railroads
Food, medical equipment, computers, electronics, construction materials, computer chips, phones, laptops, cars, kitchen appliances
Aerospace, airplanes, helicopters, satellites, spacecraft
Engineers
Cattle trails, rivers
Highways, rail lines, airports
International trade
Industries: manufacturing, technology, health care, finance, transportation, aerospace, and tourism
Economy
Businesses
Jobs
Rodeos, music festivals, State Fair of Texas
Cost of living
Tex-Mex
Barbecue, chili, chicken-fried steak, kolaches, Blue Bell ice cream
High school football
Dallas Cowboys
Rodeos, county fairs, livestock shows
Country music
Hunting, fishing, camping, exploring state parks
Government branches: executive, legislative (Texas Legislature), judicial
Senate, House of Representatives
Voting
Weird laws