Gather Round Homeschool: So you’ve decided to take the plunge into homeschooling your kids. Congratulations! You’re about to embark on an adventure that will challenge you in new ways and allow you to shape your children’s education like never before. But where do you even start? There are so many options, curricula, schedules, and approaches to consider. It can feel completely overwhelming.
Don’t worry. We’ve got your back. Over the next few posts, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to start homeschooling your kids with confidence. We’ll explore the different styles of homeschooling, help you choose curriculum, set up a schedule, handle the paperwork, and more. Homeschooling may require a lot of work, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Our goal is to make the process as simple and stress-free as possible so you can focus on the joys of learning with your kids.
So gather round, new homeschooling families. The lessons are about to begin.
What Is Gather Round Homeschool?

Gather Round Homeschool is a curriculum designed to make homeschooling easy and fun for new families. It provides everything you need to homeschool your kids for an entire year, including lessons, activities, reading lists, and more.
The curriculum is split into four age groups:
- Early Learners (ages 4-6): Focuses on phonics, reading, writing and math. Uses lots of hands-on activities, games, crafts and interactive lessons.
- Foundational Years (ages 6-8): Builds on the basics with more advanced reading, writing and arithmetic. Also covers history, science and Bible study.
- Adventure Years (ages 8-11): Explores world cultures, American history, earth science, life science and more. Students read classics like Swiss Family Robinson and Treasure Island.
- Scholar Years (ages 11-13): Provides a broad liberal arts education with logic, rhetoric, astronomy, geography, Latin and Shakespeare. Students learn research, discussion, and critical thinking skills.
The curriculum comes with teacher’s guides, student workbooks, recommended reading lists, and supplemental activities to round out students’ education. You can purchase each component separately or buy an all-inclusive package.
Gather Round Homeschool takes the guesswork out of lesson planning and provides an easy-to-follow plan for a successful homeschool year. If you’re just starting out, Gather Round is a great way to get your homeschool on track.
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Overview of Gather Round Curriculum and Resources
The Gather Round curriculum provides a full K-12 homeschool program with an emphasis on nature study, living books, and experiential learning. Their motto is “Learn by Doing” and their resources are all about getting kids outside and actively engaged with the world around them.
Nature Study
A huge part of the Gather Round approach is getting children outdoors to observe the natural world firsthand. They provide nature study guides for each grade level focused on topics like birds, trees, insects, and ecology. The activities encourage kids to journal about their observations, take nature walks, do crafts and experiments, and really immerse themselves in the topic.
Living Books
Gather Round curates lists of “living books” – high-quality, engaging books that bring subjects to life. They provide book lists for history, science, literature, and more at each grade level. The goal is to use living books as the foundation for learning instead of dry textbooks.
Experiential Learning
Gather Round also provides lots of resources for hands-on activities and real-world learning. For example, their “Morning Time” guides have families starting each day reading poetry, singing folk songs, doing fingerplays, and more. Their history guides focus on activities like cooking pioneer recipes, visiting historical sites, and reenacting famous speeches. The science guides also incorporate lots of experiments, nature journaling, and field trips.
Overall, Gather Round provides a comprehensive, engaging curriculum for homeschooling families looking for a flexible, hands-on approach to learning. With their emphasis on living books, nature study, and experiential learning, Gather Round gives kids an education grounded in real-world experiences.
How to Get Started With Gather Round as a New Homeschooler
Gather Round Homeschool has made it easy for new homeschooling families to get started. All you need are a few simple supplies and you’ll be teaching your kids in no time.
Sign up for the program
Head to GatherRoundHomeschool.com and select a subscription plan that suits your needs. They offer plans for various age ranges from pre-K through high school. Once you sign up, you’ll gain access to the lesson plans, teaching guides, and all the resources you need.
Gather your supplies
The beauty of Gather Round is that you don’t need a ton of materials to get started. You’ll want to stock up on basic school supplies like pencils, paper, notebooks, and a few craft items. You’ll also want to consider getting books related to the time period or topics you’ll be studying. Don’t forget extras like globes, maps, flashcards or educational toys which can supplement the lessons.
Prepare the learning space
Set aside a dedicated area in your home for lessons and schoolwork. A kitchen table, desk space or cleared-off living room area will work great. Make sure each child has enough room for books, writing and any hands-on activities. Having a well-defined learning space will help get your kids into the mindset for school each day.
Review the lesson plans
Take time to read through the lesson plans, teacher’s guides and student workbooks for the program you chose. Get familiar with the flow and topics so you feel comfortable leading each lesson. The more prepared you are, the easier it will be to guide your students through the learning process.
With some simple preparation, you’ll be ready to start your journey into homeschooling. The key is not to feel overwhelmed—Gather Round’s step-by-step approach will make first-time homeschooling with multiple kids a breeze. Stay flexible, keep things fun and enjoy this new adventure with your children!
Tips for Using Gather Round to Homeschool Multiple Ages
Tips for Using Gather Round to Homeschool Multiple Ages

Homeschooling kids of different ages and grades at the same time can seem challenging, but Gather Round’s Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum is flexible enough to work for a wide range of students. Here are some tips to help you gather ‘round for homeschool no matter the age.
Split up lessons. Don’t feel like you have to do the exact same lesson with all your students. For younger kids, focus on the read-alouds, activities, and hands-on parts of each unit. For older students, emphasize reading, writing, and extension activities. Let each child work at their own pace.
Find common ground. Look for topics, books, or projects that span multiple ages and do those together. Things like nature study, handicrafts, poetry, music, and art are great for a wide range of ages. Share the experience of learning together, then have each child do follow-up work at their level.
Use the guides. Gather Round’s curriculum guides provide age-specific activity and extension suggestions for each lesson. Choose options from the different levels to suit each of your students. The guides also recommend books, videos, field trips, and projects for a variety of ages.
Independent work. While you focus on one child, have the others do independent work like:
- Reading books related to the current lesson
- Nature journaling or free writing
- Doing an extension activity from the curriculum guide
- Practicing times tables, spelling, or handwriting
Take breaks. Trying to juggle multiple ages and keep everyone on task can be tiring for both you and your kids. Build in breaks to rest and recharge. Step away from the formal lessons and just go outside, do a craft, bake some cookies, or read together.
With some flexibility and the willingness to split up or modify lessons as needed, Gather Round’s curriculum can work great when homeschooling multiple children of different ages. Focus on the common ground you share in learning and enjoy this season of growing and discovering together as a family.
The Pros and Cons of Using Gather Round Homeschool
The choice to homeschool is a big one, with many factors to consider. Gather Round Homeschool can be a great option, but it’s important to weigh the pros and cons to determine if it’s the right fit for your family.
Pros
One of the biggest benefits of Gather Round Homeschool is its flexibility. You have the freedom to move at your own pace and focus on topics that interest your kids. The curriculum is very customizable, allowing you to pick and choose what you want to cover. Gather Round also has a strong community to provide support and advice.
Another plus is that Gather Round uses lots of hands-on activities and interactive workbooks to bring subjects to life, which many students find engaging. Lessons incorporate storytelling, art, music, science experiments, and more. This interdisciplinary approach helps kids make connections across topics.
Cons
However, Gather Round may not suit all learning or teaching styles. The open-ended nature requires self-motivation and could be frustrating for those who prefer more structure. Creating customized lesson plans also takes a significant time commitment from parents.
The curriculum’s broad scope could also feel overwhelming, especially for those new to homeschooling. There are many subjects and activities to choose from, and it may be difficult to figure out where to start or determine what’s essential. Some additional guidance on developing a balanced, comprehensive curriculum may be helpful.
Financially, the upfront costs of the curriculum and supplies may be expensive, though materials are reusable for multiple kids and the program is free to use after the initial purchase.
Overall, Gather Round Homeschool has a lot to offer for the right homeschooling family. With its flexible, interactive approach, it aims to cultivate a lifetime love of learning. By weighing the pros and cons, you can determine if it aligns with your family’s needs, learning styles, and budget. The choice is yours!
FAQ
One of the most common questions new homeschooling parents have is how to get started. Here are some of the basics to help you gather ‘round for your first day of homeschool:
Do I need to register as a private school?
- Homeschooling laws vary by state. In some states, you’ll need to register as a private school or file a private school affidavit. In other states, you only need to notify your school district that you intend to homeschool. Check with your local regulations to determine what is required in your area.
What curriculum should I use?
- The options for homeschool curriculum are endless. You can purchase pre-made curriculum sets, buy individual textbooks and workbooks, use free online resources, or create your own custom curriculum. Think about your teaching style and your child’s learning needs to determine what will work best for your situation.
How do I set up a schedule?
- Creating a regular schedule and routine is key to a successful homeschool program. Designate specific hours for lessons, activities, breaks, and free time. Having a schedule will help keep you and your students on track while also avoiding burnout. Be flexible and willing to adjust as needed.
How do I ensure my child still socializes?
- One concern many have with homeschooling is that children won’t get enough social interaction. Make socialization a priority by setting up playdates, joining local homeschool co-ops, participating in extracurricular activities, and encouraging your child to pursue hobbies and interests outside the home. Providing opportunities for your child to engage with peers their own age will support their social and emotional development.
• field trips – take learning outside the home
• testing – most states require annual testing or evaluations
• get help – don’t hesitate to ask friends or hire tutors if needed
Following these tips and connecting with other homeschooling families in your area will help ensure your first year of homeschooling gets off to a great start. Gather ‘round and enjoy this rewarding new adventure with your children!
Conclusion
So there you have it, everything you need to get started on your homeschooling adventure. While the road ahead isn’t always easy, the rewards of homeschooling your kids are well worth it. Stay focused on why you chose to homeschool in the first place and let that motivate you through challenges. Connect with other homeschooling families for advice and support. Most of all, have fun learning and exploring together as a family. You’ve got this! Before you know it, you’ll be a homeschooling pro guiding your kids to discover their passions. Homeschooling is a journey, so take your time and enjoy it. The memories you make together will last a lifetime.
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