Homeschool Curriculum & Lesson Plan: A Friendly Guide for Parents

Thinking About Homeschooling?

So you’re thinking about homeschooling your child.
It’s exciting.
And maybe a little scary.

Most parents feel a mix of “Wow, I get to teach my child!” and “Oh no… what if I mess this up?”
Take a deep breath. You’ve got this.
You don’t need to copy a school classroom at home. You just need a plan that works for your family, your schedule, and your child’s needs.

Curriculum vs. Lesson Plan – What’s the Difference?

These two words get tossed around a lot. They’re not the same thing.

• Curriculum is the big picture. It’s the subjects you’ll teach, the order you’ll teach them in, and the materials you’ll use. Think of it as your road map.

• Lesson plan is the day-to-day. It’s what you’ll do today, tomorrow, and next week to move along that road map.

You need both. But they don’t have to be complicated.

 

What is a Homeschool Curriculum?

A homeschool curriculum is your guide for the year.
It covers what you want your child to learn and the tools you’ll use.

Some families buy ready-made programs. Others mix and match books, videos, and activities from different places. And some make their own from scratch.
The best part about homeschooling? You get to choose what works for your family.

Different Styles of Curriculum

Here are a few common styles people use:

• Traditional – Textbooks, workbooks, and a clear daily schedule.

• Unit Studies – Pick a theme (like dinosaurs or space) and cover reading, math, science, and art all connected to that theme.

• Charlotte Mason – Short lessons, lots of time outside in nature, beautiful books, and narration (kids telling back what they learned).

• Montessori at Home – Hands-on activities, child-led work, and learn real-life skills like cooking and cleaning.

• Unschooling – Letting your child’s interests guide what they learn.

There’s no “best” one. Pick what feels natural for your child and you.

What Should My Child Learn?

Here’s a quick age-based guide for preschool to early elementary.

Preschool (Ages 3–4)

• Letters and sounds

• Counting and shapes

• Colors, sorting, and patterns

• Listening to stories

• Simple chores (putting toys away, pouring water)

Kindergarten (Ages 5–6)

• Reading short words and sentences

• Adding and subtracting

• Nature walks and simple experiments

• Creative play, art, music

• Following multi-step directions

Early Elementary (Ages 6–8)

• Reading books on their own

• Writing sentences and short stories

• Basic multiplication

• Science topics like weather, animals, and magnets

• Helping with cooking, measuring, and organizing

Life Skills Matter Too

Don’t forget the “real life” learning. Cooking, cleaning, money skills, helping others-these are all important.
You can count baking cookies as math (measuring), science (mixing ingredients), and life skills (following a recipe).
It’s not just about textbooks.

Start Simple

You don’t need to plan every detail for the whole year right now.
Start with one subject for one week. See how it goes. Then add more subjects slowly.
This keeps you from feeling overloaded and lets your child adjust.

Plan Your Year

Before you jump into daily lessons, think about:

• How many weeks you want to homeschool

• Which days will be “school days” and which are for breaks

• Where you’ll take holidays or vacations

• Any field trips or special events you want to include

This gives you a basic plan so you're not just making things up as you go.

A Daily Rhythm That Works

Kids like to know what to expect. You don't have to watch the clock all day, but having a routine helps everyone.

Here’s one idea:

1. Morning Time – Read a story, sing a song, do the calendar or weather.

2. Core Work – Reading, writing, math.

3. Hands-On Learning – Science experiment, art, building something.

4. Outdoor Time – Nature Walk, playground, backyard play.

5. Quiet Time – Reading alone, puzzles, or journaling.

Change this however you need to. Some families like to start later. Others want to be done by lunch. Do what works for you!

If You Have More Than One Child

If you have kids of different ages, don't panic. It can be really fun.

• Teach some subjects together (science, history, art).

• Give older kids harder versions of the same activity.

• Let older kids help younger ones. It's good practice for both of them!

Breaking Big Topics Into Small Pieces

Let's say you want to teach about the four seasons. Don't try to cover everything in one day. That's too much information.
Instead, spend a week on each season:

• Read books about that season

• Do crafts or science activities related to it

• Talk about holidays and weather in that season

• Go outside and observe what's happening in nature

Small lessons are easier to remember and understand.

Sample Daily Schedule

Here's what one family's morning might look like:

This is just a sample—make your own version.

How to Keep Track of Learning

You don’t need fancy charts, but it’s good to have a record.
You can:

• Keep a folder with your child’s work

• Take photos of projects or activities

• Write a short note each week about what they learned

Some states require tests. If yours does, treat them as just one way to see progress, not the only way.

Finding Other Homeschoolers

Homeschooling doesn’t mean being alone. You can:

• Join a local co-op or playgroup

• Go to library story times

• Meet other families at the park

• Join online homeschool groups

Community is really important for both kids and parents. You need friends who understand what you're doing!

When Things Get Hard

Every homeschool parent has rough days.
If your child resists:

• Switch to a different subject

• Take a movement break

• Use games or hands-on activities instead of worksheets

If you feel stuck, talk to other parents for new ideas.

Making Learning Fun

Children learn more when they enjoy it.

• Use educational toys for math, science, and problem-solving

• Turn reading into a treasure hunt

• Do pretend play for social skills

• Link art to other subjects (draw the life cycle of a butterfly, paint a map)

Joycat’s educational toys are designed for exactly this, making learning playful and hands-on.

Dealing with Common Worries

"What if I'm not smart enough to teach my child?" You know your child better than any teacher ever could. You don't have to know everything - you can learn together! Use teacher guides, online resources, and ask for help when you need it.

"What about socialization?" Homeschool kids often get MORE social interaction than kids in regular school. They can talk to people of all ages, not just kids their same age. Join groups, take classes, play sports, volunteer in your community.

"What if we get behind?" Behind compared to what? Your child doesn't have to learn the same things at the same time as every other kid. Focus on what they're actually understanding, not what grade level they're "supposed" to be at.

State Requirements and Legal Stuff

Different states have different rules for homeschooling. Some states are very relaxed, others have more requirements.

Most states want you to keep records of:

• What subjects you taught

• How many days you did school

• Examples of your child's work

• Maybe some kind of testing or evaluation

Check your state's homeschool laws online or contact a local homeschool group for help understanding what you need to do.

You’ve Got This

Homeschooling isn’t about being perfect. It’s about giving your child a safe, happy space to grow and learn.
With a flexible plan, the right tools, and a bit of patience, you can create a homeschool life that works for you.