is critical thinking company secular

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The ultimate secular resource database.

Have you ever wondered to yourself, “Is this secular or not?” Most of us have. It seems like a daily chore when navigating the world of homeschooling resources. The worst is when you’ve spent the money on something that you were told was secular to find out first-hand that IT ISN’T!

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We’ll give you all the deets. Is it secular or not? Is it neutral?

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Use the search box to find specific grade levels, subjects, or secular ratings. (Lots of FREE material too!)

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This list was last updated in January of 2020. Affiliate links are included to support the site. Please contact us (form at bottom of page) to add or change any entries. WE ARE DEPENDENT ON COMMUNITY INPUT TO KEEP THIS DATABASE AS ACCURATE AND UP-TO-DATE AS POSSIBLE!

Secular:  Not deriving from a religious perspective. Includes scientifically accurate material.

Spine: A spine is a book used as the main backbone of a study subject.

Neutral: Neutral curriculum does not include either creationist agenda nor evolutionary science. Neutral science is incomplete and therefore not secular.

Please note that several links on this page are affiliate links. Purchasing through our affiliate links cost no extra to you but help to support and grow this website and community. We appreciate the love and love to give to you as well!

Are we missing a resource? Did the information on any of these change?

Can i send you a free homeschool planner, it's totally customizable to your family's needs., i'll never share your info. (how lame would that be).

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Teach Your Kids Community

📚 the complete guide to secular homeschool curriculum, our learning specialists have spent over 10,000 hours choosing the highest-quality, mastery-based, progressive, secular learning resources to empower families to help kids excel..

Finding high-quality, mastery-based, progressive, secular learning resources doesn’t have to be hard. Our team of child life specialists and teachers have spent the last three years and over 10,000 hours reviewing thousands of resources and choosing the best ones for every kind of learner. This in-depth guide contains recommendations for all-in-one curricula, math, and 27 electives ranging from coding to art history. There’s something here to meet every family’s needs, from hands-on nature-based curriculum to adaptive learning apps.

To get right to the point and find the perfect curriculum for your unique child, try our free curriculum planner that helps families find curricula suited to their preference and child’s learning modalities from PreK-12th grade. 

Find curriculum

If you’d rather take the deep dive, read on! 👇🏾

Finding the best homeschooling curriculum can feel like a daunting task for many families. While it’s exciting to be able to set your own goals and choose a curriculum aligned with your child’s learning, the choices can feel overwhelming. Since few homeschool curriculums are accredited, it’s difficult to tell if the curriculum is mastery-based, progressive, accurate, aligned with the latest science of teaching - and fun and engaging for students. It may also be hard to discern if a curriculum has religious content since this is not necessarily disclosed in advertising materials, and many curricula are specifically designed with religious families in mind.  

Fortunately, there’s no need to sift through thousands of comments from families on Facebook or Reddit groups to find high-quality, mastery-based secular curricula to suit your child’s learning preferences. We’ve done that work for you. 

For the complete list of curricula recommended in this section organized by category, visit our guide to homeschooling on Modulo.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this post!

🔎 Modulo’s Free Curriculum Planner: Choose a curriculum in 2-minutes or less

❓ten questions to ask when vetting curriculum (and our criteria for selecting the curriculum we include on modulo), 🚀 mastery hours: all-in-one, math, and literacy for your power hours, 🌍 27 amazing electives including….

😬 Oops, we forgot to teach you this at school

🔥15 more hot topics for modular learners 

🌻 Preschool Homeschooling Programs

🧩 gameschooling and self-directed learning, 🖥️ online homeschooling programs & educational software, 🆓 free homeschooling programs, 🔎 the free curriculum planner: choose your curriculum in 2 minutes or less.

Our team of teachers and child life specialists has spent three years over 10,000 hours reviewing thousands of physical resources and adaptive learning apps - and testing them with our own students to ensure they’re accurate and engaging. We’ve created archetypes to match every curricula to help you find the right fit for your child.  

Families who want to find a mastery-based, affordable, fun, and engaging all-in-one curriculum ideally suited to their child in under two minutes can use our free secular curriculum planner based on dozens of curriculum consultations with families around the world - or see all our recommendations by category here . 

Families who want to learn more about all the wonderful secular homeschool curriculum options available and how we found and vetted the curriculum we chose to recommend can read on!  

❓ 10 questions to ask when vetting homeschool curricula

At Modulo, we’ve spent the last three poring over tens of thousands of comments by secular homeschooling families, looking for the kinds of curricula people most often requested - and the curricula they most often recommend. 

We gave particular weight to recommendations made by parents who were also teachers and subject-matter experts who had used the curriculum themselves . From there, we chose our top ten favorite curricula options in over 30 subjects and tested them with our own PreK-12th grade students at Modulo to settle on our final favorites. 

Here’s the approach we used to vet the curriculum we recommend in this guide and factors you might also want to consider as you explore all the amazing new homeschooling curricula becoming available every day! 

✅ General Considerations

At Modulo, we have developed a certain set of criteria we require that all the curricula we recommend match. Here are the questions we ask when evaluating new options:

🚀 Is it mastery-based ? 

A mastery-based curriculum will teach material progressively, with mechanisms to ensure students master one concept before moving on to the next. A strong mastery-based curriculum generally includes levels, rather than grades or ages, so children can move ahead at their own pace and not feel that they’re ahead or behind where they are supposed to be relative to others, only themselves. They often offer a placement test to help you know where to start.  While mastery-based learning isn’t always the best choice for all subjects and all learners, we’ve found it’s the most efficient for most. Generally, a curriculum will advertise if it’s mastery-based, but it’s always good to ask other parents who’ve used it. With a few exceptions, almost all the material we recommend is mastery-based.  

📆 Is it accurate and up-to-date? 

So many curricula have errors or are out of date. We’ve found mistakes in some of the most popular curricula used in 90% of US schools.  (Actually, to be fair, in most cases, it's our kids at Modulo who found them.)  

PreK-12th grade educational software is extremely complicated to design and can sometimes be buggy or have problems with its user experience that are unnecessarily frustrating for kids.  Many of the families in SEA homeschoolers are teachers or scientists. Reading reviews of the curriculum on Common Sense Media or Facebook fan page and comments about the curriculum by other families in SEA homeschoolers can often help identify if there are a lot of mistakes. 

We’ve done this work for you in our guide. We only recommend the most accurate, fact-checked curricula available. 

🌍 🌈 Is it progressive and inclusive? 

One of the number one reasons families choose to homeschool is that they find the social studies and literature programs at their schools to be limited in scope. We’ve carefully selected curricula that include the stories and voices of women and historically underrepresented groups. As educators, we believe that Language Arts and Social Studies curricula that are limited to the voices and stories of one historically dominant group do not provide a sufficiently comprehensive, well-rounded education to PreK-12th grade students. 

🔬 Is it secular & grounded in scientific understanding? 

The vast majority of physical homeschooling curricula are designed for Christian families. Many do not advertise up front that they are religious. We’ve talked to many families who thought they were using a secular curriculum and suddenly discovered a section on creationism or a reference to climate change being a topic “up for debate.” The group SEA homeschoolers with 80k members are vigilant about vetting content for even the slighted reference to religion, so families concerned can search for the curriculum in that group or ask other families for input. We used SEA to help discern if there was even the slightest religious content in a text.  All the curricula we recommend are secular and based on up-to-date, peer-reviewed scientific research. 

🤸🏽 Is it fun and engaging for kids? 

We all want to cultivate a lifelong love of learning in our children, and that starts with their curriculum. At Modulo, we’ve tested all our curriculum options to make sure that children actually enjoy using them and keep coming back for more. Our teachers have spent hours observing our children using these curricula over months and years. When kids tune out immediately or within a few weeks or months, we usually take that curriculum off our list of recommendations.  While we may seem radical on this point, we don’t believe there’s a value in forcing a child to learn in a way that they don’t enjoy and that it sets them up in them in the wrong way for life.

❤️ Personal Considerations

Every family has different goals and preferences for how their child learns. Here are the key considerations we’ve taken into account. These are all factors we considered when selecting curricula and building this guide, so you’d have transparent, up-to-date information about the best resources available. 

💰How much does it cost? 

Different families have different budgets, and the most expensive curriculum is not necessarily the best. We’ve been careful to ensure that the curriculum we chose is worth the price and that there are many free and inexpensive options we recommend. Families looking for free resources can also check out our list of our top 222 free homeschooling programs . We have curriculum recommendations in every price range with transparent pricing to help families make good choices for their budget. 

🧠 Is it a good choice for the way my child learns? 

The beauty of homeschooling is that families can design the best learning plan for their children. When considering the best curriculum for your child, it’s good to consider what kind of activities they enjoy - or gravitate towards in their free time. We’ve worked with children with many different activity preferences, ways of thinking, and special needs and developed archetypes and curriculum recommendations around these archetypes.

In our curriculum planner , we ask you these questions - and have been able to reliably recommend curricula that every child loves to every family.  Another way to find this information is by going to a local homeschooling group, describing your child, and seeing if there are other families with kids similar to yours who have found a curriculum that works for them. A child who loves building legos might enjoy hands-on project-based materials, while a child who loves podcasts might enjoy curricula that have a lot of audio components.  It’s always a good idea to try a curriculum and see how your child likes it. If they don’t enjoy the curriculum, find something else! 

🌈 If my child has special needs, will it be a good fit for them? 

At Modulo, we’ve evaluated the best curriculum for 10 types of common diagnoses, including profoundly gifted, dyslexic, and 2E.  Since many families choose to homeschool because their child has special needs, there are recommendations curricula to support every child’s strengths and weaknesses in learning. Our post on cognitive diversity has specific recommendations for every learning difference. 

💻 Does it involve screens? 

The jury is still out on the pros and cons of screen time. What’s clear is that not all screen time is created alike. The best kind of screen time is engaged, educational screen time (For example, where a parent or caregiver works through an educational app with a child). Adaptive learning apps can have a lot of advantages in terms of helping track students’ progress. Online classes can give students access to some of the best teachers in the world. However, screen time isn’t for every family or every child. The younger your child is, the more we recommend keeping screen time to a minimum. That’s why we’ve included many recommendations for physical and nature-based curricula to support learning. 

🇺🇸 Is it aligned with common core & state and federal learning standards? 

As we’ve discussed, federal and state educational standards are designed to evaluate the progress of large groups of students. They are less effective in helping assess the progress of individual students.

Many homeschool curricula (such as Prodigy Game and Time4Learning ) are designed to help children keep up with state standards - and will even give parents feedback on how they’re doing relative to peers at their grade level. In our reviews of homeschool curricula, we’ve made sure to offer information to families about how well the curricula correspond to state standards. Bear in mind that your child might learn more and go far beyond state standards if you choose a creative, innovative curriculum aligned with their interests and aspirations. 

While we strongly encourage families to question their assumptions about school standards and not re-create school at home, but instead create their own goals and framework for experimentation, we understand that many families want to make sure they keep the option open to return to school. That’s why we’ve made sure to give transparent information about if each curriculum is aligned with standards - or even, if it isn’t, whether it still facilitates kids staying at grade level or above. In our section on accountability & support , we’ll give you a step-by-step process for creating a successful framework for experimentation for modular learning. 

🚀 Mastery Hours

Core subjects for your power hours.

One of the trends we’ve observed among modular learners in the secular homeschooling community is that they tend to do 1-2 hours of 1-1 focused study every day. The rest of the time is reserved for self-directed learning, play, and extracurriculars. This usually happens in the morning (or whatever is the child’s most productive time of the day where they are able to focus best). There are so many hours a day when a child can concentrate intently on subjects that require single-minded focus. In fact, that’s true for adults too , thus the popularity of books like The 4-Hour Workweek . 

For Mastery Hours, Most families choose an all-in-one curriculum and a math curriculum  - or an English Language Arts curriculum and a Math curriculum. Families with children who don’t know how to read use a literacy curriculum to supplement their learning.

Then families can choose all the electives they want to complement Mastery Hours.  

Modular learners have developed these Mastery Hours organically to be more efficient and productive in their learning.  

1️⃣ All-in-One Curriculum

This is everything your child would learn in school, aligned, if you so desire, with state standards. Families can find a core curriculum via the curriculum planner or check out our favorite all-in-one curriculum . 

🧮 Math Curriculum

Families will want to find an accurate, mastery-based math curriculum. No all-in-one curriculum we’ve seen does an expert job of teaching math, so we strongly encourage families to choose a math supplement even if they have an all-in-one curriculum that includes math. Find a math curriculum in the curriculum planner or see our top favorite math for learning from home . Adaptive math apps work best when paired with a parent, caregiver, or tutor.

Once a child learns how to read, they can learn anything! Reading opens the gateway to self-directed learning and exploration in a way almost no other subject does. 

The literacy curriculum we recommend is based on the science of reading for the most reluctant to advanced readers. We have lots of great options for children with dyslexia and other reading challenges. If you’re unsure if you can teach your child, teaching them to read is a great place to get your toes wet and see how you like it! Some kids do teach themselves to read, while others don’t. If your kid is a self-taught reader, embrace that! There’s no need to force them to learn in a specific way. 

Teaching your child to read is a great way to dip your toes into homeschooling and fit out if it's a good fit for you. Here are the top 5 programs to teach kids to read . 

🏆 Our top picks for Mastery Hours: digital, physical, and nature-based

While we strongly encourage you to use homeschooling as an opportunity to customize your child’s learning, everyone asks us what we like the best. So here are our favorite tools for Mastery Hours for most kids. We strongly encourage you to use the curriculum planner to see which works best for each of your very unique children.  

📱Digital Curriculum

Khan Academy Kids (PreK-2nd) for all-in-one

Khan Academy (PreK-12th) for all-in-one

Beast Academy for math

Homer for early literacy

💪 Physical Curriculum

Torchlight Curriculum (PreK-5th) for all-in-one

Critical Thinking Company (K-12th) for all-in-one

Right Start Math for math

Bob Books for early literacy

🌳 Nature-based Curriculum

Blossom and Root (Prek-2nd)

Magic Forest Academy (K-12th) for all-in-one

Wild Math for math

Wild Reading for reading

♾🌈 Cognitive diversity

Since so many families leave school because their child has a special need (dyslexia, autism, gifted, profoundly gifted), we’ve devoted an entire post to cognitive diversity and curriculum options for each learning type. Families can learn more about options for children with special needs there. It’s worth mentioning that Nessy is a game-changer for kids with dyslexia or any difficulty reading using traditional methods.

🌍 27 amazing electives

It would be impossible - and likely overwhelming  - to include all of our favorite options for homeschooling curriculum in this one guide, so we’ve picked out our one or two favorites in each of our most commonly requested subject areas. To explore more resources in each category, just follow the link in the category title . Or view all our recommendations here . 

😬 Oops! We forgot to teach you this at school.

Somehow our school system seems to continue to neglect to teach kids some rather essential skills: for example, how to balance a budget or, you know, survive as a species.

💻 Coding Programs

We’ve been hearing for three decades that jobs in technology are the way of the future, but few schools offer kids the chance to learn to code. Try Codespark to get coding skills up to speed:

💰 Financial Literacy Curriculum

Some of us would have really appreciated being given a heads up about credit card debt and saving for retirement before we turned thirty. Don’t wait until schools finally start teaching about financial literacy, and go get FoolProofMe instead.

🌱 Environmental Studies Curriculum

Climate change is real, but few schools go in-depth about the political and social implications it poses to our changing world. Give kids in-depth understanding and empower them to take personal action and effective civic engagement on the environmental issues which are making such an impact on their present and future reality with the Science of Climate Change .  

🔌 Electronics Programs

Did you know that electronics is different than robotics? With Snap Circuits , kids will learn all about physics, technology, and design of circuits using transistors and microchips, and how electrons move in semiconductors, conductors, vacuums, or gas.

🌍 Progressive Social Studies

One of the most compelling reasons families choose to homeschool is because they feel the literature, social studies, and history at their school are highly limited in scope. Families looking for a comprehensive curriculum that includes the women, Black, Native American, Latino, LGBTQ, transgender, and other traditionally marginalized groups that shaped literature and transformed the course of history, check out the Zinn Education Project or become a Worldschooler and take a trip around the world! 

🤖 Robotics Programs

Start learning to build robots and prepare for a job in AI (or just do it because it’s so much fun). Try Arduino Robotics Kit or join or start a local robotics club. 4-H offers great options in many cities. 

❤️ Social-Emotional curriculum

Social-emotional learning is a growing field in education but is still not integrated into many schools. These outstanding SEL curricula can help kids learn to navigate complex emotions in a changing world - and support families in communicating better with kids around learning and family life. Trying to find 10 easy steps to diffuse a tantrum?   Generation Mindful , Plinkit , and Janet Lansbury have you covered.

🍌 Sex Ed Curriculum

It’s all the rage on social media that the kids in the Netherlands are getting a head start on sex ed. For a curriculum that gives kids the real deal on the complex world of fertility, pleasure, gender identity, sexual orientation, and more, check out amaze.org . As the name suggests, it’s pretty amazing. 

🔥 15 more hot topics for Modular learners 

These are the 15 top topics we most often get asked for recommendations for at Modulo, or just think are really cool. Some, like science and ELA , are already incorporated into a well-designed all-in-one curriculum , while others, like Latin or 3D printing , need to be taken as electives. We provided 1-2 recommendations for each, but families can find more options by following the link on each subject category.

🖨 3D Printing

Sliceform 3D printing is an incredibly innovative online course that comes with a 3D printer. 

Sadly, art and music are becoming cut from more and more school programs. Check out Deep Space Sparkle for great art lessons.

🖼 Art History

Art History Kids is one of the only art history programs that covers a comprehensive view of art history from every continent. And it also has a club ! 

✒️ Creative Writing

There’s more to writing than essays and research papers. Nurture your young poet with Night Zookeeper or Brave Writer. 

🇬🇧 English Language Arts (ELA)

Critical Thinking Company’s Language Smarts Program is so great that some parents have fondly dubbed it the “trifecta of homeschooling.” 

✈️ Foreign Language

Immersion is the best approach to learning a foreign language, but Duolingo is a good place to get started. P.S. Have we mentioned Worldschooling ? 

✏️ Handwriting (print and cursive):

Getty Dubay offers exceptional physical and digital handwriting tools for all kinds of learners. 

Minimus , followed by Cambridge Latin , is a fun, engaging, and well-thought-out curriculum for learning Latin.

Short of getting a private teacher or joining the homeschool band,  Prodigies Music or Rhythm Cat for music theory are two of our favorite options for teaching music skills and appreciation 

⚽️ Phys Ed :

Cosmic Kids Yoga and GoNoodle are our favorite two ways to keep kids moving at home or during breaks in online classes. 

🎤 Public Speaking :

Whether your child launches into a speech at every dinner party or the idea of public speaking terrifies them, Debatable kids can help them cultivate their confidence and ability to persuade and engage the crowd.

🔬 Science :

We recommend Quantum Academy with its fantastic hands-on labs or Mystery Science for younger kids. Blossom and Root is also known for its phenomenal science program within its all-in-one program.

🧪 Science Kits

Many programs send a fun, monthly box for kids to practice science experiments at home. Steve Spangler and Mel Science are two of our favorites. 

Learn the second most popular language in the world (after Mandarin) spoken by 13% of the US population with TalkBox.Mom , a language program for the whole family to practice together. 

“ Words, words, words” can be learned so well with vocabulary.com or The New York Times Word of the Day . 

According to the NAEP, “Three-quarters of both 12th and 8th graders lack proficiency in writing .”  Julie Bogart’s Brave Writer continues to shine as the finest writing program around for homeschoolers, providing options for online group classes, tutors, and exercises for parent-led or self-directed study. 

🎭 Theater and Performing Arts

While this subject probably lends itself better to in-person group instruction, we love the theater classes on MasterClass. See our section on homeschool programs to find or start a theater program for you - or audition for community theater! Some public schools may also allow homeschoolers to audition for the school play. It’s always a good place to start. 

Our favorite typing program, Typing.com, offers great typing programs - as well as lessons in digital citizenship, coding, and games. 

🌸 Preschool homeschooling programs

Some parents are so excited to homeschool that they just can’t wait to make it official. But there’s really no need to rush. There’s no evidence that focusing on academics in preschool helps students learn more or better later in school.

In fact, most scholarly research points to the opposite , that more play in early childhood produces better educational outcomes later in life. And that holding kids back from kindergarten can have significant positive outcomes later on, especially for boys . 

As a case in point, Finland, consistently ranked the best school, doesn’t teach reading and math until kids turn seven . 

In most cases, the best way to determine whether your child is ready for more academic material is if they themselves express an interest or request to learn. This might be motivated by watching you read, study or observing an older sibling. Otherwise, there’s no need to push it. Pressuring a child to learn before they’re ready could even backlash and has little long-term benefit.

But if you just can’t wait, get your preschooler started early with one of our three favorite all-in-one PreK programs:  Khan Academy Kids , Blossom and Root , or Homer . 

🌐 Online homeschooling programs

There are three main types of online homeschool programs

Accredited online schools where students enroll in a school and don’t have to register as a homeschooler. These classes are either delivered live or asynchronously through a combination of videos, quizzes, and software

Online programs support homeschooling through a variety of online classes and tutors. 

Adaptive learning apps and educational software . Some of these have offline options, so you don’t have to have an internet connection at all times to use them. 

The beauty of online education is access to the best teachers anywhere in the world. The downside is that it sometimes re-creates school at home. Sometimes these classes are taught live - and other times, they are recorded and can be used asynchronously. When looking at online schools and classes, it’s important to read parent reviews about the quality of the instruction and the degree to which the school is geared towards, and optimizing the online medium through tools like whiteboards and high-quality audio and visual elements.

Accredited Online Schools : Our five favorite mastery-based online schools are Oak Meadow , Laurel Springs , TTU-K12 , Clonlara , Calvert , and NAHRS . Some offer curriculum or individual classes for families who don’t want to enroll in the full-time online option. 

Live online classes : Next Level Homeschool , Athena's Academy , Outschool , and OnlineG3 also offer a wide variety of superb classes, many taught by homeschool parents and classroom teachers.   

On Modulo, families can create a class in any subject of their choosing and get matched with an expert tutor who guides the child with the support of adaptive learning apps and mastery-based curriculum with regular movement breaks. 

During the pandemic, many local afterschool providers developed exceptional, highly popular online programs. These can be a great way to support small businesses around the world. 

And don’t forget youtube as an unparalleled source for free online education in any subject with the best instructors. Here are 170 of our favorite educational channels to get started. 

Adaptive learning apps and educational software: If you’ve decided to include screen time in your child’s curriculum, it’s good to start them off with a good set of adaptive learning apps to explore on their device. The beauty of mastery-based adaptive learning apps is that the best ones evaluate progress as they go and adjust to target weak areas. So a student never needs to take a single quiz (taking the focus off performance and putting it on learning). To make screen time high-quality time, make sure a parent or tutor is engaging with your child, asking questions, clarifying, and modeling learning as they use the app. 

Check out our 50 favorite educational apps and pick a few of your favorites for your learning dashboard. Khan Academy Kids (all-in-one), Homer (early literacy), Tocaboca (21st-century skills), and Math Tango (math) are great ones to get started.  

Gameschooling and Self-Directed Learning

Homeschooling doesn’t have to happen in a specific subject. Sometimes it’s great (and important) to encourage learning through self-directed exploration and play. Families interested in fostering unstructured learning can consider making an educational youtube playlist, downloading some great adaptive learning apps, getting a few board games to play together as a family, and podcasts for the car:  

Educational Youtube channels : Two of our six-year-old students at Modulo spent a year during the pandemic testing 1-2 recommended educational youtube channels every day. Here’s the complete list of our favorite channels : You’ll find scientific experiments, yoga, and over 20 different zoo channels. Some of our all-time favorites include Art for Kids Hub , Cosmic Kids Yoga , How It’s Made , and the mesmerizing Live Nature Cams .  

Gameschooling with board games and card decks: Playing educational games is so popular in homeschooling that there are entire Facebook groups devoted to this form of learning called “game schooling.” We’ve noticed homeschooling parents tend to prefer collaborative (non-competitive) games that don’t have references to weapons. Wildcraft (a board game that teaches herbalism), Pandemic (Disease prevention), Ticket to Ride , and Professor Noggins are consistent favorites. Families interested in learning more can join the Facebook gameschooling group ! 

Educational podcasts Do you have a child who loves to listen? Educational podcasts can be an excellent way to expose your child to a world of learning - in the car, while you’re working, or at the breakfast table. It’s a great way to fit learning into a trip to the grocery store. Some families swear by podcasts - and sometimes call this form of learning “car schooling.” Wow in the World , Brains On , What if World , Story Pirates , Circle Round , and But Why are not to be missed.  

Free Homeschooling Programs

As we discuss in our section on how to afford homeschooling, there’s no need to be wealthy or even middle-class in order to homeschool. And certainly not when it comes to curriculum.  There are so many generous teachers and non-profit curriculum providers who have developed some of the most exceptional curricula available and made them free to the public. 

Here are a few of our favorite “freebies” in 10 subjects

All-in-one: Khan Academy and Khan Academy Kids  

Math : Prodigy Game , NumberBlocks * (for younger kids)

Literacy: Teach Your Monster to Read , Alphablocks

Art: Art for Kids Hub *

Coding: Code.org

English Language Arts: Fishtank Learning

Financial Literacy: Practical Money Skills

Music: SLSO  

Sex Ed : Amaze.org

Yoga:  Cosmic Kids Yoga *

For a complete list of free homeschool curricula organized by subject, see our list of 222 free homeschooling programs .

* Youtube premium costs $9.99 to view channels without advertising. YouTube Kids has limited advertising. 

More places to find free and discounted homeschool curricula:

Facebook groups : It’s easy to find free and discounted homeschool curricula in general homeschool groups, groups dedicated to free & discounted curricula, or in curriculum-specific groups. 

Homeschool Buyer’s Co-Op : The Homeschool Buyer’s Co-op is a reputable platform with steep discounts on new and used curricula.

Teachers Pay Teachers : Choose the “ Free” category to see curriculum and lessons developed by teachers offered for free. 

eBay : Many homeschoolers use eBay to find discounts on their favorite homeschool curriculum and supplies. 

Other ways to get the curriculum for free (or at a discounted price)

If you find a curriculum you like but can’t afford, there are many ways to find it for free. 

Ask the curriculum provider: Reach out to the curriculum developer directly  using the contact form on their website. Many of these companies are mission-based, believe in equity in education, and want to make their materials available to any child who needs them.

Join the curriculum’s Facebook group: many curriculum providers have a Facebook group, such as Wild Learning. You can join the group and tell other parents you would like to purchase used curriculum or are wondering if anyone would be willing to hand it down for free. Most homeschoolers are very generous and have a culture with a long history of resource-sharing.  

Check your local library: In some cases, the local library will already have the curriculum, have the option to borrow it from another library, or be willing to purchase the curriculum if you ask nicely and emphasize the educational benefits. 

Now that you’ve chosen some great curricula, it’s time to start making friends! Next up, we’ll take an in-depth look the most common question to families ask when considering homeschooling, “But What about Socialization?” and offer practical tips to make it easy to make friends and build community. 

Spoiler alert : homeschooling is a lot more social than most people think…

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Are Fallacy Detective and Thinking Detective Secular Friendly?

By fairy4tmama , July 19, 2016 in Logic Stage & Middle Grade Challenges

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Fairy4tmama.

I was at a convention this weekend and looking at them I was on the verge of purchasing them when I noticed that the back said Christian world view so I decided against getting them. It had been a really long week end and I was just not in a position to really do a close read while standing at a vendor booth, but I am still intrigued. Sadly, it doesn't seem that any one near me has a copy I can barrow to look through. So, for those who are secular and have used these books or previewed them, can you give me your opinion? What if anything was problematic for you? Was this a book you were able to use in spite of the Christian world view? If you decided against these books did you use something else instead?

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I know when I considered them, I read threads that made me uncomfortable enough that I wasn't willing to use them.

blueninjamum

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We have Fallacy Detective. It's not completely without merit, but we use it as a discussion guide rather than assigned reading, so I can help the kids interpret things in a different way. I think it's a great opportunity to show the importance of critical thinking... even when reading source material that teaches critical thinking.

. I'm curious, does anyone have secular alternatives to recommend for those logic titles at a similar 5th/6th grade level?         Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Lots of ideas in this old thread:

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/521763-alternatives-to-art-of-argument-talking-about-metacognition/

No, I don't think there's a resource that's exactly the same, but there's a number of other good things out there.

Desert Strawberry

Critical Thinking Company has many choices for all levels. Totally secular.

Yes, I spent a lot of time in that old thread. I last posted that I was considering these:

I have a lot of persuasion and skepticism books I'm evaluating already, but was also thinking of these mentioned in the thread:

- Nonsense by Gula

- Workbook for Arguments and Rulebook for Arguments 

- Influence, Cialdini

- Thank you for Arguing

I bought Nonsense by Gula and Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments in addition to the other materials I already had about persuasive writing and skepticism. I am still considering the Workbook for Arguments and Rulebook for Arguments . But, so far my plan is to just build out my own course for logical thought and writing.

I purchased them, but after looking at them in person I decided they were not for us at all. It assumes a worldview very different from our s and I thought it had loaded discussion questions.  But I am very liberal and very secular so YMMV. I posted about it in this thread. I still can't get over the "small hands" comment 

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/521141-critical-thinking-co-critical-thinking-books-1-2-substitute/

I agree with Farrar, I am unwilling to use them. We own both books, I have studied them myself, and they continue to sit in a box, otherwise unused.

I am a conservative Christian in many ways, but there is something about the... tone? of these books that irritates me. Like sand in my eye. One word that comes to mind is "arrogant." Another is "ignorant." Put those two traits together and you have the general gist of it. IMO.

I purchased them, but after looking at them in person I decided they were not for us at all. It assumes a worldview very different from our s and I thought it had loaded discussion questions.  But I am very liberal and very secular so YMMV. I posted about it in this thread. I still can't get over the "small hands" comment    http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/521141-critical-thinking-co-critical-thinking-books-1-2-substitute/

I wanted to just mention this, also:

I can't find it now, but a few years ago, the Bluedorn boys had an essay discussing how their family came to teach logic. They stated that their mother initially started teaching them, but was (basically) too stupid to figure it out, so in the end, their father took over the logic studies. The Bluedorn boys' next statement hit me between the eyes: They said that, whenever possible, the FATHER should teach logic, especially if the students are boys, because boys don't want to learn logic from their MOTHERS, who are essentially incapable of grasping it.

I will try to find that portion of their essay and post it here, for posterity.

Apparently, that article has since been edited, because it does not line up with what I printed out a few years ago (yes, I saved it!). However, there is still this lovely little gem:

http://www.fallacydetective.com/articles/read/our-experience-with-logic

When I was about thirteen, my parents announced that we were going to study logic. What thoughts flitted through my anti-intellectual mind I can't rightly remember, but I imagine they weren't good. Back then, my father had not yet taken on much of the responsibility for our schooling, so the burden fell on my mother's shoulders. If you don't know what it is to learn logic with a woman, how can I describe it to you. My mother had never studied logic, but as it fell out, we spent some of our most enjoyable hours learning logic together. What I didn't understand, she explained to me, and what she couldn't grasp, I helped her understand – the latter taking the greater balance of our time.

Good way to honor your mother. :glare:  

Apparently, that article has since been edited, because it does not line up with what I printed out a few years ago (yes, I saved it!). However, there is still this lovely little gem:   http://www.fallacydetective.com/articles/read/our-experience-with-logic   When I was about thirteen, my parents announced that we were going to study logic. What thoughts flitted through my anti-intellectual mind I can't rightly remember, but I imagine they weren't good. Back then, my father had not yet taken on much of the responsibility for our schooling, so the burden fell on my mother's shoulders. If you don't know what it is to learn logic with a woman, how can I describe it to you. My mother had never studied logic, but as it fell out, we spent some of our most enjoyable hours learning logic together. What I didn't understand, she explained to me, and what she couldn't grasp, I helped her understand – the latter taking the greater balance of our time.   Good way to honor your mother. :glare:  

Ugh where is the barf emoji...

Yes, I spent a lot of time in that old thread. I last posted that I was considering these:   I have a lot of persuasion and skepticism books I'm evaluating already, but was also thinking of these mentioned in the thread: - Nonsense by Gula - Workbook for Arguments and Rulebook for Arguments  - Influence, Cialdini - Thank you for Arguing   I bought Nonsense by Gula and Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments in addition to the other materials I already had about persuasive writing and skepticism. I am still considering the Workbook for Arguments and Rulebook for Arguments . But, so far my plan is to just build out my own course for logical thought and writing.

I really like that Illustrated Book of Bad Arguments.

Oh, and double  :ack2:  :ack2: to the Bluedorns and their illogical conclusions.

Here's a link to a pdf which gives a good overview of their teaching. I believe that the tone regarding "men v. women" has been softened a bit from what I read a few years back. Scroll down to page 34 for the answer to "Dad or Mom?"

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0ahUKEwi437DEsYLOAhULOT4KHeU3DUwQFggkMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.exodusbooks.com%2FSamples%2FTRP%2FTPLLBooklet.pdf&usg=AFQjCNGYlYUk2hnkBRFzQPIInls1FakxMw&sig2=tedxZPpppWMkpSaksuc6jA&bvm=bv.127521224,d.cWw&cad=rja

I know, I know!

I knew a pastor once, who, every time he talked about going somewhere, had to make a comment about "women drivers," "women drivers," "women drivers." I am the best and safest driver I know, hands down, so that really rankled. Misogyny turns me off in all its various forms, regardless of the source.

I think that if YOU read the FD book & go through the discussions questions together and can edit-on-the-fly, you could probably use some of it secularly. However, if you hold liberal beliefs (economically, socially, or politically), the book is unusable in any form. There just isn't enough left after you take out their beat-you-over-the-head ideas. (It is more than a slant.)

We used it in a snuggle-together-talk-about-it book at roughly 7th grade and it worked fine for us. Nothing in that book was hard to grasp, although we did sometimes disagree with the "answers" in the back of the book.

I did not use Thinking Toolbox, so can't comment on that.

We move onto Art of Argument, which leans conservative, in an 8th grade group setting.

Neither one of those is formal logic and so far, I've only taught girls, so I can't comment on teaching logic to boys.

I just want to say how grateful  I am for this community and to each of you for taking time to answer. It is incredibly valuable to ask these questions knowing I will get honest and valuable responses. I only have so much time and money and I need to spend it effectively.

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Ultimate List of Secular Language Arts Curriculum for Homeschoolers

Nov 25, 2019 | Advice & Encouragement , Curriculum , Elementary Years , Homeschool , Preschool , Secular Homeschool | 4

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Find a Secular Language Arts Curriculum

Use this list to choose a secular language arts curriculum to use in your homeschool. This is a comprehensive list of quality curriculum that you can choose from and know that they are secular!

I’ll share briefly about any of the curriculums that I have used and link to my full reviews.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will earn a commission. Disclosure policy

Language Arts covers a wide range of areas:

• Handwriting

Some curriculum only cover one of these areas, some cover multiple, rarely will you find a curriculum that actually covers all of them though.

What does secular mean?

Before moving further, let’s make sure we’re on the same page with this. To qualify as secular, a curriculum cannot allow religion to influence the content. This means there is not scripture in the curriculum. There are no religious stories being taught as fact or religious rules being taught.

All in One Language Arts Curriculum

These secular language arts curriculums vary in their approach to teaching reading, writing, grammar, and spelling. Look at the website, read some reviews and decide if that approach would resonate with you and your family.

Logic of English

Logic of English is a full phonics, reading, handwriting, grammar and spelling curriculum. We love the integrated approach this curriculum takes! There are 2 levels: Foundations (for ages 4-7) and Essentials (for ages 8+). You do not need to do Foundations before Essentials if your learner is 8+.

This is an excellent Orton-Gillinham based curriculum for teaching reading, handwriting, grammar, and spelling. It doesn’t cover topics like literature, writing essays, or creative writing though.

I highly recommend using LOE Foundations for grades K-2. It is made to teach reading in the best way possible and it’s fun! Plus it also includes handwriting, grammar, and spelling.

Logic of English now offers their curriculum online too!

Read my full LOE Foundations Review: Best Reading Curriculum for K-2 Homeschoolers

Lithouse learning.

I created LitHouse Learning to have secular, diverse, and inclusive novel studies that use modern literature. The novel studies use The Writing Revolution methods and activities to teach writing. They also include vocabulary study and literature analysis. You can learn more about how to use the novel studies here .

We also have writing workbooks based on The Writing Revolution to go along with popular history curricula like Curiosity Chronicles, History Quest, and Story of the World. You can get the history writing workbooks here .

Moving Beyond the Page

This is not only a full language arts curriculum but is also offered as an all-in-one full curriculum that includes all subjects except math.

It is set up in unit studies and integrates language arts with other subjects too. While it is written for gifted students, anyone can use this curriculum. They have preK through high school available.

Brave Writer

Brave Writer is excellent for teaching the parent how to encourage kids’ writing. This is a great option for grades 2 and up, but I wouldn’t recommend it for teaching kids how to read. It’s great for literature, writing, and grammar though.

Brave Writer is a very relaxed curriculum and doesn’t resonate with everyone, so definitely explore it to see if it would fit for you. There are many free samples on the website to help you get a good idea.

Michael Clay Thompson

This is a language arts curriculum encompassing grammar, vocabulary, writing, poetry, and literature. It’s best for 2nd grade through high school.

MatchFishtank

A free language arts curriculum that is standards-based and created by a charter school. They have grades K-12 available online.

Critical Thinking Company

Secular Reading Curriculum – Learn to Read

Because phonics-based reading instruction is the only approach supported by science, I will only list the phonics-based curriculum here.

This was included in the all-in-one section and you can see more details there. I highly recommend this curriculum for teaching your kids to read.

The Foundations level is made for ages 4-7 and the Essentials level is made for ages 8+.

All About Reading

All About Reading is another Orton-Gillingham phonics program. It’s an excellent curriculum to teach kids to read!

Explode the Code

This is a phonics curriculum that has either a workbook format or online format .

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

This book is widely used by homeschoolers to teach kids to read, but I hear the same sentiment repeated over and over – it’s boring.

Progressive Phonics

Wild reading, reading eggs – 25% off, secular spelling curriculum, all about spelling, evan-moor spelling, soaring with spelling, spelling you see, nessy reading and spelling, secular writing curriculum.

LitHouse Learning uses The Writing Revolution embedded in content to teach academic writing. Right now there are novel studies and history writing workbooks available.

ALL levels of Write Shop are now secular! This is a fun writing curriculum that works well. I use this with my kids and we really like it.

Night Zookeeper

This is a fun writing game for ages 6-12.

This was discussed some above, but is worth mentioning again because it’s focus really is on writing and the approach it takes is enjoyed by many people.

Writing with Ease

This is a classical curriculum for elementary students or older students who struggle with writing. Some begin this curriculum in first grade, others wait until later grades. There are 4 levels:

Writing with Skill

This curriculum is for older students in middle or high school. There are 3 levels that each have an instructor’s guide and workbook.

Winning with Writing

This curriculum has 8 levels that correspond with grade level.

Essentials in Writing

Time4writing, click here to find writing games & activities to add to your homeschool.

Secular Grammar Curriculum

First language lessons.

This grammar curriculum from Well Trained Mind has 4 levels for elementary students. It uses a classical approach to teaching.

Growing with Grammar

Evan-moor grammar, grammar galaxy, grammaropolis.

A fun online game to teach kids grammar! Click here to get 50% off.

Secular Vocabulary Curriculum

Evan-moor vocabulary, wordly wise, wordbuild vocabulary, secular literature based curriculum.

These are a different type of curriculum, but still worth including here. Each of these curriculum include multiple subjects along with language arts.

Build Your Library

Blossom and root, secular language arts homeschool curriculum.

And there you have it, a list of all the wonderful secular language arts curriculum available! Use this list to choose a language arts homeschool curriculum that will work well for your family & the ages of your kids.

Need more secular homeschool resources?

Secular science curriculum, secular history curriculum, secular math curriculum, secular morning basket, pin it & share.

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July 13, 2021

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March 1, 2019

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September 17, 2019

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October 6, 2019

I am looking for something similar to the alpha omega lifepac for language arts, but as a secular curriculum, any suggestions?

Hi Jessica! If you’re looking at Lifepac’s early grades language arts (K-2), then I would suggest Logic of English Foundations instead. You can find it here: https://logicofenglish.idevaffiliate.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=1130&url=237

For grades 2 and up, it looks like Moving Beyond the Page would be a similar secular alternative to Lifepac! You can check it out here: https://www.movingbeyondthepage.com/purchase/languagearts.aspx?aID=ec6e997b

I hope this helps!

Thank you for this list, I was looking for a Spelling & Grammar program for my fourth grader and I found one from the list that was economical and had the aspects I was looking LFE.

I’m so glad it was helpful for you! Hope you enjoy your new curriculum!

Homeschooling Mom of 3 boys, photographer, and blogger. I’m all about helping other moms find balance while pursuing their passion, start businesses they love, and homeschool!

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Right Start Math

Big Life Journal

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Critical Thinking Company

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Design critical thinking into reading, writing, math, science, and history lessons so students carefully analyze what they are learning. Since 1958, these award-winning products have helped students of all abilities achieve better academic results with highly effective lessons that sharpen the mind as they teach standards-based reading, writing, mathematics, science, and history. Critical Thinking Co. products are fun, easy to use, and guaranteed to produce better grades and higher test scores.

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10 Secular Homeschool Curriculum Programs [2024 Picks]

• February 2, 2023
• Homeschool Curriculum & Reviews

Homeschooling has become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more families opting to educate their children at home. While there are many religious-based homeschool programs available, some families prefer a secular curriculum that focuses on academics and life skills without religious instruction. However, it’s important to note that the options for a Christian homeschool curriculum are much more extensive , giving families a wider range of choices if they are open to religious instruction in their homeschooling.

I hope you enjoy reading this blog post. If you want to do my course on how to homeschool, click here .

Here are 10+ secular homeschool curriculum programs that families may want to consider. (I’ll also mention a few secular math curriculum programs below also):

Time4Learning

Beautiful feet books, nautilus homeschool.

• The Waldock Way

Juni Learning

• Under the Home

Connections Academy 

• Khan Academy

Moving Beyond the Page

• Night Zookeeper

Beast Academy

But, for now, let’s take a look at these all-in-one homeschool curriculum secular options .

Affiliate links are used on this website.

Time4Learning is a popular online homeschool curriculum program that offers interactive lessons for students from preschool through 12th grade.

The program covers language arts, math, science, and social studies, emphasizing hands-on learning experiences and engaging multimedia elements.

Time4Learning provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes quizzes, worksheets, and other activities , making it a choice for homeschooling families who are looking for an easy-to-use, comprehensive curriculum.

Additionally, Time4Learning offers a flexible approach to homeschooling, allowing families to choose the pace and schedule that works best for them .

With its interactive lessons and user-friendly interface, Time4Learning is a great choice for homeschooling families who are looking for a secular, online homeschool curriculum.

Read a Time4Learning review here or look at their curriculum directly here .

Beautiful Feet Books offers a refreshing alternative to traditional textbooks with its secular homeschool program.

Recognizing that learning should be engaging and meaningful, they believe that we are naturally inclined to learn through stories .

Unlike lifeless textbooks, their curriculum is built on well-written and captivating narratives that teach history, geography, and science , allowing families to learn together across multiple grade levels.

By stoking curiosity, fostering empathy for historical figures, and encouraging critical thinking through Socratic questions, Beautiful Feet Books aims to create an interest-led, discussion-rich learning experience free from unnecessary busy work.

With their open-and-go teacher guides and carefully selected living books , they make homeschooling a joyful journey, igniting wonder and connection between parents and their children through the power of stories.

Check out their curriculum directly here .

Waldock Way

The Waldock Way is  a  secular   unit studies curriculum  worth exploring.

It encourages a hands-on and child-led approach to learning.

The Waldock Way provides a framework that allows students to explore their interests while integrating various subjects into cohesive units.

This flexible curriculum fosters creativity and curiosity, making learning a personalized and engaging experience.

Juni Learning is an online platform that offers personalized homeschool curriculum programs for students aged 7-18.

They specialize in providing 1:1 classes in STEM subjects such as coding, algebra, and more.

Juni matches each student with a highly qualified instructor who is selected based on the student’s learning style, personality, and background.

These instructors are students from top US universities who are studying the subjects they teach at Juni . The goal is to create a mentorship and role model relationship between the instructor and the student.

Juni’s approach emphasizes a customized learning experience with hand-matched instructors, custom pacing, and tailored coursework.

They offer a wide range of subjects, including computer science, math, English, and investing. The platform is designed to empower students to explore their potential, providing expert mentorship, a supportive community, and a joyful learning environment.

Juni aims to help students discover their best futures by fostering their interests and abilities in a personalized and engaging manner.

You can check out Juni Learning here .

The Nautilus Homeschool program is a secular Charlotte Mason curriculum that provides students with a comprehensive education through the study of the world’s most influential works.

Designed for families who value a well-rounded education, this online curriculum integrates classic literature, history, science, and art , allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the minds of our ancestors.

The program is ideal for families who are looking for a wider breadth of books and want to save money by taking advantage of local library resources . With a single subscription, the whole family can participate, making it a cost-effective choice for homeschooling families.

By exposing students to these classic works, the Nautilus Homeschool program helps to foster critical thinking and provides a foundation for lifelong learning.

Read a Nautilus Homeschool review here .

Acellus , Acellus Academy, and Power Homeschool

Acellus is an online learning system that provides a comprehensive secular curriculum for students from kindergarten to high school.

The program features interactive lessons, assessments, and multimedia resources, and is designed to provide students with a well-rounded education in a variety of subjects.

Acellus Academy is a private, online school that uses the Acellus curriculum. The academy provides students with access to certified teachers, live lessons, and a full range of academic support services.

Power Homeschool is a comprehensive online homeschool program that provides students with a complete education in a variety of subjects. The program features multimedia lessons, assessments, and tracking tools, and is designed to be flexible and accessible for homeschooling families.

The main difference between the three programs is their level of structure and support.

Acellus provides a self-paced, online curriculum, while Acellus Academy provides students with the structure of a private school and the support of certified teachers.

Power Homeschool provides a comprehensive homeschool curriculum, but with less structure and support than Acellus Academy.

Ultimately, the best program for you and your child will depend on your educational goals and learning style.

Under the Home – Free Secular Curriculum for Supplement

Under the Home is a free, online homeschool curriculum that follows the Charlotte Mason approach.

It provides education in a home-based learning environment, covering subjects such as language arts, math, science, history, and biblical studies.

The program offers flexible and adaptable resources, including lesson plans, reading lists, and activity ideas, to cater to the individual needs of each child.

It is designed for students from kindergarten to 5th grade and is easily accessible on their website. The curriculum is not a pre-packaged program, but rather a resource library that offers a wealth of ideas, activities, and resources for parents to utilize and adapt to their children’s needs.

K12 – Online Secular Homeschool Curriculum

K12 is an online homeschool curriculum program that offers a full range of subjects for students from kindergarten to 12th grade .

The program provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers language arts, math, science, social studies, and more, and is designed to help students reach their full potential.

K12 is a public school program , so families who choose it can be sure that their children are receiving a high-quality education.

Additionally, the program offers flexible scheduling options and a supportive learning environment, making it an ideal choice for families who are looking for a secular, online homeschool curriculum.

Oak Meadow is a full homeschool curriculum that provides a creative and holistic approach to education.

The curriculum focuses on life skills, critical thinking, and hands-on learning experiences , and is designed to help students develop a love of learning that will last a lifetime.

Oak Meadow offers a wide range of subjects, including language arts, math, science, and social studies, and provides materials for students from kindergarten to 12th grade .

With its focus on creativity and critical thinking, Oak Meadow is an excellent choice for families who are looking for a secular homeschool curriculum that emphasizes real-world skills and experience .

Connections Academy is an online public school program that offers a wide range of courses for students in grades K-12.

The program provides a flexible approach to homeschooling, with a curriculum that covers language arts, math, science, social studies, and more.

Connections Academy also offers honors and Advanced Placement courses, providing students with a challenging and engaging curriculum that will help them reach their full potential.

With its supportive learning environment and flexible scheduling options, Connections Academy is a choice for families who are looking for a secular, online homeschool curriculum .

Khan Academy – Free Secular Homeschool Curriculum

Khan Academy is a free online learning platform that offers courses in math, science, computer programming, and more. While it is not intended to be used as a full homeschool curriculum , it is a valuable supplement for homeschoolers looking to enhance their education.

The platform provides personalized learning experiences , allowing students to work at their own pace and learn in a way that is best for them.

With its focus on hands-on learning and critical thinking skills , Khan Academy is a great resource for families who want to supplement their homeschool curriculum with high-quality educational resources.

Whether you’re looking to fill in gaps in your children’s education or simply looking for an extra challenge , Khan Academy is a good choice.

Check out a Khan Academy review here .

ABCmouse is a secular homeschool curriculum designed for young children, ages 2-8.

The program provides a comprehensive education that incorporates reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music.

The curriculum is presented in an engaging, interactive format that makes learning fun and accessible for young children.

With over 10,000 learning activities, games, and books , ABCmouse offers a wealth of resources that parents can use to support their child’s education at home.

The program is completely secular.

ABCmouse is a highly rated and well-respected program that has been used by millions of families worldwide to support their child’s early education.

Moving Beyond the Page is a secular homeschool curriculum for gifted learners that offers a unique, theme-based approach to learning .

It covers subjects such as language arts, math, science, social studies, and critical thinking, and integrates these subjects into a cohesive learning experience.

The program provides comprehensive lesson plans, hands-on activities, and real-world connections that encourage critical thinking and independent learning.

Moving Beyond the Page is designed for students from pre-kindergarten to 12th grade and is flexible enough to meet the needs of both gifted and struggling learners . Additionally, the curriculum offers a variety of assessment tools to help track student progress and ensure that they are on track to reach their full potential.

Read a Moving Beyond the Page review here .

Bookshark – Mailable Secular Homeschool Curriculum

BookShark is a mailable boxed homeschool curriculum that offers a literature-based homeschool approach to education.

The program is designed to help students develop a love for learning by incorporating classic literature, history, science, and art into the curriculum .

The curriculum provides families with a comprehensive educational plan that covers all subjects, from pre-kindergarten to high school.

BookShark is unique in that it provides students with a wide range of classic and contemporary books , allowing them to build a broad knowledge base and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

The program is designed to be flexible , so families can tailor it to their specific needs and schedule.

BookShark is a secular program, meaning it claims it does not promote any particular religious or political ideology , making it a great choice for families of any belief system.

The program is highly rated and well-respected and is used by many homeschooling families worldwide to support their child’s education.

Read a Bookshark review here .

Math – Secular Homeschool Curriculum Options

When it comes to secular homeschool curriculum math programs, there are several options to choose from.

Rightstart Mathematics

RightStart Maths is an elementary and middle school math curriculum known for its innovative approach to teaching young students.

Developed by Dr. Joan A. Cotter, the program emphasizes conceptual understanding and critical thinking over rote memorization .

It employs a unique progression through concrete, pictorial, and abstract stages, utilizing hands-on manipulatives like the AL Abacus to foster deep comprehension of mathematical concepts.

By focusing on visual and spatial learning , the curriculum aids students’ comprehension, which is particularly beneficial for those struggling with symbolic representations.

This comprehensive program not only builds number sense and mental math skills but also introduces geometry and measurement, all while encouraging problem-solving and parental involvement.

Check out Rightstart Math here .

Saxon Math is known for its incremental approach, which builds on previously learned concepts to help students develop a deep understanding of mathematical concepts.

Read a Saxon Math review here .

Singapore Math

Singapore Math, on the other hand, is known for its focus on problem-solving and critical thinking, as well as its unique approach to teaching math through real-world examples.

Beast Academy is a unique program that combines comic books, problem sets, and online lessons to create an engaging and interactive math curriculum.

Read a Beast Academy review here .

Ultimately, the best program for you and your child will depend on your learning style and educational goals.

Saxon Math is a great choice for students who thrive on repetition and building a strong foundation, while Singapore Math is ideal for students who enjoy problem-solving and critical thinking.

Beast Academy is a fun and engaging option for students who love comic books and hands-on learning.

Secular Reading Programs

Night zookeeper  – gamification teaching reading and writing.

With Night Zookeeper, your kids can learn to  compose before they can even read or write .

This program features many  games and fun activities  to get kids learning without even knowing it!

Its  speech-to-text function helps them learn before writing  and keeps them learning as they unlock various levels on the platform.

This program is VERY popular and effective and many parents use it in place of screen-time.

Check it out  here .

All About Reading

This reading homeschool curriculum is made by All About Learning Press and has a popular program called All About Spelling .

The reading curriculum features:

• 20 minute lessons with light scripts for parents
• a Mastery-Based program meaning your students can do things in a self-paced manner
• a moneyback guarantee with lifetime support
• multiple levels to choose from including pre-readers to advanced readers
• free placement tests before purchasing
• letter tiles, magnets, dividers, flashcards, and tote bag

Check them out here .

Reading Eggs (A Learn-to-Read Secular Homeschool Curriculum)

Reading Eggs is a secular, learn-to-read program designed for young children aged 2-13.

It is one of the best reading programs available in app form , providing a comprehensive and engaging approach to learning how to read.

The program features a wide range of interactive games, songs, and animations that make learning to read fun and accessible for children.

The curriculum is designed to be flexible, so families can tailor it to their child’s specific needs and learning style.

Before you use it, it’s good to know the reading list is quite woke.

Read a Reading Eggs review here .

Nature-Based All-in-One Homeschool Curriculum SECULAR

If you’re a nature-lover, consider another couple of  nature homeschool curriculums . 

Oak Meadow, founded in 1975, provides a flexible and holistic homeschooling curriculum centered around nature exploration.

It offers personalized learning options, including  accredited  distance learning for grades K-12, making it an excellent choice for families seeking a natural and adaptable education approach.

Blossom and Root

Blossom and Root is a  hands-on , nature-based homeschool curriculum designed for preschool to 5th grade, emphasizing creativity and flexibility.

It integrates subjects like literature, STEM, and the arts, offering families a comprehensive yet adaptable learning experience.

Think Outside Boxes – Sub Boxes

The next option isn’t an all-in-one secular homeschool curriculum. Instead, it can supplement your program if you’re using something that doesn’t have any nature but want to keep it anyway. Think Outside Boxes will send you a box of quality gear and information on nature, fun activities and more to get kids into the great outdoors and make homeschooling a bit more like how you pictured it would be!

Check out  Think Outside Boxes here . 

Here are some common faqs people ask about secular programs.

What are the Best Secular Curriculum Programs?

For some of the best secular curriculum programs, consider options like Time4Learning, Acellus, Under the Home, and Bookshark. These programs are known for providing secular educational content, catering to families who prefer a non-religious approach to homeschooling.

What are the Best Accredited Secular Programs?

The best accredited secular programs include Acellus Academy, Oak Meadow, and Calvert Homeschool. These programs provide both a secular curriculum and accreditation, offering families a well-rounded and recognized homeschooling experience.

Are There Free Secular Homeschool Curriculums?

Yes, there are free secular homeschooling curriculum options available. Some examples include Under the Home, which offers a secular and literature-based/Charlotte Mason curriculum, and Khan Academy, which provides excellent supplementary resources, although it’s not a comprehensive curriculum on its own.

Can I Get Secular Homeschool Workbooks?

Yes, these can take the screentime out of your homeschool and get kids offline. Checkout this homeschool workbooks post.

Want to Learn About Homeschooling?

So, you’ve learned a lot about secular homeschool curriculum programs.

But you may want to learn more about homeschooling in general. There are two great ways to learn more about homeschooling: one is free, and one is a $67 fundamentals course .

1. The Ultimate Homeschool Parenting Program

Transform your homeschooling experience and take it to the next level with our comprehensive online course .

Led by expert educator Rebecca Devitt, you’ll learn the strategies and techniques you need to succeed in homeschooling. This program is packed with valuable resources, a personalized curriculum, and an effective way to manage your time that will help your children thrive.

You’ll have lifetime access to the course for just $67.

Sign up now and start your journey to a successful homeschooling experience !

2. The Free How to Homeschool YouTube Channel

Want something better than a homeschool blog? Look no further than the How to Homeschool YouTube channel !

This channel is designed to help homeschooling parents with expert tips, educational content, and a wide range of resources.

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to the homeschooling world, you’ll find something valuable on our channel. And the best part? It’s completely free!

• Starting homeschool
• Homeschool Methods
• Homeschool Curriculum and
• FAQs on Homeschooling

I know you’re going to love the channel!

Conclusion on Secular Homeschool Curriculum Programs

Each of these secular homeschool curriculum programs has its own unique approach to education and its own strengths and weaknesses. Families should research and compare the options to determine which one is the best fit for their needs and educational goals. It’s important to note that while the options listed above are secular, families who are willing to consider Christian homeschooling curricula will have many more options and a wider range of choices to suit their needs.

I love comments. Please comment below.

Rebecca Devitt

Most adults don't particularly want to relive their schooling experience on a daily basis. They would gladly move on to a new life devoid of homework and teachers. Very, very few adults will passionately blog about their schooling some 15 years after graduating. This makes Rebecca Devitt somewhat unique. As it happens, she was homeschooled. And she loved it. Still does. And she wishes every kid could get a taste of homeschooling at its very best. Her website How Do I Homeschool , is a springboard for parents to see what a life of homeschooling could be for both them & their children. When she's not blogging Rebecca is still homeschooling her-adult-self by learning Latin, growing weird vegetables and most importantly looking after her two children Luke & Penny. She has a husband Tristan and is a participant at Wollongong Baptist Church. She's also written a book about why parents should homeschool called 'Why on Earth Homeschool' .

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BJU Press Blog

Choosing Between Secular and Christian Homeschool Curriculum

August 2, 2022 by Megan

My husband and I get excited every time we hear about or meet a new homeschool family. It’s fascinating to hear their stories. Some started their homeschool journey during the pandemic because they were concerned for their child’s health. Some were frustrated with the uncertainty and crazy scheduling that accompanied pandemic schooling. And some were alarmed when they got a good look at their child’s curriculum. Parents have a host of reasons for homeschooling. But, in my view, there are no bad reasons—any reason to homeschool is a good reason. 

If you are new to homeschooling, the myriad of options may confuse you. Some curriculum publishers have designed their curriculum for Christian homeschoolers, but there are a growing number of secular homeschool curriculum options as well. Let’s take a look at the differences between these options so you can understand what might work best for your family.

Understanding Secular and Christian Curriculum

Secular homeschool curriculum.

Although many homeschoolers decide to homeschool because of a desire to provide religious instruction to their child, that may not be you. You may consider yourself to be a secular homeschooler—a homeschooler who wants to homeschool because of how great homeschooling is and not because of any religious reasons. Although there are differences among secular homeschoolers, most of them agree that they specifically want a homeschool curriculum that doesn’t mix religious faith and academics.

A truly secular homeschool curriculum promotes a secular worldview. But some secular homeschoolers also use a “faith neutral” curriculum, which is a curriculum that purposefully does not reference anything religious. Both secular and Christian homeschoolers may prefer these “faith neutral” curriculum as a middle ground for their children. 

Christian Homeschool Curriculum

Christian homeschoolers desire to use homeschooling as a means to pass their Christian values on to their children. They may have started homeschooling for that very reason. Unlike secular homeschoolers, Christian homeschoolers often want a homeschool curriculum that will not only teach their children the academic content that they need to know but also will teach them about God and the Bible.

There are two main types of Christian homeschool curriculum. In the first type, the Bible is central to the curriculum—if you take out the Bible, the curriculum falls apart. In the second type, the Bible takes a less central role. It may quote or reference the Bible occasionally, but if you take it out, the curriculum is fine.

Differences Between Homeschool Curriculum Approaches

There are a couple of key differences between a Christian homeschool curriculum and a secular homeschool curriculum. 

First, their focuses are different. A secular homeschool curriculum centers around the individual. A secular curriculum teaches evolutionary theory not only in science class, but it also uses it as a foundation for all other academic disciplines. On the other hand, a Christian homeschool curriculum centers its curriculum around God Himself. It teaches that God created the world and everything in it and that His Word, the Bible, is the foundation of all learning.

Second, their goals are different. A secular curriculum aims to prepare students to be successful (i.e. equipped to get a good-paying job) and fit into our society. A Christian curriculum primarily aims to equip students to fulfill the dominion mandate by exercising dominion over the earth to serve God and others.

Why would Christians use a secular curriculum?

Many Christian homeschoolers choose to use a Christian homeschool curriculum. They often do so because they want to avoid a curriculum that teaches evolutionary theory or addresses social issues. Many Christian homeschoolers also choose a Christian homeschool curriculum because they want their children to know how to defend their faith and develop a biblical worldview so that they can combat sophisticated unbelief .

However, Christian homeschoolers sometimes choose to use a secular curriculum instead of a Christian one. They make this choice for a variety of reasons. Some question the academic quality of curriculum from Christian publishers. Others want to expose their children to non-Christian perspectives so they can teach their children how to respond biblically. Also, some Christian families feel that their personal beliefs (such as Theistic Evolution or Old Earth Creationism) are not represented by Christian publishers.

Why would a secular homeschooler use Christian curriculum?

Secular homeschoolers usually want to avoid an explicitly Christian curriculum and prefer to use a secular curriculum instead. They don’t want to indoctrinate their children in a particular religious belief system. Instead, they want their children to learn to be accepting of people of all religions and lifestyles.

However, sometimes secular homeschoolers do choose to use a Christian curriculum, especially since Christian curriculum is so prevalent in the homeschool curriculum market. Secular homeschoolers often find the curriculum used in public schools unsuitable for homeschool use and have difficulty finding truly secular homeschool options. They find that they can adapt some textbooks by Christian publishers as long as the Bible is not a central part of the textbook but more of a component that they can skip.

How BJU Press Curriculum Is Different

Our children grow up in a secular world. Secular messaging is everywhere—at the mall, online, even in many of the children’s books you check out from the library. Many Christian homeschoolers choose a distinctively Christian curriculum to give their children a solid foundation from which to interact with the messages they will encounter for the rest of their lives. And that’s why my family has chosen to use the BJU Press homeschool curriculum for the past six years. BJU Press has offered my daughters an academically solid education while helping them develop a biblical worldview so they can evaluate the secular ideas that they encounter against the Word of God.

Biblical Integration

Some homeschool curriculum publishers claim to Christian. But if you look closely at their textbooks, you will find that there are no real connections being made between the Bible and the lesson content. The Bible may be referenced occasionally—they may make biblical analogies, use biblical examples, or quote related Bible verses—but students are not challenged to think deeply about biblical principles and are not encouraged to apply the Bible to their lives. Some argue that this separation of the Bible from academics is not Christian education at all.

BJU Press is unique among Christian curriculum publishers because they deeply integrate the Bible into their materials . They don’t just reference the Bible. They challenge students to apply the Bible to everything they are studying and to every part of their lives. In doing so, they hold up every academic discipline to the standard of God’s Word and make the Bible the foundation for all learning.

A Biblical Worldview

In “ What is a Biblical Worldview and Why is it Important in Education? ”, Arianna defines a worldview as: “a set of basic beliefs, assumptions, and values that arise from a narrative about the world and produces individual and group action that shapes human culture.” As Christian homeschoolers, we want our children to develop a biblical worldview by aligning their beliefs, assumptions, and values on the unchangeable Word of God. 

BJU Press isn’t satisfied with debunking secular theories through logic or scientific or historical evidence. It wants students to know what the Bible says and how to use it to evaluate different aspects of our culture. It helps students develop a biblical worldview by teaching them how to view the world within the biblical framework of Creation, Fall, and Redemption. 

Critical Thinking

The development of critical thinking skills —the ability to make applications, analyze, evaluate, create, and synthesize information—is an essential part of a quality education. Your children need critical thinking skills to function successfully in today’s world, but many publishers of Christian homeschool curriculum don’t develop these skills well. Instead of encouraging students to think deeply about what they are learning, some publishers train students to rely on the rote memorization of facts to be successful in school.

BJU Press uses leveled questioning throughout their curriculum to develop students’ critical thinking skills. They start off by asking recall questions to make sure the student is paying attention to the reading and is understanding it on a basic level. But then they go deeper and challenge students to apply, evaluate, create, and synthesize that information.

Joy of Learning

We homeschoolers don’t want our children to dread learning. Instead, we want them to experience the wonder and joy of learning because we know that students who love learning will become lifelong learners.

The people who produce the BJU Press homeschool curriculum work hard to foster that joy of learning and help you foster a positive learning environment in your home. They design their textbooks to be colorful and appealing, including multisensory learning experiences to make the learning memorable. They tailor their video course content to keep your child engaged. No wonder curriculum-unboxing day feels like Christmas!

If you are a secular homeschooler, BJU Press may not be the curriculum for you. Some secular homeschoolers have chosen BJU Press materials because they’re reliable and academically sound, but they do find it difficult to skip past the integrated biblical worldview shaping segments. But if you are a Christian homeschooler, you will likely not find another curriculum that offers the same degree of academics alongside strong biblical integration and biblical worldview shaping. Find out 006Dore about the BJU Press homeschool curriculum on “ Why Choose BJU Press? ”

About Megan

Megan is a writer and a homeschool mom with four daughters—a sixth grader, a fourth grader, a first grader, and a 4-year-old. She enjoys doing activities with her girls and taking advantage of every teachable moment. She and her family enjoy ministering the gospel to spiritually needy children in their area, getting involved in their community, and reading books of all shapes and sizes. Read more posts by Megan .

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Social Barriers to Critical Thinking

Thinking about the application of critical thinking in public settings..

Posted August 13, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

• We must acknowledge our biases when evaluating research presented via media and strive to find the source.
• In situations that have important consequences, how we deal with the bias-based conflict is what matters.
• Those living in places where free speech is protected are lucky; this right should not be taken for granted.

I recently wrote a research paper on cognitive barriers to critical thinking (CT), discussing flaws in thinking associated with intuitive judgment, emotion , bias , and epistemological misunderstanding, as well as inadequate CT skills and dispositions (Dwyer, 2023). A colleague progressed this thinking by asking me about social barriers to CT, through a number of specific questions. After thinking about these questions for a bit, I thought it useful to answer some of them here as consideration for CT in social situations.

What happens when people believe they’re thinking critically, but they are just repeating some party line?

The simple answer is that because the individual isn’t thinking critically and they’re just telling you what they believe, it’s up to you to decide whether or not it’s worth the effort to tell them. This depends on who the person is and how open they are to changing their mind —which people are quite hesitant to do; so, this might well be a futile endeavour. I probably would avoid engaging unless it’s someone I care about, who’s about to make an important decision based on erroneous information. Context is important here.

Of course, the folly is an example of in-group bias. The individual likely believes that their "group" has thought critically about the topic in question because they believe said party is credible with respect to the information they present. Thus, the individual might fail to evaluate the claim themselves because they are using their party’s thinking as some form of "expert opinion," even when there might be no relevant expertise to cite.

But, let’s say some research has been cited. Though the individual is right to talk about the research in the sense that research represents the most credible source of evidence , it does not ensure that this particular piece of research is credible. For example, consider how most people hear about new research. Academics know to read the relevant peer-reviewed journals, but not everyone is an academic. Most people hear about research from the news. It’s easy for a TV program or news radio show to talk about new research, but how sure can we be that such sources know how to properly interpret said research? Moreover, how do we know that the research was adequately conducted? We are hearing about research from a secondary source as opposed to the people who conducted it. This is problematic because a lot can be lost in the translation from the initial source, through the "middleman," and onto the public. As consumers of information, we must acknowledge our own potential biases when evaluating research presented to us through media outlets and strive to find the source of the research to ensure that we’re getting the full story.

Does one’s ideology and self-interest play a role in CT?

Ideology and self-interest are essentially bias-based cognitive structures; so, yes, they can affect one’s CT. However, if your decision is made in light of ideology and/or self-interest, then what you’re doing is not CT. If the information a person is presented with aligns with their pre-existing worldviews, they are likely to treat it as new information or as additional knowledge. Simply, if the information supports what we already believe, we are more likely to trust it (i.e., consider confirmation bias ). However, if the information contradicts such worldviews, we’re more likely to declare " fake news " without looking into it much further or, instead, pick flaws in it. This happens to the best of us from time to time, especially if the stakes aren’t particularly high (i.e., the decision you make doesn’t bear any important consequences ).

But, in situations that have important consequences, how we deal with the bias-based conflict is what matters. Our intuitive judgment will always tell us our gut feeling on a matter, but whether or not we engage in reflective judgment and dig deeper into the matter will determine whether or not we think critically . A critical thinker will look further into an important idea that they initially considered silly and might find that it’s actually well-supported by evidence (or it may not be, but at least they made the effort to further evaluate). Such evidence might lead them to further question the perspective and, ultimately, change their mind.

Is it worth sharing one’s CT in environments that punish CT?

This is a tough question because there are two equally acceptable answers—an idealistic one (yes) and a practical one (no)—the application of which, again, comes down to context. Some environments might discourage or even punish CT if the conclusions drawn contradict what is deemed "acceptable" (be it socially, politically, or even legally). In such cases, staying "quiet" seems like a practical and prudent move (even though it contradicts what many might view as intellectual integrity). That is, what’s more important, being right or avoiding punishment ? Another way of looking at this is thinking about whether speaking up is just a matter of being right, or the other party’s mistake is going to impact you in an important way. Is that "important way" worth potential punishment? Context is a key consideration here. Of course, environments where free speech is encouraged change things a bit; but if your CT contradicts the status quo, though you may not be "punished" for your conclusions, you might risk other negative knock-on effects. Sure, the ideal might seem more palatable in this context (i.e., sharing your CT), but there are many who might well stay quiet for reasons of practicality. Again, it depends on their own personal contexts (e.g., are you only risking offending someone or could you potentially put your employment in danger by stating your conclusions?).

All in all, each situation requires evaluation and appraisal of whether or not it is worth sharing one’s CT. From an idealistic perspective, this is a shame . Ideally , one should always feel free to share their thinking if CT has been applied. However, this is not always the practical strategy. Ultimately, what one can actually gain from sharing their conclusions (relative to what is likely to be lost), is what should determine whether or not such thinking is shared (e.g., Are you in a meaningful position to genuinely elicit positive change? ). The only real conclusion I can draw in this context is that those living in places where free speech is protected are truly very lucky, and this right should not be taken for granted. It should be practiced and maintained, but it is also imperative that it is well-informed. If it’s not, someone else with the right to speak freely, who has conducted CT, will hopefully call out that erroneous information. Of course, I recognise how that might seem a bit idealistic, because, unfortunately, as discussed above, many people often believe they have thought critically, even when they have not.

Dwyer, C.P. (2023). An evaluative review of barriers to critical thinking in educational and real-world settings. Journal of Intelligence: Critical Thinking in Everyday Life (Special Issue) , 11:105, doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence11060105.

Christopher Dwyer, Ph.D., is a lecturer at the Technological University of the Shannon in Athlone, Ireland.

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A chapter of the American Humanist Association

How To Think Critically

Critical thinking is a valuable skill that involves analyzing and evaluating information, arguments, and situations in a rational and logical manner.

The Buddha may have been the first critical thinker on record.  He lived about 480–400 BC and his teachings are summarized in the Noble Eightfold Path , a training of the mind that includes ethical training and meditative practices such as  kindness toward others, and mindfulness.

The teachings of Socrates (470–399 BC) are among the earliest records of critical thinking, and he is considered by some to be one of the early humanists . Socrates exerted a strong influence on philosophers in later antiquity and has continued to do so in the modern era.

In 1644, Descartes wrote “ego cogito, ergo sum” translated as I think therefore I am , but much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. To become a critical thinker, you must develop habits of the mind that are self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective.

With all this history of thinking about thinking, you would think we would hone these skills and teach them to our children.  But many individuals, notable dictators, and groups, mostly religious, do not want you to think.  Critical thinking is a cornerstone of democracy and one of the American Humanist Association’s Ten Commitments

Here are some techniques to help improve your critical thinking skills:

• Question Assumptions : Challenge your own and others’ assumptions. Ask yourself why you believe something to be true and whether there’s evidence to support those beliefs.
• Seek Multiple Perspectives : Look at an issue from various viewpoints. Consider how different people might approach the same situation and what factors might influence their opinions.
• Evaluate Evidence : Assess the quality and relevance of evidence presented in support of an argument. Consider the source, credibility, and context of the information.
• Analyze Logic : Examine the logical structure of an argument. Check for any fallacies or errors in reasoning that might weaken the argument’s validity.
• Avoid Confirmation Bias : Be aware of your tendency to favor information that confirms your existing beliefs. Actively seek out and consider information that challenges your views.
• Develop Problem-Solving Skills : Break down complex problems into smaller parts. Analyze each part separately and then look for connections and patterns.
• Practice Active Listening : When engaging in discussions or reading, actively listen or read with the intent to understand rather than just respond. This helps you process information more effectively.
• Ask Thoughtful Questions : Instead of accepting surface-level information, dig deeper by asking questions that encourage more detailed explanations.
• Consider Consequences : Think about the potential outcomes and consequences of different decisions and actions. This can help you make more informed choices.
• Think Systematically : Consider how different elements of a situation or problem interact with one another. This helps you understand the bigger picture and how various factors contribute to an outcome.
• Develop Research Skills : Learn how to find reliable sources of information and how to evaluate the credibility and relevance of those sources.
• Practice Reflective Thinking : Regularly take time to reflect on your own thought processes, decisions, and beliefs. Consider what factors might have influenced your thinking and whether there are ways to improve your approach.
• Be Open to Change : Be willing to revise your opinions and beliefs in light of new evidence or better arguments. Flexibility is key to adapting your thinking.
• Apply Socratic Questioning : This method involves asking a series of probing questions to help explore the underlying assumptions, implications, and potential solutions to a problem.
• Develop Analytical Skills : Enhance your ability to analyze data, statistics, and trends. This can help you make more informed decisions based on evidence.
• Practice Mindfulness : Cultivate mindfulness to be fully present in the moment. This can help you observe your own thoughts and emotions more objectively, which is essential for critical thinking.

Remember that critical thinking is a skill that takes time and practice to develop. Engaging in activities that challenge your thinking, such as reading diverse viewpoints, solving puzzles, and participating in debates, can all contribute to honing your critical thinking abilities.

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Practical Critical Thinking for Grades 9-12+

Practical Critical Thinking for Grades 9-12+ is an introductory course in critical thinking for teens that builds from very basic concepts up through fairly sophisticated applications. While it is written for high school students, I expect many junior high students can easily complete the course as well.

The course has four units with two chapters per unit. Each chapter has from seven to eleven sub-sections, each of which will likely serve as one day’s lesson. That means that by completing about two lessons per week, the course will take one school year to finish.

The first unit, “Becoming a Critical Thinker,” begins with open-ended exercises that challenge students to consider what critical thinking is, how it applies in their own lives, and obstacles such as peer pressure and emotions that can derail critical thinking.

The second chapter in this unit uses puzzles—including some from other books from the same publisher—to help students practice critical thinking skills in different types of applications.

Unit 2, “Adding to My Critical Thinking Toolbox,” continues to lay the foundation. While students should already have learned the difference between fact and opinion, the next chapter begins with a refresher on facts and opinions then pushes students to think through evidence and whether or not it makes conclusions possible, probable, or proven.  This chapter concludes with some interesting exercises to stimulate creative thinking.

The second chapter in this unit addresses “Critical Thinking and Language,” discussing topics such as emotionally charged words, ambiguity, vagueness, euphemisms, and jargon.

You can see how this sequence of lessons lays the groundwork for critical thinking skills. Some students might have already studied some of these topics, and you might be able to skip some sections, but don’t do so unless you are certain that students are proficient in that area.

The third unit, “Critical Thinking and Arguments,” explains the nature of an argument and goes on to explain the difference between inductive and deductive arguments. The second chapter in this unit introduces informal fallacies.

The fourth unit, “Applying My Critical Thinking,” dedicates an entire chapter to advertising. Its goal is to teach students to apply critical thinking to the advertising that bombards them, to understand advertising techniques, to understand informal fallacies in ads, and to consider the pros and cons of advertising.

The final chapter, “Eyewitness Testimony, Direct & Circumstantial Evidence,” exposes students to applications in critical thinking in legal situations and in some fascinating experiments. This last unit, in particular, uses examples from the news and popular culture that will likely be particularly interesting to students.

The course can be used by a single student or a group class. Every chapter concludes with “Group Activities and Discussion,” but the author directs individual homeschoolers to simply do these with a parent. If you are completing two lessons per week, the discussion period would occur about once a month.

The lesson material is only in the student book while the companion teacher’s manual has an answer key plus reproducible pages for all student worksheets. A teacher can teach from the student book, printing out the pertinent reproducible pages for students to look at and then complete. This seems to me the most likely scenario for a group class since student books are the priciest component. However, the student book is printed in full color while the teacher’s manual is black-and-white, and that might make a difference to some students.

I think the course is likely to be most enjoyable if students can meet for a group class for end-of-chapter interaction and discussion. However, if individual homeschooling students work through the student book on their own, their parents will also probably need to read the material to be prepared for the discussion and interaction at the end of each chapter. The answer key has specific answers for some exercises, but many questions do not have specific answers. In these cases, the separate teacher's manual suggests key ideas or concepts that students should address. This help might be sufficient for parents without requiring them to read the entire chapter, but I think this is something that will vary from parent to parent.

Lessons incorporate unique learning tools such as thought experiments, student polls (self-reflection rather than polling other students), puzzles, and continually changing activities and exercises. The combination of self-reflection and practical application with loads of creative learning activities should make Practical Critical Thinking a favorite course for teens.

Pricing Information

When comparison prices appear, please keep in mind that they are subject to change. Click on links where available to verify price accuracy.

student book - $39.99 teacher’s manual: ebook - $9.99, print book - $14.99

Practical Critical Thinking: Student Book

• $42.95 at Amazon.com
• $28.31 Used at Amazon.com Marketplace
• $42.99 at Christianbook.com
• $39.99 at ExodusBooks.com
• $42.99 at Rainbowresource.com

Practical Critical Thinking: Teacher's Manual

• $22.99 at Amazon.com
• $22.99 at Christianbook.com
• $14.99 at ExodusBooks.com
• $22.99 at Rainbowresource.com

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Instant Key

• Need For Parent or Teacher Instruction: varies
• Learning Environment: all situations
• Grade Level: grades 7-12
• Educational Methods: critical thinking, discussion, life applications, lots of variety, puzzles
• Technology: other ebook
• Educational Approaches: eclectic
• Religious Perspective: secular

Publisher's Info

• The Critical Thinking Co.™
• (800) 458-4849
• https://www.criticalthinking.com/

Note: Publishers, authors, and service providers never pay to be reviewed. They do provide free review copies or online access to programs for review purposes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 "Guidelines Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Critical Thinking in a Secular Culture [Podcast #7]

There are a lot of competing ideas in today’s culture, and it’s important that Christians understand how to think critically about the  nature  of these ideas from a worldview perspective. In this episode, I:

1. Explain THE most important thing that separates a biblical worldview from a secular worldview (this one concept truly makes sense of nearly all the debates you see today).

2. Explain how that concept defines the dominant secular view of God, man, and morality.

3. Apply all this to how we can think more critically about common secular sentiments, using 5 examples:

• “The Christian view of sexuality is [fill in the blank with hateful/repressive/stupid/etc.].”
• “Live and let live. If you believe something, then live that way and let others live their way.”
• “Don’t you want to be on the right side of history?”
• “Follow your heart.”/”Be true to yourself.”
• “I don’t want to put God in a box.”/”Why do you think you know more about God than I do?”

Listen to this episode in your browser below, or find it under “The Natasha Crain Podcast” on your favorite podcast player! If you’re enjoying the show, please tell your friends about it and take a minute to give it a rating/brief review on Apple Podcasts (reviews help boost the podcast in rankings so other people can find it).

Check out my previous episodes here .

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