Where to Begin

The number one question I get from homeschool parents: "Where do I even start?" Fair. There's a lot here. So let me make it simple.

Find your kid's grade band below, and I'll tell you exactly where to focus first.

K-1: Start With Phonics and Counting

Your priority subjects: Phonics and number sense.

At this age, everything else is bonus. If your kid is learning letter sounds and can count with understanding, you're winning. Add in read-alouds, nature time, and play, and you've got a full day.

Start here: - K-1 Foundations Hub - Your home base for everything K-1 - Focus on the Reading & Language Arts hub for phonics - Focus on the Math hub for counting and number sense - Add one read-aloud per day (picture books totally count)

What you can relax about: Formal handwriting, structured science lessons, worksheets. Those can wait. Let them play, explore, and listen to great books.

2-3: Reading Fluency and Math Facts

Your priority subjects: Reading fluency and math fact mastery.

This is the stage where reading clicks (or needs a little extra support to click). Math facts, especially addition and subtraction fluency and starting multiplication, set the foundation for everything ahead.

Start here: - 2-3 Skill Building Hub - Your home base for everything 2-3 - Focus on reading fluency practice in the Reading hub - Focus on math facts in the Math hub - Add chapter book read-alouds and some independent reading time

What you can relax about: Perfect spelling, lengthy writing assignments, memorizing state capitals. Keep writing low-pressure (journals, lists, letters to grandma) and let spelling develop naturally alongside reading.

4-5: Reading to Learn and Fractions

Your priority subjects: Comprehension strategies and fractions.

Your kid is shifting from learning to read to reading to learn. That's a big deal. And fractions are the math gateway to middle school success. Nail these two things and everything else falls into place.

Start here: - 4-5 Independence & Reasoning Hub - Your home base for everything 4-5 - Focus on comprehension and analytical reading in the Reading hub - Focus on fractions in the Math hub - Add structured writing (paragraphs, short essays, book responses)

What you can relax about: Covering every single topic in a textbook. Depth beats breadth at this stage. A kid who deeply understands fractions and can write a clear paragraph is ahead of the game.

Still Not Sure?

If your kid falls between grade bands, or you're genuinely unsure where to place them, start one band lower than you think. It's always better to build confidence with material that feels manageable and move up than to start too hard and build frustration.

And if you're brand new to homeschooling, go read If You're New to Homeschooling first. It'll calm your nerves, I promise.