The First Day of Our 2026–2027 Homeschool Year

The first day of homeschool for the 2026–2027 school year was everything I hoped for and more. There is something magical about waking up on that first morning, knowing a fresh year is beginning and that your home is about to fill with new routines, new books, and new memories. We kicked off our year with beautiful back‑to‑school magic from Occasions by Shakira and the coziest pajamas from Caden Lane. The kids voted to stay in their pajamas for the entire first day of school, and honestly, I loved every second of it. It set the tone for a slow, peaceful, connected start to our year.

Our Back‑to‑School Breakfast Tradition

We started the morning with our annual back‑to‑school breakfast. I made fresh homemade waffles, and the kids gathered around the table with sleepy smiles and excited hearts. I kept the decorations simple but meaningful, using pieces we have loved for years. A sweet table runner, a few school‑themed touches, and their new school supplies made everything feel special without adding any stress. I love that this tradition has become something they look forward to, even though it is simple. It reminds me that kids do not need elaborate setups. They just need intention, warmth, and a moment that feels different from every other day.

After breakfast, we took our first‑day photos. The kids were so proud in their Caden Lane pajamas, and I loved capturing this moment in time. We do not do a lot of back‑to‑school shopping for clothes, but I always let each child choose something new for the first day. This year, their new pajamas were the perfect choice. They felt comfortable, confident, and excited, even though we were staying home.

A Cozy Start to Our Schoolwork

I love starting the first day with something fun and gentle. We kept our morning slow and cozy, letting the kids explore their new curriculum, flip through their books, and get familiar with what they will be learning this year. I spent time from May 2026 through July 2026 carefully choosing curriculum for each child, and seeing them open their materials with excitement made all the planning worth it.

We did not rush into a full schedule. Instead, each child chose one subject to complete. Sometimes that looks like a math lesson. Sometimes it is a spelling worksheet. Sometimes it is a language arts activity. Choosing one thing keeps the pressure off and allows the first day to feel joyful instead of overwhelming. It has become one of my favorite traditions because it gives us space to ease into the year.

In the afternoon, we popped popcorn and started our new chapter books. There is something so peaceful about ending the first day with reading. It helps everyone settle down and reminds us that learning does not have to be loud or complicated. It can be simple and sweet.

How Homeschool Ace Made Our First Day Smooth

One thing that made our first day run beautifully was Homeschool Ace. As a homeschool mom of six and a former classroom teacher of over twelve years, I need tools that help me stay organized without overwhelming me. When you are juggling multiple curricula, different grade levels, assignments, projects, tests, and attendance, having one place to track everything is essential. Homeschool Ace has become such a game-changer for our family.

With Homeschool Ace, I can track exactly what curriculum each child is using, log grades, record attendance, manage our school calendar, and even track credits as my older kids transition into high school. I reached a point where spreadsheets, notebooks, and sticky notes were no longer enough, and this platform gave me the structure I needed.

I can coordinate our family calendar, the kids’ chores, their piggy bank, volunteer hours, and every homeschool expense. I can print reports, transcripts, progress summaries, and anything else I need for record keeping. And the best part is that my older kids can log in themselves to see their assignments, projects, tests, quizzes, and grades so they can take responsibility for their learning. Watching them grow in independence has been one of the biggest blessings.

Visit: https://homeschoolace.com/

All of these features come at one flat, affordable rate with no gatekeeping and no add‑ons. I can enter course details, pace each lesson, and keep our homeschool running smoothly. If you want to simplify your homeschool life and stay consistent year after year, use my code GERVASE10 for ten percent off your subscription. Homeschool Ace truly is the homeschool planner and gradebook your family deserves.

Looking Ahead to the Year

As we wrapped up our first day, I felt so much gratitude. Gratitude for the cozy pajamas. Gratitude for the waffles. Gratitude for the curriculum choices that already feel like the right fit. Gratitude for the tools that make homeschooling manageable. Gratitude for the sweet moments in between the lessons. Gratitude for the chance to do this again for another year.

We are stepping into our fourth official year of homeschooling. And if we count our COVID year, this makes year six. I am looking forward to a year filled with growth, learning, and all the sweet moments in between. Homeschooling is not always easy, but it is always worth it. And this first day reminded me exactly why I love it so much.

Curriculum Choices for 2026–2027

I will be sharing our full curriculum choices soon, but here is a quick preview of what each child will be using this year. I spent months researching, comparing, and choosing materials that fit each child’s learning style and needs. I cannot wait to share the full breakdown with you.

Preschool:

TGATB Level 1 Language Arts 

https://glnk.io/km2kv/gervase-2026schoolyear1fx

Kindergarten:

Language Arts K Course Set: 

Level K Handwriting:  

Math K Course Set:

1st Grade:

TGATB Level 1 Language Arts

TGATB Level 1 Math

TGATB Level 1 Handwriting

TGATB Science: Field & Flowers

TGATB Science: Space Science

TGATB Science: Ecosystems 

Leather Notebook:

https://amzn.to/4zbwjRy

Masterbooks Bible: Where Faith Grows

https://amzn.to/4q1wD0M

Masterbooks: My Story K History

https://amzn.to/4wR1aBe

TGATB Level K Full Bundle:

https://glnk.io/km2kv/gervase-2026schoolyear8zq

6th Grade

TGATB Level 6 Language Arts Full Bundle:

Simply Spelling

Level 6 Math

Quick Reference Guide

7th Grade

TGATB Level 7 Language Arts Full Bundle:

Language Arts 7

Simply Spelling

Level 7 Math
https://glnk.io/km2kv/gervase-2026schoolyear1t2 

Quick Reference Guide
https://glnk.io/km2kv/gervase-2026schoolyear0jw 

Science Units

Chemistry Family Unit

Space Science Family Unit 

Ecosystems Family Unit 

Field & Flowers Unit 

Health and Physical Body Unit 

History
History Year 1 Family Unit

History Year 1- Course Book

History Year 1- The Big Book of History Stories

History Year 1- Maps & Images

History Year 1- Student Explorer Grades 3-6

History Year 1- History Activity Book

History Year 1- Time Tunnel Review Cards

History Year 1- Timeline Book 

Electives:

Cooking 1

Music Appreciation 1

Finger painting

Drawing 1 

50 Books Club

A Final Word

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real‑life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

This year feels extra special because my first grader is stepping into a season where reading, writing, and math really start to bloom. It has been so fun to sit down, pray through what would serve him best, and choose a first grade curriculum for 2026–2027 that lets me be hands-on as a mom and teacher while keeping the lessons simple and joyful. After trying a mix of programs last year, we fell in love with several resources from The Good and the Beautiful, and this year I decided to lean in and build our year around what actually worked for him and for our family.

Before I share what we are using, I want to pause and say this clearly. You do not have to use the same curriculum I am using. Every child learns differently, every home is unique, and the gift of homeschooling is the freedom to choose what fits your kids, your season, and your capacity. We have tried multiple programs, done a lot of trial and error, and this is simply what is working well for us right now. My hope is that this post gives you ideas and a helpful look behind the scenes, not pressure to copy anything exactly.

Language Arts: The Good and the Beautiful Level 1

The core of our first-grade year is The Good and the Beautiful Level 1 language arts course. I chose this program because it is truly an all‑in‑one reading curriculum for this age. In one course, he gets phonics, reading, writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling, literature, geography, and art woven together in a way that feels natural and delightful instead of choppy and disconnected. The entire curriculum is broken into three units, and that structure makes planning and pacing feel very manageable for me.

Each unit begins with a clear overview page that tells me exactly what we will be working on during those lessons. It lists the phonics skills, the spelling words, how many reading booster cards will be covered, any extra items I might need to gather, and which writing, grammar, and other concepts will show up across the unit. I appreciate being able to look at that page and immediately see what is coming without needing to build my own detailed scope and sequence. It feels like having a road map for the month right there at my fingertips.

The individual lessons are written in a very parent‑friendly, student‑friendly way. Before we tried The Good and the Beautiful, I often felt like I had to translate a teacher manual into something that worked for my child. In this course the script tells me exactly what to say, what to read, what to show, and what to have my child do next. I rarely read every word perfectly, because I like to paraphrase and make things sound more natural for us, but having that structure means I am not building a lesson from scratch every day. It saves so much time and mental energy and lets me focus on connecting with my child instead of worrying whether I missed a step.

Another feature I love is how the curriculum incorporates the Good and the Beautiful Homeschool app and the Letter Tiles app. These tools are available throughout the course, but they are not required every single day, which is important to me. I can decide when a digital activity will help reinforce a concept and when I want to keep everything on paper. That flexibility helps me control screen time in a way that feels right for our family but still gives us the benefit of interactive practice when we want it.

The layout of each lesson includes checkboxes next to every activity. As we move through the lesson, my child and I can literally check things off as we go. It is a small detail, but it makes a big difference. It keeps us both oriented, helps my child see his progress, and makes it very easy for me to stop mid‑lesson if life interrupts and quickly pick back up again the next day. The prep work is minimal because most of the materials and cut‑and‑go activities are already printed right in the book. Sometimes I will come to a page where I need to cut out pieces for a sorting or matching activity, but even that feels light because I am not hunting all over my house for extra resources. Everything is built in and very intentionally designed, which lowers my stress and raises the level of engagement.

Why We Came Back To This Curriculum

We actually started using The Good and the Beautiful Level K at the very end of last year as a supplement. Our main program at the time was almost 100 percent screen‑based, and while there were some benefits, I saw that my kindergartener was getting restless and checked out during the long video lessons. I decided to weave in a few lessons from Level K just to break things up and target some specific skill gaps. Very quickly, we realized how much we loved the combination of short, focused lessons, hands‑on activities, and clear phonics instruction.

What was meant to be a little add‑on became the part of our day we were most excited for. My child retained more information, was more engaged, and started demonstrating more confidence and advanced skills during the lessons that came from The Good and the Beautiful. Because I had the experience of running two language arts programs side by side, I could see the difference very clearly. This year, that experience gave me the freedom to say, “This is what is actually working,” and build our first grade year around it instead of trying to force something that was not serving us well.

Reading Booster Cards And Books

One of the features of this program that I appreciate most is the combination of reading booster cards and twenty coordinated reading books. These resources are not an afterthought. They are carefully designed to build from the very beginning of Level 1 all the way through the end of the year. As my child is introduced to a new set of phonics patterns or sight words, those same skills show up repeatedly in the reading booster books so he can practice them in context. The books gently increase in difficulty, so there is a sense of real growth as we move along.

The reading booster cards themselves are printed on sturdy card stock, spiral‑bound, and organized so I can flip directly to the skill we are practicing. If I want to review sight words, I can simply open to that section, point to each word, and have him read them aloud. If we are focusing on short vowels, long vowels, or a particular phonics pattern, the cards make it very clear which words and examples belong to that skill. This makes our review time short, focused, and very effective.

I also love that the lesson pages in the main book have small indicators in the corner that tell me which reading booster card skill we should be on at that point in the year. It is like a built‑in pacing guide. Instead of wondering if I am moving too fast or forgetting to review something important, I can glance at the corner of the page and know which stack of cards to pull out. This keeps me consistent and prevents little skills from falling through the cracks, especially on busy days when my attention is split between multiple kids.

Math: The Good and the Beautiful Math 1

For math this year we chose The Good and the Beautiful Math 1, and I have strong feelings about this choice after what we experienced last year. There is a perception in some homeschool spaces that The Good and the Beautiful math is not rigorous, and I completely disagree. When we used it alongside another math program last year, I saw my child retain more information, show more confidence, and demonstrate deeper understanding during the lessons that were hands‑on and concept‑rich. That experience convinced me that the rigor is there; it just looks like engaged learning instead of endless worksheets.

One of my favorite aspects of this program is the math box of manipulatives that comes with the early elementary levels. For kindergarten through third grade, students receive a box filled with tangible tools they will use throughout their lessons. Having counters, shapes, place value pieces, clocks, and more right at our fingertips makes such a difference. It turns math from something abstract on a page into something my first grader can touch, move, and truly understand. This hands‑on approach has been especially helpful for a wiggly child who learns best by doing.

The Math 1 course is also broken into three units with a total of 120 lessons. At the beginning of the book there is an “About the Course” section that gives a high‑level overview of how everything is organized. It explains what supplies we will need, what a typical daily lesson looks like, and answers frequently asked questions. Before each individual unit, there is another unit overview page that tells me how many lessons are included, which new concepts will be covered, any extra supplies I might want on hand, and some parent‑teacher tips in case my child needs extra support. Having that information all in one place makes me feel prepared instead of surprised.

Each daily lesson begins with a review box that lets us quickly revisit previously learned skills before moving into a new concept. Any instructions written in blue text are directed to me as the parent‑teacher, so I know what to say, what to demonstrate, and when to pause. This helps the lesson flow in a way that feels natural. After working through the main portion, there is usually another short review section at the end of the lesson that pulls in ideas from earlier in the unit or previous units. The spiral review is gentle but steady, which keeps older skills from slipping away while my child focuses on something new.

What I appreciate most about The Good and the Beautiful Math 1 is that the program goes beyond basic computation. Yes, my first grader is practicing addition, subtraction, and number sense, but the lessons also develop spatial reasoning, pattern recognition, measurement, telling time on an analog clock, and problem solving. He is learning to fill in missing numbers, recognize dot patterns, create shapes and images, and think about math visually instead of only symbolically. The activities within each lesson connect to one another, so it does not feel like random busy work. It feels like one coherent experience that supports the concept from multiple angles.

At the end of each unit there is a unit assessment page printed in purple. My child completes the questions, I go back and check the work, and any skills that need more practice are clearly visible. The curriculum even includes extra problem sets in an orange section for any concepts that require reinforcement. This is such a gift because the reality is that not every skill will be mastered the first time it is introduced. Having a structured review already built in gives me a plan for what to do next instead of leaving me to figure it out on my own.

Reading: Our 50 Books Club

This year we are doing a “50 Books Club” in our home, and my first grader will be joining his siblings in the challenge. The idea is simple but powerful. Each child will read or listen to 50 books over the course of the school year and track that reading in a special resource designed for this purpose. For my first grader, that will look like writing the title of each book on a book spine, and then, with my support, recording details such as the author, setting, main character, and the month and year he finished the book.

At this stage, I will still be doing some of the writing for him while he dictates or copies smaller portions, but the goal is for him to develop ownership of his reading life. I want him to see the visual progress of spines filling up and pages being completed. I also love that this resource gives me an easy way to track what he is reading, which will be especially helpful when we look back at the end of the year or when I am planning future book choices. For first grade, my plan is to focus on a wide variety of picture books, early readers, and short chapter books that build fluency and a love for stories more than anything else.

Handwriting: The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting 1

For handwriting practice, we are using The Good and the Beautiful Handwriting Level 1, which focuses on beginning print. I chose this book because it is very intentional about the formation of letters and numbers and gradually moves toward short words and sentences by the end of the course. One of my favorite features is that the text size reduces halfway through. The first half of the book uses a larger 60‑point font, and then the second section moves to a smaller 45‑point font as the child’s fine motor skills grow stronger. This built‑in progression gently nudges my first grader toward writing smaller and more controlled letters without making it feel abrupt.

The book is organized into sections that cover form drawing, writing first name, writing letters and numbers, tracing and writing words and sentences, and drawing. It is not the typical “trace the same letter twenty times and move on” approach. Instead, the pages mix copywork, tracing, independent letter formation, simple illustration prompts, and short phrases in ways that keep his interest. Many pages include coloring elements, which give him a chance to slow down and enjoy the work while still strengthening his grip and control. I appreciate that the design recognizes that practicing penmanship is about more than neat letters; it is about building the small muscles and habits that support writing in every subject.

Toward the end of the course, there are handwriting evaluations that allow me to see how far he has come. These pages give a snapshot of his ability to complete handwriting tasks after all of the practice, and they will be a helpful record for both my own planning and any documentation I might want to keep.

Spanish: Starter Skills For A New Language

This year I really wanted my first grader to have exposure to a foreign language, so I chose a complete book of starter Spanish skills to weave throughout the year. This resource covers colors and shapes, the alphabet, numbers, patterns and size, days and months, seasons and weather, and it includes a helpful Spanish‑English glossary at the back. The activities are simple and age‑appropriate, focusing on reading, writing, and saying basic words and phrases.

I love that many of the pages are perforated, which means I can easily tear them out and place them into a spiral binding or folder for daily use. That small step makes it much easier for me to work alongside my child without fighting a bulky workbook. As we move through a topic like colors, the book presents multiple examples of objects that can be that color, which supports both vocabulary and comprehension. At the end of each major topic there is a review section that helps reinforce what has been learned before we move on to something new.

What excites me about this Spanish resource is how it overlaps with other skills. There is handwriting practice, shape recognition, counting, and pattern work built into the language pages. My plan is to introduce each topic first in English, then spend time practicing the same ideas in Spanish, letting the vocabulary grow naturally alongside what we are already learning in other subjects.

Learning Journal: A Living Notebook For First Grade

In addition to our formal curriculum, I decided to introduce a learning journal for my first grader this year. I picked up a Moleskine‑style classic notebook and plan to use it as a place where he can document things he is learning across all subjects. When something important, interesting, or exciting comes up in math, science, Bible, or history, we can pause, open the journal, and let him draw a picture, write a word or sentence, or dictate while I write for him. Over time, this notebook will become a collection of learning memories from the year.

I drew inspiration for this from the Charlotte Mason idea of living notebooks. I love the thought of giving my kids a place where their thoughts and discoveries can live in their own words and images. At the end of the year, we will have a beautiful keepsake to flip through, and in the moment it will also serve as a tool for review and family conversation. My hope is that this habit helps him see himself as a curious, capable learner, not just a child who completes worksheets.

Bible: Master Books “Where Faith Grows” Level 1

For Bible this year, we are using Master Books “Where Faith Grows Level 1”. I chose this program because it is more than a Bible information course; it is designed as a tool to help parents disciple their children using Scripture. The lessons follow a repeatable weekly pattern, which I find very comforting as a mom juggling multiple grades.

Each cycle is laid out across several days. Day one introduces a new memory verse, letting us hide God’s Word in our hearts slowly and intentionally. Day two continues building on that same topic, usually with more teaching and discussion. Day three includes a play‑based activity that brings the concept to life in a way young children can understand. Day four sets aside time for a more focused, sit‑down conversation between parent and child about what the passage means and how it applies to our lives. Day five is a short day of application with an extension idea, giving us a chance to live out what we have learned. Day six is a review, tying the whole week together.

The course also uses a set of “Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers”‑style books that take big biblical concepts and break them down into small, child‑friendly portions. On the reading days I get to share just a little bit from these books, which keeps our time rich but never overwhelming. I love that this program gives me structure and language for conversations I want to have anyway, and it helps me lead my children toward knowing who God is and how He works in our lives.

History: My Story K For A Strong Foundation

For history, I decided to use “My Story K” with my first grader this year. This might sound surprising since it is a level K book, but I chose it intentionally. The history program we used last year did not go as deep into certain foundational ideas as I hoped, so I wanted to circle back and give him a strong base in family, culture, citizenship, geography, and finances before moving into heavier content. Using this level feels less like going backward and more like laying a firmer foundation for future years.

One of the things I appreciate about this course is the simple two‑day schedule. Each lesson has a checklist at the front that tells me which pages to read and what to complete. My plan is to follow the suggested two lessons per week and spread them across the entire school year. The content covers basic social studies skills while also touching on language development, social and emotional growth, physical development, and spiritual understanding. It is gentle but meaningful, which is exactly what I want for a first grader who is still very much a little kid.

Science: Fields and Flowers With The Good and the Beautiful

For science, I chose Fields and Flowers from The Good and the Beautiful, and I will be using it with both my first grader and my preschooler. This program comes with a parent guide that walks me step by step through each of the thirty lessons. Every lesson is parent‑directed, which is a big shift for us after using a curriculum that relied heavily on video teachers last year. I am excited to be more directly involved in the teaching and discovery process again.

The course is supported by several beautiful resources. There is an insects and spiders maze book with glossy pages that can be used with dry erase markers, which means my kids can enjoy the mazes again and again. Each page features a different insect, turning the activity into both a fun challenge and a learning moment. I purchased one maze book for each child so they can work at their own pace. We also have a frogs and snakes book filled with real‑life photos and interesting facts, and a chapter book called “Glenn and His Goat” that we will read aloud together. I love that the program balances fiction and nonfiction to build understanding from multiple angles.

Each lesson follows a predictable structure. There is a title and topic, a note about optional activities and needed supplies, a short opening to grab their attention, and then a section that tells me exactly what to read and discuss. Sometimes there is a video to watch inside the Good and the Beautiful app, which is incredibly convenient, and always there are discussion questions and an optional hands‑on activity. This pattern allows me to confidently lead the learning while still leaving space for curiosity and exploration.

Another resource I am excited about is the Big Book of Science Stories that coordinates with this and other science units from The Good and the Beautiful. The stories are full‑color, engaging, and directly tied to the concepts we are studying. They feel like true living books, not dry textbooks, which fits my desire to surround my kids with rich language and meaningful content.

One of the things I love about this company’s science courses is that they are designed for family‑style learning. That means while my first grader is doing Fields and Flowers as his core science, he can also participate with his older siblings in units like Space Science and Ecosystems. Those units come with K–2 activity books that provide age‑appropriate work for younger learners while still keeping everyone in the same topic together. I plan to take full advantage of that so our science time can be both shared and individualized.

Pulling It All Together

Looking at this list, it might seem like a lot, but in practice, these resources work together to create a gentle, rich first-grade year. Language arts and math from The Good and the Beautiful give us a strong academic core with minimal prep and plenty of hands‑on learning. The reading booster cards and 50 Books Club feed his growing identity as a reader. Handwriting 1 builds fine motor skills and confidence on the page. Spanish, Bible, history, science, and the learning journal add beautiful layers of culture, faith, curiosity, and reflection.

Most importantly, these choices give me the chance to be present and engaged as his mom and teacher without spending every evening buried under planning. The lessons tell me what to do, the materials are ready to go, and the structure respects the reality that I have multiple children to teach. I am excited to see how my first grader grows this year, not only in skills but in confidence, curiosity, and joy in learning.

If you are planning your own first-grade year, I hope this peek into our choices and reasoning is helpful. Take what serves you, leave what does not, and remember that you know your child best. That is the true beauty of homeschooling.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

For the past two years, our older kids have used the BJU Press Homeschool Online curriculum kit with textbooks as the backbone of their homeschool program. As a former certified classroom teacher and principal, I came into homeschooling with a pretty clear sense of what I wanted from the curriculum: strong instruction, thoughtful structure, and resources that help my kids grow in independence instead of relying on me for every step. BJU’s Grade 5 program has been a big part of how we have done that, and in this review I want to walk you through what it actually looks like in our home.

I also filmed a full video review where I flip through the books, show our spirals, and talk through more of the pros and cons in real time. If you are deciding whether this curriculum is right for your family, I highly recommend watching the YouTube review alongside this post so you can see everything up close.

A Little Background Before the Review

Before I stepped into homeschooling, I spent over a decade in education. I taught second and fourth grade in a traditional classroom setting, covering all subjects. I taught fifth grade math and science, held certification from early childhood through sixth grade, and had an English Language Arts endorsement for sixth through eighth grade. Later, I became principal certified as well. All of that shaped my expectations for the curriculum at home. I am drawn to programs that offer clear, incremental teaching, strong academic content, and built‑in ways to assess how a child is actually doing.

That is part of what initially drew me to BJU Press Homeschool Online for Grade 6. It combines pre‑recorded teacher‑led lessons with physical textbooks and consumable workbooks, and it runs through a central online hub where my kids can see their lessons and track their own progress.

How BJU Press Homeschool Online Grade 5 Works Day to Day

Everything runs through BJU’s Homeschool Hub. When my sixth graders log in, they see their subjects and daily lessons laid out by day: Day 1, Day 2, all the way through the school year. For each subject, the lesson page tells them exactly what to do. They start by watching a pre‑recorded video taught by a BJU instructor who speaks directly to the camera as if they are working one‑on‑one with the student. While they listen, they open their workbook or textbook and follow along with guided practice, then move into independent practice, and sometimes finish with a separate assignment after the video is over.

After each task, they can check off a box inside the hub so they know the lesson is fully complete. The lessons are not live, which I actually appreciate in this season. The flexibility of pre‑recorded lessons means my kids can move at their own pace within the structure of the day, pausing to reread directions, rewinding if they missed something, or taking a short break when needed. Another thing I genuinely like is that my kids have a different teacher for each subject. The variety of voices and teaching styles keeps the day from feeling flat or repetitive.

On my side, the Homeschool Hub lets me see how each child is doing at a glance. I can open their gradebook, see scores from quizzes and tests, check which assignments are completed, and monitor their average in each subject. For fifth grade and up, many quizzes and tests are auto‑graded inside the platform, which saves me a significant amount of time, especially with multiple children using the program.

What Comes in the Grade 6 Curriculum Kit

When you order the Grade 5 online curriculum with textbooks, you receive access to the online lessons plus a full set of physical materials for each subject. For our sixth graders, that included Bible, math, science, heritage studies, reading, spelling, handwriting, and language arts components that are woven into the reading and writing work. Each of the content‑heavy subjects, like science, reading, and heritage studies, comes with a textbook and a consumable workbook. Subjects like spelling and handwriting are entirely workbook‑based.

The workbooks are consumable, so this is not a curriculum you will reuse as‑is with another child unless you purchase an additional workbook. My kids write directly in them, tear out pages as they go, and generally use them hard through the year. I did not purchase a printed teacher’s edition for every subject. Instead, I relied on the student materials, online lessons, and digital teacher resources available through the hub. For us, that combination was enough to navigate the year without feeling lost.

How I Organized the Materials for Multiple Kids

One thing you quickly learn with a full kit is that organization matters. Between textbooks, workbooks, tests, and handouts, things can get overwhelming without a system. What worked well for us was dividing each subject into quarters. I looked at how many lessons there were in a subject and split the workbook pages roughly into four sections. Then I tore out the pages for Quarter 1, combined them with that quarter’s quizzes, tests, study guides, and any extra handouts, and spiraled everything into a single notebook for that subject.

I repeated this process for each subject. Bible, heritage studies, science, spelling, math, and so on. That meant my sixth graders were not juggling a huge textbook, a separate workbook, and loose tests for every lesson. Instead, they had a neat, subject‑specific spiral for the quarter that held everything they needed in sequential order. When the Homeschool Hub told them, “Today you need workbook page 155 and a memory verse quiz,” both were already right there in their spiral. That setup gave them a cleaner workspace, helped them track their progress in each subject, and made it easier for me to stay on top of grading and feedback.

Bible, Spelling, and Reading: What Stood Out

The Bible curriculum felt thoughtful and intentional. My kids were not only reading passages but also engaging with them through questions, written responses, character traits, and review sections. The consumable Bible workbook covered the entire academic year, and because everything was in one place, it was easy to tear out lessons, organize memory-verse quizzes, and track our progress. I appreciated that the Bible was not treated as an add‑on; it had structure, assessments, and clear progression.

Spelling followed a weekly rhythm that made sense to me as both a teacher and a mom. Each week began with a word list and a pretest, moved into days of word study, practice activities, and proofreading, and then wrapped up with a practice test and final test. It was more than simple memorization. My kids were looking at word meanings, patterns, and usage, which built their vocabulary and writing skills along the way.

Reading may have been one of my favorite parts of the Grade 5 program. The reading textbook was full of a variety of genres and passages, fiction, nonfiction, historical pieces, and more, with illustrations and layouts that kept my kids engaged. On top of that, they received novels to read as part of the course. Some were read in partnership with the video teacher during the school year, and others were positioned more like a guided summer‑reading opportunity at the end of the course. The workbook pages are tied directly to the reading selections, with graphic organizers, comprehension questions, skill practice, and study guides for upcoming tests. I liked that the reading program encouraged both breadth and depth: short texts for specific skills and longer works for sustained reading.

Heritage Studies, Science, and Math

Heritage Studies served as our history and social studies component. The textbook was rich with maps, timelines, stories, and historical context, while the workbook helped my kids process what they were learning through questions, written responses, and activities. Study guides at the end of each unit became a simple but powerful tool. I often had my kids complete the guide to check their understanding. If they struggled on the study guide, we went back and reviewed before moving on to the test. Having those guides built in saved me a lot of time that I would otherwise have spent creating my own review materials.

Science followed a similar format, with a textbook and workbook that covered topics through explanation, visuals, and practice. There were also suggested experiments and hands‑on activities. I loved the idea of these, but I will be honest: in a season where we were juggling eight subjects a day and multiple grade levels, it was not always possible to set up every lab. My kids still benefited from the video demonstrations and discussions presented by the online teacher, but I do wish I had been able to integrate more of the experiments in a consistent, family‑style way.

Math used a consumable workbook with structured lessons, guided practice, and independent practice. Each unit wrapped up with a cumulative review that pulled together the major skills from that chapter. Those reviews were extremely helpful. They showed both my kids and me how well the concepts had settled before we moved on, and they revealed where we needed to slow down or spiral skills back into our routine.

How the Homeschool Hub Built Independence

One of the unexpected gifts of using BJU Press Homeschool Online for Grade 5 was the way it helped my kids grow in self‑management. Each day, when they logged in to the Homeschool Hub, they could see exactly what they needed to accomplish, watch their lessons, complete pages, and check items off as they went. The platform showed them their current average grade in each subject, so they were not guessing how they were doing.

For quizzes and tests, especially in the upper grades, the system handled much of the grading automatically. In our home, my preference was for them to take the quiz on paper first, in their spiral, and then transfer their answers to the online platform. That way, the system graded the quiz, and I still had a physical copy to look over. When I reviewed a quiz, I could see which questions they missed, compare their work to the key, and make notes directly on their paper. The platform also linked questions to specific page numbers in the textbook, making it easy to point them to exactly where they needed to review.

If a score came back lower than we hoped, I had the option to grant a retake, allowing my child to take the quiz again after more review. I appreciated that blend of structure and flexibility. The grading was clear and consistent, but I also had room to support mastery rather than treating every test as a one‑shot event.

What I Loved and Where It Stretched Us

The biggest strengths of the Grade 6 BJU Press Homeschool Online curriculum for our family were its completeness, clarity, and academic depth. I never felt like I had to scramble to invent lessons from scratch. Every subject came with a full year planned out, from Day 1 to the last lesson, including reviews, quizzes, tests, and in many cases, projects and rubrics. The variety of teachers kept my kids engaged, and the Hub gave them a sense of ownership and responsibility over their own progress.

The challenges mostly came down to volume and logistics. With the complete kit, my sixth graders had eight subjects a day, which can be a lot in certain seasons. There were days when we had to make judgment calls about what to trim or shift to keep our homeschool rhythm healthy. Hands‑on projects and experiments, especially in science and heritage studies, required more preparation than I always had capacity for while managing multiple grades and little ones. I also think parents who prefer minimal screen time or a very open, interest‑led approach might find BJU’s structure more formal than they are looking for.

For our family, BJU Press Homeschool Online Grade 6 has been a strong, academically rich framework in this stage of our homeschool journey. It has given my kids access to excellent instruction and given me tools to track their learning without having to carry the entire load alone. As we look ahead to future years, we will continue to adjust and customize, but I am grateful for how this program has served as a solid foundation.

If you are considering this curriculum, I encourage you to read this review and then watch my full YouTube video where I show the books, spirals, and Homeschool Hub in action. Seeing it laid out visually can really help you decide if it fits your family’s needs and season.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

If you have homeschooled for any length of time, you already know that most of our children’s progress is lived out at the kitchen table, not on a score report. We see the lightbulb moments, the tears, the slow steady growth that does not always show up neatly in numbers.

Even so, one rhythm that has become really important in our home is national standardized testing. Each year, my kids take the Stanford 10 Complete Battery, and this year we added the Iowa Assessments (Iowa Test of Basic Skills) in the middle of the year as well.

I do not use these tests to define my children or to decide whether our homeschool is “successful.” Instead, I use them as one more tool to help me see where they are thriving, where they need support, and how I can plan more strategically for the year ahead.

Why We Chose the Stanford 10

At the end of each homeschool year, usually in April or May, my children take the Stanford 10 Complete Battery at their current homeschool grade level. We formally start our school year in August and finish in May, so this timing gives me a clear snapshot of how they did over that specific year.

One of the reasons I really appreciate the Stanford 10 is its depth of scoring report. After testing, we receive a very thorough breakdown that:

• Shows overall student performance in each subject area.
• Explains what the test is actually measuring in terms of academic achievement.
• Compares my child’s performance to other students nationwide in the same grade and at the same point in the year.
• Includes percentile bands (often called NPR or percentile ranks) that show the range within which my child’s “true score” likely falls, so I can see how consistently they performed in each subject.

For example, if a child’s percentile band centers around the 70th percentile, that means they performed as well as or better than about 70% of students nationally in that subject. That is helpful context for me as a homeschool mom who lives outside the traditional classroom structure.

The Stanford 10 report outlines performance in areas such as:

• Word Study Skills
• Reading Vocabulary
• Reading Comprehension
• Total Mathematics
• Math Problem Solving
• Math Procedures
• Language, Mechanics, and Expression
• Spelling
• Science
• Social Science

It does not include a Lexile score, but it does give clusters for specific standards and skills within each area. The report clearly marks whether a child performed below average, average, or above the national average for each skill, and it shows:

• The number of questions correct
• The total number of questions possible
• The number of questions attempted

That level of detail makes it much easier for me to understand exactly where my child is strong and where we need more practice.

Why We Added the Iowa Assessments Mid-Year

This school year, for the first time, we added a mid-year test: the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (Iowa Assessments) in December. The purpose was a little different from the Stanford.

While the Stanford 10 at the end of the year shows me how they did with this year’s content, the Iowa test we took in December helped us see how much they retained from the prior school year. I loved that from a data standpoint, because it answered the question, “How much really stuck?”

The Iowa test they took covered areas such as:

• Reading
• Written Expression
• Conventions of Writing
• Vocabulary
• Mathematics and Computation
• Science
• Social Studies

Just like the Stanford, the Iowa report shows achievement in core subjects, but it also gives clear ranges:

• Scores from 77–99 are considered above average.
• Scores from 25–74 fall in the low-average to high-average range.
• Scores from 1–24 are considered below average.

What I appreciate about the Iowa Assessments is that they are designed to track growth over time. They place a student on an achievement continuum from elementary through high school, which means I can follow my child’s educational growth from year to year by comparing this year’s scores to earlier ones.

Our plan going forward is to keep this rhythm in place:

• End of May each year: Stanford 10 Complete Battery for that current grade level.
• December each year: Iowa Assessments to check retention and growth from the previous homeschool year.

Building Familiarity With Standardized Testing

One of the biggest reasons I value this pattern is because I want my kids to be comfortable with standardized testing long before high school. At some point, they will likely sit for the ACT or SAT as college entrance exams. I do not want their first real exposure to a formal test environment to be at that level of pressure.

By having them take nationally normed tests like the Stanford 10 and Iowa Assessments regularly, they:

• Get familiar with test structure and timing.
• Learn how to pace themselves through longer sections.
• Practice bubbling answers or clicking responses without anxiety.
• Experience both paper-and-pencil and computer-based formats.

Right now, we choose the online/computer format for their national tests. I want them to be confident not only reading questions on a screen, but also navigating digital tools, since so many modern exams are now computer-based.

The Hardest Part as a Homeschool Mom

If I am honest, the hardest part of standardized testing for me is not being able to step in and help. As homeschool moms, we are so used to guiding, prompting, and explaining. On test day, my job shifts.

I have to let my children know ahead of time:

• I can remind you of directions, but I cannot explain the questions.
• If you get stuck, slow down, reread, and do your best.
• This is not about being perfect; it is about showing what you know today.

It stretches me to sit on my hands and trust the process. But what I have learned is that good test prep ahead of time really helps. Using resources like practice workbooks and sample questions warms up their brains to the format so the real test feels more familiar, not like a surprise.

We talk about the test well before it happens, so it never feels like a pop quiz on their whole life. We discuss what day and time they will test, how long it will take, what subjects are included, and simple strategies like reading carefully, checking their work, and not rushing. Those conversations, plus some light practice, go a long way toward building independence and confidence.

How I Use Test Results to Shape Our Homeschool

What I love most about these assessments is not the comparison aspect; it is the clarity they give me for instruction. When the scores come back, I do not just glance at the overall percentile and file them away. I sit down and really study them.

I look for patterns of strength, where my child is consistently above average or mastering skills quickly, and I look for skill gaps, where they scored below average or missed more questions than I realized. Those are the places where we need more repetition, review, or a different teaching approach.

From there, I start thinking about the upcoming homeschool year and ask myself where we need extra practice woven into our weekly rhythm, which concepts need to be revisited more intentionally, and whether we need to adjust the curriculum in a certain subject to add support or challenge. The goal is never to chase a perfect score. The goal is to bridge the gap between what they know and what they do not know yet, so they can move forward with confidence.

Options for Homeschool Families

If you are a homeschool parent considering national testing, there are many providers that allow you to order exams like the Stanford 10 or Iowa Assessments. Some offer paper-and-pencil versions you mail back in, others provide online testing windows where your child tests on the computer at home with a remote proctor to maintain proper integrity.

In both formats, the test is proctored so that the results reflect your child’s work alone, not extra help or coaching from a parent. That can feel uncomfortable at first, but it is also what makes the results so valuable. You get a clear picture of what they truly know on their own, which is what ultimately matters for long-term growth.

Final Thoughts

National standardized tests are not the centerpiece of our homeschool, but they are an important supporting piece. For our family, they provide an objective snapshot of where each child stands academically, help my kids get comfortable with formal testing long before college entrance exams, and give me data I can actually act on as I plan curriculum and focus areas for the next year.

If you are considering adding standardized testing to your homeschool rhythm, know that it does not have to replace your instincts as a mom or the daily observations you already make. It can simply be another lens that lets you see your child’s learning from a different angle. And at the end of the day, the test is just one data point. You still know your child best. Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

As we step into the final weeks of our homeschool year, I can feel that unique mix of tired, thankful, and hopeful that always shows up around this time. The pencils are shorter, the workbooks are well-loved, and we are all ready for a little summer exhale, but we also want to finish what we started.

On the homeschool side, we are working hard to finish our year strong. The plan is for the kids to wrap up their coursework at the end of May, then take the Stanford 10 national standardized test. It feels like a big milestone year for us, not because anything dramatic has happened, but because the kids have stayed steady, even on the ordinary, not-so-exciting days that actually build most of our homeschool life. We are also counting down the days until the Texas Homeschool Convention!

Finishing the Year Strong

One of the things I have noticed this year is how much growth happens quietly. There are fewer “first day” photos and big announcements, and a lot more showing up on regular days. Watching the kids keep going when the work feels routine has reminded me that faithfulness in small things is where so much of learning really lives.

At this point in the year, I am especially grateful for our Homeschool Hub online platform. Being able to log in, see exactly where each child is, and monitor their progress in one place has been such a gift as we head toward the finish line. It helps me catch gaps early, celebrate wins, and make sure everyone is truly on track to close out the year well.

As we move toward testing, I am reminding them (and myself) that the goal is not perfection. The goal is to see progress, learn where we can grow, and celebrate how far we have come since August.

What We Are Reading Right Now

Right now, we are wrapping up our current read-aloud, Chico of the Andes by Christine Von Hagen. It has been such a sweet story to share together and has opened the door to conversations about culture, courage, and what it looks like to trust God in unfamiliar places. I love when a book gives us language for things we might not have said out loud otherwise.

As we close that chapter, we are getting ready to start a new classic: Anne of Green Gables. I may have gone a little overboard here, because I bought four different editions of the book so each child could choose the cover that felt most like “their” Anne. There is something fun about watching them flip through the different versions, compare the artwork, and pick the one that feels special to them. Letting them choose their own cover is a small way of inviting them deeper into the story.

We made a little outing of it and took a trip to Barnes & Noble to browse and grab a few extra titles. Bookstore trips in the middle of the school year always feel like a mini reset for us, no lesson plans, just time to wander the aisles and remember that reading is a gift, not just an assignment.

Gentle Test Prep That Still Feels Doable

With the Stanford 10 coming up at the end of May, we have been easing into some test prep using Spectrum’s 6th Grade Test Practice workbook. I like it because it gives the kids a chance to see the types of questions and formats they will encounter without turning every day into “test day.”

We are taking a little-at-a-time approach: a few pages, a few strategies, and then we move on with our regular work. My hope is that when they sit down for the actual test, it feels familiar instead of intimidating. Prepared, not pressured, that is the goal.

Electives, Credits, and Looking Toward Graduation

One of the biggest shifts this year has been watching my three oldest choose their electives for next year. I honestly had a moment where I thought, “How are we already talking about credits and graduation?” It feels both far away and right around the corner.

They each picked electives that line up with their interests, which makes me so excited for them. There is something powerful about saying, “Your interests matter, and we are going to build your education with that in mind.” It also gives me a clearer direction as I prepare for the upcoming homeschool convention.

Instead of walking the vendor hall feeling overwhelmed, I can go in with a list and a purpose, looking for resources, programs, and tools that support the specific paths they are starting to carve out. These elective choices help me be intentional instead of impulsive when it comes to curriculum shopping.

Our New Group Table and the Flow of Our Days

Another change this year that has made a big difference is our new IKEA dining table in the homeschool room. I had been eyeing this extendable table for a long time, and now that it is finally here, it has changed the vibe of our days in the best way.

The kids can now move between their independent workstations and our group table throughout the day. When they are working on personal assignments, they have their own spaces. When it is time for read-alouds, group work, or discussions, we all gather around the big table. It has given us room to spread out books, notebooks, and snacks, while still feeling together.

The simple ability to shift between “solo focus” and “family table” has made our homeschool feel more flexible, cozy, and connected.

Listening to My Kids as We Plan Ahead

As we work through our materials each homeschool day, we have been having many honest conversations about curriculum. I have been asking the kids what they liked, what felt confusing, what they would change, and what they hope next year looks like.

The older I get in this homeschool journey, the more I realize that my kids’ feedback is not optional; it is essential. Yes, I am the front-runner and the one ultimately responsible for the rhythm and cadence of our homeschool. But I also know that the best decisions I make are those shaped by real, thoughtful input from the people who use the books and systems every day.

So this year, I am leaning even more into that feedback. I want to make sure that as I choose curriculum, map out schedules, and set goals, those decisions are strategic and rooted in what is truly serving them, not just what looks good on paper. Their honesty helps me improve our homeschool environment year after year, and I am grateful for that.

Morning Menus and Simple Tweaks That Help

While the older kids are thinking about electives and credits, my younger two are having their own little glow-up in our routine. Tenor and Tru are in week two of using morning menus, and they are absolutely loving it.

Morning menus have given us a soft, structured start to the day. Inside, I rotate things like copywork, Bible verses, poetry, and a bit of extra review. It keeps our mornings anchored without feeling heavy. I love that they know exactly what to expect, and they love that it feels a bit like their “special workbook” that only comes out once a day.

It has been a reminder that sometimes the best changes are simple, repeatable tweaks that quietly shift the tone of the whole day.

Planning for Next Year (Already)

This is the time of year when I naturally start looking ahead. As we close out the 2025–2026 school year, my mind is already turning toward next year’s rhythm. I find myself asking:

• What worked really well that we want to protect and repeat?
• What felt heavy or clunky that we might simplify or release?
• Where can we add small things, like morning menus, better electives, or a new read-aloud habit, that will make our days feel more peaceful and purposeful?

The beauty of homeschooling is that each year offers a fresh chance to adjust. We do not have to rebuild everything from scratch, but we can tune and refine based on what we have learned about our kids, ourselves, and the season we are in.

As we move through this last month, I am trying to slow down enough to notice the evidence of growth that can be easy to miss in real time: a child reading more confidently, someone double-checking their own math, a teenager asking deeper questions during Bible time. Those small signs are what tell me the work is taking root.

If you are also in the final stretch, just know you are not alone. We are right there with you, finishing assignments, sharpening pencils one more time, and already dreaming about what God might do in our homes and homeschools next year.Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

There are some moments in motherhood that feel tiny to everyone else, but you know they are a really big deal. This week, we had one of those.

We are celebrating Zyla, who rang the bell at Goldfish Swim School and officially moved from Glider 1 to Glider 2. She has been working so hard in the pool, and seeing her finally reach this goal made all of us a little emotional in the best way.

Zyla’s Glider 1 to Glider 2 Promotion

To move up, she had to pass a little swim test and show she could do her superman glide, back glide, and roll over with confidence. None of those came easily at first. There were weeks where she needed extra reminders to keep trying, or days when she was tired and would have rather skipped a skill that felt hard. But she kept showing up.

If you have ever sat on the bench at swim lessons, quietly cheering from the side while your child tries something new, you know that mix of nerves and pride. These moments may look small, but they are full of courage, practice, and trust. Little by little, lesson by lesson, they build real water confidence.

When the instructor told her she had passed and invited her to ring the bell, her whole face lit up. The sound echoed through the lobby, and everyone clapped, but what stayed with me most was the look on her face. She knew she had really earned it.

What Is Happening at Goldfish in May

Since we are already talking about swim, I also wanted to share a quick update for May if you have been thinking about lessons for your own kids. For this month, Goldfish is pausing the First 2 Free promotion and putting more focus on their Water Safety Month packages at both the Spring and Cypress locations. 

You can see the current membership options and details here:

Goldfish Swim School – Spring Memberships and Pricing

Because May is Water Safety Month, a lot of what they are highlighting is less about “fun in the pool” and more about building real, practical skills. Things like:

• Water safety and self-rescue skills, not just paddling around.
• Consistency in lessons, so kids gain confidence over time.
• The belief that every child deserves water safety skills that can truly protect them.
• How repetition and guided instruction help progress happen faster.
• Remembering that this is not only about swimming, it is about being prepared.

As a mom, that language really matters to me. I want my kids to enjoy the water, but I also want them to respect it and know what to do if they ever need those skills outside of a lesson.

Safer Summer Luau Party: You Are Invited

To wrap up Water Safety Month in a fun way, we are also hosting a Safer Summer Luau Party at Goldfish Swim School – Spring on May 30 from 1:00 to 3:30 PM, and I would love for your family to come.

It is meant to be a relaxed, family-centered afternoon to help everyone head into summer feeling a little more ready and a lot more connected. Here is what the day will include:

• Family swim time from 1:30 to 2:30 PM
• Local vendors and community partners
• Snacks and sweet treats for kids (and moms) to enjoy

If your kids are already in lessons, this is such a fun way to celebrate their progress. If you are just starting to think about swim lessons, it is an easy way to check out the space, meet the team, and let your kids explore without any pressure.

You can RSVP here to save your spot:
Safer Summer Luau Party RSVP

Feel free to pass the link on to a friend, share it in your group chat, or post it in stories if you know other families who are trying to be more intentional with water safety this year.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

Walking into the Texas HomeSchool Convention for the first time in the summer of 2025 felt a little bit like stepping into a living, breathing version of everything I had been praying for in our homeschool. Our family had never attended a homeschool convention before, and to be honest, I was not sure what to expect. Would it feel overwhelming? Would it be helpful? Would my children enjoy it or simply tolerate it for my sake?

We decided to purchase a family ticket and commit to two full days in The Woodlands, Texas. I remember packing snacks, water bottles, and a stroller, hoping we could make the most of the experience without everyone melting down by lunchtime. What I did not anticipate was how quickly we would all settle into the rhythm of it, how normal it would feel to be surrounded by so many other families who had also chosen this path of educating their children at home.

By the time we walked through the convention center doors, lanyards around our necks and schedule in hand, it already felt like we were stepping into something special.

Our First Year at the Texas HomeSchool Convention

One of the first things that struck me was the sense of community. Everywhere I looked, there were families with strollers, backpacks, and tote bags full of books. Parents were comparing notes on curriculum, kids were flipping through science kits and storybooks, and there was this quiet understanding in the air: “We are all trying to do this well.”

As a homeschool mom of six, that atmosphere alone was worth the price of admission. So much of what we do happens at home, behind the scenes. To suddenly find ourselves in a space filled with other homeschool families made our choice feel both normal and deeply supported. It felt like we were part of something much bigger than our own living room table.

Those two days quickly became a meaningful marker in our school year.

The Sessions That Encouraged Me

Throughout the convention, we attended sessions focused on everything from practical planning to heart-level encouragement. Some workshops were very nuts-and-bolts, full of ideas for scheduling, subjects, and high school planning. Others spoke more to the emotional side of homeschooling: burnout, comparison, and the weight of trying to do it all.

Sitting in those rooms, listening to speakers who understood the reality of homeschooling, was both grounding and energizing. I found myself taking notes, not just on curriculum ideas, but on small mindset shifts and rhythms I wanted to bring back home. It reminded me that I am both a mom and an educator, and that tending to my own growth matters just as much as choosing the right math program.

I walked out of several sessions thinking, “I am not alone in this. Other moms are walking through the same questions and the same tensions, and there is real wisdom to be shared.”

Exploring the Exhibition Hall

Of course, I cannot talk about the Texas HomeSchool Convention without mentioning the exhibition hall. If you have never been, imagine rows and rows of booths filled with curriculum, books, games, science kits, art supplies, and resources for every kind of learner. It is equal parts exciting and a little overwhelming in the best way.

Our family spent hours walking those aisles. The kids loved getting to touch and see the materials we usually only view online. I appreciated the chance to flip through teacher guides, compare different approaches side-by-side, and ask questions directly to the people who created the resources. There is something powerful about holding a book in your hands and immediately knowing, “This will fit our family,” or, “This is not quite what we need,” before ever clicking “add to cart.”

We came home with new books, fresh inspiration, and a renewed sense of direction for our next homeschool year. More than that, we came home with a shared experience that our kids still talk about.

Walking the Halls With Other Homeschool Families

One of my favorite memories from that first convention is surprisingly simple: just walking the halls. There was something deeply encouraging about seeing other families who had said “yes” to this same path. Families of all sizes, backgrounds, and ages moved through the building, comparing notes, juggling cups of coffee, and keeping track of little ones.

I remember looking around and thinking, “These are our people.” Not because we all homeschool the same way, but because we care enough about our children’s education to show up, learn, and invest in it together. That sense of belonging stayed with me long after the weekend ended.

For our family, that first Texas HomeSchool Convention in 2025 was not just an event. It was a reminder that we are part of a larger story, one where parents are choosing to lead their homes with intention, faith, and courage.

Returning in 2026: Partnering With Texas Home School Coalition

That is why I am so excited that this summer, in 2026, I get to return to the Texas HomeSchool Convention in The Woodlands for year two. Only this time, I am not just attending with my family; I also have the opportunity to partner with the Texas Home School Coalition (THSC).

THSC is the organization behind both the convention and the Leader Summits, and I love their heart for supporting homeschool families and the leaders who serve them. They are not just hosting events. They are creating rooms where moms, dads, and leaders can be equipped, encouraged, and reminded that they do not have to do this alone.​​

Being invited to partner with them this year feels like a natural extension of what I already care about in this space: helping moms find support, clarity, and community as they build their homeschool lives.​

When and Where You Can Join Us

If you have been considering stepping into one of these rooms yourself, here are the specific dates and details for this year:

• Houston Leader Summit – May 27, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center.​​
  Register here: https://events.thsc.org/2026HoustonLeaderSummit#/?affl=Gervase
• 2026 Texas HomeSchool Convention – May 28–30, 2026, at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott in The Woodlands, Texas.
  Convention details and tickets: https://events.thsc.org/2026TexasHomeSchoolConvention#/?affl=Gervase

If you decide to register for the Leadership Summit or the Texas HomeSchool Convention, you can use my code Gervase50 to get 50% off your ticket. Just enter Gervase50 when you check out at any of the links above so the discount applies to your registration.​​

You can also head directly to the convention page here:

https://events.thsc.org/2026TexasHomeSchoolConvention#/?affl=Gervase

And the Houston Leader Summit page here:

https://events.thsc.org/2026HoustonLeaderSummit#/?affl=Gervase

I love that these events are all clustered together at the end of May in The Woodlands. For leaders, the Houston Leader Summit is one focused day of support, strategy, and encouragement. For families, the Texas HomeSchool Convention that follows is a chance to get equipped for the next school year while being reminded you are not doing this alone.​​

If last year was about discovering what these events could offer our family, this year is about inviting other families and leaders into the same kind of encouragement and equipping. I truly believe these rooms can shape your next homeschool season in ways you will feel long after the weekend is over.​Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

For those who have been following my homeschool journey for a while, you know how deeply I believe that learning does not stop when we close a textbook. It is woven into our ordinary days, our conversations at the dinner table, and the hidden goals we hold in our hearts. I often tell my children that education is a lifelong gift, but for a long time, I kept that idea pointed mostly at them, not at me.

Somewhere between diaper changes, lesson plans, and late-night grocery orders, I tucked away the dream of going back to school myself. It felt like something “past Gervase” once wanted, not something “current Gervase,” the homeschool mom of six, could actually pursue. The desire was still there, but the logistics felt impossible. My life already felt full, and the idea of adding one more thing to my plate seemed unrealistic at best.

With that in mind, I want to share what changed, how I eventually earned my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership from National University, and why I genuinely believe their online programs can make higher education feel possible for other moms and nontraditional students, too.

Seeing Education as an Extension of My Calling

For years, my identity was wrapped almost entirely in motherhood and homeschooling, and in many ways, that made sense. Raising six children, tending to our home, and managing our rhythms is a deeply full life. But underneath that, there was also a part of me that still loved the world of education, leadership, and learning in a more formal sense.

I began to realize that pursuing my doctorate did not have to compete with my role as a mom. It could actually strengthen it. The more I learned about organizational leadership, systems, and change, the more I could bring those insights into our home, our homeschool, and even the way I show up in this online space. Instead of seeing my return to school as an “extra,” I began to see it as a natural extension of the gifts God had already placed in my life.

That perspective shift was the first step. I stopped asking, “How could I possibly do this?” and started asking, “What would it look like to pursue this in a way that still honors my family?”

Why I Chose National University

Once I finally allowed myself to consider going back, I knew I needed a program designed for a real, unidealized version of real life. My days are noisy, layered, and often unpredictable. I needed a university that understood that reality instead of asking me to pretend it did not exist.

National University stood out because it is built with working and nontraditional students in mind. Their online programs are structured to serve people who are already juggling families, jobs, military service, caregiving, and more. That posture alone made me feel seen before I even filled out an application. I did not have to explain why my schedule looked the way it did. They already expected students to show up with complex lives.

From the beginning, it felt less like I was trying to squeeze into a traditional mold and more like I was stepping into a space intentionally crafted for people like me.

Flexible Courses That Fit My Life

One of the most practical reasons I chose National University was its course structure. Their 4- and 8-week online classes meant I could focus deeply on one course at a time instead of trying to juggle several at once. For a busy mom, that single detail was huge.

I could log in after the kids were in bed, early in the morning before our homeschool day began, or in those rare quiet pockets that show up unexpectedly. I was not tied to driving to a physical campus or rearranging our entire family rhythm to make it work. The program flexed with my life instead of asking my life to bend around it.

Were there late nights? Absolutely. But there was also a clear structure that made those sacrifices feel purposeful instead of chaotic. I knew what to expect each term, which made it easier to plan around family commitments, travel, and even the busy seasons of homeschool.

A Program Designed for Nontraditional Students

Another thing I appreciated about National University is that nontraditional students are not the exception there; they are the norm. Many of their students are working adults, parents, or people returning to school later in life. The average age of their undergraduate and graduate students reflects that reality, which means the courses, expectations, and support systems are built with that in mind.

For me, that meant I was learning alongside people who understood what it felt like to answer a discussion board post after a long shift at work or write a paper after tucking kids into bed. There was a shared sense of real life happening behind the screens. I did not feel out of place as a mom in my thirties working toward a doctorate. I felt like I belonged.

They also offered over 150 programs, credentials, and certificates, allowing me to choose a path that truly aligned with my interests in education and leadership, not just the most convenient option. That sense of alignment made it easier to stay motivated when the work was demanding.

Support That Made It Feel Possible

Going back to school is not only a time commitment; it is also a financial decision. One of the reasons National University felt realistic for our family was its commitment to scholarships and tuition reductions. Knowing they had a strong scholarship program made the leap feel less intimidating. It moved the idea from “nice in theory” to “maybe we can actually do this.”

Beyond finances, the support from faculty and staff mattered just as much. Professors understood that life happens. They expected effort and excellence, but they also extended grace when genuinely needed. Academic advisors helped map out my degree plan in a way that worked with my pace, not against it. The whole experience felt like walking with a team that wanted to see me finish, not just enroll.

I often tell moms considering further education, “You do not need a perfect schedule to start. You need support and a program that understands your reality.” That is what I found at National University.

What It Looked Like in Our Home

In practical terms, earning my Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership meant a lot of small, intentional choices. My children saw me reading articles at the kitchen table, writing research papers, and talking through ideas with my husband. We built pockets of quiet into our evenings, and sometimes I worked from the car while waiting at activities.

There were moments when it felt stretching, but there were also beautiful gifts hidden inside the process. My kids watched their mom pursue something hard and finish it. They saw that learning is not just something I ask of them; it is something I am willing to model myself. That has become one of the most meaningful parts of the entire journey.

Most importantly, pursuing my degree never replaced my role at home. It grew alongside it. I remained a homeschool mom of six, present in our daily rhythms, while also moving forward in a way that honored the season we were in. For me, going back to school was not about doing more. It was about moving forward in a way that still protected what mattered most.

A Final Thought

If you are a mom, a caregiver, or someone balancing work and family, and you have secretly wondered if you missed your chance to go back to school, I want you to hear this: you are not behind. Your life is not “too full” for growth. You simply need a path that respects the reality of your responsibilities.

For me, National University provided that path. Their flexible, accredited online programs, thoughtful course structure, and commitment to supporting nontraditional students made it possible for me to earn my doctorate without stepping away from the season of life I am in. It was not always easy, but it was deeply worth it.

If you have been thinking about returning to school, I encourage you to explore what National University offers and see if it might be a fit for you as well. Sometimes the next step is not about adding more to your plate, but about choosing opportunities that align with who you are, what you value, and the future you feel called to build. Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

One of the most common questions I’ve received over the years from new and seasoned homeschool families alike is, “What does my state actually require?” And to be honest, that used to be my question, too. I can still remember the hours spent hunting through state websites or legal articles, trying to make sure I was meeting every obligation. It was confusing, scattered, and often discouraging.

That’s why this week, I’m so excited to introduce a brand-new free resource available on my website: The U.S. Homeschool Law Reference Guide: All 50 States. This guide was created to give you clarity, confidence, and a true sense of peace as you navigate your own state’s homeschool laws.

 Let’s take a closer look at what you can expect inside.

A Clear State-by-State Snapshot

At its core, the U.S. Homeschool Law Reference Guide is a practical tool designed for everyday homeschool families. Each state has its own homeschool laws, and this guide breaks it down in a way that makes it simple to understand.

Every state entry highlights the main points: notification requirements, record-keeping expectations, testing mandates, and instructional guidelines, all written in plain language. You don’t need a law degree to make sense of it. You just need one reliable place to go when you want a quick but accurate overview.

I wanted to create something that feels trustworthy but not overwhelming, a starting point you can confidently refer back to any time you need clarity.

Linked to Trusted Legal Resources

One of the most valuable features of this guide is that it doesn’t stop at summaries. Each section includes a direct link to HSLDA’s state-by-state legal resource pages, where you can find the most up-to-date information directly from a trusted national advocate for homeschooling families.

We all know that laws can change, so these links ensure you’re never left behind or relying on outdated information. My goal was to bridge the gap between official legal details and the real-life needs of parents who just want to understand the essentials without scrolling through endless government documents.

Practical, Easy-to-Use Format

The guide is organized alphabetically, so you can find your state in seconds. Each entry opens with a summary of what matters most, no fluff, no legal jargon. Whether your state has strict reporting rules or minimal oversight, you’ll know exactly where you stand.

As a mom of six, I know how valuable our time is. The last thing any of us needs is one more complicated manual to decode. This guide was built for busy parents who want to stay compliant without spending hours figuring out what paperwork or tests might be required.

In other words, it’s practical and doable, the way homeschool resources should be.

Confidence in Compliance

If you’re anything like me, peace of mind matters. The moment you know you’re operating within your state’s guidelines, everything else feels lighter. You can plan lessons, explore new subjects, and lean fully into the joy of home education without that lingering “Am I missing something?” worry in the back of your mind.

That sense of confidence is exactly what I hope this guide offers. I want families to feel equipped and supported from day one, whether you’re just withdrawing your child from traditional school or you’ve been homeschooling for years and simply want to double-check your records.

Understanding your state’s laws should never stand in the way of your homeschool joy.

A Tool for Every Family

This guide isn’t only for new homeschoolers. It’s for the mom who wants to ensure her paperwork matches her state’s expectations. It’s for the dad stepping into teaching for the first time. It’s for co-ops, tutors, and even grandparents who want to understand how this works from a legal viewpoint.

Because when families have access to clear, accurate information, they make better, more confident decisions. And that, to me, is what supportive homeschooling looks like: parents empowered with the tools they need to lead well.

A Heart for Homeschool Freedom

And finally, I want to share something that goes deeper than the details of the guide itself: the heart behind it.

This project was born out of years spent navigating not only education but also the balance between freedom and accountability in homeschooling. I’ve seen so many wonderful families hesitate to begin simply because they didn’t know what was legally required. I wanted to remove that fear.

I hope that this guide becomes a resource that encourages, not intimidates. That it reminds you homeschooling is not about perfection, but about intention, faith, and stewardship. It’s about creating a home full of learning and peace, not anxiety.

And most of all, it’s about empowering you to thrive within the framework that already exists for your family to flourish.

A Final Thought  

Homeschooling in America is a beautiful blend of individuality and shared purpose. Each state’s rules reflect a different approach, but all allow us the freedom to teach our children at home, a privilege I never take for granted.

What I’ve learned through this process is that knowledge builds confidence. When you understand what’s expected, you can move forward boldly, knowing you’re doing it right for your home and your children.

So whether you’re in Texas, Maine, California, or anywhere in between, consider this guide a friendly companion on your journey. It’s not here to overwhelm, it’s here to give you clarity, courage, and peace.

The U.S. Homeschool Law Reference Guide: All 50 States is now available as a free download on my website. I hope it serves you well in whatever season of learning your family is in.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.

When it comes to cleaning, I don’t approach it from a place of perfection. I approach it from a place of sustainability. I need solutions that are practical, safe for my family, and easy to maintain day after day.

Over time, I’ve found myself leaning more and more toward plant-based, non-toxic cleaning products. Not because everything has to be perfect, but because I want to be mindful of what we’re using in a home where we are learning, living, and spending so much of our time together.

So today I’m sharing a few of the cleaning supplies I genuinely love, along with some simple mom hacks that make keeping our home clean feel a little more manageable.

1. A Simple Dish Spray That Works Every Time

One of the easiest cleaning hacks I use daily is something I started doing out of convenience, and it has stuck ever since.

I mix three parts water with one part dishwashing liquid in a spray bottle to create a foaming dish spray. It is simple, effective, and perfect for quick cleanups throughout the day.

With a large family, dishes are constant. Having something ready to spray, rinse, and move on makes a difference. It keeps things from piling up and helps me stay ahead without feeling overwhelmed.

I typically use plant-based dish soap, and one of my favorites is from Sprouts Farmers Market, especially their lavender dishwashing liquid.

2. A Go-To Surface Cleaner for Everyday Messes

Another thing I rely on heavily is a simple surface cleaner that I mix myself. I combine a small amount of dishwashing liquid, water, and a bit of multi-purpose cleaner to create a solution that works for counters, tables, and everyday spills.

With kids moving through the house all day, especially during homeschool hours, surfaces are constantly being used. Between snacks, crafts, and school materials, there is always something to wipe down.

This mixture gives me something quick and effective that I can grab without thinking too much about it. It keeps the flow of our day moving without stopping everything for a deep clean.

For multi-purpose cleaning products, I often reach for Seventh Generation because I trust their plant-based options, and the scents are light and clean.

3. Laundry That Feels Fresh Without Being Overpowering

Laundry in a house of eight is never-ending. I have learned to focus less on trying to eliminate it and more on building a routine that makes it manageable. To that end, I try very hard to do a load a day, or at least every two days, to keep it from piling up. 

One thing I love adding to our laundry routine is a plant-based fabric softener. It gives our clothes a light scent boost without feeling overwhelming or too heavy.

I tend to stick with plant-based detergents and softeners, and again, Seventh Generation and Sprouts Farmers Market are my go-to brands.

It is a small detail, but it makes a difference when you are folding laundry for a large family and want things to feel and smell fresh and clean.

4. Keeping Floors Clean Without Extra Effort

Floors are one of those areas that can quickly make a home feel either clean or chaotic. 

With kids constantly moving from room to room, I need something that can keep up with real life. I love using my Tineco mop vacuum because it allows me to clean and refresh our floors simultaneously.

Adding a plant-based cleaning solution to the water tank helps lift dirt while also leaving the house smelling fresh. It is one of those tools that saves time and simplifies the process.

For rugs and carpets, I rely on my Bissell vacuum. It makes it easy to stay on top of things without feeling like I need to dedicate an entire day to cleaning.

5. Clean Air Matters Too

One thing I did not always think about early on was the quality of the air in our home.

With so many people living, learning, and moving through the same space every day, air quality matters more than I realized.

We use an AirDoctor air purifier, and it has made a noticeable difference. It helps create a cleaner atmosphere, especially during seasons when we are spending more time indoors. It is not something we can see, but we definitely feel the difference.

6. The Products I Reach for Again and Again

Over time, I’ve stepped away from the habit of trying every new product that promises better results. Instead, I’ve focused on what consistently works for our home.

I tend to return to a small handful of brands that meet that standard. Seventh Generation is one I reach for often, especially their lavender line. Their hand soap and cleaning sprays are part of our everyday routine, and I appreciate the reliability of their plant-based formulas.

I also keep Sprouts Farmers Market cleaning products on hand, particularly their laundry detergent and dish soap. They’re straightforward, effective, and easy to trust.

Keeping things this simple has made a noticeable difference. There’s less second-guessing, fewer unnecessary purchases, and more space to focus on everything else that matters in our home.

A Final Thought

Cleaning, like homeschooling and motherhood, is not about getting everything perfect.

It is about creating systems that support our home and family in a way that feels sustainable.

Some days, everything is clean and in its place. Other days it is not. But having tools and products that make the process easier allows me to stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.

This is the principle I come back to again and again: I don’t have to be a perfect homeschool Mom, and my home doesn’t have to be showroom sparkling- my best effort is sufficient. 

And in a home full of life, learning, and growing, that is more than enough.

Gervase Ware is a homeschool mom of six, educator, and motherhood and lifestyle creator who shares real-life homeschool routines, curriculum reviews, family systems, and trusted resources for intentional living at GervaseWare.com.