Yes! Many Gather 'Round families use this curriculum on its own for all their children and all their subjects—right through high school! We have testimonies of many grad students who have successfully made the leap to college or university, fully equipped to think for themselves and read the subtext of what is being presented. That being said, we also have some families who choose to supplement based on their student's needs or because they have a curriculum that they just love and don't want to give up.While there are some reviews online that question whether we are enough, it is important to note that those were often done in the early years when we were still a startup. We have created many more resources to help close gaps, beef up our content, and find the elusive balance between "enough" and "too much". Our style is different, we focus on less quantity and more contextual learning—which can feel too simple especially if you are coming from a more traditional curriculum. However, many of our parents say that their students actually remember what they are learning and the results speak for themselves over time.

Choose a unit/topic that either interests you or meets a need (such as if you are working toward certain credits).Purchase either the digital full family bundle (which includes both the Teacher's Guide and all levels of student books), the one student bundle (which includes the Teacher's Guide and one level of your choice), or the printed books. If you decide to go with our beautiful, high-end printed books . . . you will need the Teacher's Guide and one book for each student.

What do I need to add?

The units cover all of your subjects but math. Our Modular Math program is available to cover K-grade 9 math, but high school math is not yet available on our site (though we do have plans to create it). Currently, you will need to get about 8 units per year along with about 8 math units per student in order to create a full curriculum year. Some families choose to add seatwork or our other Language Arts add-ons, fun holiday mini-units, and more . . . but these are not required.

How do I choose levels for multiple kids?

Our main units are designed to be used with the whole family. We have individual student books available in the following levels.Pre-Reader: recommended for younger students who are not ready to read/write (preschool/kindergarten age)Early Reader: recommended for emerging readers/writers (6-8 years old)Early Elementary: recommended for students who are comfortable using a word bank to write some of their answers (8-10 years old)Upper Elementary: recommended for students who are ready to write a sentence response (10-13 years old)Middle School: recommended for students who are ready for paragraph responses and more personal application/light research (13-16 years old)High School: prepares students to ask big questions, think for themselves, and apply topics to their own lives. This level is recommended for 16-18 years old and includes papers, essays, and more research.Some of our units are shorter or more simplified into levels 1, 2, and 3. For these, Level 3 is designed for Middle and High, level 2 for Early Elementary and Upper Elementary, and Level 1 for Pre-Reader and Early Reader.

How Long does it take?

Each unit is designed to take about a month—which means you will never get bored! You get to create your year based on your students' interests, covering all your subjects for all your grades, through one cohesive program that all points to Jesus! Each lesson is designed to take about 2-4 hours (depending on how many students you have, their ages, and whether you are completing the option rabbit trails or watching the resource videos available on our app). You will read the Teacher's Guide first to all students (which takes about 40 minutes to an hour depending on how many videos you show or the discussions you have) and then students will move to their student workbooks and complete their pages there. Units that have 20 lessons can be done 5 days a week and therefore being completed in 4 weeks. Or they can be done 4 days a week and take a bit longer. Because of this, most families work through about 8 units in a year with breaks and co-op days mixed in.

All of our units come with answer keys to help you mark your student's work. We have tried a bit of everything: including the answers in the Teacher's Guide, having them in the back of student notebooks, and eventually settling on including them in your downloads immediately after your order. You can use the answer key to help assign grades, but we recommend using a rubric for more accurate grading. To do this, you would assign points based on things like understanding (30%), completion (50%), effort (15%), and neatness (5%).

What is Modular Math?

Modular Math is our brand new math curriculum that covers K-grade 9 math—taking students all the way through Algebra 1. The units are topical and each step takes about 1 month. This means they can be used in either a mastery approach (staying on a topic and working on it through multiple levels) or spiral approach (completing one step of each topic throughout the year). This program was created with steps instead of grades, allowing you to custom-tailor the program to your student without discouraging them with where they are at. It can be used as a remedial program or for gifted students who want to move faster. Each day includes 2 pages. Day 1 teaches a new concept (and includes a devotional) and day 2 has practice that builds throughout the unit in a spiral approach. All you have to do is take a placement test on a topic and jump in! It is open and go with no teacher's guide, no manipulatives or resources required, and written directly to the student so that they can work independently. Yes, math can be this easy!

Curriculum itself cannot be accredited, only schools can. Accreditation means a school with qualified teachers, reporting, and grading that is following the government requirements for each grade. That being said, Gather 'Round Homeschool curriculum can absolutely be used all the way through High School by you, the parent! Most schools use the Carnegie method to assign credits, this means that 120 hours of instruction in a topic = 1 credit. We've made it super easy to you by training our very own Gather bot! All of our units cover such a wide variety of subjects that you can use the bot to help figure out how many credits have been covered (or will be covered) based on the units you have done or are planning on. We also have access to full high school plans, transcripts, and unit credit breakdowns on our high school page here.

What is the Online Academy?

The Online Academy is our new online school. We have about 600 students who tune in online to watch a lesson being taught live—complete with live polls, comments, reactions, and resources. Replays are also available for families who miss a class. Homework is assigned and families complete their student notebooks together—we are even looking at adding in grading and report cards! There are currently three frequency options available (or three different levels of homeschool support): One day a week (join us every Tuesday at 10am EST)Two days a week (join us every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am EST)Four days a week (join us Monday-Thursday for every single lesson!)Currently, these lessons are being taught by the founder, Rebecca Spooner, though we hope to expand to hire more teachers and offer more class times and options in the future. Learn more

Can I use it in a group?

Gather 'Round is licensed for individual family use only (which means to a parent/guardian and the children they are legal guardians of). If you want to use this in a small group (with your sister, friend, or a few friends), you will need to make sure that each person owns their own materials, as file sharing and copying (or teaching to student's outside your home) is not allowed. If you want to use this in a co-op or hybrid model to a large group of students, we do require that you purchase print and sign an agreement stating that you will not photocopy or share. With this option, we also do have a group discount available. Learn more here.

Welcome to Iowa

Roll into the wide-open prairies of Iowa, where amber waves of grain meet winding rivers, kettle lakes, and towering bluffs. You’ll learn all about the Indigenous groups who were the first to call this land home, the Louisiana Purchase, the Black Hawk War, and pioneer life. Explore Iowa’s rich prairie habitats and state symbols, along with Iowa’s economy. From Tulip Time celebrations to fluffy poffertjes, there is more here than meets the eye. Student Book activities include mapping, lesson summaries, farming equipment, pioneer life, and so much more. Let's go!

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Subject Cards

Science

Students explore Iowa’s prairie habitats and the plants and animals that live there, along with state nature highlights like the American goldfinch, wild rose, bur oak, geodes, and local wildlife. Older levels dig deeper into how Iowa’s landscape influences climate, crystal formation, and Iowa’s agriculture/industry connections (including biotechnology), with hands-on experiments like rocket flight and “wheat to flour.”

Geography

Learners locate Iowa’s major places and features—Des Moines, the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, and key towns and sites (like the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and Maquoketa Caves). As levels progress, students add landforms (like kettle lakes), identify neighboring states, and connect symbols like the state seal with Iowa’s location and regions.

Language Arts

Each lesson builds vocabulary and comprehension through Iowa-themed readings and prompts. Younger students answer questions, solve riddles, and create a unit banner with state symbols and facts, while older students use guided notes, write summaries, create their own riddles, and complete a final presentation-style project with planning, writing prompts, and a rubric.

History

Students trace Iowa’s timeline from the Louisiana Purchase and pioneer settlement through statehood and key historical moments and innovations. Lessons highlight pioneer life, early farming and trades, changes in agriculture and equipment, and notable Iowans like astronaut Walter Cunningham, with added depth for older students.

Social Studies

Students learn Iowa’s quick facts, symbols, and cultural roots (including Indigenous history), then explore how communities live and work in the state. Topics include mining towns, assembly lines and production, cost of living, local government (including the caucus), traditions and events like RAGBRAI and Tulip Time, and creating a news report or family-style “county seat” meeting plan.

Art

Students study American Gothic by Iowa artist Grant Wood, reflect on what they see in the artwork, and complete a related activity (including a sketch-coloring option for younger students). They also design their own state symbol, with older students extending into art movements like American regionalism and modernism.

Bible

This unit includes Scripture memory and reflection passages across the lessons: Jeremiah 6:16; 1 Samuel 16:7 with Jeremiah 17:7–8; Lamentations 3:22–23; and Colossians 3:23.

Resources

Access helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.

Explore Resources

Resources

Access helpful materials, guides, and downloads that support your learning journey with Gather ’Round. Explore our growing library of resources designed to make teaching simple and engaging.

Explore Resources

Booklist

Meet Iowa

H is for Hawkeye: An Iowa Alphabet

by Patricia A. Pierce

American Gothic: The Life of Grant Wood

by Susan Wood

What’s Great About Iowa? (Our Great States)

by Kristin Marciniak

Secret Iowa: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

by Megan Bannister

Nature and Weather

Animals of Iowa!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children

by Hope Aicher

Critters of Iowa: Pocket Guide to Animals in Your State

by Alex Troutman

A Year of Iowa Nature: Discovering Where We Live

by Carl Kurtz

Industry and Economy

Numbers in a Row: An Iowa Number Book

by Patricia A. Pierce

Old Town in the Green Groves: An Ingalls Family Pioneer Adventure (Little House Series for Kids)

by Cynthia Rylant

Iowa Agriculture: A History of Farming, Family and Food (America Palate)

by Darcy Dougherty Maulsby

People and Governance

ABCs of Iowa: An Alphabet Book of Love, Family, and Togetherness

by Sandra Magsamen

How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure

by John Rocco

Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

by Vicki Myron

Supplies

Meet Iowa

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

Play-Doh or clay

Nature and Weather

Teacher's Guide

Hands-on Activity

materials to draw or paint a family symbol

People and Governance

Student Notebooks

Science + History: Apollo 7 (Extension Activity) (Lesson 4, page 2)

a normal straw
a wide straw
a roll of double-sided tape
a piece of paper
a few markers or crayons
a pair of scissors

Science + History: Apollo 7 (Extension Activity) (Lesson 4, page 2)

2 pieces of paper
a pair of scissors
a pencil
a drinking straw
a roll of tape
a ruler or measuring tape

Scope and Sequence

Check out the scope and sequence for this unit.

Fifty States: Iowa

Level 1

Lesson 1

Science

Prairie habitats
Plants and animals that live in the prairie

Geography

Des Moines
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Midwest
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
West Bend
Des Moines River Valley
Eldon
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Clinton
What Cheer
Identify major rivers

Language Arts

Vocabulary: silt, grotto
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Iowa

History

Louisiana Purchase
Pioneers arrive (1800s)
Statehood (1864)
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption began construction in 1912
Grant Wood (1930)
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1930s)
How pioneers traveled, settled, and lived off the land

Social Studies

State quick facts: nickname, motto, size, etc.
State flag
State seal
Indigenous roots: Ioway, Meskwaki, Sioux
High Trestle Trail Bridge
American Gothic house

Art

American Gothic by Grant Wood
Color a sketch version of Grant Wood's painting
Answer reflection questions about an art piece

Bible

Jeremiah 6:16

Lesson 2

Science

Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)
Wild rose
Bur oak
Geode
Plant and tree hardiness
Bobolink
Box turtle
American minks
Wildlife habitats: prairies, open fields, wetlands
Seasons of Iowa
Crystal formation in geodes

Language Arts

Vocabulary: hardy, thistle
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

State flower chosen (1897)
Uses of the bur oak tree

Social Studies

State symbols: state bird, state flower, state tree, state rock

Art

Design your own state symbol

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7
Jeremiah 17:7–8a

Lesson 3

Science

Gristmills
Coal mining
Combines in farming
Explore how wheat becomes flour

Geography

Cedar Rapids

Language Arts

Vocabulary: furrow, sentinel
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Iowa to the unit project

History

Roots of early farming and foraging
Industrialization of agriculture
How farm equipment changed over time and its impact on farming

Social Studies

Mining towns
How assembly lines work and why they are helpful
Try making something using an assembly line

Bible

Lamentations 3:22–23

Lesson 4

Science

Rocket flight experiment

Geography

Pella
Davenport
Marshalltown
Creston

Language Arts

Vocabulary: iconic, draw (on)
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's people and government
Plan your own meeting and take notes
Add a spotlight on Walter Cunningham to the unit project

History

Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham

Social Studies

Popular foods: pork tenderloin sandwich
RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great American Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)
Local government
Interesting laws
What happens in a county seat
Come up with a pretend news report for the state
Plan your own "family seat" meeting, including location, time, and topics to discuss

Bible

Colossians 3:23

Level 2

Lesson 1

Science

Prairie habitats
Plants and animals that live in the prairie

Geography

Des Moines
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Kettle lakes
Landscape of Iowa
Midwest
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
West Bend
Des Moines River Valley
Eldon
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Clinton
What Cheer
Identify major rivers and the state capital

Language Arts

Vocabulary: cede, innovation
Start working on the unit project banner, including a flag, facts, and favorite place in Iowa

History

Louisiana Purchase
Pioneers arrive (1800s)
Statehood (1864)
Black Hawk War of 1832
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption began construction in 1912
Grant Wood (1930)
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1930s)
How pioneers traveled, settled, and lived off the land

Social Studies

State quick facts: nickname, motto, size, etc.
State flag
State seal
Indigenous roots: Ioway, Meskwaki, Sioux
High Trestle Trail Bridge
American Gothic house

Art

American Gothic by Grant Wood
Answer reflection questions about an art piece

Bible

Jeremiah 6:16

Lesson 2

Science

Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)
Wild rose
Bur oak
Geode
Plant and tree hardiness
Bobolink
Box turtle
American minks
Wildlife habitats: prairies, open fields, wetlands
Seasons of Iowa
Effect of landscape and geography on climate
Crystal formation in geodes

Language Arts

Vocabulary: snapshot, drought
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit banner
Solve riddles about state symbols

History

State flower chosen (1897)
Uses of the bur oak tree

Social Studies

State symbols: state bird, state flower, state tree, state rock

Art

li>Design your own state symbol

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7
Jeremiah 17:7–8a

Lesson 3

Science

Sawmills
Gristmills
Coal mining
Combines in farming
Biotechnology in agriculture: plant genetics, long-term sustainability
Explore how wheat becomes flour

Geography

Cedar Rapids

Language Arts

Vocabulary: forge, resilient
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's industries and economy
Add fact cards about industries in Iowa to the unit project

History

Roots of early farming and foraging
Trades of early settlers: blacksmiths, carpenters, shopkeepers
Community life of early settlers
Industrialization of agriculture
How farm equipment changed over time and its impact on farming

Social Studies

Mining towns
Cost of living in Iowa
How assembly lines work and why they are helpful
Try making something with and without an assembly line and compare the two processes

Bible

Lamentations 3:22–23

Lesson 4

Science

Rocket flight experiment

Geography

Pella
Davenport
Marshalltown
Creston

Language Arts

Vocabulary: civic, democratic
Answer comprehension questions about Iowa's people and government
Plan your own meeting and take notes
Add a spotlight on Walter Cunningham to the unit project

History

Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham

Social Studies

Popular foods: pork tenderloin sandwich, poffertjes
Tulip Time
Dutch culture
RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great American Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)
Local government
Iowa caucus
Interesting laws
What happens in a county seat
Come up with a news report for something currently happening in the state
Plan your own "family seat" meeting, including location, time, and topics to discuss

Bible

Colossians 3:23

Level 3

Lesson 1

Science

Prairie habitats
Plants and animals that live in the prairie

Geography

Des Moines
Mississippi River
Missouri River
Kettle lakes
Landscape of Iowa
Midwest
Loess Hills National Scenic Byway
West Bend
Des Moines River Valley
Eldon
Maquoketa Caves State Park
Clinton
What Cheer
Identify major rivers and the state capital, along with state seal and neighboring states

Language Arts

Vocabulary: labyrinth, spelunker
Start planning a unit project presentation

History

Louisiana Purchase
Pioneers arrive (1800s)
Statehood (1864)
Black Hawk War of 1832
Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption began construction in 1912
Grant Wood (1930)
Atanasoff-Berry Computer (1930s)
Pioneer life in Iowa

Social Studies

State quick facts: nickname, motto, size, etc.
State flag
State seal
Indigenous roots: Ioway, Meskwaki, Sioux
High Trestle Trail Bridge
American Gothic house

Art

American Gothic by Grant Wood
American regionalism and modernism
Answer reflection questions about an art piece

Bible

Jeremiah 6:16

Lesson 2

Science

Eastern goldfinch (American goldfinch)
Wild rose
Bur oak
Geode
Plant and tree hardiness
Bobolink
Box turtle
American minks
Wildlife habitats: prairies, open fields, wetlands
Seasons of Iowa
Effect of landscape and geography on climate
Crystal formation in geodes

Language Arts

Vocabulary: ecological, transitional
Listening comprehension: Iowa's nature and weather
Use guided notes to write a summary about Iowa's nature and weather
Add state symbols to the unit project
Write riddles about the state symbols

History

State flower chosen (1897)

Social Studies

State symbols: state bird, state flower, state tree, state rock

Art

Design your own state symbol

Bible

1 Samuel 16:7
Jeremiah 17:7–8

Lesson 3

Science

Sawmills
Gristmills
Coal mining
Combines in farming
Biotechnology in agriculture: plant genetics, long-term sustainability
Explore how wheat becomes flour

Geography

Cedar Rapids

Language Arts

Vocabulary: biotechnology, stewardship
Listening comprehension: Iowa's industries and economy
Use guided notes to write a summary about Iowa's industries and economy
Write about an industry that had an important impact on the economy in Iowa and add it to the unit project

History

Roots of early farming and foraging
Trades of early settlers: blacksmiths, carpenters, shopkeepers
Community life of early settlers
Industrialization of agriculture
How farm equipment changed over time and its impact on farming

Social Studies

Mining towns
Scientific research and biotechnology in Iowa
Cost of living in Iowa
How assembly lines work and why they are helpful
Try making something with and without an assembly line and compare the two processes

Bible

Lamentations 3:22–23

Lesson 4

Science

Rocket flight experiment

Geography

Pella
Davenport
Marshalltown
Creston

Language Arts

Vocabulary: nonpartisan, merit
Listening comprehension: Iowa's people and government
Use guided notes to write a summary about Iowa's people and government
Plan your own meeting and take notes
Complete your unit project with the writing prompts and present it
Grade your unit project with the included rubric

History

Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham

Social Studies

Popular foods: pork tenderloin sandwich, poffertjes
Tulip Time
Dutch culture
RAGBRAI (Register's Annual Great American Bicycle Ride Across Iowa)
Local government
Iowan General Assembly: nonpartisan staff and merit-based judges
Iowa caucus
Interesting laws
What happens in a county seat
Plan your own "family seat" meeting, including location, time, and topics to discuss