3rd Grade Christian Homeschool Curriculum Picks for 2026-2027 School Year

Based on a few conversations I've had lately, it seems that I plan for the next school year much earlier than most. However, I have gotten better! During the first half of the 2020s, I generally purchased most of my curriculum the October before the beginning of the next school year. That's like ten months early! This year I'm trying to hold off until the summer before, but we'll see. So without further ado, this is the homeschool curriculum that I have picked for 3rd/4th grade for the 2026-2027 school year. (If you have a blog or vlog somewhere with your own homeschool picks list, feel free to post it in the comments. I think it's always so great when homeschooling parents can share ideas, and possibly learn about a curriculum they have never heard of before that would be perfect for their own child.)

So, here we go:

Math: We will be continuing with Christian Light Education (CLE). As the homeschool math saying goes, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." I am also using CLE for my older son in general, but we will be using Jacob's Geometry by Master Books (with videos) since CLE does not have a Sunrise Edition available for Geometry yet. I generally avoid Master Books, though, since they publish a history curriculum that discusses iconoclasm as if it's a good thing, and it's actually a heresy.

Foreign Language: This year we are finishing up Prima Latina by Memoria Press. I do want my son to start back with Latin in his 5th or 6th grade year, but for now, we are going to switch to Greek! At this age, I want being exposed to other languages to be fun so they have a head start on foreign language in high school, but do not feel burnt out. We will be using Hey, Andrew Teach Me Some Greek and the Greek Alphabet Code Cracker by Classical Academic Press.

Science: We will be using Rod and Staff Grade 3 by Milestone Books. If you are new to homeschool, you might not be aware that Rod and Staff has a great reputation for elementary level science. While it might seem overly simple and plain by looking at it, it actually covers many of the key concepts that elementary students are expected to learn. When my older son when to a charter school for 7 months or so, he was more than prepared since he had used their rigorous 5th grade curriculum. However, to make the curriculum more interesting, and if we have time, I will be using a variety of lapbooks and such from Teachers Pay Teachers to reinforce the material.

History/Social Studies: For my son's second grade year, we have covered much of early American History, and are now going through A Child's History of the World with the workbook I made for my oldest son. My son is not loving history overall. I have read that neurodivergent children benefit from focusing on social studies/geography studies since it is a bit harder for them to extract certain connections about the world around them from everyday life. I found a company that produces neutral social studies curriculum and I am going to give it a try next year. It's called Discover! Curriculum. If this goes well, we may stick with it through 8th grade.

Geography: I love Down to Earth Geography, so I'm hoping it is not too redundant with our Social Studies curriculum. I think the short exercises are perfect for helping kids memorize where things are, since when they label various countries, etc. they are doing so in connection with interesting facts and questions. This year, I am writing down some of the answers for my son as he answers them (which is a method that Susan Wise Bauer (of The Well-Trained Mind) recommends for kids that are overwhelmed by thinking of what to write, and writing at the same time. (I am not writing the labeling part, but the questions that require connections and critical thinking.)

Grammar: We are sticking with BJU Press English for Grammar and basic writing.

Literature: We will be taking a break from CLE Reading, and going through Memoria Press Third Grade Literature.

Writing: I want to supplement BJU Press English with either Intro to Composition by Memoria Press or Fable by Classical Academic Press. I really cannot decide which one to use!!

Art: We will continue with I Can Do All Things.

Critical Thinking: We will continue with Building Thinking Skills 1.

Penmanship: We will use Pentime Cursive Grade 4.

Vocabulary: If time allows, I would like to schedule in Vocabulary from Classical Roots.

Spelling: Lastly, I will be using a combination of Building Spelling Skills and Poetry Memorization for spelling again.

This list does not include our Orthodox Christian Education! I'm still deciding on what to do for next year...