Secular Homeschool Curriculum List for Language Arts

I feel like I’ve spent years ferreting out the best homeschooling curricula and the quest is never-ending. The search for great curriculum that is 100% secular in nature is a hard one for sure. And some subjects, like language arts, are especially difficult. Many religious curricula use religious stories or parables in reading assignments or specifically use religious texts for studying language.

So I’ve compiled a list based on age/grade for language arts – reading, writing, spelling, reading comprehension, etc!

square image of a girl reading upside down

What does secular mean anyway?

I get this question a lot and I’ve realized over the years that people have many definitions for this term.

I consider material to be secular if it does not include religion or religious content unless it is chosen for a specific purpose that is religious in nature.

For instance, discussing American history without talking about Christianity wouldn’t really be history. But a learning to read curriculum does not need to include bible verses.

It is easier to find secular resources for some subjects over others. For instance, most math curriculum is secular. However, finding a good history program that is secular is a totally different ball game.

Language arts isn’t too hard though so I’ve had good luck coming up with suggestions!

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Language Arts Categories

I’ve separated the list by categories to make it even easier to navigate. These categories include:

  • Learn to Read
  • Spelling
  • Writing
  • Vocabulary
  • Grammar
  • Handwriting
  • All-In-One

I’ve done by best to place everything in the appropriate categories.

And then I looked for reviews by secular homeschool bloggers to include.

And finally, I checked to see if you could buy it at the Homeschool Buyers Co-op for a good deal!

P.S. You can check out this fantastic Secular homeschool curriculum resources for even more inspiration!

Elementary Years Secular Language Arts

Learn to Read

If you want to teach your child to read with a secular curriculum, these are some great options. Most of these will follow a phonics based approach.
For more learning to read resources, check out my list of Free or Nearly Free Learn to Read programs.
And a great selection of learning to read printables!

All About Reading
All About Reading Review at Nourishing my Scholar

Explode the Code
Buy it at Homeschool Buyers Co-Op

Sound Foundations

Barton Reading

Teach Your Monster to Read
Read a Review from Homescshooling 2e

Reading Eggs
Buy it at Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

Progressive Phonics

Nessy Reading and Spelling
Read our review here – Nessy Reading Review
Buy it on Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Logic of English
Read a Review of Logic of English from Homeschooling with Dyslexia

 

Spelling

A good foundation is spelling can be a very important part of homeschool. I’ve found that spelling improvements have helped our kids confidence in writing quite a bit.
You can check out more ideas for spelling practice here!

All About Spelling

Sound Foundations

Barton Spelling

Critical Thinking Company

Soaring with Spelling (JacKris Publishing)

Practical Spelling

Nessy Reading and Spelling
Read our review here – Nessy Reading Review
Buy it on Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Spelling You See

 

Writing

Writing is one of those skills that improves with practice. But it’s also one of the skills that kids seem to resist the most. If you find a great writing program that speaks to your kids, you might be able to ease that battle! These resources vary greatly so make sure to check out each one and find the best fit!
Setting up a writing center might also inspire your kids when it comes to writing!

BraveWriter
Buy it on Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Essentials in Writing

Critical Thinking Company

Winning with Writing (JacKris Publishing)

WriteShop (Primary and Junior levels only)
Review of WriteShop Junior by Beyond Mommying

Writing with Ease

Time4Writing

 

Vocabulary

There are many ways for kids to grow a great vocabulary. Some people read a lot, some just talk constantly (that’s my kids…), and some use resources to find new words to learn.
Wordly Wise
But it at Homeschool Buyers Co-Op

Critical Thinking Company

 

Grammar

Proper grammar is an important part of learning to write well. Find a great grammar program below!
First Language Lessons

Critical Thinking Company

Growing with Grammar (JacKris Publishing)

Grammar Galaxy

Analytical Grammar
Buy it at Homeschool Buyers Co-op

 

Handwriting

Handwriting is not always a favorite but it’s something we’ve tried to push through. I know that kids need handwriting practice to build fine motor skills and improve their handwriting.
Check out some of our handwriting practice for cursive and print!

Wizard’s Writing – a handwriting program taught through spells

Logic of English

Handwriting Skills Simplified
Review of Handwriting Skills Simplified from Beyond Mommying

Handwriting Without Tears

 

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All-In-One

I’m not sure if there is anything better than an all-in-one curriculum, but if there is it’s probably ice cream. Still, these are some great programs that include at least two of the previous categories.
Logic of English – Includes spelling, reading, grammar, and handwriting

Michael Clay Thompson – Includes grammar, vocabulary, writing

BraveWriter
Buy it on Homeschool Buyers Co-op

Do you think I missed a secular language arts curriculum? Please comment or e-mail me (erin at royalbaloo dot com) and let me know! I’d love to check out and add more resources.

girl reading upside down

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One Comment

  1. We’re using IEW Fix-It-Grammar. We’re only on the first book, The Nose Tree, but from what I’ve read about the curriculum, it’s secular.

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