The Core Knowledge curriculum series offers many options for parents and guardians, whether you are the sole source of school instruction for your child or you are looking to support the education your child receives at school. Many of the instructional materials are available for FREE DOWNLOAD and for purchase.

Core Knowledge offers curriculum materials—including daily lesson plans, assessments, student books, and activities—in these core subjects:

  • English Language Arts
  • History and Geography
  • Science
  • Mathematics

Our approach to curriculum and learning is organized around the idea that what students learn and know at each grade level matters. Knowledge-based schooling is essential for all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status, to promote excellence and equity in education.

Read more about the Core Knowledge approach. What is knowledge-based schooling?

What results and research support the Core Knowledge approach?

Many of our comprehensive teaching and learning materials are available for FREE download or for purchase.

Download digital PDFs of the Teacher Guide, Student Reader, or Student Book, and all supplemental materials for the following series:

Visit our online store or call us at 1-800-238-3233 to purchase our publications. Homeschool sets are available for CKHG and CKSci curriculum.

You may find the following supplemental resources helpful in your home as well:

  • Core Classics® Series, classic novels abridged for young readers (Grades 4 and up); available for free download or purchase
  • CK Voices in History™  is a Core Knowledge Biography Series that encourages young readers to learn about real superheroes in history. As a result of acts of extraordinary bravery, ingenuity, strength, and determination, these people made a difference and changed the world. These books are suitable for readers aged 8 and up. Available for free download or online reading from our From the Bookshelf™ Free Library website, or for purchase in our bookstore.

About Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA)

The 1st Edition of CKLA Preschool–5th grade is available on our Download Free Curriculum page. There you can download full, free PDF files for the Listening & Learning, Skills, and Ancillary materials. CKLA Grades 6–8 are available for free download or purchase at our Bookstore.

For the newest editions of CKLA, Core Knowledge has partnered with Amplify Education to distribute professionally printed and packaged classroom materials nationwide. Please contact Amplify at (800) 823-1969 or CKLA@amplify.com if you are interested in purchasing homeschool kits of the 2nd Edition CKLA program.

We have developed a CKLA Implementation Guide for Preschool–5th grade. This guide offers a range of on-demand presentations, turnkey workshops, job aids, and other tools to support your CKLA homeschool implementation. We hope these resources help enhance your understanding and strengthen your implementation of the CKLA program.

CKLA Homeschool Implementation Guide

The Teacher Guide for each unit provides a teacher with the details needed to use the curriculum, whether in a classroom or a homeschool setting. Key features of our Teacher Guides for CKLA, CKHG, and CKSci include:

  • An Introduction to what students will learn and why: Learn about the scope of each unit by reading the Introduction and seeing an overview of what materials you will need to organize to implement the unit well.
  • Pacing Guides: The Introduction section of each unit outlines suggested pacing and/or the total length of the unit.
  • Activity Pages: In CKHG and CKSci, these pages are found in the back of the Teacher Guide. While most CKLA units offer activity pages as stand-alone resources, the Teacher Guide always provides activity descriptions and answer keys.
  • Lesson Plans: The interior of each Teacher Guide offers step-by-step instructions for knowledge-based schooling. The lesson plans in each guide offer instructions for activities to do with your children and guiding discussion questions to explore the content.
  • Guided Reading Support: The Teacher Guides also include prompts and guidance for using the Student Book, Student Reader, or read-aloud text with your young readers to check for understanding and build literacy skills.
Explore Our Curriculum

Preparation Videos

Here’s a video by a Core Knowledge homeschooling parent demonstrating how she prepares for instruction.

How I Prep & Use Core Knowledge Geography

How I Use Core Knowledge Science | Grade 3

Other Helpful Tips

  • Download or purchase all the teacher and student-facing materials in advance. This will allow you to preview the Student Book, Student Reader, or Read-Aloud Anthology.
  • Before sitting down with your child to work through each lesson, carefully review the entire lesson to familiarize yourself with the content. Make sure all materials are readily available.
  • Listen to our Building Knowledge podcast with veteran homeschooler Julie Freickert. Julie shares what parents should consider when considering homeschooling with Core Knowledge and discusses the resources available through her Homeschool Workplan website.

Connect with Other Homeschoolers

The ever-growing Core Knowledge Community can support you. Join the conversation on social media and our blog about various topics.

CK Community

More Questions?

Families and schools across the country use Core Knowledge. Your child will benefit too.

Homeschool FAQs