Welcome to the world of Simply Homeschool Core Programs!

Imagine learning where every subject connects – where reading a story about an explorer leads to mapping continents, experimenting with a compass, writing your own adventure tale, and sketching the wild creatures discovered along the way.

That’s what a Simply Homeschool Core Program is all about. To help you picture it, we’ve included two Lapbook flip-through videos and photos from two of our Core Programs further down in this post, showing exactly how children bring their learning to life.

Whether you’re brand new to Simply Homeschool or already part of our community, our Core Programs are here to help you create rich, connected learning experiences. You might be ready to explore your very first Core, or looking for fresh inspiration to bring new energy to your homeschool days. Either way, you’ll find something that fits your family perfectly.

But first, the basics.

What is a Core Program?

A Core Program is an integrated learning experience that weaves together multiple subjects – English, science, history, geography, art, and more – into one rich, cohesive program. Each Core is usually built around a single book, fiction or non-fiction, that becomes the heart of your learning journey. There are also a number of Cores that do not require a book at all.

Rather than working through isolated worksheets or separate subjects, your child dives deeply into ideas through hands-on experiences: research projects, creative writing, art, science experiments, and critical thinking activities. It’s learning that feels alive, meaningful, and connected.

Our Cores are designed to meet your child where they are – whether they’re mastering phonics or ready to tackle essay writing and advanced analysis.

A smorgasbord of learning adventures

As a Simply Homeschool member, you have access to our ever-growing library of Core Programs – a smorgasbord of learning adventures designed to spark imagination. Learning happens best when curiosity leads the way.

You’ll find Cores for every age, interest, and learning style – from gentle early readers to rich, multi-layered programs for older students. Most are based on beautiful, high-quality books you can purchase or borrow from your local library. Some even have optional kits with specialised resources to save you time and energy.

If you’ve already completed a few Cores, now might be the perfect time to try something new – revisit a favourite with a fresh perspective, or choose a different type of Core to stretch your learner’s interests and skills.

How to get started (or re-started)

Getting started – or jumping back in – is simple.

1. Choose a Core Program that captures your interest.
2. Find the book and gather a few materials.
3. Work through the program at your own pace. You can choose to complete the entire Core or dip in and out of the activities that best suit your child’s interests and learning goals.

There is no “right” way to use a Core –  just the way that works best for your family.

Core Programs in action: inspiration from Lapbooks and lessons

To give you a sense of what a Core looks like in real life, check out our Lapbook flip-through videos and photos. These examples show how each Core unfolds differently in every home – full of creativity, exploration, and those wonderful “lightbulb moments” when learning clicks into place.

Here are two examples from our Core Program library:

Charlotte’s Web sample Core work

"It is not often that someone comes along who is a true friend and a good writer. Charlotte was both."

This Core Program unlocks the magic of E.B. White’s timeless classic. Learners will explore the heartwarming story of Wilbur the pig and his friend Charlotte, as they dive into the world of Zuckerman’s farm.

They will investigate friendship, symbolism, literary devices, and even spiders! They’ll create a beautifully presented, interactive Lapbook displaying their research on farm animals, a map of the farm, a web of words, and a variety of written pieces.

You can even celebrate the completion of the Core with a family movie night – popcorn optional!

Integrated subjects:

• English: Read the book, write descriptive paragraphs and various other texts, extend vocabulary, identify literary devices and symbolism, create character profiles, and compare and contrast texts.
• Science: Research farm animals, explore habitat, diet, behaviours and appearance, and preserve a spider web.
• Design Technologies & Maths: Plan and develop a model, use the plan to build a model, build parachutes and measure distance.
• Visual Arts: Create a beautiful, interactive Lapbook,  paint with watercolours, sketch scenes, and paint a portrait.

A is for Australia sample Core work

This flagship Core Program explores the geographical wonders of Australia from A to Z – from Bondi to Taronga Park Zoo, and beyond! Your learner will discover facts like: What is the Fremantle Doctor? Where is Qui Qui? Why are some islands named after days of the week?

Learners will conduct research, create a pictorial map of Australia, practise paragraph writing, build a working lighthouse, and learn interesting history about unique Australian locations.

The Core also introduces the Simply Homeschool Interactive Map Project, allowing every family member to create and upload artwork showcasing their local area for others to explore.

Grab those brushes, sharpen those pencils, and enjoy a virtual road trip of Australia!

Integrated subjects:

• English: Read the book, investigate the author, illustrator, genre, purpose and audience, interpret text and images, learn grammar, write topic sentences and build word banks to expand vocabulary, explore Aboriginal languages and Morse Code, build research skills and note-taking.

• Geography: Deep-dive into Australian geography, including states and territories, emblems, flags, landmarks, islands, rivers, oceans, deserts, rainforests, grasslands and forests. Learn about the Snowy Hydro Scheme, and conduct local research.

• Maths: Learn skip counting, measurement, and grid mapping.

• Science: Investigate animals, habitats and conservation efforts, explore propulsion, build electrical circuits and a water turbine, learn about national parks, cave and opal formation, collect rainfall data, and analyse seasonal changes.

• History: Discover Australian historical events and people, learn about the Royal Flying Doctor Service, create a timeline, explore Aboriginal Dreaming, culture and flags.

• Design Technologies: Design and create a bridge, upload a local area project to the Simply Homeschool website, use Map Project Wizard, and contribute to an electronic interactive map of Australia.
• Visual Art: Compare natural elements with Australian artists’ interpretations, create various artworks by sketching, drawing and painting, make a paddlewheel boat from recycled materials, and build a working lighthouse from cardboard and paper.
• Music: Learn and sing the Australian National Anthem and listen to it in the Aboriginal Dharawal language.

 

As you can see, Core Programs naturally integrate multiple subjects. Each Core allows children to make connections across subjects in meaningful and engaging ways, resulting in learning that feels holistic, purposeful, and fun. Most Cores can also be used for a variety of ages simultaneously - wonderful for families with multiple children! Learners will respond to the lessons in a way that is appropriate for their own unique development.

Each Core is a journey filled with discovery, connection, and a sense of accomplishment.

Whether you’re starting fresh or continuing your Simply Homeschool adventure, our Core Programs are designed to make learning something your whole family can love.

So go ahead. Open the book, follow the spark, and see where the journey leads next.

Explore all our Core Programs in your Simply Homeschool library today!