Essential Homeschooling Resources for Parents: From Tools to Techniques
As more families embrace the flexibility and personalization of home education, having the right homeschooling resources has never been more essential. From online platforms and trusted textbooks to planning tools and teaching techniques, EZ-Teach will review the resources you’ll need to create a well-rounded and engaging learning experience at home.
2) Recommended Textbooks & Curricula
4) Proven Techniques for a Positive Learning Environment
5) Support Communities and Forums
Find online homeschooling resources right here on our EZ-Teach website. You can get online lessons, tutoring, and digital curriculum to download immediately. For more information or to chat with someone about homeschooling, please contact us at EZ-Teach. We are happy to help you in your educational journey!
In this blog post, EZ-Teach will highlight some of the top homeschooling resources for student (and parent) success!
Homeschooling Resources: Tools, Texts, and Techniques for Success
1) Online Learning Platforms
One of the most valuable homeschooling resources available today is the vast array of online learning platforms. These tools offer everything from full curriculum support to interactive lessons and subject-specific enrichment, making it easier for parents to customize their child’s education while keeping learning engaging and accessible.
Below, we’ve listed some of the top online platforms!
Comprehensive Curriculum Providers
Khan Academy – Free, self-paced lessons in math, science, arts
Time4Learning – Subscription-based, structured curriculum
Outschool – Live classes on unique and core subjects
EZ-Teach - Online Curriculum, tutoring, online courses, blog, & resources
Supplemental Learning Tools
Duolingo – Language learning gamified
Prodigy – A Math platform that feels like a video game
Mystery Science – Hands-on science lessons for younger learners
Below you’ll find a video that highlights why kids love Prodigy math games!
Platforms for Parents
Homeschool Legal Defence Association (HSLDA) – Legal support and guidance
The Canadian Homeschooler – A go-to hub for Canadian families, offering curriculum suggestions, printable resources, and province-specific homeschooling guidance.
Canada-Specific Platforms and Tools
Virtual High School (Ontario) – Offers fully accredited online high school courses recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
SelfDesign (British Columbia) – A Ministry-funded distributed learning program focused on personalized, student-led learning.
Open School BC – Offers free and paid digital K–12 curriculum resources aligned with B.C.’s curriculum.
As you can see, there are plenty of online platforms. We’ve highlighted the top ones that we think are useful (click on the links to explore) for many parents, but we’d love to hear what works for you!
2) Recommended Textbooks & Curricula
Choosing the right textbooks and curricula is key to ensuring your child’s education aligns with your goals—and, in many cases, with your province’s learning outcomes. While many homeschoolers in Canada successfully use a blend of U.S.-based and Canadian resources, it’s important to check that materials support your province’s educational standards.
Core Subject Curricula
Jump Math (Canada) – A research-based, Canadian-developed math program used in many public and private schools, ideal for homeschoolers seeking strong numeracy foundations.
Nelson Education – Offers textbooks and workbooks that align with provincial curricula, especially useful for subjects like math, science, and language arts in Ontario and other provinces.
Saxon Math – A popular choice for spiral-based math learning, though U.S.-based; can be adapted for Canadian use, especially in earlier grades.
Apologia Science – Faith-based science curriculum widely used by Christian homeschoolers; while U.S.-focused, it’s a solid option with adaptable content.
Real Science 4 Kids – A secular, inquiry-based science program that can work well across provinces with minimal tweaking.
Language Arts & Literature
The Canadian Homeschooler’s Historic Fiction Reading List – Offers literature suggestions curated for Canadian content and age-appropriateness.
All About Reading / All About Spelling – Well-structured phonics-based programs; U.S.-based but effective and easy to use in Canadian settings.
Sonlight / BookShark – Literature-rich programs with extensive reading lists; Sonlight has Christian content, BookShark is secular. Canadian users may want to supplement with Canadian history and cultural materials.
Looking for Canadian History Curriculum?
Check out this history guide from Amanda Landgraff for students in Grades 2-8 and teach history and a love of reading at the same time!
Social Studies & Canadian History
The Story of Canada by Janet Lunn & Christopher Moore – A beautifully illustrated, engaging history book for middle-grade learners.
Canadian History Guide – A 36-week, literature-based program covering Indigenous history, early explorers, and modern Canada; includes book lists and optional scripture tie-ins. Ideal for multi-age homeschooling.
A Short History of Canada by Desmond Morton – For high schoolers; provides a deeper, critical understanding of Canadian political and cultural history.
Strong Nations Publishing – Offers Indigenous literature and educational resources aligned with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s calls to action, useful across provinces.
Faith-Based Curriculum Options Popular Among Canadian Families
CHC (Catholic Heritage Curricula) – U.S.-based but widely used in Canada for Catholic families.
My Father’s World – A Charlotte Mason–inspired, unit-study curriculum blending Bible, literature, and hands-on learning. Offers packages for all ages, with some Canadian families adapting the U.S. geography/history components.
Remember, always compare resources to your province’s learning outcomes. Most Ministries of Education publish grade-by-grade curriculum expectations online. For example, if you live in Ontario, be sure to check the curriculum guides for each grade.
If you do decide to use American resources, consider blending multiple resources to cover Canadian-specific content (e.g., replacing American civics/history with Canadian history units). Finally, tap into local homeschool support groups or co-ops as they often have curriculum-sharing libraries—useful for previewing resources before you buy.
3) Lesson Planning Tools
Reduce stress and stay on track - click on the image above and get our free Homeschool Planner.
A well-structured homeschool doesn’t happen by accident — it starts with intentional planning. Whether you're organizing daily lessons or mapping out the entire year, having a solid plan helps you to do the following:
Reduce stress
Maintain momentum
Ensure you’re meeting your educational goals
As Benjamin Franklin wisely said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” For homeschooling parents, planning isn’t just a task—it’s one of the most important tools for long-term success. Fortunately, there are many user-friendly platforms and printable resources to help make that process smoother and more effective. Let’s take a look at some.
Digital Planners
EZ-Teach Homeschool Planner - Download our free Homeschool Planner and start planning your day, your month, and your year; with daily schedules, weekly and yearly goals, reading, field trips and menu plans, and much more.
Homeschool Planet – Online planner with customizable features
Trello – Flexible project management board for lesson organization
Printable and DIY Tools
EZ-Teach - Our growing resource for digital curriculum. Do you know a curriculum provider? We’d love to connect with you and help you market your materials!
Teachers Pay Teachers – Printables and worksheets from experienced educators
Canva – For designing schedules, flashcards, and visuals
Scheduling Strategies
All these tools are designed to support homeschooling parents in creating structure, reducing overwhelm, and staying on track throughout the year. Whether you prefer digital planners or printable templates, the key is finding what works best for your family’s rhythm. Looking for time management tips? Check out our blog post: Time Management Tips for Homeschooling Parents for practical strategies to make the most of your day.
4) Proven Techniques for a Positive Learning Environment
Be the leader in creating a positive learning environment for your kids at home.
(Image Source: Elina Fairytale)
Creating a positive and productive learning environment is just as important as choosing the right curriculum. A supportive atmosphere helps children stay motivated, focused, and excited about learning—especially in the home setting, where boundaries between school and family life can blur. With a few intentional strategies, homeschooling parents can foster an environment that encourages curiosity, independence, and joy in learning. Let’s consider some strategies for success!
Establishing a Routine
One of the keys to a successful homeschool is finding the right balance between structure and flexibility. A consistent routine provides stability and helps children know what to expect each day, which can reduce resistance and improve focus. At the same time, flexibility allows families to adapt to changing needs, interests, and energy levels—one of the great advantages of homeschooling. Whether you prefer a detailed hourly plan or a more relaxed block schedule, having a basic framework in place can make your days more intentional and less stressful.
Here’s a sample daily homeschool schedule to help you get started and customize your own routine.
Sample Daily Schedule
8:30 – 9:00 AM: Morning routine & breakfast
9:00 – 9:15 AM: Morning meeting / devotional / plan
9:15 – 10:00 AM: Math
10:00 – 10:45 AM: Language Arts (Reading/Writing)
10:45 – 11:00 AM: Snack/break
11:00 – 12:00 PM: Science or Social Studies
12:00 – 1:00 PM: Lunch / free time
1:00 – 2:00 PM: Art, music, or hands-on projects
2:00 – 3:00 PM: Outdoor play, field trip, or review
Tip: Use the afternoon flexibly—some families use this time for interest-based learning, co-ops, or catching up on earlier subjects.
Creating an Engaging Learning Space
Every homeschool looks a little different, and how you organize your learning space can make a big impact on focus and flow. Some families benefit from having a dedicated learning area—a specific room or corner of the home set up like a mini-classroom with desks, shelves, and supplies. This can help establish a clear boundary between school time and free time, especially for children who thrive on structure. On the other hand, many homeschooling families make great use of multi-purpose spaces, like the kitchen table or a shared living area. These setups offer flexibility and make it easier to integrate learning into everyday life.
No matter what kind of space you have, adding visual supports can help reinforce concepts and keep learners engaged. Consider using educational posters, maps, charts, or student-made artwork to bring the space to life. Having a quiet zone—whether it’s a cozy reading nook, a beanbag by a window, or even noise-cancelling headphones—can give children a place to retreat and concentrate, especially during reading, writing, or independent work. The goal is to create an environment that works for your family’s rhythm and encourages focus without losing the comfort of learning at home.
Want more advice on setting up your learning space? Read our other blog, How to Build the Ultimate Homeschooling Classroom.
Encouraging Self-Motivation and Ownership
Here are some steps to take with your kids to instill in them a lifelong love of learning, along with self-motivation and ownership:
Goal Setting With Children
Involving your children in setting learning goals—both short-term and long-term—helps them take ownership of their education. These goals can be as simple as “read five chapter books this month” or “learn how to multiply fractions.” When kids help set the targets, they’re more invested in reaching them. Regular check-ins to revisit and adjust goals also teach valuable lessons in responsibility, time management, and self-motivation.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning (PBL) allows children to explore topics that interest them deeply, while still meeting educational objectives. For example, a unit on ecosystems might become a hands-on project building a terrarium, writing a report, and presenting findings to family members. This approach not only integrates multiple subjects—like science, writing, and art—but also encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. PBL helps children see the real-world relevance of what they’re learning, which increases engagement and retention.
Using Portfolios to Track and Celebrate Progress
Keeping a learning portfolio is a great way for children to see how far they’ve come. This can include the following:
Completed assignments
Artwork
Writing samples
Photos of projects
Self-reflections
Portfolios encourage kids to take pride in their work and recognize their growth over time. They're also a valuable tool for parents to assess progress and for students to share their learning journey with others, especially helpful for evaluations or transitioning back into traditional school settings.
Another way to encourage a positive learning environment is to balance your kids’ time in homeschool with homeschool groups, co-ops, and meetups. Make sure they are getting social time and exposure to extracurriculars like sports, art classes, volunteering, etc. We’ll look at this more in the next section below.
5) Support Communities and Forums
Homeschooling thrives in community. Support, connection, and shared experiences make the journey richer for all. (Image Source: RDNE)
While homeschooling offers the freedom to tailor education to your family’s needs, it doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Connecting with homeschool communities, co-ops, and local groups provides both parents and children with valuable support, friendship, and enrichment opportunities.
These groups can offer everything from group classes and field trips to extracurriculars like music, sports, and volunteering. For parents, they’re also a great way to share resources, get advice, and feel supported on the journey. Whether you’re looking for academic partnerships or social outlets, joining a homeschool community can make your experience richer and more balanced.
Here are some ideas for finding a homeschool group and/or online support:
The Canadian Homeschooler
A go-to hub for Canadian families, offering curriculum reviews, printables, and province-by-province legal information. Also hosts an active Facebook group and podcast.Facebook Groups
Try searching for groups like “[Province] Homeschoolers” (e.g., Ontario Homeschooling Parents, Homeschool Alberta). These communities often post about local events, field trips, meetups, and curriculum swaps.HSLDA Canada
The Canadian branch of the Home School Legal Defence Association offers legal protection, advocacy, and member resources tailored specifically to Canadian homeschooling laws and needs.Reddit – r/homeschool
A global online forum where homeschooling parents share real-world advice, curriculum feedback, and encouragement. Not Canada-specific, but great for peer-to-peer support.Well-Trained Mind Community Forums
Ideal for deep academic discussions and classical education enthusiasts. While largely U.S.-based, Canadian users often join to exchange ideas and resources.
However, you choose to incorporate community into your homeschool, don’t be afraid to explore and adapt. Remember—homeschooling is a journey, and resources are there to support you, not define you. Find what fits your family’s rhythm and grow from there.
Support From EZ-Teach
Homeschooling success starts with the right support—whether it's reliable online platforms, trusted textbooks, smart planning tools, or proven techniques for creating a positive learning environment. With so many options out there, it's important to find resources that are not only effective but also easy to use and tailored to your family’s needs. EZ-Teach brings all of this together in one place, offering a range of homeschooling resources designed to simplify planning, enrich learning, and support parents every step of the way. Contact us for support!
