Core Knowledge Pros vs Cons

Curious about Core Knowledge curriculum? I have been using varying aspects of CK for the last 2 years. I've used CK Language Arts, Science and History/Geography. I have complied a list of what I think the pros and cons of the curriculum are based on my experience with it.
Core Knowledge: www.coreknowledge.org/
Homeschool workplans: homeschoolworkplans.com/

[@FashionbyBrittany]

Yay! I am so excited that there’s so many benefits to core knowledge. We used it this year for fables and my kids loved it so much that they continue to ask for it! I really love the structure of it and I’m really looking forward to doing that for language arts, history, and science this year!

[@michellegf]

I find I incorporate CK more and more each homeschool year 😃

[@jeanettes9158]

Love, love, love Core Knowledge! I have been using CKLA to teach my young kids for two years. After familiarizing myself with the teacher guides, I am now at a point where I feel comfortable using their Science and History and Geography as our core curricula this school year. I have really found nothing else that compares to its quality. Thank you for bringing Core Knowledge to the attention of other families!

[@michellegf]

I am using CK as core curriculum for language arts for my 1st grader and science for both my 1st and 4th grader. I love how it’s not only quality curriculum, but it’s so adaptable.

[@RahpsodyinNeon]

We absolutely LOVE Core Knowledge! It amazes me how much my daughter is learning as we work through the history, science, and knowledge units. I am learning so much too. It intimidated me for a time, but when I finally dove in I discovered that it is really so manageable, and it is just so rich. I love that other homeschooling families are using it!

[@michellegf]

I agree! It can be intimidating at first, but once you get used to it its pretty easy to navigate.

[@Seasonedhomeschooler]

I love to prep the work because then I learn along with my child ❤️ Thanks for a great review!!

[@michellegf]

I actually enjoying prepping as well! It really helps me grasp the concepts and have a better understating of the topic.

[@simplycece]

I was prepping my sons first two core knowledge units, and you were right there on the website for how to prep for homeschool parents! So i rewatched those videos 😂 thank you for sharing. Once again, this is a helpful perspective. I was trying to figure out the pacing, but voila… homeschoolworkplans already did that…thanks for sharing your resources!

[@michellegf]

I’m glad you found them helpful! Homeschool workplans definitely breaks everything down really well and I like the scheduling options too.

[@genesishargrave8802]

Super helpful, thank you. I read/used the " What Your Kindergartener Needs to Know" book by Core Knowledge and found it useful as well, especially for a brand new homeschooler such as myself. I look forward to trying out some of the curriculum moving forward. I also appreciated your comments about needing to take some time to prep lessons ahead of time. We are taking on the responsibility of teaching our kids, which means we actually might need to put forth some effort sometimes. 😉

[@michellegf]

I’m glad your found the video helpful. I appreciate your response about homeschooling actually taking some effort! Homeschooling takes a lot of work and I feel like that is often downplayed, especially on social media.

[@kimberlyccrn]

I had no idea about this curriculum!! Thank you Michelle!!

[@michellegf]

Your welcome 😀 It’s a great resource and the fact that it’s completely free is amazing!

[@LovedbyJesus23]

I recently started using Core Knowledge’s Geography for Kindergarten. I will look into their 1st grade Language Arts. Thanks for recommending them!💖

[@michellegf]

CK LA 1 has been working really well for my daughter and I love that it covers such a wide array of topics. For example, I don’t feel bad that she doesn’t have a dedicated science curriculum because it’s being covered in CK

[@kaitlynlowery8840]

We’ve used a ton of their us history units from multiple age levels (native Americans, colonies, American revolution, us constitution, early presidents, and I’m halfway through war of 1812 now) and I have to say I’ve been pleasantly surprised. I own river of voices too so usually cross check the matching subject matters to add diversity and depth, but there have been a lot of overlap even on those topics. It’s also so easy to implement and so I think for a lot of homeschoolers good and done is better than idealized, perfect, and never completed.

[@michellegf]

I too have been surprised on how well history and really the entire curriculum has made a point of offering multiple perspectives and providing inclusive content. I think the curriculum is pretty open and go once you get used to the layout and flow. I think people get overwhelmed with the amount of text and depth the teacher guides get into, but it’s actually quite easy to navigate once you know what your looking for.

[@melissamoore280]

I was thinking about starting American History with my daughter. I have the Core Knowledge readers and was thinking about adding River of Voices. I haven’t used anything from Blossom and Root before. Do you recommend River of Voices? Have you used any of the science from Blossom and Root?

[@michellegf]

@@melissamoore280 I haven’t used anything from Blossom and Root before, but I’ve heard good things. I’ve chosen to us Oh Freedom U.S. History for next year.

[@melissamoore280]

@@michellegf thanks! I’ll check that out.

[@MB-oc6rb]

Super helpful!! Thank you so much for this !! Currently doing some research for our next year curriculum and I think I’m ready to give Core Knowledge a go. I’m just unsure where to start. We will be starting thirds grade in the fall.

[@michellegf]

I’m glad you found the video helpful! You can start at the specific grade level or move around to other units as well. I’ve found it pretty flexible and adaptable for multiple ages.

[@Mysassafrasroots]

I am in the middle of reading The Knowledge Gap and the author talks a lot about core knowledge so I fell down a rabbit hole of research. Your page is one I come back to time and time again for inspiration and encouragement through my homeschooling journey. Imagine my happiness to see you reviewing and talking about this very curriculum! Thank you for this. I can't wait to incorporate this into our studies for the week. I've also played around with getting Torchlight to add some fun and dimension to our curriculum as well; I know you have used it in the past. Would you say the language arts/history of Core Knowlege, compares to Torchlight?

[@michellegf]

I’m glad your finding my channel so helpful! The history suggested in Torchlight is Curiosity Chronicles. For example last year we did Middle Ages and I was able to pull resources and readers from the CK medieval unit. This year we’re learning about early modern and it pairs well with what my 1st grader is learning in CK language arts. I feel like CK is pretty adaptable and it has worked well for us. We have done both CK and Torchlight the last 2 years.

[@Mysassafrasroots]

@@michellegf thank you so much ! I really appreciate you!

[@xJrBoothx]

Great video, thank you. Really agree with your point about how open and go isn't always the best way, if you're not knowledgeable in that area. I tried one of the student readers and I found it quite dry. I think it was about Mount Rushmere. I got the feeling it was read the book, do a worksheet and lacked an engagement with the child. I do agree I didn't read the whole teacher guide but I wanted to ask are there extra activities in the guides to bring things to life?

[@michellegf]

Within the teacher guide there is a lot discussion based questions and topics. The teacher guide helps bring out that engagement with the reader. There are plenty of listed activities and each unit has an extensive list of trade books as well as online resources such as videos and sometimes games. For example we just finished up a lesson on animal habitats and watched some zoo cams of animals that was listed in the CK resources.

[@xJrBoothx]

@@michellegf Thank you, that's really helpful!

[@Trekkifulshay]

We use Core Knowledge but never on its own. We take from it what works for us and leave the rest. We've used several units now and have enjoyed them all. Right now I'm using the Culture of Mexico reader along with another Geography curriculum.

[@michellegf]

I love that Core Knowledge provides a solid foundation but leaves a lot of room to add or take away based on individual needs.

[@brookeally1346]

Question! I’d love to use Core Knowledge as a base/spine. We would like to use a Charlotte Mason/classical approach. I’d love to use living books etc. I suppose my question is where do I start? I know they list resources but is there a way to determine if any listed are living books? That is the part that is overwhelming for us. We are experimenting right now and so far it’s getting easier on how to use core knowledge. We are only preparing for prek and kindergarten so nothing serious but I need to be prepared. I hope what I’m asking makes sense 😅

[@michellegf]

Every unit in CK has either a trade list of books or recommended resources. All of them have extensive book lists that go with each unit. Theres usually a mix of fiction and non fiction options, but there isn’t a description of each book. I usually just look thru the list before we start a new unit and see what my library has available.

[@brookeally1346]

@@michellegf thanks! It looks like it will take some leg work but I’ve got some time. I notice my son has been asking for his core knowledge book lately. He feels big I think haha!

[@HeyMrKnickerbocker]

Have you considered purchasing the new edition homeschool sets? I wonder what the differences are.

[@michellegf]

I am considering it for some of the upper levels, but right now the digital copies are working well for us.

[@heathercox5801]

I know Core Knowledge has been around for awhile. I am thinking about using some of it in our homeschool next year. Have you used the Grade 1 LA? If so, how did you put it together? Looks like there are picture cards and reader cards as well as a reader. I'm confused on how to put together the Fables and Stories unit.

[@michellegf]

Yes I’m currently using CK LA 1 with my youngest daughter now. It can definitely be confusing at first. I highly recommend checking out this site. It walks you thru the different components and even has a schedule that you can follow. homeschoolworkplans.com/homeschool-first-grade-language-arts/

[@jennifermartinez8036]

When im doing the language arts, do i have to buy the book connected to the curriculum? When i download it. I do not see the actual book.

[@michellegf]

Which grade level are you using? The upper grades I know sometimes require a reader. We usually just get it from the library. The lower grades though usually have the books as a download. There’s is usually a download for a teacher guide and a flip book.

[@HunterHomeschool]

Do you have a link to your meteorologist lesson that you mentioned at the 23 min marker? That looks so fun. Thank you!

[@michellegf]

It’s all from the Core Knowledge Science unit Weather & Climate. www.coreknowledge.org/free-resource/cksci-unit-4-weather-and-climate/ Meteorologist information is located in lesson 7 of the unit

[@HunterHomeschool]

@@michellegf thank you!!

[@eneidafernandez4613]

I've been considering Core Knowledge for about 2 years now. I think my hesitation is all the moving parts. What do I print, how do I plan and prep. I just have to take time with it and see if I can figure it out. It really does look great

[@monicaneira3756]

I actually find it really easy and I hate prepping haha! Everything is separated by units so you would just need to print all of the pieces for that unit. I print all of the image cards on card stock and then cut them using a paper cutter. The teacher’s guide tells you exactly when to use each part day by day making it very easy with no guess work. My daughter loves the image cards. The other activities within the unit usually don’t require too much prep with other materials and supplies other than what’s already provided with the unit. I adapt it to use with just my daughter as a lot of the activities are meant to be used in the classroom. It has actually been really easy and hassle-free to implement. It really is a comprehensive, fun program and the best part of it, it’s free.

[@michellegf]

Once you start using the curriculum it becomes a lot easier. The only thing I print is the handouts/worksheets that go with each unit. The student reader is downloaded on my kids tablet and I have the teacher guide downloaded on my computer. The units I’ve used all have a materials list (for example science) divided by each unit. For Language Arts first grade all I do is print the worksheets and make sure I’ve downloaded the student reader. Other than that it’s pretty open and go.

[@monicaneira3756]

@@michellegf I now use my tablet for the teacher’s guide and it’s so much easier! I used to print it

[@livingforduskhomeschool]

Hi, do you purchase any of the materials (language arts…) if so, how do you purchase them? I’m only seeing their recommendation for Amplify (for teachers/schools) Thank you.

[@michellegf]

I don’t purchase any physical versions of the curriculum. I download the teacher guides onto my tablet or laptop. The student readers are downloaded to my kids fire tablet. I print the student worksheets. It used to be easier to buy the physical copies, but the company outsourced a lot of it to Amplify. In my 6 week planning videos I show how I organize, prep and what I choose to print for CK if your interested in seeing how that works.

[@stefanietaylor4989]

Do you do family subjects with core knowledge and if you do, how do you select level and also hit standards for each grade?

[@michellegf]

The only family subject we use CK for is Science. The levels we use can vary at times. For example we did a human body unit study using the grade levels 1-5th. That way it touched on both standards for my kids. However, we mainly go off my oldest daughters grade level (4th). My younger daughter follows along with the reading and demonstrations, but doesn’t do any of the writing or worksheet components. My youngest also does CK Language Arts 1st grade and that incorporates science within that so I don’t feel like she needs a separate science curriculum at her age right now. Also because CK builds upon itself every grade level, you can start at any level and still learn something new.

[@stefanietaylor4989]

@@michellegf what is your plan for when you youngest is in the mix? I have a 5th and 3rd grader next year but then I have a Kg and Prek as well. So I’m trying to come up with a plan for science and social studies so I’m not doing so many levels of each. I keep hitting a wall with my ideas. I’m thinking of not doing anything with my kg for those subjects until his sister moves up so I can group them but I also know my oldest will be a 6th grader soon and then I will have a 4th grader. I’m a big picture planner vs just looking at one year which really has me in circles. 😬

[@michellegf]

@@stefanietaylor4989 I totally get it I am a big picture planner as well! So my plan right now is to group my 1st grader and 4th grader together for group subjects until my oldest hits 6th grade. I’ve noticed middle school curriculum is a bit more intense and my middle child won’t be able to tag along very well. History I might be able to combine and just lower the expectations of the curriculum down to my younger daughters level, but Science I know we will have to most likely split. When that happens I plan on using CK SCI for my 2/3 rd grader and my youngest son will tagalong with her until she reaches middle school. As far as the younger grades K-3rd my main emphasis is reading, writing and math. Anything beyond that is great but not a necessity.

[@robbeaulieu4813]

Hey, I was watching your video and you said you are using science and history but you mentioned language arts for your younger. Are you using CKLA also?

[@michellegf]

Yes, I am using CKLA for my 1st grader right now.

[@banoni3772]

I think the curriculum looks great but it's very overwhelming as a parent who home schools. It's not even the fact that it's not open and go. I know how to prep and I can print off work sheets from home just fine. It's the amount of time I have to read through all of their material. They have way way too much unnecessary info that it's hard to get to what (meat and potatoes) I need for my lesson. As an example I had one unit for history spiral bound it's 131 pages (that includes all the activity sheets (everything) but there are 7 units for this year for history/geography alone. I'm trying to find a way to simplify it for myself. Wish me luck.

[@michellegf]

Have you considered using the teacher guide and readers digitally and just printing the necessary activity sheets? I usually prefer a physical book, but with the number of units in each level its so much easier to use the tablet.

[@banoni3772]

@@michellegf Yeah, I am using the student readers on a tablet. I just have to get better at skimming through the material in the Teachers Guide

[@michellegf]

@@banoni3772 learning to skim the TG is definitely an acquired skill 📚