GATHER ROUND HOMESCHOOL REVIEW || CURRICULUM REVIEW || ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS

#gatherroundhomeschool #curriculumreview #homeschool
Join me for a Gather Round homeschool curriculum review and a little chat! We are talking all things Gather Round! Is it too expensive? Are the Gather Round Unit studies enough? Print or digital? In this video I am sharing my honest opinion and review for the Gather Round homeschool unit study curriculum! and mamas...I am on fire for all things Gather Round and for this HUGE blessing that has been brought to our home! Thank you Rebecca Spooner at Homeschool On!
#gatherround is a GAME CHANGER IN OUR HOME!!!
You can find her website here! homeschoolon.com/
Or find her here on youtube: / @homeschoolon
This Gather Round review is not sponsored and is my honest opinion!
This content is created for adults as a resource for homeschooling moms.
Feel free to reach out @ [e-mail]
XOXO- Jamie

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Did you find this video helpful?! Have you heard of Gather Round?! Are there any other questions I can answer for you?! I'll be here hanging out, so feel free to ask away!!! Have a blessed day! 💜

[@strykerdawn1]

Any updates after GR changed the pre-reader and added the kindergarden and preschool ones which now ruins the whole GR idea of doing school together as a family.

[@eliora9108]

Thank you for this review! I am starting this curriculum with my kids this year, after using Masterbooks for two years (which I also LOVE). Now that I have another child in the mix, I didn't want to ping-pong all day long so opted for the digital of Gather Round and printing and spiral binding it myself. I also found two others set up the same (or very similar) to GR , which were Deep Into the Forest as well as Camfire Curriculum (designed for dads to teach). My own father was taught in a one-room schoolhouse so the idea of getting to do it all at once with all my kids is so great and it's encouraging to hear how it works so well for others, like yourself. We are sticking with Masterbooks for our math, as we love the stories and the bible base to it.

[@thevaldezfamily4605]

So exciting! I'm a mom of 4, 12b, 9g, 5b and 4g! we downloaded the sample and I love it. We truly have tried everything literally, like you!! I too have seen the excitement in my children to want to know more about the subject. We're still on birds lol! We moved from one state to another a year ago and it is heavily regulated for homeschoolers here, whereas there was no reporting in before. But i truly love this. i actually started with lamp and light minimalist homeschool curriculum which I do still love, but just have found difficult to fully incorporate consistently. I am encouraged to continue with this, so thank you for this. I too love masterbooks!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

YES! Isn't it so great?! Wow, moving to another state can be such a tricky/life changing thing in general, then adding homeschooling to the mix of things! 😂 Lol! I am so glad that you have found something that works and has brought back the excitement for learning. It finally feels like I am doing what I am supposed to be doing! Gather Round is an answer to my prayers for sure! ♥️ Thanks for being here, Evelyn! You take your time and soak up the birds unit study. 😉 I had to tell myself .. "one unit at a time! The rest will have to wait!" I get too excited and want to do them all at once! 😂

[@BeautifullyBlissfulButterfly]

My three youngest LOVE "Gathered Round" homeschool. They're boy/girl 9 year olds and an 11 year old, so the upper elementary is superb! I have raved about & recommended this curriculum to friends for sure. Thank you!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Oh sweet mama, isn't GR AMAZING?! Gamechanger in our homeschool, total gamechanger! 💓 It is everything I have always hoped our homeschool would be! FINALLY! 💓 We just completed Asia and start Space tmrw!!! I can't even wait!!! Thank you for sharing your heart as well, friend! Which unit are you working through?!

[@BeautifullyBlissfulButterfly]

@@SimplyLivingIt We are doing North American Birds. I used to put my own unit studies together when my kids were first starting out, but the time it took was too much. So Gathered Round is literally an answer to prayer! :)

[@SimplyLivingIt]

I agree 100%! Answered prayers all the way around! 🙏💓 Enjoy your NAB study! 🤗

[@MichelleL83]

Perfect video for us! Thank you for posting this. I have asked you the "enough" question and you answered it beautifully. Funny thing is I ordered new Master Books LLFLE in early December and I was in a dilemma about what to do and this video provides great ideas! Also, there's a video that was posted today by Home Sweet Homeschool, about how she organizes the units. It's a wonderful idea that you might appreciate. God bless you for sharing your wisdom here and all of your encouragement!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you so much for your encouraging words and for being here!!! ♥️ I'm glad this video helped answer some of your questions!!!

[@THEOGLESBYOHANA]

Ohhhhh!!!!!!! Cuddled up and watching this now!!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you for taking precious time out of your day to be here! 🤗

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

That great that you have found something that works well for your homeschool! My family has been doing all of what your saying gather 'round does with any and every curriculum we use and like you I have looked into everything out there. I looked into the prices of gather 'round and theirs no way I would ever pay that much even if I could afford too. I'm personally not a fan of Rebecca, but I love researching curriculum. I can't see myself buying her products when I can get the same results with much more inexpensive ways and/or other curriculums! But if it works and you love it that what you go with! All About Spelling is expensive, but it works and we used it for 2 levels and then went to just copying the words 3 times each 4 days aago week. I just can't dish out that much every year for one subject. Thanks for your review! I really only watched it because I'm know to your channel and like you! Sorry if I'm being to opinionated right out the gate.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

No need to apologise! We need to do what fits our home, budget and lifestyle! I totally get it! I could never afford to do the printed version but I print at home and it works great for us in this season of life. We are thriving with Gather Round right now! I thank you for your comment and support! Just like you expressed, we all find a way of making our homeschool journey work for US! It is as unique and individual as we all are as humans! 😊💜

[@creeksidehomeschoolers]

@@SimplyLivingIt I'm really enjoying your channel! Can't wait to see what's to come! My boys are 11 and 9; so I think we have similar aged kids and of course all boys here.

[@ComptonBloomsFarmerFlorist]

What kind of printer do you use?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

It is a cheap HP printer!

[@RockSimmer-gal4God]

We use real life spellings they use often. I onli agree wiv doubleing up as needed. The rabbit trails are awesome!!!

[@crystallong6488]

Sooo... I’m just finding out about Gather Round recently. We have been exclusively a homeschool family. My children have never been to school outside of our home. Anyway, we used Abeka Academy and I feel like I sucked all the joy out of homeschooling for my 12 year old. I’ve already ordered and received our curriculum this year and will be using Sonlight. Now, I feel like maybe this might be an answer.

[@christinatrue2902]

@simplylivingit I want your planner!!! How can I get it? Thank you for being so open! I love your channel!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Send me an email, mama! [e-mail]

[@sarahkerner2582]

Love this! Thank you! I agree-- Digital Print is the cheaper option! We ordered our student books from a printing company online. It was $9.18 per student book (color copies)! Much better deal than through their website!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you, Sarah! 🤗 I hope some day to be able to support GR further by ordering their printed books...but at this time, I just can't! Someday, maybe?! I believe they are totally worth it...but we have to make it work in our home...right?! 😀🤗💜

[@bethanyhall1524]

What printing company did you use?

[@1DayAtATime21]

Yes, I'd love to know where you had your books printed!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

@ R H I had mine printed through Barnes and Noble press! Roughly $5 per student book!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Barnes and Noble press!

[@kcart]

I had never been on your channel until now - found you via GR FB group! :-) I am excited to check out more of your channel.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you so much for being here, Kristi! 🤗🌻

[@diaryofahomeschoolmama9191]

We are on day 3 of space and I LOVE it!!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Yayyyy!!!

[@reasonsforroots6958]

We just completed NAB and we love it! I have a upper elementary, middle school, and high schooler.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

That's so awesome! Are you going to start another unit...have you decided?!

[@reasonsforroots6958]

Yes! We start Asia next week 🤗

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Yay! We enjoyed Asia! We start Oceans this week! Have so much fun, mama!

[@jully4199]

Which math curricullum should i use for grade 6?.. gather round has not math...

[@SimplyLivingIt]

We LOVE Teaching Textbooks!

[@HomeSweetHomeschoolLife]

Instant Ink is the best!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Isn't it?!!! Such a life saver! 💜

[@kelleholloway5488]

What printer? My hp printer keeps stopping printing color but it was the cheapest hp printer so maybe that's it 🤔

[@SimplyLivingIt]

It was an $80 HP 6970 printer from Staples.

[@avrilelise3648]

I have one 3rd grader...what unit should I start with?!?!?

[@swertz6160]

i do too and I let him pick! he wants space!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

You don't have to go in any certain order! Maybe let him pick?!!! That always helps when they feel included in the decision!🤗😍💓

[@diaryofahomeschoolmama9191]

Question? Where are you storing all the completed worksheets when you finish a unit?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

For the 3 completed units so far, I have kept them in the original 3 ring binders. Each boy has a 3 ring binder with whatever unit we are working through, inside. Once the binder is full I store them in our homeschool closet. We were able to fit to different units into one binder for each boy! I'm going to try the 3 ring folder for the Space unit and see how it goes. 💜

[@blessedmamalife]

What grades/ages are your children? I get the feeling GRH is good for lower levels, but I’m not convinced for older students.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

I have a 1st, 4th and 6th grader!😊

[@blessedmamalife]

Did you ever try Layers of Learning? It’s very similar to GRH, except all four years are available. It’s not as....pretty, but it looks pretty solid. It doesn’t include literature, which is my reservation with GRH.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

I have never heard of Layers of Learning! I'll have to check it out! Thanks for sharing! 🤗

[@jaymewilson887]

I wish it was more affordable. I love LOVE the concept but 500$ a year is definitely not in my budget 😭. I plan on doing 1-2 units a year to supplement what we already use.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

That's perfect Jayme! You do what best fits your family needs! I do know she mentioned have a sale at upcoming conventions..so if she's coming to your area, it might be worth checking out?! 🤗💕 I find that printing it at home works best for our budget. Very affordable that way😊

[@kikik5266]

$500! You can get sonlight for that! What comes with it?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hi Kathy! For my family, it is wonderful! If we do 10 units a year that is right around $500 for all three of boys aside from math. It is a complete curriculum. Some choose to add in but I don't feel it is completely necessary. I print at home to help with the expense. For us, it works! I understand everyone does things differently and that's what makes it all so beautiful! Different strokes for different folks! For us, it is everything we've ever wanted and hoped for. My peace and the simple fact that I actually enjoy learning alongside my kids again is priceless! We have struggled through so many different curricula and FINALLY, this works! I have a homeschool curriculum budget and it fits in ours, perfectly.

[@kikik5266]

@@SimplyLivingIt I get that completely. For me that's a high price for things you print yourself. I confess I'm not a fan of the author. The whole situation she instigated left a bad taste in my mouth. I find myself distrusting the source. That being said we all must do what's best for us. If it's working for you I'm glad. Enjoy the rest if tour school year. Please stay healthy.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

You have to follow your heart and it sounds like you're doing just that! I am so thankful to have such a wide array of choices as well as authors. It is not a one size fits all in any area! Author, style, beliefs, methods, cost, ALL of the above and more! So thankful for options! 💜 Stay healthy, sweet mama! 💜🤗💜

[@jennc1516]

I love this curriculum, but I feel like my kiddos, who came from Abeka, need more LA and history supplemented in. I am considering doing My Father's World or Heart of Dakota.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Isn't it such a wonderful blessing to have so many choices?! It is NOT a one size fits all and I'm so thankful! 💜 🤗 Best wishes in your school year!

[@GODLOVESYOUU2355]

I downloaded the free Earth Science sample today for my 3 kiddos! I am really excited about it!!! Thank you so much for this review! I was about to give up on homeschooling and throw in the towel but the Lord led me to this curriculum! I love the fact that we can ALL be together, learning together, exploring together!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

YAY! That is so amazing and so wonderful! I am so happy to hear that! I hope you LOVE the Earth Science unit! Gather Round has been an answer to my prayers in SO many ways! Blessings to you, sweet mama! 🙏❤🤗

[@kristenheuer5676]

My only concern with gather round has been weather or not it had enough reading, grammer, ect... Do you think that for yonger kids there is enough phonics ect...?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hi Kristen! I do feel that there is enough! Now, keep in mind that all my boys were established readers as we transitioned into GR so I am speaking only from my experience and what I consider to be "enough!" It is such an individualized thing that it is hard to answer that not knowing exactly where your kiddos are at. If you are interested, print out one of her free samples on her website and definitely check it out for yourself! It is totally worth it to see! 💕🤗 Hope this helps!

[@HeyAllie]

Hi I'm really new to homeschooling so I did know if this is a stupid question but do the unit studies cover the core subjects like math science language?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hey Alissa! That is not a silly question at all! The answer is yes! These unit studies cover ALL the core subjects except math! Although, Gather Round is releasing a math unit in the fall! 😍🤗

[@joriroot8952]

Hi, thanks so much for this post! Can you link the printer you mentioned?!

[@vuurtjesinafrika]

Hi, thank you for this video. Do you know what the difference is between My Fathers World and Gather Round?

[@carlabrodhagen2884]

How does this compare to Abeka? I’m thinking of leaving Abeka and moving to gather round. I’m just unsure as Abeka has a great language program. I have a SK and grade 2 in 2020/2021 school year.

[@happilyhomeschoolinginiowa455]

Thank you for sharing.

[@OurHerdOfTurtles]

I love my instant ink!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

YES! Totally a must have with Gather Round!

[@favored4life]

What are your children's ages? I checked out the sample and not sure if GR is enough for my rising 8th grader.

[@SimplyLivingIt]

I have a 6th grade, 4th and 1st graders! Ya, check the samples for sure! The beauty is that you can move them up (or down) to whatever level you feel fits best!☺❤

[@OneSingleJoy]

This was really interesting. Thanks so much for sharing 😁

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Yes! I hope it was helpful! Thanks for being here♥️

[@chrismiller1604]

I'm teaching my grands language arts this year, k and 1st grade. I ordered master books, I like them but I'm needing to add to the k and first grade. I'm thinking about getting AAR 1 for the first grader so we can get the phonics foundation and develope a strong reader. What is your opinion on AAR? Do you think gather round teaches a complete phonics? I'm Intreaged with the unit studies but feel in the early years k through 2 we need to build a strong foundation in reading. Appreciate your videos - Thank you!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hey Chris! As far as the phonics goes with GR...I can't really say! My kiddos are older so I don't have any experience with GR in the earlier stages. My youngest was already a developed reader when we introduced GR. However, we sure loved AAR! 🤗

[@jessicamorber4434]

Hi, do you think with young ones (kindergarten and 1st grade) that we would still need to supplement with a reading program? I love the idea of gather round just not sure when we should start it, what grade/age. Thanks!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hi Jessica! I think it all depends on where your little ones are at! I am probably not the best one to answer that question only because my 1st grader was an established reader when we started with GR! If your littles are established in reading, then I say go with it and use/check out readers pertaining to the unit study! However, if you have FB, I encourage you to check out her Gather Round Homeschool group. I know there are mamas in the group who are right where you're at! I wish I had an exact answer for you! Like I said, my youngest was already established in reading once we began. We now just read books related to the unit we are on. He reads aloud, as do my older two boys. I wish I could help more...but I know you could get a more accurate answer from a mom in a similiar stage, in the group!

[@jessicamorber4434]

Ok, I’ll check that out. Thanks for the quick response. Love your videos!!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

@@jessicamorber4434 You're so welcome!

[@cindiruiz2939]

You are amazing!

[@THEOGLESBYOHANA]

Yesss Jamie! I just can’t wrap my head around the price. Even when it comes to the digital option. I still have to print my own stuff and that too cost money and time. I’d rather spend ink money on books and resources. 😩 I love the idea behind it!!!! But I’m slowly deciding it might not be for us. But I AM LEANING SO STRONGLY towards Masterbooks ♥️ and making my own unit studies as I’ve been doing. But I will definitely order some of her unit studies as they intrigue me, just not the whole curriculum! ♥️

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Torrie, thanks for being here!!!! ♥️ We switched to Masterbooks for this school year before Gather Round and we still use here and there and love it too! You keep doing what you're doing mama! You're doing a great job! Follow your heart and where you feel lead with curriculum! You have to do what works for your family in your home! ♥️ After 7 years of homeschooling... this mama needed something different! Gather Round was just what I/we needed! But... As you have said in your videos, what works for me, may not for you... And what works for you... May not for me! You're totally right! You keep plugging away mama! Your energy and enthusiasm in creating your own unit studies for your kiddos is where it's at!😍♥️🤗

[@SimplyLivingIt]

And yes... I haven't ordered her whole curriculum yet either. Taking each unit as it comes! ♥️

[@jaymewilson887]

I agree. The price is just way to expensive. I wouldn't mind doing it as a "morning basket" but not as our curriculum.

[@kristenheuer5676]

Many people on the gather round fb page are doing 1 unit every 6 weeks or 8 weeks. I've also seen lots of ppl not printing the teacher guide and reading it from a tablet or casting it to the tv.

[@dwellinglogs6860]

Jamie can I link this video in one of my video descriptions? 💕

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hey there, sweet friend! Yes, you most definitely can! Thank you for asking!!!💓🤗

[@dwellinglogs6860]

@@SimplyLivingIt ha I assumed yes, but just thought I really should just double check. 💕 Good job on your live in the group too 😘

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thank you for asking and thank you for your kind words!!! I was so nervous! 🤭😄

[@tess04231211]

Is this curriculum a package i need to purchase for each child/grade level?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hey there! If you purchase the complete digital package you get the teachers guide plus ALL levels for the particular unit you purchase! Check out her website for more info! gatherroundhomeschool.com

[@tess04231211]

@@SimplyLivingIt I am soooo glad I found this curriculum. I will be homeschooling 6th, 5th and 1st graders. This encompasses all of them?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

YAY! YES!!!! ALL OF THEM! IT IS TRULY AMAZING! Try out her samples if you're still on the fence. She has free samples on her website! 😍

[@tess04231211]

@@SimplyLivingIt I'm telling you giiirrrlll!!!! This has been heavy on my heart for DAYS and days, weeks even...all day, non stop, over n over n over And then the fear rears its ugly head and then I doubt myself - will I hinder them, their education just on and on...am I organized enough, creative enough, crafty enough, how to include them all together. THIS IS IT!!! THIS IS THE ANSWER!!!! Glad i found your video and thanks ❤

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Sweet mama! I feel you 100%!!!! For us, this has been an answer to prayer! 💟🙏

[@lindseyrichardson9088]

First 5 minutes of explaining something that most of us have no idea what you're talking about. Should be a separate video....

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Thanks for mentioning that! I will edit that out. At the time it was relevant...but not a year later. This video is needing redone anyway! 😉

[@jaseycourville4432]

Will this get my child reading? 😅

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Haha! Well, I can't promise that...but YES! Hahahah! 😀😂💜

[@Bobbie-G]

I spent over $600 on one child this last school year, so $500 sounds like a good deal to me! Adding math wouldn't be that much more...

[@SimplyLivingIt]

YES, it can add up SO fast! That's for sure!

[@ASlightlyBetterWife]

Thank you for this! I listened while playing with my toddler, so I'm sorry if I missed this, do you NEED to add additional books/resources to use this curriculum? Thanks!

[@SimplyLivingIt]

You are most welcome! Thank you for taking precious time out of your day to join me! No, you do NOT need to! There are so many mamas asking about supplementing and wondering if it is enough... So I did my best to answer that question! But, NO! YOU DO NOT NEED TO SUPPLEMENT! You do what fits your home and homeschool style! 💜🤗💜

[@ASlightlyBetterWife]

@@SimplyLivingIt This is so helpful!

[@kapkone]

You can use the good and the beautiful across ages and it's much cheaper. Definitely not affordable

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hi Mary! Thank you for sharing what works in your home. 💞 The Good and the Beautiful is actually not a direction I'd like to go in our home, but thank you for mentioning it! 💜😊 Have a great day!

[@blessedmamalife]

SIMPLY LIVING IT isn’t TGTB similar (approach wise) to Masterbooks? I was just wondering what you meant by “not a direction” you’d like to go since it’s similar to Masterbooks...is it too much work? Too rigorous? Could you share? I’m also curious your opinion of ACE (you mentioned using that).

[@TayloredVlog]

Is there any American history covered with Gather ‘Round?

[@SimplyLivingIt]

Hey there! Yes! She is actually going to be releasing a new unit focused on American History! You can see the scope and sequence for Gather Round on her website. I can't remember when that one is getting released... it might not be until the 2020/2021 school year. But check out gatherroundhomeschool.com 💓

[@TayloredVlog]

SIMPLY LIVING IT awesome...i want to try this way out next time I buy homeschool things