Gather Round is a Christian, Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschool curriculum using thematic unit studies for multi-age family learning, covering all subjects except math from PreK through 12th grade.
What is Gather Round?
Gather Round Homeschool is a faith-based curriculum designed for families to learn together. Created by Rebecca Spooner, a homeschool mother of five, the program uses integrated unit studies where subjects connect through central themes rather than isolated textbooks. All children in a family study the same topic simultaneously at differentiated levels, eliminating the juggling act of separate curricula. The Charlotte Mason-inspired approach emphasizes living books, narration, and hands-on learning over worksheets. Now trusted by over 100,000 families across 70+ countries, Gather Round has grown from a 2019 startup into a comprehensive PreK-12 option.
Key Takeaways
- Multi-age design: entire family studies same topic at different levels
- Covers all subjects except math (separate math program now available)
- Charlotte Mason-inspired: literature-based, minimal worksheets, living books
- Christian worldview with Scripture integration throughout
- Units priced around $30 each; one purchase serves all children in family
How the Curriculum Works
Each Gather Round unit contains 20 lessons organized around a central theme—North America, Ancient Egypt, The Human Body, etc. Lessons integrate reading, writing, grammar, science, history, geography, and Bible study through that theme. Six differentiated student notebook levels allow children from PreK through high school to work on the same topic with age-appropriate activities. Parents use the beautifully designed teacher's guide for read-alouds and discussion facilitation. The suggested schedule is four days per week, completing one unit in 4-5 weeks, though families adapt pacing to their needs.
What's Included (and What's Not)
What's Included (and What's Not)
- All core subjects integrated
Reading, writing, grammar, science, history, geography, art, Bible
- Teacher's guide with lesson plans
Open-and-go format requiring minimal prep
- 6 differentiated student notebook levels
From early learners through high school
- Math NOT included in main curriculum
Separate Letters+Numbers program (K-9) available
- No video lessons
Parent-led instruction, not screen-dependent
Considerations Before Buying
Gather Round works best for families committed to learning together and comfortable with parent-led instruction. The Charlotte Mason approach—emphasizing discussion, narration, and living books—requires more parent involvement than workbook-based programs. Scripture is woven throughout, making it a poor fit for secular homeschoolers. The lack of video instruction means parents can't hand off teaching, but it also means less screen time and more family connection. For large families, the single-purchase-covers-all-children model creates significant savings compared to per-student curricula.
The Bottom Line
Gather Round delivers on its promise of joyful family learning for Christian homeschoolers drawn to Charlotte Mason methods. The integrated approach eliminates curriculum juggling, the unit study format keeps children engaged, and the family-centered design creates shared learning experiences rare in grade-separated programs. Just know what you're getting: this is parent-led, faith-based, and requires your active involvement. For families ready to gather around the table together, it's a beautiful option.
