MASTERBOOKS Homeschool Curriculum: Christian Review
Before I start this review on Masterbooks homeschool curriculum, I want you to imagine this: Little Timmy is sitting at his desk, staring at his math textbook. It’s gray, it’s boring, and it’s making him question the meaning of life.
He flips the page and groans—another set of dry problems about trains leaving stations at different speeds. Meanwhile, his mom is silently praying he doesn’t burst into tears (again).
Now picture Sarah. Sarah is also learning math, but her curriculum is filled with fun stories about adventurers solving real-world problems. She’s laughing about a farmer calculating how much feed he needs for his animals and actually enjoying her lessons.
Her mom walks in, sees Sarah smiling, and thinks, “This is too good to be true.”
Hi there, homeschool friends! I’m Rebecca Devitt, your trusty guide to all things Christian homeschool curriculum.
If you’re new here, welcome! I’ve been reviewing homeschool curriculum for over a decade, homeschooling my own kids, Luke and Penny, and, fun fact—I was homeschooled myself! So yeah, you could say homeschooling runs in my veins. 😂
Today, we’re diving into MasterBooks: a Charlotte Mason-inspired curriculum that’s making waves in the Christian homeschool community.
I’m here to tell you why this curriculum might be your new best friend… and also why it might not.
Stick around until the end, because I’ll reveal exactly who this curriculum is perfect for and who might want to avoid it.
What is Charlotte Mason-Inspired Curriculum?
Glad you asked!
It’s a teaching style that focuses on:
Short lessons
Narration
Using "living books"
Living books are written by passionate authors who bring subjects to life through storytelling.
Think less “boring textbook” and more “grab your tea and let me tell you a tale.”
This approach makes learning engaging and memorable—perfect for kids who dread traditional textbooks.
MasterBooks: The Basics
Here’s what you need to know:
Cost: $250 to $650 for a full year’s curriculum (K-12)
Format: Physical workbooks and textbooks
Extras: Some short video lessons are available
No need to print 500 pages off your home printer!
Why I Love It
One thing I absolutely love about this curriculum?
It’s gospel-centered.
Every opportunity is taken to share the Good News about Jesus: that He came to save us from sin and offer us eternal life with Him.
This isn’t just a “slap a Bible verse on it and call it Christian” curriculum.
It’s the real deal.
Open-and-Go Convenience
It’s also open-and-go.
What does that mean?
You can literally pick it up, open it, and start teaching. No prep required.
Once your kids can read, they can do most of it on their own. 🙌
For me, this is HUGE.
The focus is on:
Practical life skills
Godly living
Even the math problems are based on real-world examples. Luke recently solved a problem about calculating the cost of a fishing trip, and he was hooked. 😉
Before We Dive Into the Downsides...
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Also, I run The Homeschool Parenting Program. It’s a step-by-step guide for parents who want to learn how to homeschool in under a week.
Packed with resources and loved by parents, it has 100% positive feedback!
Why It Might Not Be For You
Now, let’s talk about the downsides of the Masterbooks homeschool curriculum.
Not rigorous: It’s considered easier, especially for younger grades.
Math lacks practice problems: This could be an issue if your child needs lots of repetition. Although they do offer extra practice workbooks.
Video lessons are basic: They’re short and functional but not super engaging.
Not traditional: If you prefer rows of desks, standardized tests, and busywork, this isn’t the curriculum for you.
But hey, if you’re looking for light workloads and less busywork, this might actually be a plus!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it: the good, the bad, and the gospel-centered truth about MasterBooks.
If you want an affordable, open-and-go curriculum with a strong biblical focus, this could be the one for you.
But if you need something more rigorous or video-heavy, you might want to keep looking.
What’s Next?
Check out the video below where I dive into other great Christian homeschool curriculum picks.
