Teacher’s Manuals vs. Pre-Recorded vs. Live Lessons – Which Ones Work?

Let’s face it—some homeschool programs come with so many books, it can feel like you’ve signed up for an extreme workout program just by moving them from the shelf to the dining room table each day. You might end up with biceps of steel, but will you also have the energy to finish the actual homeschooling?

One thing’s for sure: teacher’s manuals, pre-recorded lessons, and live classes each have their own pros and cons.

So, what’s best for your homeschool sanity?

Let’s break it down so you can choose the right option for your family.

Spoiler: No matter what, we’re all in this together!

Affliate links are used in this post.

The Teacher’s Manual Struggle: “Is This a Curriculum or a Workout?”

First things first: Let’s talk about teacher’s manuals.

If you’ve ever been handed one of these beasts, you know they’re the equivalent of lifting a small child (or a big bag of flour).

These thick books usually contain info on how to carry out every step, script, and activity in the workbooks in detail.

It’s kind of like being the director of a Broadway play, except instead of costumes and applause, you're in your living room trying to explain the water cycle while holding a toddler.

There are two types of teacher’s manuals:

1. The ‘You Got This’ Type: These are nice and breezy, offering general guidance without overwhelming you.

2. The ‘Hope You Have a Teaching Degree’ Type: Think of BJU Press or Abeka’s full manuals. These will have you feeling like you should have a Ph.D. by the time you’re done.

Personally, I’ve used both, and after a solid hour of flipping through pages and reading scripted dialogue, I gave up and had a little moment of silence.

Honestly, I felt like I needed a nap.

You know the moment, right?

You think it’ll be a fun lesson, then you realize—NOPE. It's like signing up to be the entire school faculty in your kitchen.

If you love the hands-on approach, teacher’s manuals can be great!

But let’s be real—busy homeschool moms?

We need something more than just surviving.

Pre-Recorded Video Lessons: The Ultimate Mom Hack

Now, if the teacher’s manual felt like a workout session you didn’t sign up for, pre-recorded lessons might be the hero you didn’t know you needed.

With these, the hard work of teaching is done for you.

Your kid watches a teacher on a screen, and all you need to do is press play.

The best part?

You can finally sit back with a cup of coffee and pretend you’re not secretly high-fiving yourself for finding the easiest curriculum option ever.

Here’s why I love pre-recorded video lessons:

• Self-paced: Your child can pause, rewind, or fast-forward the lessons.
  You know, just in case they’ve heard the same explanation for fractions three times already.
  #NoJudgement

• Independent learning: Your kids take charge of their learning.
  That means fewer “Mom, can you explain fractions again?” moments. 🙅‍♀️

• Minimal prep: No need for you to gather supplies or practice your “science teacher” voice.
  You press play, and boom, done. 🎬

I personally use BJU Press pre-recorded video lessons, and I gotta say, it’s gold.

The kids are engaged, they can work through the lessons independently, and I get my coffee break in peace.

Cost-wise, pre-recorded lessons and teacher’s manuals are about the same if you’re renting video lessons.

That is, video lessons often come with a 12-18 month access rental period (such as BJU Press’ pre-recorded video lessons and DVDs).

But, some of them offer lifetime access (hello, Compass Classroom’s Visual Latin, I’m looking at you) if you buy the course, instead of a subscription (see below).

If you’re going to use a curriculum for multiple kids in later years, lifetime access will be your friend!

If you’re just trying it out, or it’s something that only one child is interested in, go for the monthly option.

So, make sure you check the fine print for deals!

Live Video Lessons: Because Real Humans Do Exist

Okay, so what if your child thrives on interaction and wants more than just another video?

Enter LIVE lessons—where your child logs in to real-time classes with an actual teacher and (gasp!) actual classmates.

(Yes, I promise homeschoolers talk to other humans. It’s a thing.)

Here’s the cool part about LIVE lessons:

• Real-time interaction: Kids can ask questions and get instant help.
  So when algebra feels like an alien language, there’s a teacher there to break it down. #MathIsHard

• Chatrooms: A chance to socialize!
  High schoolers especially love this, as they get to chat with their peers in real-time.

• Group projects & discussions: Ideal for subjects like debate or foreign languages.
  You’ll want to talk things through with others instead of Googling your way through the lesson.

Veritas Press do LIVE lessons. Click here to do a free consultation with them.

But, let’s be honest: LIVE lessons can be a mixed bag.

If your child isn’t a fan of the teacher’s style, or the pace is off, there’s not much room for flexibility.

And consider timing.

If your class starts at 10 AM, you better be there at 10 AM.

Imagine a morning where everything’s going smoothly, and then, bam—you realize the class is starting right now.

[Cue frantic coffee runs. ☕]

Also, depending on the program, LIVE lessons can either feel like a close-knit classroom experience or a giant webinar where your kid is just another face in the crowd.

Always check the class size and make sure the program matches what your child needs.

So… Which One Is Right for You?

Alright, let’s do a quick rundown to help you choose the best option for your family:

• Teacher’s Manuals: Perfect if you love hands-on teaching, can handle a bit (or a lot!) of prep, and enjoy crafting with cotton balls.
  Quite affordable if you don’t mind spending hours on a lesson planning.

• Pre-Recorded Lessons: If you want independent learning, minimal prep, and a chance to keep your sanity intact, this is the winner.
  Plus, they’re usually budget-friendly, and your kids get to learn at their own pace.

• Live Lessons: Great for social learners or high schoolers who need more interaction.
  But, they’re usually more expensive, and the flexibility might not work for everyone.

Looking back to when I first started homeschooling, I would’ve skipped teacher’s manuals and gone straight to pre-recorded lessons.

They saved me from becoming a stressed-out homeschool mom who’s constantly questioning her life choices at 10 AM.

That being said, LIVE lessons definitely have their place, especially for older kids or advanced subjects that need more interaction.

You can’t really do debate club through a video lesson—unless, of course, your kid is arguing with the dog. 🐕

What’s Your Homeschool Style?

Now I want to hear from YOU!

What have you tried?

Teacher’s manuals?

Pre-recorded lessons?

LIVE classes?

What worked or didn’t work for you?

Drop a comment below—I’m curious to see what’s working (or not) in your homeschool. 📩

At the end of the day, though, homeschooling isn’t just about picking between teacher’s manuals, pre-recorded lessons, or live video classes.

It’s about building a solid foundation for your kids.

For me, that foundation is built on faith—teaching my kids to read the Bible, pray, and have a real relationship with Jesus.

That’s what truly matters.

That’s why I always opt for a Christian curriculum.

I want my kids to grow in knowledge, but I want them to grow in truth.

After all, a homeschool journey without Jesus at the center is like a boat without a paddle.

If you’re on the hunt for a solid Christian curriculum, check out the video I’ve linked below.

Trust me, you don’t want to pick the wrong one and end up with a Bible class that’s basically just coloring pages of Noah’s Ark. 🎨🐘🚢

Vidoe on Best Christian homeschool curriculum options.