BookShark

Name: BookShark
Brand: BookShark Home Education

by BookShark Home Education

Multi_subjectGrades Pre-K–10

BookShark: Secular Literature-Rich Multi-Subject Curriculum

BookShark is a secular multi-subject curriculum for Pre-K through grade 10 that uses living books and real literature as the foundation for integrated learning across history, language arts, science, and math. The program follows Charlotte Mason principles with coordinated daily schedules and combines multiple subjects around shared themes and historical periods.

Best for

Homeschooling families who prefer literature-rich, secular education with flexible scheduling and parents comfortable guiding learning through living books rather than traditional textbooks

Evaluation Criteria

2 strengths · 3 neutral · 1 insufficient evidence

Individual Subject RigorStrength

BookShark maintains strong rigor in math by offering top-rated programs like Saxon Math, Singapore Math, and Math-U-See, while other subjects rely heavily on literature-based instruction.

Math options include programs described as 'among my current and upcoming Top Picks,' and science has been aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Cross Curricular IntegrationStrength

BookShark effectively integrates subjects through coordinated daily schedules and shared literature, with history serving as a spine that connects with language arts reading.

The curriculum uses 'Reading with History' packages that combine literature with historical study, and provides grid charts showing coordinated daily assignments across subjects

Teacher TrainingNeutral

The curriculum includes instructor guides to coordinate the extensive book lists and daily schedules, but appears to assume significant background knowledge from parents.

Each level includes instructor guides, and BookShark science includes DVD demonstrations for experiments, but no mention of comprehensive teacher training materials

Direct InstructionNeutral

The curriculum provides structured instructor guides for coordinating materials but appears to rely more on literature-based discovery than explicit direct instruction.

Language arts instruction is 'presented from the instructor's guide' and the program provides daily grid charts, but the Charlotte Mason approach emphasizes living books over systematic instruction

Knowledge CoherenceNeutral

The curriculum builds coherent knowledge through chronological history study using spine books and coordinated literature, though knowledge coherence varies by subject area.

History packages use spine books like 'The Landmark History of the American People' to present information chronologically, and literature selections support historical periods being studied

Retrieval PracticeInsufficient Evidence

BookShark Virtual offers assessments and tracking, but there is insufficient evidence of systematic retrieval practice and spaced review across the core curriculum.

BookShark Virtual includes assessments and auto-grading, but the review does not describe built-in review cycles or retrieval practice in the main curriculum materials

Sources: cathyduffyreviews.com