Best Canadian Curriculum Resources For Home Learning

One of the biggest challenges that Canadian parents, teachers and homeschoolers face is finding resources based upon the Canadian curriculum. Whether you are looking to teach your child at home or supplement their learning at school, I’ve compiled this list of the best Canadian curriculum resources to help out.

I’m a Canadian elementary school teacher, and also a mom to 4 young girls. I recently took my first plunge into homeschooling this past spring, when our schools closed during the pandemic.

My girls’ teachers were great, but I think we all can relate to the challenges of virtual learning!

Sometimes you just want a great workbook, teaching guide, or activity book that can teach your child all the curriculum material they need to know for the year.

Below you will find my list of Canadian curriculum resources in most subjects, many of which I’ve used in my own classrooms and with my own kids.

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The Ultimate List of Canadian Curriculum Resources By Subject

Math Workbooks & Resources

JUMP Math Workbook Series (Grades 1 – 8)

JUMP Math is a numeracy program dedicated to encouraging an understanding and a love of math in students and educators. It builds upon the belief that all children can be led to think mathematically.

The JUMP Math numeracy program was started in 1998 by Canadian mathematician Dr. John Mighton.

Each grade level has 2 separate workbooks that divide the school year into 2 terms. Each of these books covers a portion of the 5 strands of the Canadian math curriculum:

• Number Sense & Numeration
• Patterning & Algebra
• Measurement
• Probability & Data Management
• Geometry

As a teacher I’ve used the JUMP math program in my classrooms and I found that my students liked it. Since the goal of the program is to help kids learn math by doing, there are detailed examples and explanations of each new concept so kids can see what it is they are supposed to do.

The lessons are broken down into easy parts to help kids who are struggling in math.

If you are homeschooling or teaching in a classroom, the teacher’s guides are very detailed and take you through exactly how to present each lesson, as well as what guiding questions to ask your children.

The guides can be found for free on the JUMP math website.

The workbooks and teacher’s guides are also available for French Immersion students.

Another great thing about this math resource is that each workbook is priced at only $12 – costing you only about $25 per grade.

MathSmart Workbook Series (JK – Grade 12)

This series of Canadian educational workbooks by The Popular Book Company covers the entire math curriculum for Kindergarten through to Grade 12. Each book is divided into units of study to ensure kids understand the concepts in each strand of math.

For the younger grades, each book makes learning fun with cartoon characters and interactive lessons. There are easy-to-read explanations and highlighted key-words.

As students get older, the information is presented in more age appropriate ways so kids stay interested.

There is also an Advanced Complete MathSmart series of workbooks that are designed to help students with critical thinking and mathematical problem solving.

And, for my French Immersion and FSL readers – I’m excited to tell you that they have a French Math series, Les Maths Faciles.

Nelson Math Workbook Series (Grades 1 – 9)

You may recognize the Nelson Math Workbooks series from when you were in school -they have been around for awhile and are widely used in Canadian schools.

Each math book explains and tests various problem solving and investigation techniques that children are expected to learn at each grade level.

The contents are closely aligned to match the math curriculum children learn in school – so they are a great option for homeschoolers, or parents who want extra practice for their kids at home.

If your child is struggling with any strand of math, these workbooks help to reinforce math comprehension in a way that is simple and easy to understand.

Nelson also makes math student activity workbooks and student skills drill books for extra practice.

Related Article: Best Canadian Workbooks for Students

Hands-On Mathematics (Grades 1 – 3 Ontario, Grades 1 – 4 Western Canada)

These teaching resources are perfect for parents who homeschool and classroom teachers. Each guide provides detailed instruction on how to best use the Hands-On Mathematics program.

You’ll find guidelines on how to best implement the math program and tips to help your child develop mathematical inquiry skills. There are record-keeping templates and each unit links to a strand of your provincial mathematics curriculum.

Hand-On Mathematics also provides strategies and visual resources for developing kids’ mental math skills. The resource includes:

• Mental Math Strategies
• Patterning and Algebra
• Data Management and Probability
• Measurement
• Geometry and Spatial Sense
• Number Sense and Numeration

Each unit is divided into lessons that focus on specific curricular expectations. With each lesson you get:

• materials lists
• activity descriptions
• questioning techniques
• problem-solving examples
• activity centre ideas
• assessment suggestions
• activity sheets

You can download lesson plans that accompany the teaching guide through the publisher’s website.

Spectrum Math Series (JK – Grade 8)

The Spectrum Math Workbooks promise to “keep kids at the top of their math game by enhancing problem-solving skills and ensuring math success”.

The Spectrum series has been around for more than 15 years and is designed for at-home learning and classroom use.

The series progresses in complexity as your child learns.

I like them because you can get one book that focuses on a specific topic such as fractions and decimals, perimeter & area, volume, graphing on a coordinate plane, and algebra – as well as an answer key.

Language Arts Workbooks & Resources

EnglishSmart Workbook Series (PreK – Grade 6)

The Canadian Curriculum Press series of workbooks are written by Canadian classroom teachers so you can rest assured they line-up with the school curriculum.

Complete EnglishSmart (New Edition) is a curriculum-based workbook series designed to give your child lots of practice developing and improving his or her English skills.

The activities cover the key areas of language learning – listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading, and writing. You’ll also find accompanying online audio clips included to help children develop their listening skills.

Related Article: Best French Workbooks for Kids

Spectrum Language Arts Series (JK – Grade 8)

Spectrum Language Arts workbooks help kids with a variety of language concepts such as grammar and usage, parts of speech and sentence types, vocabulary acquisition, and a writer’s guide.

Their goal is to teach children to speak, read, and write with confidence.

If your child needs to work on more specific skills, you can get focused curriculum-based practice through their individual spelling, phonics, reading, sight words, and writing workbooks.

The Spectrum series really caters to at-home learning as they provide lots of practice and instruction for students.

Nelson English & Literacy Workbook Series (Grades 1 – 10)

Nelson provides two options for kids who are working on their English language skills at home.

The Nelson English workbooks teach children the skills they need to become effective writers.

The workbooks are based upon the Canadian curriculum and feature activities focusing on vocabulary, grammar, writing, and research skills.

The exercises keep kids engaged because they are related to every child’s favourite topic…his or her own life!

The Research Skills section teaches students effective methods for finding sources, taking notes, and protecting privacy online.

The Nelson Literacy Series workbooks are new and specifically designed for Canadian classrooms. I’ve found these colourful resources a great option for kids who need variety and extra support while learning how to read and write.

You will get:

• Three Student Instruction Books per grade
• Four units in each book
• Include cross-curricular units that link to Science, Social Studies, Health and Character Education
• Allow students to practise strategies with support

Science Workbooks & Resources

ScienceSmart Workbook Series (Grades 1 – 8)

The Complete ScienceSmart workbook series covers the Canadian science curriculum from Grade 1 through to Grade 8. The books provide activities and information that promise to reinforce the school science curriculum.

You will find exercises inside that are meant to stimulate childrens’ interest in science using colourful illustrations and explanations.

Hands-On Science Series (JK – Grade 7)

This new edition Science resource includes many great features for both teachers and students. There are curriculum correlation charts so you can see how each hands-on lesson and activity corresponds to the Canadian Science curriculum.

You will find background information on each science topic, easy-to-follow lesson plans, reproducible student materials (so you can reuse the same kits over and over again), materials lists, and hands-on activities to make learning science fun.

The books are cleanly laid out and a popular choice in Science classrooms.

To support FSL learners, there are printable French language sheets for the Science books on their website.

Related Article: Best Hands-on Educational Kits For Kids

Social Studies Workbooks & Resources

Hands-On Social Studies Series (Grades 1 – 6)

Hands-On Social Studies is filled with an entire school year’s worth of classroom-tested activities. The books are divided into units based upon your provincial curriculum.

You will find materials for both teachers and students.

If you are a teacher or a homeschooling parent, I like this resource because it truly provides you with all you need to teach, engage, and assess your student.

There are curriculum correlation charts, summary charts showing expectations, easy-to-follow lesson plans, visuals and unlimited reproducibles.

The activities are hands-on and student focused, with units reflecting Indigenous perspectives, culture and histories.

Best Canadian Curriculum Resources – Conclusion

Whether you are a teacher, homeschooler, or parent looking for Canadian workbooks and resources for your child, I hope my list has helped you find what you need. Please share!

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