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Illinois Homeschool Curriculum Requirements by Subject
Illinois law specifies six required subject areas but offers remarkable flexibility in how you deliver them. Understanding what the state requires—and what it doesn’t—helps you build a curriculum that serves your child while staying compliant.
Here’s the breakdown by subject, what qualifies, and practical ways to meet requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Six required subjects: language arts, math, biological/physical sciences, social sciences, fine arts, physical development/health
- No specific curriculum mandated—you choose how to teach each subject
- No standardized tests required; no specific grade-level benchmarks
- Language instruction must be in English
- High school students building transcripts should track credits and grades
- Flexibility is the feature: you can combine subjects, use project-based learning, or follow a structured program
Required Subject #1: Language Arts
What it includes: Reading, writing, speaking, listening, grammar, literature, and communication skills.
What the state expects:
- Students develop reading comprehension and fluency
- Students can write clearly and effectively
- Students understand grammar, spelling, and mechanics
- Students engage with literature and diverse texts
You DON’T need:
- Specific workbooks or textbooks
- Daily grammar exercises (though regular practice helps)
- Standardized reading levels (you assess what your child reads)
- Formal essay requirements (though they’re valuable)
How to teach it:
Elementary (K–5):
- Read-alouds from quality literature (30+ books/year is strong)
- Phonics or reading program (K–2): Starfall, Teach Your Child to Read, or structured curriculum
- Independent reading: library books at your child’s level
- Writing: journals, letters, simple stories, creative projects
- Copywork or handwriting practice (builds grammar and mechanics)
Middle school (6–8):
- Literature: read and discuss classics, novels, short stories, poetry
- Writing: paragraphs, essays, research papers, creative writing
- Grammar and mechanics: explicit instruction if needed, but focus on application
- Speaking: presentations, read-alouds, discussions
- Media literacy: evaluate texts, understand bias, analyze arguments
High school (9–12):
- Literature: world literature, American literature, Shakespeare, contemporary works
- Composition: essay writing, research papers, creative writing
- Speech/communication: presentations, debate, discussion
- Grammar and mechanics: embedded in writing, not isolated
- Media literacy and critical analysis
- Note: Track as course credits (English I, English II, etc.) with grades for transcripts
Free/low-cost resources:
- Khan Academy Literature & Writing
- Library books and read-alouds
- Project Gutenberg for classics
- Writing journals and prompts
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Required Subject #2: Mathematics
What it includes: Number sense, computation, problem-solving, algebra, geometry, measurement, data analysis, reasoning.
What the state expects:
- Age-appropriate math skills progression
- Problem-solving ability
- Real-world application of math concepts
You DON’T need:
- A specific curriculum (commercial or homemade works)
- Daily math worksheets (though practice helps retention)
- Timed tests or speed drills
- Advanced algebra before the child is ready
How to teach it:
Elementary (K–2):
- Number concepts and counting
- Basic addition and subtraction
- Place value and grouping
- Measurement and time
- Shapes and spatial reasoning
- Real-world practice: cooking, shopping, building, games
Elementary (3–5):
- Multiplication and division
- Fractions and decimals
- Multi-step problem-solving
- Measurement and geometry
- Data and simple graphing
- Money, time, real-world word problems
Middle school (6–8):
- Pre-algebra: integers, ratios, proportions
- Basic algebra concepts
- Geometry: area, volume, angles
- Data and probability
- Problem-solving and reasoning
- Real-world applications (discount calculations, scaling recipes, etc.)
High school (9–12):
- Algebra I & II
- Geometry
- Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus (optional, but needed for STEM)
- Statistics/AP Statistics
- Track as courses with grades for transcript and college admissions
Free/low-cost resources:
- Khan Academy Math (K–12): comprehensive, self-paced
- IXL (free tier for practice)
- LibreTexts Math (high school)
- OpenStax Algebra and Geometry (high school)
- Life-based math: cooking, budgeting, building projects
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Required Subject #3: Biological and Physical Sciences
What it includes: Biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, environmental science, life cycles, human body, forces and motion, energy.
What the state expects:
- Students understand scientific concepts
- Students engage in hands-on or inquiry-based learning
- Students apply science to everyday situations
You DON’T need:
- A formal lab course (though hands-on is excellent)
- Expensive lab equipment (kitchen science works)
- Dissection (alternative activities count)
- Specific textbooks
How to teach it:
Elementary (K–2):
- Life cycles and animals
- Plant growth
- Weather and seasons
- Simple physical properties (sink/float, hard/soft)
- Five senses
- Habitats and ecosystems
- Activities: nature walks, gardening, animal observation, simple experiments
Elementary (3–5):
- Life processes (growth, digestion, reproduction)
- Ecosystems and food chains
- Classification
- Simple machines (levers, pulleys, ramps)
- Earth systems (rocks, soil, water cycle)
- Weather and climate
- Human body systems
- Activities: experiments, field journals, nature projects, building challenges
Middle school (6–8):
- General science or integrated science covering:
- Life science (cells, genetics, evolution, ecology)
- Earth science (geology, weather, astronomy, oceanography)
- Physical science (forces, motion, energy, waves)
- Hands-on labs and investigations
- Scientific method and reasoning
High school (9–12):
- Biology (typically 9th): cells, genetics, ecology, evolution, organisms
- Chemistry (typically 10th): atomic structure, bonding, reactions, stoichiometry
- Physics (typically 11th): motion, forces, energy, waves, electricity
- Electives (Environmental Science, AP Biology, AP Chemistry, Anatomy & Physiology, Marine Biology)
- Track as full-credit courses with grades for transcript
- Lab component: hands-on experiments, demonstrations, field studies (formal lab course not required, but recommended for college-bound students)
Free/low-cost resources:
- Khan Academy Science (6–12)
- OpenStax Biology, Chemistry, Physics textbooks
- NOAA and NASA education resources
- Library science books and hands-on experiment guides
- YouTube science channels (Amoeba Sisters, Crash Course)
- Community museums, aquariums, zoos (field learning)
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Required Subject #4: Social Sciences
What it includes: History, civics, government, geography, economics, culture, and social studies.
What the state expects:
- Students understand their community and broader society
- Students learn history and develop civic knowledge
- Students understand geography and cultural differences
You DON’T need:
- A specific history scope and sequence (you choose coverage)
- Textbooks (though they can help)
- Formal standardized assessments
- Specific grade-level periods (though K–2 often local/community, 3–5 state/national, 6–8 world, 9–12 US/civics works well)
How to teach it:
Elementary (K–2):
- Community: family, school, neighborhood, local helpers
- Holidays and cultural celebrations
- Basic civics: rules, fairness, leadership
- Geography: maps, seasons, local landmarks
- Simple history: past vs. present, personal timeline
- Activities: community walks, interviews, holiday projects, map making
Elementary (3–5):
- Local and state history (Illinois history particularly relevant)
- Native American history and cultures
- US history: explorers, Native Americans, colonial America, independence, westward expansion
- Geography: regions, climate, resources, maps, compass skills
- Economics: needs vs. wants, simple trade and commerce
- Activities: historical projects, research, map studies, community service
Middle school (6–8):
- World history (or Ancient/Medieval/Modern divided by year)
- World geography and cultures
- Basic civics and government (local, state, national)
- Economics: supply and demand, trade, industries
- Social issues and current events
- Activities: research projects, debates, presentations, community connections
High school (9–12):
- US History I & II (or combined survey): colonial through modern
- World History: ancient through modern
- Civics and Government: US Constitution, branches, rights, responsibilities
- Electives: Economics, Psychology, Sociology, Geography, World Cultures
- Track as full-credit courses with grades for transcript
- Activities: research papers, primary source analysis, projects, service learning
Free/low-cost resources:
- Khan Academy History and Social Studies
- iCivics (civics and government education)
- Library of Congress Teaching Materials
- Smithsonian Collections and virtual tours
- State historical societies and museums
- Library history and biography books
- PBS Learning Media (documentaries and lessons)
- Illinois history resources: Lincoln sites, Cahokia Mounds, historical societies
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Required Subject #5: Fine Arts
What it includes: Visual arts, music, drama, dance, or media arts.
What the state expects:
- Students engage in artistic expression
- Students understand artistic elements and techniques
- Students appreciate diverse art forms
You DON’T need:
- An art teacher or musician in the home
- Expensive supplies
- Formal art instruction (though it can enhance)
- All five areas—you can focus on one or two
How to teach it:
All grades:
- Visual arts: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital art
- Resources: YouTube art instruction, library craft books, community art classes
- Music: singing, instrument learning, music appreciation, music theory
- Resources: YouTube instrument lessons, musictheory.net, library music guides
- Drama/theater: reading plays, performing, creative expression
- Resources: library plays, YouTube drama instruction, community theater participation
- Dance: creative movement, choreography, dance appreciation
- Resources: YouTube dance, GoNoodle, community dance classes
- Media arts: photography, video, digital design
- Resources: free software (Canva, DaVinci Resolve), YouTube tutorials
Simple approaches:
- Elementary: art projects (painting, collage, sculpture, crafts), sing-alongs, storytelling, creative movement
- Middle school: explore one art form deeper, learn basic skills, create projects
- High school: potential AP Art and Design or other arts courses; track as electives
Cost-effective fine arts:
- Library craft books and free YouTube instruction run $0–$50/year
- Community center art classes: $20–$50 per class
- Music lessons: $15–$30/week (can be group; many teachers offer discount packages)
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Required Subject #6: Physical Development and Health
What it includes: Physical education, fitness, health and wellness, nutrition, safety, disease prevention.
What the state expects:
- Students develop physical fitness
- Students understand health and wellness principles
- Students engage in regular physical activity
You DON’T need:
- A formal PE class
- Organized sports (though they count)
- A gym or equipment
- Specific fitness benchmarks
How to teach it:
All grades:
- Physical activity: daily movement, sports, games, dance, hiking, biking, swimming, home workouts
- Health education: nutrition, hygiene, disease prevention, mental health, safety, puberty/development (age-appropriate)
- Fitness: strength, flexibility, endurance, coordination (developed through activity, not testing)
Simple approaches:
- Elementary: daily outdoor play, family walks/hikes, dance, sports, games, simple health lessons (washing hands, nutrition, sleep)
- Middle school: organized sports or structured PE (home workouts, YouTube channels like GoNoodle, Cosmic Kids), health education on puberty, nutrition, stress management
- High school: organized sports, fitness routines, health course covering nutrition, disease prevention, mental health, relationships, safety (can be self-taught via free resources)
Free/low-cost resources:
- YouTube PE channels (GoNoodle, Cosmic Kids Yoga, home workouts)
- Family activities: hiking, biking, swimming, sports in parks
- Community recreation: parks departments offer low-cost sports programs
- Organized sports: YMCA, parks leagues, sports clubs ($50–$300/season)
- Free health education: health.gov, CDC education resources, Khan Academy Health and Medicine
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Combining and Integrating Subjects
Illinois doesn’t require isolated subjects. You can integrate them:
- History + language arts: read historical fiction, write research papers
- Science + math: data analysis, measurements, problem-solving
- History + fine arts: create art from a historical period, understand cultural traditions
- PE + health: team sports teach cooperation and health principles
Integration is efficient and often more engaging.
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Tracking and Documentation
You don’t need formal records, but tracking is wise:
- Elementary: keep a portfolio of work samples, reading list, simple grade sheet
- High school: maintain transcript with course name, grade, credit, date completed (critical for college)
- Attendance log: simple calendar noting school days (for your own reference)
More detail at Record Keeping and Portfolio.
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