I do not know much about your questions, but thank God for God honoring sources. I asked perplexity.ai (my recourse);
Response:
Short answers:
McGuffey Readers: 6 original graded readers, plus associated primers/spellers in various “eclectic” editions.
Ray’s Arithmetics: 8 core volumes in the standard school set; 30+ if you include all higher math and teacher keys.
Thalheimer history: Yes, some homeschoolers still use them, especially via the Eclectic Education Series / Dollar Homeschool.
Brief detail:
1. How many McGuffey Readers?
Historically, the McGuffey Eclectic Readers proper are:
Primer (often counted separately)
First Reader
Second Reader
Third Reader
Fourth Reader
Fifth Reader
Sixth Readerwikipedia+2
So people sometimes speak of 6 readers (1st–6th) or 7 books (Primer + 6 readers). Modern homeschool reprints package them in different sets:
Mott Media’s 8‑volume set includes:
Eclectic Primer
Pictorial Eclectic Primer
Progressive Speller
First, Second, Third, Fourth Readers
Parent‑Teacher Guide[mottmedia]
So: 6 core readers, but depending on how you count primers/spellers, sets range from 6–8 volumes.
2. How many Ray’s Arithmetic books?
Two ways to count:
Basic school series (what most homeschoolers mean): an 8‑volume set, e.g. Mott Media’s “Ray’s Arithmetics – 8 Volume Set”:[mottmedia]
New Primary Arithmetic
New Intellectual Arithmetic
New Practical Arithmetic
Key to New Arithmetics
New Test Examples in Arithmetic
New Higher Arithmetic
Key to New Higher Arithmetic
Parent‑Teacher Guide
Complete historical Ray’s series (original Eclectic Education Series):
One publisher notes 38 books total if you include all answer keys, higher math (algebra, geometry, trig, analytic geometry, calculus), and applied math (navigation, astronomy, bookkeeping, physics, logic).anniekateshomeschoolreviews+1
So: 8 core Ray’s Arithmetics in the homeschool set; ~38 volumes in the full historical math line.
3. Do homeschool parents use Thalheimer history?
Yes, though it’s a niche, classics‑oriented subset.
Mary Elsie Thalheimer wrote 19th‑century histories used in the Eclectic Education Series: A History of England, A History of the United States, etc.[onlinebooks.library.upenn]
Dollar Homeschool and similar sites explicitly recommend Thalheimer for Christian homeschoolers, noting she wrote from a Christian perspective, treating the Bible as historically factual.[dollarhomeschool]
Some classical/Charlotte Mason‑style homeschoolers still use these as spine texts, but they’re far from mainstream compared to, say, Notgrass, BJU, Abeka, or Story of the World.
So: Yes, some homeschoolers today still use Thalheimer’s histories, mainly via reprints in the Eclectic Education Series / Dollar Homeschool.
. What other authors or books do Christian home schoolers recommend?
Here are the most commonly recommended authors and books for Christian homeschoolers, drawn from 2025–2026 curriculum guides, reviews, and homeschool blogs:
1. Core Curriculum Publishers
These companies make complete K–12 programs:
Abeka (textbook‑based, video lessons; strong phonics/math)
BJU Press (beautiful textbooks, video courses, accredited)
Apologia (award‑winning science from biblical worldview)
My Father’s World (mission‑focused, family‑style, geography‑heavy)
Master Books (creationist science, young earth emphasis)
Notgrass History (narrative history, literature‑based)
The Good and the Beautiful (beautifully designed, affordable, Charlotte Mason vibe)
Sonlight (literature‑based, read‑alouds, missions focus)
Answers in Genesis (creation science, young earth)numaschool+1
2. Literature & History (Living Books)
Classics used across curricula:
D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, Abraham Lincoln, Pocahontas (beautiful illustrated bios for younger kids)
G.A. Henty (50+ adventure novels set in real history; e.g., Winchester Revolt, For the Temple)
Story of the World (4 volumes by Susan Wise Bauer)
A Child’s History of the World (Virginia Hillyer)
Trial and Triumph (Richard Hanawalt; church history stories)
George Washington’s World, Augustus Caesar’s World (Frances Foster; concurrent world history)
The Landmark History of the American People series
Christian Heroes: Then & Now (Janet & Geoff Benge; missionary bios)simplycharlottemason+2
3. Math
Saxon Math (incremental mastery)
Math‑U‑See (video, manipulatives, mastery)
RightStart Math (hands‑on, Asian methods)
Singapore Math (conceptual, problem‑solving)
Ray’s Arithmetic (classic, as you asked)aliciamichelle+1
4. Science
Apologia (Exploring Creation with … series: Astronomy, Botany, Zoology, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Answers in Genesis God’s Design series
Master Books Young Explorer series
Novare Science (rigorous high school; physics, chemistry)wanderhomeschooling+1
5. Bible & Worldview
Answers Bible Curriculum (creation focus)
Grapevine Studies (drawing‑based for kids)
Keep Thy Heart (Not Consumed)
Generations Christian Classics (Augustine, Bunyan, Knox)
Cultural Issues (Kevin Swanson; worldview analysis)sites.generations+1
6. Phonics/Reading
All About Reading / All About Spelling
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons
Alpha‑Phonics
McGuffey Readers (classic, as you asked)[aliciamichelle]
7. Writing/Grammar
IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) – Structure & Style
Writing with Ease (Susan Wise Bauer)
Rod & Staff Grammar (excellent, affordable)
Winston Grammar (hands‑on)[numaschool]
8. Classical / Charlotte Mason
My Father’s World (CM + missions)
Ambleside Online (free CM; public domain books)
Classical Conversations (community, memory work)
Memoria Press (Latin, logic, Great Books)wanderhomeschooling+1
9. Other Popular Supplements
Beautiful Feet Books (literature‑based history/science)
Veritas Press (classical, history cards)
Timberdoodle (eclectic kits, STEM toys)
Wild + Free (nature study, Charlotte Mason)[numaschool]
Trend: Christian homeschoolers lean toward literature‑rich, family‑style programs (Sonlight, My Father’s World) or creationist science (Apologia, Master Books), with classics like Henty, D’Aulaires, McGuffey, and Ray’s as supplements. Many mix publishers (“eclectic”).brighterdaypress+2
We’ve had foreign missionaries in our churches and homes for my entire life.
Since Abeka has been around, most of the missionaries use that for school when on the mission field. Smart, smart kids! (They’re also mature and polite with amazing social skills — but that isn’t the subject here.)
bookmark.