What Reviewers Say

Reviewers consistently describe OpenUp Resources as a high-quality curriculum that emphasizes active student engagement. EdScoop notes that the math curriculum receives near-perfect scores for its usability and alignment with educational standards. According to Lemon8 (By Brigitte Danielle), the program provides comprehensive materials for math and language arts, prioritizing active learning over passive methods. Lemon8 (Life as Diana Danielle) highlights the effectiveness of the scripted teacher lessons and the inclusion of center-based, hands-on activities. However, Notion4Teachers points out that utilizing this free digital content requires a significant shift in teaching style. Rather than focusing on traditional worksheet completion, the curriculum demands a transition toward a problem-based model centered on student discussion. This structural difference may present a challenge for instructors accustomed to more conventional methods.

How It Works

A typical week begins with the parent accessing the digital Kiddom platform or teacher guide to review the "scripted" lesson plans. Instead of a lecture, the parent presents a "problem-based" scenario or a complex text, and the student spends 45–60 minutes engaging in discussion, hands-on center activities, or digital interactive tasks. For math, students often use the "Mr. Morgan’s Math Help" videos to reinforce the day's concepts. The child completes work in a physical workbook or digital PDF, but the core of the learning happens through the facilitated dialogue between parent and student.

Switching to This?

Open Up Resources does not provide a proprietary placement test, so families should generally start at the student's current public school grade level due to its tight alignment with national standards. Because the curriculum is unit-based, families can start mid-year, though they should review the scope and sequence to ensure previous units' concepts (like specific math strategies) aren't missed. Families switching from "traditional" programs like Saxon Math should expect a much higher emphasis on "why" a math problem works rather than just "how" to solve it.

Curriculum Details

Price

$0

Free OER core math and ELA curricula (Illustrative Math, EL Education); teacher-facing — adapt for home.

Grades

PRE-K - 12

Available As

Digital Print

Coverage

All subjects

Subjects

Reading/Language Arts Writing Math

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Pacing

Some flexibility

Parent Time

30-60 min/day

Student Independence

Semi-independent

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Academic Level

Grade level

Worldview

Secular

Engaging for Reluctant Learners

Yes

Parent Role:

The parent acts as a facilitator and discussion leader. While lessons are scripted, the curriculum requires the parent to move away from passive worksheet-checking toward active, problem-based dialogue with the student.

Videos

Reviews We Consulted

Updated: July 2026 by Claude (v2 research)

How This Compares

Illustrative Mathematics: Open Up Resources is a certified provider of the Illustrative Mathematics curriculum, offering it in a specific digital and print format. - EL Education: Open Up Resources uses the EL Education curriculum for its K–8 Language Arts, providing the same high-rigor content used in top-performing schools. - Saxon Math: Saxon Math focuses on incremental distribution and rote practice, whereas Open Up Resources prioritizes inquiry-based discovery and conceptual discussion. - Math-U-See: Math-U-See is a mastery-based program focused on specific operations, while Open Up Resources follows a standard-aligned grade-level progression with integrated concepts. - The Good and the Beautiful: The Good and the Beautiful is a religious, multi-subject curriculum with a gentler approach, while Open Up Resources is a secular, highly rigorous, and standards-focused program.

Getting Started