Homeschool Abbreviations with Links

I started this page many years ago based on the Well-Trained Mind homeschool abbreviations page, and wow! has it grown since then. Even though I am no longer homeschooling (how does the time go by so fast?), I’m still maintaining this page to help other homeschool parents, as I was helped by countless others.

Homeschool abbreviations resource for homeschool familiesIn addition to the homeschool abbreviations, I include curriculum links where applicable and do not have any ads, so you can browse around in peace. Also, I decided a curriculum should not be excluded simply because it doesn’t have a handy abbreviation. Just send me a brief description and link to get your favorite curriculum or resource added.

Click here to go straight to the Homeschool Abbreviations section

About the curricula links:  If I could not find a website for the curriculum, then I tried to include a link for the publisher.  I avoided the use of 3rd-party websites and, where I did use them,  identified them clearly as 3rd-party websites.  Sometimes it is hard to tell though, so please let me know if I accidentally used one without identifying it as such.

I intentionally do not include emoticons or generic internet abbreviations because there are already so many sites which have these and there are so many emoticons and abbreviations. My thinking is that the this page should focus on homeschool abbreviations, its area of expertise. YMMV, of course! 😀

Please contact me if you have any comments.

This page contains the following sections:

  • The Internet Abbreviations section contains links to sites with abbreviations, acronyms, and terms commonly used in the general Internet community.
  • The Emoticons (Smileys) section contains links to sites with emoticon definitions.
  • The Homeschool Abbreviations section has abbreviations, acronyms, and terms used in the homeschool community, but not commonly used in the general Internet community.

Internet Abbreviations

Emoticons (Smileys)

Homeschool Abbreviations

Abbreviation Definition
100EL Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons,” a reading instruction book
AAR, AAS All About Reading” and “All About Spelling
ACE Accelerated Christian Education
ACT American College Test,” a standardized test for entrance to some colleges and universities.
ADHD “Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder”
ADD “Attention-Deficit Disorder,” (ADHD is now preferred)
AFT American Federation of Teachers,” a large association of schoolteachers (NOT the same as the larger NEA), functioning as a labor union in states that permit collective bargaining
AG Analytical Grammar” or “activity guide”
AiG Answers in Genesis,” is “an apologetics (i.e., Christianity-defending) ministry”
AIG “Academically/Intellectually Gifted”
ALGF A Little Garden Flower,” a Waldorf based curriculum
ANWOA A New World of Adventure,” the second book in the Learning Adventures series
AO Alpha Omega,” a Christian curriculum publisher
AoPS Art of Problem Solving” publishes a mathematics curriculum specifically designed for high-performing math students ages 11-18 as well  as preparation materials for contests such as MATHCOUNTS and the American Mathematics Competitions.
ASL “American Sign Language”
ATAWA “A Trip Around the World,” published by Carson-Dellosa Publishing Company, Inc. (item # 0811)
ATIA Advanced Training Institute” (Bill Gothard)
ATTA “All Through the Ages,” published by Nothing New Press
AWOA A World of Adventure,” the first book in the Learning Adventures series
B4FIAR Before Five In a Row,” preschool literature-based curriculum published by Five in a Row
BA Beast Academy,” a project from the “math beasts” at Art of Problem Solving that providea a full, rigorous, and entertaining curriculum for aspiring math beasts in grades 2-5.
BB1, BB2 BigBook” (or “Big Book”) of Lively Latin, Volumes 1 & 2
BBOB “Big Book of Books,” published by Dinah-Might Activities. This book does not appear to be in print, but you might be able to find it through re-sellers. Other Big Books are available on Dinah Zike’s website.
BBOP “Big Book of Projects,” published by Dinah-Might Activities. This book does not appear to be in print, but you might be able to find it through re-sellers. Other Big Books are available on Dinah Zike’s website.
BF Beautiful Feet,” a Christian curriculum publisher
BFIAR Beyond Five-in-a-Row,” upper elementary literature-based curriculum, ages 8-12 published by Five in a Row
BFSU “Building Foundations of Scientific Understanding,” an elementary science curriculum developed by Bernie Nebel and published by Press for Learning.  Free support is available at  groups.yahoo.com/group/k5science and groups.yahoo.com/group/nebelselementaryeducation.
BHFHG “Bigger Hearts for His Glory,” published by “Heart of Dakota
BITM Blessed is the Man
BJ, BJU, BJUP Bob Jones University Press,” a Christian curriculum publisher
BP BiblioPlan for Families,” a literature-based history curriculum
BLHFHG “Beyond Little Hearts for His Glory,” published by “Heart of Dakota
BTS Building Thinking Skills,” published and sold by The Critical Thinking Company (for a time, sales were through a division called “Bright Minds,” but now sales are direct).
bump A term meaning that the message has been resubmitted without changes so that it will show up with newer posts.  Common in buy/sell forums.
CBD Christian Book Distributors,” mail-order book retailer in Massachusetts
CC (1) “Classical Composition

(2) “Classical Conversations

(3) “Community College”

CCC Christ-Centered Curriculum,” a Christian curriculum
CGC Considering God’s Creation,” a Christian science curriculum published by Eagle’s Wings
CHOW “Child’s History of the World,” by V.M. Hillyer
CK,
CKLA
Core Knowledge,” publisher of the NTK books (What Your Nth Grader Needs to Know). “Core Knowledge Language Arts,” a preschool through fifth grade language arts program. You can download it for free, or purchase pre-printed materials at Amplify
CLE Christian Light Education,” a K-12 curriculum published by Christian Light Publications
CLP (1) “Christian Liberty Press,” a Christian curriculum publisher(2) Christian Light Publications
CM “Charlotte Mason,” 19th-century British educator; her theories
CoFA Childhood of Famous Americans” series, published by Simon & Schuster.
CPM “college preparatory materials”
CQLA Character Quality Language Arts,” a language arts curriculum published by Training for Triumph.
CS “Christian school”
CSMP Comprehensive School Mathematics Program” may refer to either the name of a project that was responsible for developing curriculum materials or for the K-6 mathematics curriculum developed by that project
CW Classical Writing
CWP Challenging Word Problems” are supplemental materials for the Singapore Math curriculum , but they can be used with other math programs as well.
DG “Daily Grams,” daily grammar review workbooks used in the Easy Grammar curriculum
DITHOR Drawn Into The Heart of Reading, a Christian literature program for ages 7-15 (for use with multiple ages at the same time), published by Heart Of Dakota Publishing
DK Dorling Kindersley,” an illustrated reference provider.
DVT “Digital Video Tutor” (this abbreviation has several meanings, but this is the most likely meaning in the homeschool context, especially associated with Lial’s math curriculum)
DWC Drawing with Children
EA “Exploring America”
EEaH “Early Education at Home,” a curriculum guide for parents of preschoolers and kindergarteners; published by At Home Publications
EFTTC “English for the Thoughtful Child,” an elementary grammar text published by Greenleaf Press
EG Easy Grammar
EIL  (1) Essenitals in Literature — a literary analysis curriculum that features a student textbook/workbook combination with video instruction from teacher, Matthew Stephens presented on DVD over four units: fiction, nonfiction, novel, figurative language/poetry.

(2) Excellence in Literature — classic literature study guides for grades 8-12, plus context resources, including art, music, poetry, author biographies, critical essays, “and more”

EPGY Education Program for Gifted Youth,” Stanford University project offering multimedia computer-based distance-learning courses for K-college level.
ET EduTrack,” software for student progress tracking and reports to parents
ETA The most common meaning of this abbreviation is “Estimated Time of Arrival,” but in the context of the WTM forums, it may mean “Edited To Add,” an abbreviation used to indicate that a forum message was edited to add more information
ETC “Explode the Code,” series of phonics workbooks published by Educators Publishing Service
FAR Far Above Rubies,” Christian high school unit study curriculum for girls
FIAR Five In A Row,” lower elementary grades literature-based curriculum, ages 4-8 published by Five in a Row
FIIR, FIR For Instruction In Righteousness,” a Doorpost product
FF “First Form” is the first year of a grammar-based Latin curriculum published by Memoria Press; recommended for students who are beginning their Latin studies in 5th grade higher or  have completed Latina Christiana I but who are not ready for Henle (note that Latina Christiana II is being phased out)
FLL First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind,” written by Jessie Wise, published by Peace Hill Press
FM “Famous Men” of [Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, Modern Times], written by John H. Haaren and A. B. Polan.  This series is in the public domain and is available through various publishers such as Greenleaf Press, Memoria Press, and Yesterday’s Classics.
FUFI “Further Up and Further In,” a study based on C. S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia; published by Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum
GCB “Great Christian Books,” mail-order/retail bookstore in Maryland
GL Greenleaf,” usually as in “The GL Guide to …”
GLA Great Latin Adventures,” Latin curriculum for grades 4th-6th published by Classical Legacy Press.  The Great Latin Adventure takes a unique path through Latin grammar so that students do more translation, sooner. It includes extensive derivative worksheets and English-to-Latin translation. It’s explicitly Christian (mainly in the derivative work). Loose-leaf format.
GLP Greenleaf Press,” publisher of literature-based history study guides and books
GM Geography Matters,” publishers of Uncle Josh’s Outline Maps and other geography helps
GP Galore Park, UK publisher whose guiding principle of their books “is that they can be used by a pupil working alone.”  Curriculum includes the “So You Want to Learn …” foreign language series.
GSA Great Science Adventures
GSWL Getting Started With Latin,” a beginning Latin text designed for “homeschoolers and self-taught students of any age” which introduces one new word or idea in each chapter
GTG “Galloping the Globe,” published by Geography Matters
GWG Growing With Grammar
GWS Growing Without Schooling,” the oldest homeschooling magazine
HBJ “Harcourt, Brace & Javonovich,” now Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, a secular curriculum publisher (see also Wikipedia’s entry on Harcourt Trade Publishers)
HEM “Home Education Magazine”, a homeschooling magazine which operated from 1984 to approximately 2014
HFHTT “Hearts for Him Through Time,” published by “Heart of Dakota
HM Houghton Mifflin,” a curriculum publisher
HMSC “homeschool” (HMSC is useful as HS may be ambiguous)
HMSCing “homeschooling”
HMSCer “homeschooler”
HO History Odyssey,” study guides of the literature, historical events, and geography of given time periods.  Published by Pandia Press.
HOD Heart of Dakota,” a Christian homeschool publisher.
HOE Hands-on Equations,” invented by Dr. Henry Borenson
HOP Hooked on Phonics,” a commercial reading instruction curriculum
HOW Heart of Wisdom
HS (1) “high school”(2) “homeschool,” use HMSC to be unambiguous
HSing “homeschooling”
HSer “homeschooler” or “high schooler”
HSLDA Home School Legal Defense Association
HST (1) “Homeschool Tracker,” homeschool planning and record keeping software; HST may refer to either the free Basic version or the Plus version (see also HSTP)

(2) “Home Science Tools,” home science equipment supplies

HSTP Homeschool Tracker Plus,” homeschool planning and record keeping software; the Plus version contains additional features not found in the free Basic version
HSTUAC Home School Train Up a Child,” a mail list (unrelated to the book To Train Up a Child)
HTHL Here to Help Learning,” a writing program for grades 1-6
HTTA History Through the Ages,” timeline figures available in print or on CD.
HTTS How to Teach Spelling,” published by Educators Publishing Service, a comprehensive spelling curriculum for grades 1-12.
HWT, HWOT Handwriting Without Tears
IBLP Institute in Basic Life Principles” (Bill Gothard)
IEP Individualized Education Plan,” mandated for students in some categories by federal law, intended for all students under some planned implementations of outcome-based education
IEW Institute for Excellence in Writing
ILL “Intermediate Language Lessons,” by Emma Serl
IP Intensive Practice” are supplemental materials for the Singapore Math curriculum , but they can be used with other math programs as well.
IRA International Reading Association,” an organization of persons involved in reading instruction in schools
ISP “independent student program” (note that in the general Internet community, ISP is a common abbreviation for “Internet service provider”)
ITBS Iowa Test of Basic Skills,” a standardized achievement test given to schoolchildren, much like the Stanford Achievement Test; available through BJU Press Testing and Evaluation
JAG Junior Analytical Grammar
KAH “Training our Daughters to be Keepers At Home,” same as TOD
KBC Knowledge Box Central“, specializing in educational materials, including lap books, copy workbooks, note booking pages, games, etc.
KF Kingfisher,” a publisher
KISS KISS,” a free text-based, cummulative grammar curriculum for the 2nd through 11th grades
KOTF Keepers of the Faith
KQ Knowledge Quest,” publishers of historical outline maps and timelines
LA Learning Adventures” or “language arts”
LC Latina Christiana,” an elementary Latin series published by Memoria Press
LC1, LC2 Latina Christiana” Volumes I & II, an introductory Christian Latin curriculum for grades 4th-9th, published by Memoria Press; Volume II is being phased out and replace with First Forms for students who are in the 5th grade or higher or have completed Volume I but who are not ready for Henle
LCC “Latin-Centered Curriculum”
LCT Latin in the Christian Trivium,” a Protestant Christian 4-year high school Latin program; the series features a connected story about a Roman who finds Christ
LD “learning disabled”
LFBC Landmark Freedom Baptist Curriculum
LFC Latin for Children,” an elementary Latin series published by Classical Academic Press
LGTW “Learning Grammar Through Writing,” the grammar supplement to LLATL
LHFHG “Little Hearts for His Glory,” published by “Heart of Dakota
LHTH “Little Hands to Heaven,” published by “Heart of Dakota
LIA “Life in America”
LL Lively Latin,” a colorful 2-volume Latin program for grades 3rd-6th (see also BB1 and BB2) that includes history, art, and more
LLAL Learning Language Arts Through Literature,” (more information under LLATL)
LLATL Learning Language Arts Through Literature,” language arts curriculum using excerpts from literature as the foundation for all aspects of language; published byCommon Sense Press
LLB “Living Learning Books,” an elementary science curriculum based on the WTM cycle
LMS “Listen My Son,” a Christian unit study curriculum for high school boys
LoE The “Logic of English” series provides “multi-sensory systematic phonics instruction through a method that has been scientifically proven to be effective.”
LOL Lifestyle of Learning,” a free monthly newsletter discussing the topics in WWOL (note that in the general Internet community, LOL is a very common abbreviation for “laughing out loud” and more)
LP Latin Prep, published by Galore Park.
LR, LRTEG Latin Road to English Grammar,” a 3 year Latin program “designed to begin as early as 5th grade”.
LTL, ELTL, RLTL, HLTL Lessons Through Literature” programs designed to “take your child from learning to read and write to advanced lessons in grammar and composition”: English Lessons through Literature (formerly Language Lessons Through Literature), Reading Lessons Through Literature, and Handwriting Through Literature.
MC Meaningful Composition,” a writing curriculum published by Training for Triumph.
MCP Modern Curriculum Press,” a curriculum publisher
MCT Michael Clay Thompson” language arts curriculum (grammar, vocabulary, poetry and writing) published by Royal Fireworks Press.  Special homeschool packagesare available.
MEP Mathematics Enhancement Programme,” a free British math curriculum
MFW My Father’s World
MkMM Making Math Meaningful,” a commercial mathematics curriculum, not to be confused with the one below with the almost identical name
MM Math Mammoth,” fully reproducible math workbooks and worktexts for grades 1-12 developed by Maria Miller.
MMdM “Math Made Meaningful,” a commercial mathematics curriculum, not be confused with the one above with the almost identical name
MME Math Made Easy
MMM Making Math Meaningful” or “Math Made Meaningful”, two DIFFERENT commercial mathematics curricula, with almost identical names. Use MkMM or MMdM instead of MMM to be clear.
MODG “Mother of Divine Grace” School, a “Catholic Distance Education Program based on Laura Berquist’s Designing Your Own Classical Curriculum.”
MP Memoria Press,” a publisher of classical Christian education materials.
MOH “Mystery of History,” published by Bright Ideas Press
MOTH “Managers of Their Homes”
MPH My Pals are Here,”  Singapore Math science curriculum, grades 3-6.
MUS Math-U-See,” a commercial mathematics curriculum
MWM Moving With Math
MWS “My World Science,” an elementary science curriculum for homeschoolers that is no longer publishing.
NAEP National Assessment of Education Progress,” a testing program in reading, writing, math, and science conducted by ETS for the federal government
NCTE National Council of Teachers of English,” a professional association that has established guidelines for English curricula
NCTM National Council of Teachers of Mathematics,” a professional association that has established guidelines for math curricula
NEA National Education Association,” founded in the 19th Century, now the largest association of schoolteachers, functioning as a labor union in states that permit collective bargaining
NHEN National Home Education Network
NL “newsletter”
NWI National Writing Institute“, publishers of Writing Strands and Reading Strands
OBE “outcome-based education,” a program of purported school reform (variously described as principally a management reform or principally a curriculum reform) already mandated in several states, in experimental implementation in various places
OM Oak Meadow,”  homeschool curriculum and school
OP “Original Poster” (this abbreviation may be specific to the WTM forums)
OPG, OPGTR, TOPG, TOPGTR The Ordinary Parent’s Guide to Teaching Reading,” written by Jessie Wise, published by Peace Hill Press
PAL Primary Arts of Language,” a K-2 reading and writing program based on Anna Ingham’s award-winning Blended Sound-Sight System of Learning, published by the “Institute for Excellence in Writing” (IEW)
PFRAS Phonics for Reading and Spelling,” by Bonnie Dettmer, published by Lakemere Publishing (formerly published by Small Ventures)
PHFHG “Preparing Hearts for His Glory,” published by “Heart of Dakota
PHP Peace Hill Press,” publisher of The Well-Trained Mind and other books for classical education
PL Prima Latina,” an introductory Christian Latin curriculum for grades K-3, published by Memoria Press
PLL “Primary Language Lessons,” written by Emma Serl, published by Lost Classics Book Company
PP (1) “Prairie Primer,” unit-study curriculum based on the Little House series of books, published by Cadron Creek Christian Curriculum

(2) “Phonics Pathways,” a reading and spelling curriculum published by Dorbooks

PR Phonics Road” to Spelling and Reading, a “complete 4-year language arts curriculum beginning as early as kindergarten.”
PS “public school”
PSS “public school system”
PZ Phonetic Zoo,” spelling program developed by the Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW).
R&S “Rod & Staff,” a Christian curriculum publisher (to place orders or to get information, call 606-552-4348; may also be ordered on-line through the Anabaptist Bookstore or through Milestone Ministries)
R.E.A.L. Read, Explore, Absorb, and Learn Science
RGAA “Remembering God’s Awesome Acts,” by Susan Mortimer, published by Eagles Wings
RGCC “Remembering God’s Chosen Children,” by Susan Mortimer, published by Eagles Wings
RME Reading Made Easy,” by Valerie Bendt
RR “Reading Reflex,” by Carmen and Geoffrey McGuinness, published by Free Press
RS (1) “Rainbow Science,” written by Dr. Durell Dobbins, published by Beginnings Publishing House

(2) RightStart Mathematics, a K-4 math curriculum developed by Dr. Joan A. Cotter, who also developed the AL Abacus

RS4K “RealScience for Kids,” published by Gravitas Publications
RSO Real Science Odyssey,” published by Pandia Press
RTR Rome to Reformation,” published by My Father’s World.
SAT (1) “Scholastic Aptitude Test,” a test used for college entrance published by Educational Testing Service

(2) “Stanford Achievement Test,” an achievement test used in primary and secondary grades to evaluate student progress, published by Harcourt Assessment

Saxon Saxon Publishers“, a secular math, science, and phonics curriculum publisher
SE “Simply English,” written by Laurie Hicks, published by Shoe Lace Books. Appears to have been replaced by “Simply Language Arts.”
SG Simply Grammar,” written by Karen Andreola, published by Charlotte Mason Research and Supply
SL Sonlight,” a homeschool curriculum
SLA Simply Language Arts,” written by Laurie Hicks, published by Shoe Lace Books.
SM Singapore Math
SN “Simply Numbers,” written by Laurie Hicks, published by Shoe Lace Books. No longer in print.
S/O In addition to common internet meanings such as “significant other”, it may also mean “springing off” or “spinning off” and is used to indicate that a new thread is inspired by or “springing/spinning off” another thread.
SOS Switched on Schoolhouse, published by Alpha Omega Publications
SOT School of Tomorrow,” published by Accelerated Christian Education (ACE)
SOTW The Story of the World,” a four-volume history series written by Susan Wise Bauer, published by Peace Hill Press
SOW Student of the Word,” a K-12 Bible-centered homeschool curriculum
SP Simply Phonics,” written by Laurie Hicks, published by Shoe Lace Books
SS Sequential Spelling,” published by AVKO Educational Research Foundation
SSL Song School Latin,” published by Classical Academic Press, a “playful and light” introduction to Latin, designed for kindergarten through the second grade.
SSRW Sing, Spell, Read, & Write,” phonics and reading program, published by Pearson Learning Group / Modern Curriculum Press
SV Steck-Vaughn,” a secular curriculum publisher
SWB “Susan Wise Bauer”, co-author of The Well-Trained Mind
SWI Student Writing Intensive,” published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.
SWO Spelling Workout,” published by Pearson Learning Group / Modern Curriculum Press
SWR Spell to Write and Read
SWS Soaring with Spelling,” refers to “Soaring with Spelling and Vocabulary,” a K-8 spelling curriculum published by JacKris Publishing.
SYRWTLF, SYRWTLS, SYRWTLL “So You Really Want to Learn French/Spanish/Latin,” a foreign language curriculum published by Galore Park
TATRAS “Teach America To Read And Spell,” written by Frank Rogers, published by Vertical Phonics
TC Treasured Conversations,” writing instruction through guided analysis
TH The Teaching Home,” a homeschooling magazine
TOD “Training Our Daughters to Be Keepers at Home,” a Christian curriculum with a home economics emphasis, written by Craig Ward, published by Smiling Heart Press
TOG Tapestry of Grace,”
TT Teaching Textbooks,” a multi-media math curriculum
TQ TruthQuest,” a literature-based history study
TUAC (1) “To Train Up A Child,” written by Michael Pearl, published by Church at Cane Creek / No Greater Joy Ministries

(2) “Home School Train Up a Child,” a mail list unrelated to the book above; use HSTUAC to be clear

TWSS Teaching Writing: Structure & Style,” a teacher instruction course published by the Institute for Excellence in Writing.
US “unit studies”
USB Usborne,” a publisher;
VP Veritas Press
W&M “William and Mary” curriculum targeted to the gifted K-12 student; developed by the “Center for Gifted Education” at the College of William and Mary.
WEM, TWEM The Well-Educated Mind,” written by Susan Wise Bauer, published by Peace Hill Press
WP Winter Promise,” a history curriculum based on “literature, activities, and memories”
WRTR “Writing Road to Reading,” published by Spalding Education International
WS Writing Strands,” writing curriculum designed for preschool through high school; written by Dave Marks, the founder of National Writing Institute (NWI)
WT Writing Tales,” writing curriculum designed for use in homeschool or co-op settings for 3rd through 5th graders.
WTM, TWTM The Well-Trained Mind,” written by Susan Wise Bauer and Jessie Wise, published by Peace Hill Press
WWE Writing with Ease,” Susan Wise Bauer’s writing-instruction series designed for elementary-aged writers and older students who still struggle; published by Peace Hill Press
WWOL Wisdom’s Way of Learning,” a book by Marilyn Howshall
WWW Winning with Writing ,” a 1st-8th grade writing program
YRS “year-round schooling”
n/a Anatomy Now provides medically accurate anatomical models, medical charts, reference materials and training aids for students.
n/a A Guide to Online Homeschooling“; although the site is geared toward online education, this resource provides a very nice overview for parents considering homeschooling
n/a Phonemic Awareness: Games and activities to prepare children for learning to read; also called Pre-Phonics. For more information, please visit SightWords.com.