Must-Have Homeschool
The essential tools and materials that make homeschooling a breeze. I have this divided into subjects!
Math
Here are materials that can help you feel confident homeschooling your child in math.
Number sense is crucial to success in math and no matter how advanced your kid is, they need a concrete understanding of how our base 10 system works. Manipulatives like this are crucial to success!
Ten frames seem to silly and useless but they are such an easy way to develop a strong foundation in number sense. If your child doesn't have a good number sense then all future math will be a struggle. This is great for understanding how numbers com...
Kids won’t even realize they’re learning. This is such a fun game for them. And honestly, us adults like it too!
These are fantastic to take to co-ops or group classes.
You will always lose rulers--but now you don't have to worry about it! Also great for co-ops or group classes.
If your child is struggling with long division, you NEED this! It will take away sloppiness as a stumbling block and help them to understand the standard algorithm so much better!
Hands on manipulatives are a MUST for any age! These are so versatile. They can be counters but they can also be paired with pipe cleaners and make excellent fine motor activities for preschoolers.
For your older kids who always ask, “When will I ever use this??” Well, here ya go!
A must have for when you need to trick them into doing school…they don't even realize they're practicing their facts!
Simple yet effective. Great game to send when they go to Grandma's house!
Super versatile manipulative!
Great for fluency practice!
Save your printer ink and get this book for fluency practice… but don't push fluency practice until your child is READY!
I am NOT a fan of high stress multiplication practice…but I am a fan of saving printer ink cause that stuff is expensive! If your child thrives with a challenge, go for the timer…but otherwise, just let 'em practice and then record their time. Then the next time their goal is just to beat their own time. That way they are competing against themselves and not a clock!
Reading
Reading is crucial, but don't rush it! Your child will read when they are ready. Keep it fun!
Perfect for preschoolers who want to "do school" like their older siblings.
Coming up with fun reading ideas can be exhausting. Especially for little ones with small attention spans. This is a great book to help with that!
Let your little one be an author and make their very own book. So fun!!
Don't limit this to just kids learning how to read. This is great for readers who need a confidence boost. Perfect for older kids to read to younger siblings!
These books are so goofy kids don’t even realize they’re learning to read!
Anything Zingo is a winner in this house!
Simple yet effective. Love Bob books for fluency practice!
Fantastic resource. Open and go for reading instruction.
OMG! I wish I knew there was a WIPEABLE workbook to go with my obsession with BOB books! This is GREAT for car rides!
Science
I believe science should be as hands on as possible!
Love this!
So much fun. Must order the caterpillars but this comes with a free code for them.
Easily could be a yearlong project!
Help kids understand their own bodies.
Millennials! If you don't buy this for your kids then buy it for yourself. BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY! I had no idea this even existed. This will be my next science purchase!
This is not super academic…but this could be such a fun closing activity after a study on shark. Warning: very messy! My tip--let them break these apart on a cookie sheet!
Don't fall for the trap that kits like this are easy and the kids can do them unsupervised. It's just not true! A lot of kits do need supplmented… but this one is pretty solid! If your childs much younger than 12/13 you may have to guide them, but it's a super fun kit!
History/Social Studies
So important and often overlooked in public school. The best method is to follow your child's interest!
Is your child expressing interst in Roman history? This could be a great starting point! Use this as a GUIDE!
Helps kids know about their own country! Many adults can't name all the states…
Black history is American history. Study it all year around!
Just for Fun!
Because sometimes the educational goal is just to have fun!
This thing is amazing!!! Tracing is great not only for eye tracking but hand eye coordination as well. Plus, it gives the young artists a huge feeling of accomplishment when they create such a great picture. The cartridges are great but there's also ...
Writing
You can never have enough of these. Perfect for the car, church, restaurant, or just a boring hot summer day. All ages love these to doodle. Side note--they go on sale a lot!
Don't rush writing! But if your child is ready, this is a great starting point.
Tremendously helpful for establishing a good pencil grip but also for correcting a bad habit that may have already developed.
Reluctant writer? This will get them writing! And laughing!
Ticonderoga is the absolute hands down best pencil ever. You will SAVE money by getting these because they won't break as easy. I promise--as a teacher of 10 years…these are the cadillac of pencils!
Pre-sharpened…need I say more?! Just trust me on this.
New writer? Struggling with pencil grip? Sloppy handwriting? These are fantastic! And unlike grippers--they can't get lost or chewed up (well, I guess the pencils could be chewed….)
Bible Studies
The absolute best Bible studies for the entire family. They have preschool all the way to adult Bible studies.
Books for the Homeschool PARENT to read!
Your child is perfect and autistic. Your child isn't the one that has to change--it's how you approach them. This really helped me when we first received our diagnosis to realize that the things he did that I didn't understand wasn't a reflection of...
A homeschool association did this as a book club last year and I really enjoyed it. If you're a Christian, it lines up with those beliefs. But even if you are not, it's still got some solid advice for new homeschooling parents.
Christy Faith is an AMAZING homeschool resource. Her book will open your eyes and make you wonder why public school operates the way that it does. Bonus--someone in your life that is against you homeschooling? If they are willing, have them read t...