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I’m New to Homeschooling & These Are the Things I’m Buying to Survive It
28
items First year homeschooling K, 1st & 6th—so this is me trying to prep without panicking. A mix of what’s in my cart, what I’ve already grabbed, and what I’ve researched that moms swear by.
Sections
2
Curriculum I’m Trying First
Organization: School Within Reach
Curriculum I’m Trying First
I’m so excited to attempt this as our family history curriculum! It’s seriously beautiful…like coffee table book level!! We’ll read it together, then I’ll adjust assignments by grade. It covers maps, timelines, hands-on projects… and I love that we c...
From Adam to Us – Notgrass History (Full Family Set)
I’m attempting to do this one as a group subject with all three of my kids—K, 1st, and 6th grade. I picked it because it’s faith-based, hands-on, and something we can explore together (in theory)
Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology – Apologia Science
This is the junior version of the notebooking journal that goes with Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology. I’m using this with my kindergartener and 1st grader since it’s designed for younger students. It seems to be a subject where...
Anatomy Junior Notebooking Journal
This is the regular notebooking journal that pairs with Exploring Creation with Human Anatomy & Physiology. I’m using it with my 6th grader to help him go deeper while we do science as a group.
Apologia Human Anatomy – Notebooking Journal (6th grade)
Planning to use this with both my kindergartener and 1st grader. It looks like a solid phonics foundation for my kindergartner and a confidence-building review for my 1st grader before we jump into the “Reading 1” workbook set I also linked in this l...
Christian Light “Learning to Read” – Student Pack
This goes with the full “Learning to Read” phonics set from Christian Light. I’m using it to help guide both my kindergartener and 1st grader. I wanted something that would walk me through the lessons clearly without a ton of prep and guesswork; this...
Learning to Read 101-105 Teacher's Guide
For my kindergartener to keep math simple and hands-on. It includes both the teacher guide and student workbook, so I don’t have to guess what to do each day. I’ve heard it’s gentle, engaging, and a great way to build confidence with numbers from the...
Kindergarten Math with Confidence Bundle
I grabbed this for my 1st grader after seeing it recommended as a gentle, open-and-go math curriculum. Perfect for new homeschool moms like me who want structure without stress.
First Grade Math Confidence - Guide & Workbook
Using this for my kindergartener as our intro to handwriting. I wanted something that focused on proper letter formation and phonics without being overwhelming and this looked like the perfect gentle start. (Will be experimenting between this curricu...
Logic of English – Foundations A Student Workbook (Manuscript for K & Cursive for 1st)
This goes with both the manuscript and cursive workbooks. I’ll be using it to guide both my kindergartener and 1st grader through Foundations A. I will work with them this summer to see if I like this or the Christian Light best for my kindergartener...
Logic of English – Foundations A Teacher’s Manual
Ordered this to go with the 1st Grade Christian Light reading set. I’ve heard it’s super helpful for guiding discussions and breaking things down simply. It was recommended as a must-have as a first-time homeschooler.
Christian Light 1st Grade Reading – Teacher’s Guide (I Wonder)
These are the student books that go with the “I Wonder” Reading 1 series. Grabbing this for my 1st grader and hoping it builds strong reading habits without needing a ton of prep on my end.
Christian Light 1st Grade Reading – Student Workbooks (I Wonder Series)
These are the student books for Christian Light’s 6th grade “A Call to Courage” reading series. Using this with my son to help strengthen reading comprehension and critical thinking through a faith-based lens. I liked that it’s laid out in a structur...
Christian Light 6th Grade Reading – Student Workbooks (A Call to Courage)
This is the teacher’s guide for the 6th grade “A Call to Courage” reading series from Christian Light. I’m using this with my son for our first year homeschooling, and I wanted something that would walk me through the questions and discussions clearl...
Christian Light 6th Grade Reading – Teacher’s Guide (A Call to Courage)
This is the teacher’s guide for Christian Light’s 6th grade Language Arts program. I’m using it to help me stay organized with grammar, writing, and spelling lessons. As a new homeschooler, I wanted a guide that clearly walks me through each lesson w...
Christian Light 6th Grade Language Arts – Teacher’s Guide
These are the student books for Christian Light’s 6th grade Language Arts program. I was recommended this because it’s supposed to feel structured without overcomplicating things.
Christian Light 6th Grade Language Arts – Student Workbooks
I signed up to use it with my 6th grader. I kept seeing it recommended for the short, to-the-point lessons and the option to pause or replay when something doesn’t click. Bonus: one subscription gives access to all grade levels, so my younger kids ca...
CTC Math – Online Math Program (6th Grade)
This is the teacher’s guide for the Phonics Zoo spelling program from IEW. I haven’t used it yet, but I chose it because it’s designed to be self-paced and audio-based for spelling.
Phonics Zoo – Teacher’s Notes (IEW Spelling)
It’s giving tiny farmer meets baby entrepreneur. My kids get to grow a pretend garden, learn business basics, and build their own CSA—all while low-key learning science, marketing, and life skills. I’m kind of obsessed!
The Little Market Garden Unit Study
Organization: School Within Reach
I’m not trying to turn our home into a school - I just want it to still feel like home while also working for learning. I’m keeping things simple, functional, and easy to grab so the kids don’t feel like they live in a classroom, and I don’t feel lik...
Each kid’s getting one of these to keep their work together - especially for school on the go. It’s cute, easy to carry.
Portable Expanding File Folder
I’m using this to keep our most-used ELA and math “rule of thumb” guides (for things like grammar rules, place value, punctuation, and writing structure etc.) It’s perfect for quick reminders without needing to dig through books or worksheets.
Quick-Grab Reference Tool for ELA & Math Basics
The built-in mouse pad and wrist rest is a win especially for my son who’s doing online math. It gives him the flexibility to be on the go without needing a full desk setup.
Lap Desk + Wrist Rest & Mouse Pad
I love this because it lets us do school anywhere - the couch, the floor, outside etc. + Being able to store and carry our supplies from point A to point B is a huge perk, especially when we’re bouncing between spaces throughout the day.
Foldable + Portable Lap Desk with Storage
perfect for me to plan out our day, but also great for writing out my son’s agenda. He is more independent with his work, and having everything listed clearly helps him stay on track.
Because My Brain Has Tabs Open & Needs Directions
keeping subjects or projects separate without juggling a bunch of notebooks. Simple, organized, and easy to flip to what we need
Subject Notebook with Repositionable Dividers
and somehow crayons, pencils, pens and markers still get lost… hahaha but I do love this one!
Large Art Caddy / Storage Organizer
Simple way to keep notebooks, folders, and loose papers organized and upright. Each kid gets one so their stuff doesn’t end up all over the place.
Workbook Storage
I don’t use the full Spelling Power program, but I’m using their study and test format. This record book is perfect for keeping everything in one place and tracking progress over time.
Spelling Test Notebook