There’s no doubt about it – homeschooling is hard work.
Days are long. Stress levels run high. It feels like chaos sometimes reigns. However, you homeschool because you know it’s a labor of love – labor that will pay off greatly.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of tools to help bridge the gap between the chaos of the day-to-day and the eventual payoff down the road. Here’s a list of five homeschool resources you need for your at-home classroom!
1. Great Curricula
The foundation of any great education is its curriculum.
Young learners need curricula that are complete, engaging, thought-provoking, and thorough. There are plenty of wonderful options available to today’s homeschoolers.
The best curricula for you will vary depending on the needs of your learners. Homeschool Buyers Co-op, Classical Academic Press, and Calvert Education are all great places to find the learning option that works for your family.
2. Magnetic Whiteboard
You and your pupils will write – a lot. Save some paper (and money) by investing in a large, wall-mounted magnetic whiteboard.
This allows the children to see what you’re writing, and it also allows them infinite space for practice. Invest in a reliable whiteboard marker, too.
By opting for a magnetic whiteboard, you will also have a spot to hang posters, maps, or other visual learning devices (no tacks in the wall needed!).
3. Internet Access & Devices
Love it or hate it, the internet has changed the face of homeschooling. An entire world of knowledge is at our fingertips.
Introduce internet-connected learning gadgets like e-readers to your homeschooling. Use internet encyclopedias for research. Use it on your own to plan lessons.
Also, it’s key for today’s youth to grow up computer-savvy. Make keyboarding and online research skills a part of your teaching.
4. A Timer
This might seem silly, but snag an inexpensive kitchen timer.
Timers come in handy during tests, but they can also keep you on track during the day so that each lesson stays within its allotted time.
You could use a phone for timing, but phones tend to offer distractions where a kitchen timer won’t.
5. A Great Planner
If you homeschool, you need to a time-management master. Invest in a vital homeschool tool – a planner (or planning apps/software) and make your life easier.
Set aside time at the start of the week to plan each day. This way, you’ll have a handy visual reminder to reference as the week goes on. This helps to ensure you’re not caught off guard by doctors appointments, sports, or piano lessons.
Don’t forget: you can also use it pencil in time for yourself!
What Other Helpful Homeschool Resources Do You Recommend?
This list is just the start of the helpful gadgets and planners you’ll need as homeschool resources. If you’re a seasoned vet and have other tips, leave them as a comment below!
Check out the rest of our blog for additional educational resources today!