Homeschool Necessities
This one I had to really think about because the homeschool necessities will depend on (somewhat) on your homeschool style and the methods and curriculum you’ve chosen. The thing is that no matter what I always tell people the same basic things that I say are the homeschool must haves so I’ll give you my list (and my caveats).
Rather Listen?
Homeschool Necessities #1
Schedule or Routine. The thing is that no matter what your ideal homeschool might be – kids usually thrive on routine and/or schedule. This can look different for either different families, different kids in the family, or different days of the week.
I was VERY resistant to a strict schedule, but found my kids that have a hard time with time management do much better once they understand how they needed to be budgeting their time.
My little one’s schedule looks very different than my high schooler.
Our schedule changes daily, but our routine doesn’t.
Homeschool Necessities #2
Pencil Sharpener and Ticonderoga Pencils. Yes, I mentioned these pencils specifically for a reason – they are the best and will save you money and frustration. They sharpen without breaking and the lid doesn’t break every time you touch pencil to paper. This will help you hold on to as much of #8 (on this list of homeschool essential supplies) as possible. We’ve had the pencil sharpener for 5 years without ANY issues. #winning
Homeschool Necessities #3
Paper and notebooks, binders, hole punch, tape, binder & paper clips, and a stapler (why yes that is an oxford comma). The research is in. Kids learn best when they write things down. Technology is great and so is paper.
I consider these basic office supplies to make the magic happen. Keep all of these at a place where the kids will have easy access, but don’t be afraid to have a stash for the adult in the house. That way you will always know where at least one set of supplies can be found.
Homeschool Necessities #4
RULERS. For the love of all that is holy, buy a ruler every single time you go to the store for the entire back to school season. You will never be able to find the ruler when you need it – you will always need it.
Homeschool Necessities #5
Scissors. See ruler comment. This is an often misplaced object on the list of homeschool must haves. Keep a pair in your homeschool teacher supply drawer.
Homeschool Necessities #6
Various art supplies. Buy 5-10 times what you think you will need. Hide extras from the kids, but not from yourself (this is key).
- crayons
- markers
- colored pencils
- erasers
- paint
- glue
- glue sticks
- NOT GLITTER
- DID I MENTION NOT GLITTER?
- Misc – modeling clay, pipe cleaners, beads, popsicle sticks, etc.
Use glue sticks like currency. Teach glue stick use at the beginning of every year. Include other adults in the lesson.
It is true that if you jam the top on the glue stick while it is still elevated that the top will stick and pull the entire glue stick off of the base. No matter how many times we attempt this experiment the results are the same. Use our experience as a cautionary tale. I just bought 5 12 packs for our 1st grader alone.
Homeschool Necessities #7
Technology. All the technology is ideal. Before I get hate mail, I know that there are lots of famous homeschoolers that existed before technology. Abraham Lincoln was homeschooled before the internet and he turned out OK.
I am prehistoric and went to school before the internet was a big thing (anyone else remember microfilm?). I consider myself a well educated person and I can still say that the internet has made learning easier and more efficient.
Technology Homeschool Essential Supplies
- computer/Chromebook/tablet/phone – some device
- printer
- internet
Technology Extras
Homeschool Necessities #8
A plan. This is not the same thing as a schedule or routine. This is more about what you will be teaching/covering and not the schedule or rhythm of the day. This will look different depending on your style, method, curriculum choices, and ages of your kids AND all versions of the plan are valid. You know me – I say do what works for you.
Don’t know how to get started creating a homeschool plan? Check this out.
Homeschool Necessities #9
Good sense of humor, patience or at least grace for yourself and your kids, and a willingness to be flexible. My kiddos made sure I added patience. The idea here is that our kids will do what we model. If we get frustrated when things go wrong or we make a mistake, so will our kids. Try to take it all with a good sense of humor and learn the lesson from the flop or failure.
This idea of grace, humor, and flexibility will go a long way to help you have a happy homeschool. Not sure about cultivating the mindset of a happy homeschooler? I have a FREE ebook.
Homeschool Necessities #10
Coffee, chocolate, sweet tea, a community and any other (more appropriate) stress management. Working on a happy homeschool mindset will help with this one, but no matter how well you gather all of your essential homeschool supplies you will probably have a few stressful homeschool days. Figure out what made it stressful and think of your coping strategies before the stress hits. That way you probably won’t find yourself hiding in the closet eating chocolate – maybe.
Homeschool Essential Supplies
Keep in mind that the desire to homeschool (and of course your kids) are the most essential supplies. The rest are icing on the cake and we all know icing is delicious ;-).
