Undertaking homeschooling for the first time, whether a calculated, long thought out decision or if being thrown into it thanks to a global pandemic, can feel overwhelming at best.
As a homeschooler of almost 7 years who has covered preK through middle school (all at the same time, even!) who has made a lot of mistakes along the way with 4 kids who are completely different humans and learners, I am finally starting to feel like I know how to homeschool successfully.
These are 100+ of my best homeschooling tips, links, curriculum, processes, products, and more:
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10 Tips for Successful Homeschooling
from the Start
- Homeschool is not traditional school at home
- The only thing you really need to homeschool is Flexibility
- You don’t have to do it all
- There is no right or wrong way to homeschool
- Get very comfortable and familiar with the rules
- Keep track from the start
- The two most important questions to answer before picking curriculum
- All-in-one is not always best
- Homeschooling doesn’t have to be expensive
- Get social
11 of Our Favorite Secular Elementary
Curriculum Resources - MCP Mathematics
- Explode the Code
- Sequential Spelling
- Voyages in English
- Comprehension Plus
- Language Arts Handbook
- Winning with Writing
- Big Ideas through History
- Science by the Grade
- Core Skills: Science
- Spectrum Common Core
5 Simple Ways to Save Money
on Homeschooling
- Go to the library
- Buy used books
- Visit the dollar store
- Keep an eye out for Bundle Sales
- Watch for other sales and special promotions
6 Simple Items for Homeschool Success
- A Plan
- Dry erase boards and markers
- Teaching board (easel, table-top, or poster)
- Display board
- Organization
- Blocks
4 Steps for Meeting the
Common Core Standards
- Get the standards
- Match each benchmark to daily work
- Track progress and standards met
- Assess mastery of each standard
4 Different Methods for Keeping and
Managing Homeschool Records
- Stickers
- Check sheets
- Teacher Planner
- Portfolio and Recording keeping sheets
- Homeschooling Weekly Scheduler
10 Fun Ways to Teach History
- Build It
- Read Aloud Historic Texts
- Map It
- Play Games
- Create It
- Introduce Historical Fiction
- Write About It
- Watch Movies
- Cook It
- Visit Museums and Historic Sites
Click each idea to learn more…
4 Things to Try when your Homeschool Math
Program isn’t Working
- Assess, Assess, Assess!
- Try a new approach
- Get hands on
- Make it a game
7 Ways to Teach Elementary Science
Concepts without a Curriculum
- Reference a science encyclopedia
- Have basic science tools available
- Buy science kits or a monthly subscription
- Explore outside
- Visit museums, zoos, and nature centers
- Use online resources
- Learn science songs or poems
6 Steps for Teaching Early Reading Skills
- Learn the ABCs
- Work on Letter Sounds
- Learn Sight Words
- Build Fluency
- Start Spelling Practice
- Read, read, read, read, read!
4 Ways to Teach the ABCs
- Sing the song
- Make a picture alphabet
- Play the ABC game
- Read ABC books
11 Ways to Encourage Writing
- Publish eBooks
- Get an ePal
- Use dictation software
- Create a website
- Make photo books
- Keep a journal
- Get a pen pal
- Create books
- Play make-believe
- Do a research project
- Set up a writing center
Click each idea to learn more…
3 Ways to Enjoy Great Literature as a Family
- Read aloud
- Audio Books
- Pass Around
3 Resources to Track your Kids’ Reading
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8 Educational Activities to Celebrate the Holidays
- Holiday and Season Essay Templates
- Math and Science while Homeschooling through the Holidays
- Candy Math
- Halloween Book Printable Activities
- St. Patrick’s Day Vocabulary
- Hand Sewn Valentine’s Cards
- Animal Heart Masks
- Educational Uses for plastic Easter eggs
Click each idea to learn more…
16 Resources to Learn About the World
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19 Different Books Genres Kids
Should be Reading Regularly
- Myths
- Fables
- Folk Tales
- Fairy Tales
- Legends
- Contemporary Fiction
- Historical Fiction
- Adventure
- Fantasy
- Mystery
- Science Fiction
- Biographies and Autobiographies
- Science
- History
- Geography
- Poems
- Plays
- Inspirational
- Growing and Changing