I've been asked this numerous times. I am still figuring this one out. I am a research hound. I research almost everything that costs more than $20. LOL And when it comes to curriculum, I especially adhere to this no matter what the price tag. Due to recent medical bills and such, we have figured out that we have fewer than $65 per week to spend on groceries, pet food/supplies, doctor visits and medications...with no assistance. So...that being said-- for us purchasing some shiny new box of curriculum is not even an option. It's not even on my homeschool radar at this point.

If you'd like to read what we have chosen and the why's and whatnots and how we saved money...grab a cup of tea, settle back and relax...and read on. It's a long read and please keep in mind, I certainly am no expert on this subject- nowhere near, my friend. LOL

Prayerfully I had spent many many hours researching types of homeschooling methods. My husband and I had decided on Charlotte Mason method which is very heavy of literature and very light on textbooks. Nearly any literature book we might need can be found at the local library. But much of that comes later, as my kids are only 5 1/2, 3, and 1. We will occasionally do things to suit our needs or childrens needs, even if it goes outside the strict bounds of Charlotte Mason methods. But ideally we will try to adhere to them as long as they suit our kids abilities and needs.

So currently we do workbook handwriting stuff very lightly and we use Math U See (this might change) and it was bought new- a planned purchase. We still cover things like geography, history, nature/science, storytime, reading...things like that. Here are some of the things we have chosen to do so far:

Instead of investing in a lot of textbooks or books for History or Geography, we invested in large poster maps of the US (our country), the world, and a very cheap globe picked up at Target months back for $10, puzzles of the US and other places. These items can be used for YEARS if treated kindly. If you look over to the left you can see some of my book purchases for geography. There are 2 main ones I use, and I will use them with all my kids. But other than that, geography at these tender years should be nothing more than slowly teaching your child his relationship to this rest of the world. This is our house...we live at 123 A. St in Any City, California. As they get that, then you slowly work your way up to your city, then county, then state, then country...then...you move onto showing them where they are in relation to the the rest of the world--globes are great!

In addition to starting out with Biblical history (which we have), and instead of going onto Presidents and such we start out with the history of our City. No books. No dates to memorize. Just hit local museums. Look at and touch objects from citizens from 100 years ago. I also like Old Cookbooks, magazines, and advertisements. Especially objects and stories of young kids or somehow involve kids or have pictures of kids. We felt that if a child can connect himself directly to history, we have him- no more bored History pupil!! Doesn't mean they will love it, but something better than boredom is better than boredom! LOL

Geography and History now collide. No books needed for this! Just the occasional small fee (a dollar or two per person at most and kids under 6 are generally free) for a museum. Then work into your own family history and relate it to geography (ex: I have family spread over the US so it can cover quite a few states-which is one reason I did not start with Family History first). And then we will work our way out into State History, Country History, World History, more diverse histories of peoples and places and all of this will intertwine with geography. Using museums and living books (library as much as possible) as much as we can, History and Geography will, ideally, cost us very little over the years.

We'll not be spending oodles of money on phonics programs. I've learned that some good handwriting workbooks are essential (for us, that is), classic reader books like the Bob series and Dick and Jane series and what ever other readers we happen to see used for sale that I come across...and the local library. Using a teacher textbook (so many programs to choose from) for oneself isn't a bad idea if you are at first unsure of what you are doing-research it on Amazon then look for it in your library.

We prefer classic books for storytime (which as the kids grow older will become more than just reading a simple Pooh Story...it later will turn into other subjects like Literature (Shakespeare), Biographical History (people of history/Life of George Washington, arts/Picasso, music/Beethoven etc), Poetry, self-read Bible time and Devotionals etc. So a love of storytime is also essential, we feel, for building on a love of reading.

My 5 year old LOVES classic Winnie The Pooh stories. And the poetry collection by AA Milne, fantastic! My 5 year old knows how Winnie the Pooh came about, what his real name is...all kinds of little goodies. And to be honest, when you read them with your child you are transported yourself. I am highly amused and delighted by these stories MYself! LOL And classic story books are plentiful at the library! That = free. Plus no need to keep hundreds of books on hand yourself. Altho we do have a collection! LOL

Science is one area we both decided to lay down some money. (math too but as our kids grow we'll see what programs will work fro them and I will find how I can get them as cheaply as possible). We'll use a Creation based science program- Apologia. But I will still try find the books used if I can. But right now mostly we buy books (I have found all of the on sale at Barnes & Nobles for less $10-sometimes a couple dollars) that have pictures and fun facts about birds, bugs, reptiles and these have satisfied my boys heartily for 3+ years already. They STILL grab those books for scheduled quiet time! They can look at many bugs and tell ME what they are. LOL

Math right now is mostly practicing writing and counting, learning money pieces, some time...we sometimes use a workbook. but most of it is living stuff right now. Helping me measure for cooking/baking. Or if they get goldfish crackers I will specifiy how many and they count them out of the box so they get the right amount. You get the idea. Just like with History and Geography, I want then to connect with Math in the early years, I figure if the subject means something tp them or they can relate it to something- then they are more likely to willingly and possibly enjoy the subject matter as it becomes more involved and more challenging.

One thing we also did was tell family! We tell them what our plans are, what books we are using, what we need, what educational things our kids like (like bugs and solar system)...and see what comes back for birthdays and Christmas! Our family has been wonderful! We receive very few toys and more fun things like talking solar systems, puzzles of the presidents and the US, projection thingy of the solar system, even used books that are hot off our book list for the coming school year! Bugs that you can take apart and put together. Science experiment kits. And even more! And my kids LOVE these things!

We are still figuring out things like art, music, crafts and subjects like that. But the kids, again, are quite young. So we are more focused on the 3 R's and working slowly out from there.

We have worked in a Tea Time at 3:30PM where we listen to music, or read poetry (Mother Goose right now), a devotional, or character lesson while we sip tea or hot chocolate and eat a nummy like banana bread-- all the while working on good manners in a fun relaxing non-harping sort of way. We try to do this 3 times a week right now. The kids LOVE Tea Time and it helps refocus everyone-as this used to be the time of day that got crazy...low blood sugar, no direction, possible boredom, mama burn out from the day...etc...

Right afterwards around 4:30PM is a Recess Period that runs until 5:00PM. At which time mommy must begin dinner prep. Not to say they can't play outside before that, but this is a scheduled playtime and semi-organized as they like to ride bikes in the front yard and must be surpervised.

We don't have any groundbreaking formula for homeschooling frugally. No cool links for free curriculum. Starting at the very bottom- determining what method best suited our children- was the essential first step, for us. And it has shaped all the choices we have made so far. And praise God, that it's been a very low cost method! LOL

My kids are very young yet and homeschooling is still very new to me. This information is subject to change, but right now...it's working for us.

Amy