Jun. 11, 2008 - Teaching your kids on a budget

I want to share some of the ways I homeschool the kids on a budget. 

For starters, I believe it is essential that you have membership to your local library.  We have 5 cards, with a 20 item limit each, at our local library and 1 card that I pay $10 a year for that has a 30 item limit and an extensive selection to chose from at our neighboring county.  I save myself time and hassle by using the library's online card catalog to search for books and reserve them for pick up.  I usually request the books for our unit studies or for specific books I find in Jim Trelease's Read Aloud Handbook, then I pick them up at the library's front desk in a few days.  I use the other library for browsing and story times.  This is our number one free resource for books, movies, music cds, story times and summer reading clubs.

The other must have that I think every homeschooler should make a priority is the internet and a computer.  If you don't have one at home use the library for free.  I find all sorts of free printables worksheets and homeschooling support information for me.  This site has TONS of information about where to find free material.   I will gladly pay a monthly fee for our internet rather than pay for cable tv. 

I am also a firm supporter of using everyday life as a teaching tool.  Making a batch of cookies but doubling them will teach them practical skills in measurement, fractions, patience, hygenine, oven safety, and so much more.  If you make an effort to just look at life through the eyes if a child, you will see that there is so much they need to learn that you just take for granted.  Involve them even if it makes a mess and takes longer to finish a job.  This is one area that I am trying to improve on. 

In our home I don't really have a homeschool budget, I just buy with purpose and planning.  I try to buy items that can be reused or sold easily.  I have made a few costly mistakes with curriculum but I am still learning. 

This year our purchases will mainly be "tools" for learning not workbooks.  I am going to print to print off the worksheets they need for review and continue to read to them.  I have material left over from this past year that tey will hopefully use.  I also hope to explore more outside on nature walks and hikes.