Homeschool Resources: How I got Started Homeschooling
As I mentioned in my We’re Homeschooling post, we’ve been contemplating homeschooling for over a year now and decided to dive right in. The few months leading up to the new school year I did so much research! All I could talk about was homeschool. I was reading everything I could get my hands on and watching a ton of videos. I learned so much throughout my research. The resources I’m mentioning in this post gave me the confidence that I needed to feel sure in myself and to get started. I am still doing a ton of research but I have found that I learn best by just doing. What we were doing the first week of homeschool we are no longer doing. What I had planned for us to do before we even started we are definitely not doing. Homeschooling is really all about trial and error and trust me, you will not mess up your child’s education in the process.
So these are the books that I dived headfirst into: I am a reader by nature and if there is a book on the subject, I have to read all about it.
Home Learning Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp
This is the book you need to read if you are unsure of what in the world you are supposed to be teaching your child. The author breaks it up by grade level and subject on what your child is “supposed to” be doing at that grade level.
Wild & Free by Ainsley Arment
This book is perfect! It explains the many different styles of homeschooling, and there are a lot and just what it truly means to homeschool but to do it in such an intentional and wild and freeing way not only for your child but for you too.
The Brave Learner by Julie Bogart
I have not read this but it was highly recommended and will be delivered this week.
The Read-Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie
I am in the process of reading this book and love it! I am a reader and this just goes into the significance and importance of not only reading but reading to your child and fostering a love for reading.
The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies
I am not homeschooling my toddler, he is way too young however, this book is beautiful. Not everything is practical for my lifestyle but it shows how your toddler learns and grows through everyday life and simple tasks and play. You don’t need toys or a curriculum to learn or have fun.
There are a ton of other books on my reading list but you’ll see other posts on those later. If you haven’t heard of Thrift Books, I can’t recommend them enough! I have purchased so many books from them on this homeschooling journey and most under $5. When I say I have books coming in this week, I have a ton of books coming in!
Besides Thrift Books, these are some other really awesome websites that have come in extremely useful during this homeschool journey and that my daughter highly enjoys.
Khan Academy
This is my all-time favorite learning resource AND it is FREE! Yes free! The content on this site is pure gold and great for any age. I mainly use it for math but they are currently testing other subjects in Beta. There are videos, lessons, and even quizzes to test your child’s understanding. Whenever she needs more practice we go here. I’m able to keep track of her progress and adjust where needed.
Khan Academy Kids
This is a great and free app for younger learners. Very colorful and repetitive which is what younger learners need. It allows you to keep multiple profiles for each individual child and is a lot of fun.
Epic!
I learned about this site early on in the pandemic since it was a free resource for kids now that they were home. My daughter loves to read so this was right up her ally. There are so many different books to choose from as well as audiobooks, educational videos, and more. Again, you can keep track of how much your child is reading and even send books for them to read. It’s no longer free but I have no problem paying the $7.99/month for it. This site also allows you to create multiple profiles for each kid and adjusts the levels of books based on your child’s age.
Another golden website! Teachers are amazing human beings and put in so much work and effort. This is a site to get worksheets, lesson plans, games and so much more for your child’s school year. Just type in what you’re looking for. I have gotten extra math practice sheets, seasonal worksheets, and more. Also, there are so many free sheets that you don’t need to pay for!
Homeschool Pop
My daughter is a visual learner. I was originally going to purchase Brain Pop because she used it in public school, however, it was just not worth it for my homeschool budget. One day I was looking for a video to explain a grammar concept to my daughter and this channel popped up. The videos are engaging and informative. I’m now able to incorporate specific videos in the lessons that need further explanation.
I didn’t link to the other websites because I’m either signed in or for privacy due to my location settings. A quick google search should be sufficient.
Lastly, the people that inspired and encouraged me to homeschool:
I know this blog post was extremely long but I hope it is extremely useful. These are the resources I found most useful for my homeschooling journey and I’m sure there will be many more. Life after-all is a learning experience and I’m excited to take you all on this journey.
Leave any other useful resources that you have found to be helpful on your homeschool journey down below.
Love & light,
Jalesa