Some people think you need to spend a ton of money on the popular curriculum sets to get started with homeschooling, but it isn't true. Thanks to online and offline resources, it's possible to homeschool your children in a frugal way without sacrificing their education quality. All it takes is creativity, planning, and resourcefulness. If you have relatives and friends who teach your child's grade level, ask them for materials that you can use to help with teaching. Also, ask them which main concepts you should focus on based on your child's grade level. Here are additional ways to homeschool on a budget.
Head to the Library
You will be amazed at the wide selection of free materials that exist for homeschooling families at the library. You can create a week's lesson just from a handful of library books. If you're teaching kindergarten, check out books on these subjects:
- Shapes and patterns
- Letter and number recognition
- Sight words
- Phonics
- Colors
- Basic addition and subtraction with pictures
The library also offers workshops, classes, and DVDs that you can rent for educational purposes. All you need is a library card.
Visit Thrift Stores and Garage Sales
Another option would be to visit thrift stores and garage sales. You might find a few old-school textbooks on a variety of school subjects for all grade levels. You'll also find some storybooks to read to your little ones. Before you go, write a list of the kinds of books and games you're looking for so that you won't overspend.
Get Free Printables Online
If you need worksheets but can't afford to buy expensive workbooks, then go to websites such as Pinterest and Teachers Pay Teachers to obtain free worksheets and unit studies on any subject. You can take these printables, purchase a binder, and create your own workbook for less than it would cost to buy multiple name-brand workbooks from retailers.
Utilize Learning Apps
Use technology to your advantage and download a few free or inexpensive learning apps for the kids to play games on during their downtime. Some useful apps include Khan Academy, ABC Mouse, Reading Eggs, and Epic. These apps contain fun reading, writing, and math activities that will help your children learn the foundational skills needed for advanced learning later in life.
Take Advantage of Back-to-School Sales
Most retailers offer huge discounts on all kinds of supplies ranging from pencils to spiral notebooks every summer. During the summer, take advantage of these sales and stock up on everything you need for the upcoming school year. Some homeschool curriculum companies also have deep discounts during this time. If you're using a certain curriculum, call the company and inquire about back-to-school sales.