How well I remember stretching the budget and spending lots of money every summer to get ready for “school” each year. Sad to say, much of it sits on my shelves unused. I was told when I first started homeschooling that I needed at least $500 to get started. This was $100 for “legal insurance,” $50 to join the local support group, a $25 subscription to a popular Christian homeschooling magazine, $25 to join the state homeschooling organization, then at least $300 for a major company’s “canned curriculum” and teacher manuals. I soon discovered that this advice was full of nonsense and politically inspired, as none of these expenses are required or even necessary for successful homeschooling. However, it doesn’t take a lot of money or curriculum to effectively homeschool. Here are some ideas on how you can homeschool within a single income budget.
Use the Bible for your main curriculum. This is what Mary used to teach Jesus, (no workbooks here). This is also what Jesus used to teach the disciples, (notice—no textbooks). The Bible is full of lessons and stories. You can use it for writing and penmanship exercises by copying verses. By reading good literature you are also studying grammar and language.
For teaching phonics make a set of phonics flash cards. My children loved this project. Get a package of index cards, write the letters on each one and then let your children draw pictures, or paste pictures on the cards.
For mathematics, use lots of kitchen math, whole, ¼, ½, ¾, etc. measurements, games, etc. Set up a grocery store from empty containers, stickers for price tags and use real money. Have the children take turns being shopper and grocer. You can also make your own personalized math workbook pages.
For spelling, make personalized spelling lists using words from your learning project and including words your children are learning and using right now or ones they miss in their reading.
Music appreciation can be learned from the radio, free concerts in the park, or musicians you might know who would love to share their style of music with your family.
Use your church’s missions magazine for geography and social studies. As you read about the families, look up the places on a globe or atlas, then write to them.
Inventory what you already have. I’m sure you will find books, tapes and maps that are excellent for literature, history, science and social studies. Make a list of the resources you think you may need for your children. Build up your resources throughout the year so that you are not spending a large lump sum just before you start school.
Look for used resources. Go to yard sales, used bookstores, and bookstore sales. Older church members often have wonderful old church storybooks they would gladly give to a good cause. Look for discarded books at the library or thrift stores. Check out www.homeschoolusedbooks.com
Of course you need lots of paper for drawing and art. Ask at newspaper offices for ends of news print rolls. Inquire at print shops about scrap paper. Add pencils, pens, crayons, markers and poster paint from discount or dollar stores to complete your supplies.
Look into swapping or borrowing books and resources from fellow homeschoolers. Several families with stair-step children could invest together and easily swap resources. Use the public and church libraries for children’s books, storybooks for family reading and resource resources.
Eventually you will want to get an encyclopedia. You can find good sets at used bookstores or on CD-ROM from someone who updates theirs each year.
Look for resources that will help you plan learning projects that that you can use with all your children. Use resources that allow you to copy for your family’s use such as Calculadder for math, writing and alphabetizing. Caps, Commas, and Other Things a English skills book for grades 2-8 that you can copy- this is the equivalent of seven years of English skills for each child. There are many of these types of books available.
If grandparents ask, give them a list of books, tapes or computer software to give your children (or you) these items as birthday or Christmas gifts.
Homeschooling need not be an expensive burden. Remember if God has called you to homeschool your children and He won’t leave you without the resources to do it His way. ~Judy
©1998