Homeschooling is all about creating a special learning journey for your children, and you don't need a ton of fancy stuff to get started. Don't worry if your homeschool doesn't look like those perfect pictures you see online – those images may be pretty, but they’re unrealistic! What matters most is the love and effort you put into teaching your kids.
So, let's focus on the simple resources, tools, and materials that you should have access to as you begin homeschooling!
 

A Place to Sit and Work

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Having a dedicated spot to work is a good idea. This could be the kitchen table, kitchen island, or a desk. You may find that you slowly gravitate to the couch or the floor, or even outside for certain activities or at particular times of the day, but for “bookwork” (ie. Math or Writing activities) you’ll probably want a solid surface to spread out on. You don’t need special desks or a homeschool room, but if this interests you and is within your budget (and you have the space), go for it! Setting up desks and giving kids creative free-for-all to decorate a small space can go a long way in helping kids mentally prepare for learning at home, and give them a sense of ownership towards homeschooling. It can be helpful if everyone knows where supplies are stored and having books and school materials accessible in one area. Be aware that some of your learning may still be done elsewhere, even if your kids have their own desks. Desks are great for independent work, but tables can be better for collaboration!

 

Library Card

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Hopefully you’ve already got one of these, but if not, GO GET ONE! While you’re there, check your local library for online subscriptions that you can access from home. Most library consortiums offer free access to apps and websites, as well as interlibrary loan opportunities from other libraries. Remember that you may want to put interlibrary loan books on hold a few weeks ahead of when you’ll likely need them in order to ensure that they arrive in time for you to use them!

 

School Supplies

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Stock up on School Supplies in the Fall during back-to-school sales and save some of the items for use later in the year. We recommend that you buy a few extra supplies and stash them under the bed (or in your homeschool cupboard!) where your kids won’t find them. Come February, your kids will think you’re a rockstar for giving them new pencil crayons in the middle of the year! 

 

Things we use that you might want to have handy:

• Pencils, erasers, pens, gel pens, felt markers, art pens, highlighters

• Paper (blank & lined)

• Notebooks

• Binders (for you and/or the kids)

• Folders (to store curriculum and/or kids' work)

• Glue, tape, glue sticks, ruler

• Scissors, Extra Scissors & More scissors.
  (*You can never have enough pairs of scissors! Write your name on them. Hide them where your kids can’t find them. You’ll be glad you did!)

• Sticky Notes

• Stapler, staples, paper clips,

• Art Supplies with Mixed Media paper 

• Craft Supplies

• Deck of Cards & Dice

• Calendar and/or Planner

• Library books for reading aloud together, chosen with your kids' input
   

Computer & Printer

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Searching for curricular options and information on your phone or tablet can get tiresome, so you may want to invest in a computer at some point. Many curricular choices are available as PDF downloads but if you choose to print yourself, the cost of ink and paper will add up (unless you have a really good printer!)

 

Bookshelf (or Other Storage)

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Regardless of whether you have a dedicated school room or not, you'll want a shelf or cupboard to keep all of your homeschool materials together. Consider emptying out a kitchen cupboard, making space on an existing shelving unit, or purchasing something to hold your supplies.

 

Support Network and Time for Yourself

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You can’t be “on” all the time and not burn out. In order to be able to care for others AND teach them, you’re going to need support. Surround yourself with others who “talk homeschool” -- they’ll understand what you’re going through. Be sure to carve out some time on a regular basis for yourself and do something you enjoy!

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Learning Plan or Road Map

 
No matter what type of homeschool philosophy you subscribe to, you'll want to have some sort of plan. Think about what types of subjects you will cover, areas where you'd like to see growth, and consider your child's interests and abilities. Create a list of objectives for the year, and then break them down into months. Your plan can (and will!) change as you figure out what works for your family, and you'll likely need to make adjustments as you take it week by week, but it's important to have goals to keep you anchored and return to throughout the year.