I am new to homeschooling so I have more questions than answers at this point. Where do you all purchase materials for homeschooling or what have you all used that has worked and what makes you choose a particular product over another? I am interested in discounts, do any of you belong to co-ops, if so which ones? Thank you for your input.
Where to shop really depends on what you're looking for. Homeschool Buyers Co-op is free to join & gets some pretty good deals on stuff Rainbow Resource has tons of stuff for all ages/grades, has a lot of christian materials but also carries secular materials. they also have great prices, usually cheaper than anywhere else. You can request a free catalog (it's roughly the size of a phone book) or search online. CurrClick (previously HomeschoolEStore) specializes in downloadable homeschool materials Home Science Tools has Science Curriculum, kits, equipment, books, etc. They also have free teaching tips & science project ideas Edmund Scientific has lots of science stuff: kits, books, equipment, etc, but does not carry curriculum like Home Science Tools There are also many other places, depending on what you're looking for. When choosing what to buy, I generally consider my kids' abilities (I don't care about grade level, I go by ability level), their learning styles, and of course, what topics we're studying. If you tell us the grade levels your kids are in, what subjects you're looking for, & if you want secular or Christian, we would be better able to suggest materials.
Well first of all welcome to homeschool spot and hope you love the place as much as we all do. Second of all how old are your Children? Go to ebay, they have alot. I get alot from here from wonderful mom's who are so great. They would almost give the shirt off there back to help you all. Let us know age and grades and some of us might have some to help you get started. I really don't know? But, if I do have anything I will help.
Thank you for the warm welcome. I am thinking long term at this point. My children are really young, 3 1/2 years and 7 months. I am getting as much info as possible in order to prepare and get ideas. I would like to get a head start with my 3 year old. Thanks again for the info, really helpful.
Welcome! In addition to what was already mentioned: http://homeschoolsupercenter.com http://homeschoolstockroom.com Amazon has good stuff for cheap also. But the favorite is Rainbow Resource!
yes, they are really young, but never to early to start them out. print off sheet are great for that age, I know when mine were younger we went through 3 printers and I think half of Texas in ink. any way abcteach is a good place to start I know there are tons more out there with free worksheets to get started. Have fun, they are so much fun at that age and grow so fast. It seemed like yesterday mine were that age, now they are 15 and 13. If you pm me your address when I go through all by books I might and should have some young things I would love to send to you all.
www.starfall.com is a great free site to work on reading skills. Check out the links section of the boards, there's tons of links there. www.homeschoolreviews.com has reviews on lots of different products. You'll want to get multiple opinions on a program before you spend money on it. What works for one person doesn't work for everyone & what someone else likes about something might be what you wouldn't like (or what they don't like about it might be what you do like). For your oldest, everything s/he needs to learn right now can be learned through fun & games. Pre-school curriculum isn't really a necessity (in my opinion). Educational videos, computer programs/games, board games, card games, puzzles, nature walks, trips to museums or zoos, reading together, and regular play will teach her/him a lot.
If you've never used craigslist.com it's always worth a look. It's a giant online garage sale and so it's hit and miss but when you do find something it's usually cheap! Amy
Check local stores, as well. We have a used Cristian book store that sells tons of curriculum (secular and Christian). It is used, so any workbooks that would be needed would still need to be purchased new. Mardel (if you have one) sells tons of HS stuff. Walmart, Sams, and Walgreens are great places to get workbooks. That's all we used for pre-k and K. It's just enough "doing school" that the boys were satisfied, but not overly taxing. This week many Walgreens have their workbooks BOGO free. Ebay is tricky because they are not allowed to sell the Teacher's Manuals that go with the curriculum. Sometimes, the seller will contact you privately once you've won the auction to offer the TM, but there are no guarantees. Honestly, I'm lazy. lol. I ordered my stuff for next year online. I'm sure I'll pick up some more stuff from Mardel (my store of choice), but the bulk of my core stuff came from CBD. Next time, however, I'll use Rainbow Resource. I didn't know about them at the time and RR had what I ordered for cheaper than CBD did.
I have gotten some of my stuff from local used curriculum fairs -some sponsored by local co-ops. I also have used ebay, www.vegsource.com and www.christianbook.com I have a feeling I might order some things at the LEAH convention (Loving Education AT Home) this year too.
How could I have forgotten used curriculum fairs?! I got tons of stuff there. Mostly, um, misc. items like math manipulatives, maps, etc.
I agree Abcteach is awesome for preschoolers! We used it! We have even kept using it up to last year!
I belong to the libraries for my county and the others surrounding me. I get most of my books there. I don't know if you have a Tuesday Morning, but those stores get books in too and mark them 65-75% off every Tuesday morning. Once Upon A Child gets in educational toys, games, and books in addition to clothes. Everything's second hand, so I usually check to make sure all the pages are there. I love EBAY! I bought my math workbooks directly from Singapore Math website. I use Amazon too for books when they have free shipping. Half Price Books is good too. I have a friend who manages one, so he keeps an eye out for me. I haunt the teacher/education stores' clearance racks too. Oh, and Garage Sales! I kept an eye out last summer and some listed homeschooling curricula in their ads. I learned the hard way that other homeschooling moms are early risers, and I'd better have my butt there first thing though! ETA - I forgot to mention that I am part of a co-op. I can't post the website, but it's www . preblecountyhomeeducators .com
I have a tuesday morning by me and I have never been into it. I am going to have to check them out. Oh I have gotten some stuff for my preschooler/kindergartener at a store called Ollies. They have great discounts on books.
Mainly I buy through rainbow reasource. Sometimes I buy an item through an actual company or at homeschool vendor days. I have never used ebay but I hear you can get good deals on them. I generally like new books though and since they will be used by all 5 of my children I find that they are a good investment. welcome to Homeschool spot.
