Today I’m listing a hodgepodge of Top Ten Must Have items for Homeschooling. I’m spending 10 weeks sharing Top 10 lists with other homeschoolers at iHomeschoolNetwork. It’s a 10 in 10! I do have to say for this list that ‘items’ such as coffee, chocolate and date night with Hodgepodgedad are a given. Well, and a plentiful, non-stop supply of books.
Plus, this homeschool journey is enriched greatly by mentors and homeschool friends, both in my local homeschool support group and the special friendships I’ve been blessed with online. These ladies and families have paved the way, continue to encourage and make a huge difference in our homeschool daily. Thank you!
So, I must have…
1. An every day quiet time for mom. Preferably starting the day with the Lord before the children get up. He is the source of all strength. Afternoon quiet time or a chance to Just Step Outside are both awfully nice too. Even if it’s just five minutes.
2. Slow Cooker and a Meal Plan – because, honey, everybody has to be fed and I’d much rather have the slow cooker do the work. Especially on a busy, balancing-the-needs-of-the-age-range homeschool day.
3. Apps for organization and timing. Evernote for lists galore, blog post writing, homeschool ideas. Find Friends – for finding Hodgepodgedad on the road and timing supper just right.
4. Three Hole Punch. For the notebook and homeschool paper of every kind.
5. Art Supplies. It’s the way some of us learn best around here plus it’s a joy.
6. Sharpened pencils with erasers. Oh how the daily math is side-tracked if these aren’t at the ready.
7. Chalkboards for teaching, lists and the day’s meal plan. Usually the easy answer to “what are we doing today?” and “what’s for supper?” Plus just fun for scribbling.
8. A computing device! Laptop, iPad, etc. That email reminder from the library when books are due is absolutely essential. As are: quick internet searches, those Top Ten websites for homeschooling, homeschool planning and all the learning apps we enjoy.
9. Spiral notebooks to cut the paper clutter and track the school work of five children. One for each subject. One for me to jot things down in (like this post).
10. Camera phone for capturing the every day moments. For continuing gratitude in the every day. The 1,000 gifts app is great for this!
*All the hodgepodge of Top Tens are here.
Thanks to Angie at Many Little Blessings! Be sure to stop by to see Angie’s top ten and all the top ten link ups.
Plus, don’t miss all the other Top Ten Must Have Items for Homeschooling at iHomeschool Network…
What are your top ten must have items for homeschooling?
Great list, Tricia — I think I could have done a top 20 and still had more favorite resources!!
I agree Mary!!
I love your chalk stash!!
I had thought my list was complete at 10 until I started visiting other lists this morning and finding things that are essential to my homeschooling too. Like meal planning…where would I be without meal planning of course?! Enjoyed your list!
I agree Sharla – I think we need to have an ‘even more must haves’ 🙂
We don’t use the slow cooker as much as we should. It takes up exactly 1/2 of my counter space in my tiny kitchen! But I love your recipes!
Art supplies- YES! I am oogling over your pastel storage! Our favorite medium is watercolor. I never thought I would do art with my kids, but my oldest is a natural. So I have learned to hone my skills!
LOVE your list~ and sharp pencils are a MUST
Yes! around here the erasers are such a treat. Somehow they disappear rapidly 🙂
Love your chalks…you’ve inspired me! I’m an artsy girl and have a bunch of them for me but never even occurred to me to bring them out for my children to get creative!
Love your site and thanks for the inspiration!
Jenny
Planner Perfect
As you know, chalk pastels are messy but oh so much fun. Just bring on the baby wipes and enjoy. Thanks Jenny!
Like you, I couldn’t make it without the reminder emails from the library! (I still get to make plenty of “donations,” though!)
I didn’t even think of half those things, but I too couldn’t live without most of those either! Especially the slowcooker!
First I have to say — amazing photo at the top!
Second – awesome chalk stash!!
Thanks Amber! 🙂
Just seeing all those pastels made me sigh. I love it!
This was a great list, Tricia. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂