Tips for saving money on homeschooling books and supplies. Post your ideas.
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Don't purchase an expensive program. Visit local new and used book stores (cheap books can be found), search the web (print work lessons and work sheets for free) and hook up with a homeschool group in your area (many will let you make copies of old workbooks for your own use).
By Rebecca G
Consider the Unschooling Method. The worst thing I did was to try to recreate a classroom in our house.
My son had chores and I used everyday activities as a lesson.
I bought grade level 'Mega Books' at Sam's that cover all the school topics and used it to keep track of his progress.
PBS had quite a few educational line ups back then like Wishbone and Bill Nye the Science and we went to the library to get books on that day's topic.
Most PBS have educational classes during the night hours and will send you a schedule if you ask so you can tape them. Also Cable in the Classroom is a great resource.
My son went to public school for his high school years and graduated with honors. Enough said!
The internet is the best source for me. I homeschool my preschooler. You can find worksheets and everything for all grade levels.
Use a plastic sleeve (page protector) and dry-erase marker or crayon over workbook pages. The workbook can then be used over and over. Cut the left part of the plastic sleeve off (the side with the holes), then slip it upside-down over the page you want to write on. It can be cut down to the size of the book to make it fit better. Rubbing alcohol and a piece of old towel work great for getting crayon off! The terry cloth is rough, and doesn't tear like tissue or a paper towel.
Find a homeschool support group through your local home educators association.They may have used book sales, sometimes with a "free" table. You can sell or give away things you don't use there.
Make friends with others in local support groups. Find out if they have a Mom's Night Out, and attend it.
Your State Department of Education may have free downloadable lesson plans or worksheets.
Try freecycle.org!
You can find good deals on used books and text books at thrift shops, yard sales, used book stores. I sometimes prefer older textbooks, because they seem more demanding - but this is true more for English/literary/cultural subjects - not so much for science - remember to update information in older textbooks as needed - but it might give good perspectives on how looking at the world changes.
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