Homeschooling 101: Gathering Curriculum

Good morning readers! I have another post in my Homeschooling 101 series! Since we talked about choosing homeschool curriculum in the last post, today we’re going to talk about where to get all of that fun curriculum!

 

 

Once you’ve decided on the curriculum for each subject you’ll want to write your choices down on a piece of paper. (Or if you’ve purchased the Homeschooling 101 eBook there are forms included for this purpose.)

Next, add prices next to each item so you can see what the cost is if you’re buying new, as well as research prices online for used items whenever possible. Having a document with all of your prices comes in very handy when searching to purchase curriculum online or at a used curriculum fair.

Make sure to include what the current version of that curriculum is as well. This will also be helpful when searching for products.

So where do I purchase my curriculum? I have a variety of sources, but whenever possible I purchase used homeschool curriculum. Of course workbooks and consumables have to be new each year, but teachers manuals, books, readers, and other supplies can definitely be reused to help save on costs.

Here are some of my favorite places to find curriculum at good prices:

Used Curriculum Fairs: My number one purchasing spot is at our annual used curriculum fair. I take my handy price sheet with me, so that I can easily decide if the cost of the used item is a good deal or not. It also helps in bartering with the seller. I typically purchase teacher’s manuals for my oldest student at the used fairs as well as any other fun items that will benefit our homeschool. I HIGHLY recommend taking a list with you, as it’s very easy to get overwhelmed with the amount of products found at a used fair. When buying used, make sure to determine if you can get associated workbooks for older versions of curriculum before purchasing.

State Homeschool Conventions: An online search should reveal any state homeschool conventions in your vicinity. Conventions typically include helpful seminars for homeschooling families as well as used and new curriculum sales. Talking to vendors and other homeschoolers can be very helpful in selecting your curriculum.

Bookstores: Most bookstores have a children’s area that will include educational materials. This is a great place to see some of the materials in person; however prices are usually higher here. I typically examine potential materials here, but then order online for a better price.

Online Purchasing: There are several online websites where you can purchase homeschool curriculum and books. Some of my favorites are Rainbow Resource Center and Christian Book. I’ve found many items at quite a discount compared to purchasing them new or at a fair. Of course major sites such as Amazon and eBay are always a good spot to check for pricing as well as reselling your own used items. Another great resource for used items is Homeschool Classifieds where other homeschoolers buy and sell their used curriculum.

Buying New vs. Used: I do my best to get anything for the upcoming year used if possible. I typically purchase all of the Teacher’s Manuals for my oldest student, and then gather the consumables for the rest of the students. Since I will re-use those same Teacher’s Manuals for my younger children when they are older, the only thing left to is gather workbooks and consumables that will have to be purchased new each year. So cost wise I’m really only making major curriculum purchases for one student each year. Think of it as homeschooling hand-me-downs.

I also make sure to keep track of the cost I end up paying for everything as I go, so that I have a record showing what I’ve spent on curriculum for each year. This will help in planning your budget for future years. Don’t forget to add in those random purchases made throughout the year as well, so your cost assessment is accurate.

Keeping track of your costs will also come in handy if you ever decide to sell or trade your curriculum in the future.

Once each of your curriculum is acquired check off the box stating that you’ve actually obtained the curriculum so you don’t accidentally repurchase!

Want more information? Check out Homeschooling 101: A guide to getting started!

Our Homeschool: Here is a list of posts on our curriculum choices, our schoolroom setup and our daily schedule to help give you an idea of how we do things over at the Confessions home.

• Our Curriculum
• Our Schedule (Please note this changes on a yearly basis! Sometimes daily if it’s not working!)
• Our Schoolroom
• Why We Homeschool
• Candid Conversation with God (My fears and doubts)

Here are some more helpful posts for new homeschoolers getting started:

• Super Mom vs Abiding Mom
• How do you do it all?
• Ministry of Motherhood (A 12 post series, highly recommended!)
• Plate Spinning 101
• Storage and Record Keeping
• Teaching Tools
• Workbox System

Disclaimer: I am not a legal attorney, nor do I have a degree in law. The information contained in this post is what I have gleaned from my own research and should not be taken as legal advice. If you have any questions regarding homeschooling, please refer to the laws in accordance with your own state, or seek professional legal counsel.