Finding the Right Homeschool Resources

Author

Emily Belnap – Jul 31, 2024 – 3 min read

Finding the right resources for homeschooling can feel like a treasure hunt. One where you dig and dig but don’t find things that work for you. Or you dig and find some resources that are more like fools gold. They look shiny and pretty and you use them for a while only to realize they don’t work as well as real gold. Every once in a while you find something that’s amazing and works like a big beautiful diamond. Shiny, fun, and the perfect fit for your needs. 

As a mom that has homeschooled her four kids for over 10 years, I’ve found some fool’s gold as well as diamonds. I’d love to share some wisdom with you. 

1. Take time to prep and review Find out what works for you and your kids. No, seriously. I know everyone says it. But taking 1 hour or less to write down some things and get it organized in your mind (and on paper) will help save you time in the future. It’s like figuring out a meal plan for the week instead of scrambling every night when dinner time rolls around. It will save you SO MUCH time and effort. If you’ve been homeschooling already, double check your answers and take time to review what worked and didn’t work last year. For more on this, visit this post. 
   
   
2. Involve your kids  They have so many ideas and get so excited about things! So let them have some involvement with picking out what they learn and how they learn it. Ask them to create their own lists of things they want to do. Which leads to… 
3. Leave room to explore.  Have your main curriculum, but leave space for learning topics your kids are interested in and let your kids help you find those resources! One thing I require of my children is to do one “fun learning activity” a day. This can be anything from reading a book to learning a new song on the piano to watching and painting along to a Youtube video to doing a science experiment. They get to choose the topic and the activity they want to pursue. 

When looking for ideas and resources I like to use the following resources:

1. Cathy Duffy Reviews. I LOVE this website! Cathy reviews thousands of homeschool curriculums and gives detailed descriptions of each. It’s almost as good as looking through books yourself. But with a professional and extra opinion. 
   
2. Teaching in the Home is a newer marketplace for homeschool resources. Similar to Teachers Pay Teachers but just for parents. You can search many different ways for the resources you need including how long it takes to prep, printable options, and lots more that us homeschoolers use. Teaching in the Home has complete curriculum, unit studies, and one time lessons/activities. 
   
3. Pinterest is a wonderful website but it can definitely easily suck hours of your time away. Using it with a good helping of discernment can be a great blessing for your family! Search for specific topics and CAREFULLY pick ideas that will work for your family. Follow other homeschoolers or homeschooling and educational boards. This can help when you feel stuck or need fresh ideas! 
   
4. Homeschool Facebook groups. Look for groups based on your homeschool philosophy, religious philosophy, or physical location. They can have great ideas that can cater to your specific need and can be supportive in your homeschool journey with that curriculum. 
   
   

The homeschool journey is unique for every family. Embrace the creativity and the incredible resources available at your fingertips. You’re AMAZING and will rock this year!