I thought this might be just as easy for some helpful browsing, planning, and shopping needs for many of you all who ask “where do I get that?!” This can simply be a guide or idea generator for your homeschool season as well.
You will find a list of things I use regularly in our homeschool, our health routine, and just some items I find helpful in life as a mom of two. Arlo will be 6 in September when we will start schooling at home, and Airo is 1.5. I’ll soon share what I plan for little miss while we school if she decides napping is not her thing each day during our sessions.
Our school year will look a little different than most. We will do a mostly year-round plan with 4 day per week core subjects, flexibility around holidays and travel. Day 5 will be for field trips, nature study, library days, and family errands (practical life). I can share lesson plan layout if interested as well.
In the state of Iowa, requirements are minimal. We are in kindergarten, which should be very minimal as well. I’ll do the required subjects – math, language arts, social studies and science. It is important to me that we start a routine of subjects early on. I’ll also incorporate Bible, Art, Music, and Nature Studies. We will spend 1.5-2 hours daily with flexibility in there for the extracurriculars. I won’t be setting a timer when we are outside studying nature having fun, or for any learning material for that matter. 🙂 My intentions are child-led learning and creating a passion and desire TO learn.
Let’s get to the tools and resources:
Planners
Not Consumed Homeschool – a faith based homeschool shop
Organized Homeschool Planner – I really enjoyed this one for intentional planning and bringing my goals and vision out on paper. It’s designed for multiple kids so I plan to reuse pages as we go or even for next year.
Primary Homeschool Planner – This is a progress tracker for your child. This will provide a sense of accomplishment and it’s fun. Not a necessary tool by any means. I got this for Arlo to have as part of his journaling experience as well. It’s very important to me for him to see the power in writing things down, visualizing, and recapping “journaling” our day and inspiring events.
Schoolnest – Homeschool Lesson Planning Minimalist Notebook
HOMESCHOOL LESSON PLANNING MINIMALIST NOTEBOOK – NATURE SERIES (CREAM)
This planner is designed as an undated, 12-month journal, with 12 monthly calendars up front, monthly overview pages to scrapbook/journal, followed by 52 weeks of weekly lesson planning pages.
I am excited for this planner to be able to create, track, journal and keep it minimal. My plan to is to fill out lessons weekly to track our progress accordingly. Some prefer to do several months at a time or even the full year. Figure out your style to make it work.
These are my go-to planner creating fun tools:
Creative Markers
Washi Tape
Sticker Paper
Homeschool – Room Supplies
We move into our new house about 2 weeks before our first day of school! I am sure I’ll update this list as we get unpacked and settled in. We have a beautiful space dedicated to our schooling/play area. I realize this is not the case for some families. Be sure to make your desired work area suitable for you. Just because I have it and it works for us, doesn’t mean it will for you. This is simply tools in our shop.
Dry Erase Markers
Dry Erase Board Large Rolling Stand – this isn’t used as much now as I might in the later years. A small one just for my child to use is around also.
Dry Erase Calendar – this is not the exact one I have. I got mine at Hobby Lobby.
Click markers – said goodbye to loosing lids and drying markers. Spendy but worth it so far.
Creative Markers – love this variety; however, they say non bleed but they do bleed on the Schoolnest Planner. It’s that paper, not the markers.
Notebook organizers – a great way to organize by subject material.
Sensory Table – I had one for Arlo from Ikea that lasted several years. This is a new one I will have a true test of durability with Airo.
Clear Storage Bins – a lovely obsession are these clear bins for organizing and storage. I use them everywhere. I have this thing that if I don’t see something I forget about it. These help me find things I’d like to use.
Here are more options and the variety I have:
8 PACK Stackable
Open Front Storage Bins with Lids
Stackable Pantry Organizer Bins
Larger Organizers With Handles
Splat Mat – for under highchair and sensory table
Snack Boxes – these are smaller but I don’t mind so I can sort dry and wet foods without wasting
Post-it Pack – subject organizing, life lists, who doesn’t use these?
Organizing Bags – perfect for pretty much anything from Legos to papers and even travel snacks.
Wobble Cushion – have a wiggly kiddo always needing to do something? Give this a try when sitting down for sessions.
Keychain Compass – for the curios kid.
Outdoor Mat – a must for little ones and picnics.
Electric Pencil Sharpener
Clock for Kids
Earthworm Farm Animal Life
Curriculum for Kindergarten
Math:
Math K Course Set Book + Math K Box – The Good and the Beautiful
Math Training 1 – simple to challenging adding and subtracting
Language Arts – reading, writing, phonics:
Level K Course Book, Reading Booster A Cards, Reading Booster A Books Set – The Good and the Beautiful
Side note: we did do the Kinder Prep Course and Handwriting Level K when Arlo was 5.
Explode the Code – I printed out sample pages last year for my son and he loved this! Black and white, images, and letters. Simple, holds attention and incorporates phonics learning skills.
Scince:
Science for Little Hearts and Hands: Fields and Flowers
Social Studies
Me on the Map by Little School of Smith’s
Library books to expand on:
Children Just Like Me
Me on the Map Paperback – Picture Book
Bible
The Biggest Story Bible – these are stories to read on, not the full Bible. It is a beautiful contrast of colors and images. There is a companion coloring book and verse cards we will utilize during reading time.
The Biggest Story Coloring Book
The Biggest Story Verse Cards
More Than Words: Level 1 – this is more advance for K level but this will be resource for me to learn more on teaching the Bible…something I have felt intimidated by for a few years now.
Connected Relationships Series Bundle – this will be a more parent led study to incorporate the Bible and building strong, healthy relationships. Something I felt important to start learning at this age.
Music:
Still Singing: Hymn Stories For Every Season – this is 4th grade level so I’ll be doing most of the work and reading or activities through the unit. I got it because we have a piano in our home I want to start a routine around now.
Nature Study:
Slow Down 50 Mindful Moments in Nature + Campion Guide – this book is beautiful and I found a companion guide activity book through another homeschool mama. If you are interested just reach out I’ll send more info!
Important nature gear:
Rain Suit
Binoculars for Kids
Art:
Lily & Thistle Watercolor School – a great way to do something beyond crafts with great guidance
Favorite Books
Mom’s:
ESV Spiral-Bound Journaling Bible, Poetry
ESV Women’s Study Bible (Hardcover)
The Four-Hour School Day: How You and Your Kids Can Thrive in the Homeschool Life
Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build On for Life
Greenlights by Matthew McConaughy
Unschooled: Raising Curious, Well-Educated Children Outside the Conventional Classroom
I honestly have so many! I have a highlight on my Gram I started forever ago. I’ll keep the ones for school in it’s own highlight as well.
Kids
Favorite Poems Old and New by Helen Josephine Ferris
Stories of Great Americans for Little Americans by Edward Eggleston
Beatrix Potter The Complete Tales
I hope you found this helpful. I will have images and a full insta story soon for schooling. Feel free to message me with any questions!
Furniture:
More to come as I expand.
Home:
Health + Wellness
Healthforce Lions Mane
Gallon Jugs – Not where I purchased but what I could find online.
Jig Saw Adrenal Powder – I drink this occasionally at night with the calm powder. Great for during the day too.
Before bed shot – “Calm Cocktail” https://amzn.to/3ZN6nKG + https://amzn.to/3ZLxs0N
Nordic Vitamin D https://amzn.to/3ScQawo or https://amzn.to/3uaW4Eo
Needed Prenatal – powder that has a wonderful taste especially with Dandy Day, Cleanse, Mushroom Machine, Matcha and with the collage powder.
Perfect Supplements Collagen Powder – I put this in any hot tea blend. It’s smooth and tasteless.
Perfect Supplements – Perfect Multi-Organs – I put this in food I am cooking for family consumption.
Perfect Supplements – Desiccated Beef Liver Capsules
Perfect Supplements – Perfect Bovine Gelatin – This is what I use to make gummies.
Perfect Supplements – Perfect Bone Broth – I cook a lot with this in most anything. Cody loves it with ginger powder and salt as a drink.
Daily Gut + Skin + Energy Combo – caffeinated or caffeine-free options
Travel
Hanging Over the Door Organizer
Side note: I will have these supplements available in the clinic again in the near future. I know many people, including myself, prefer to buy from the supplier and not Amazon when it comes to supplements.
If you’ve been here long enough you know my absolute daily consumption for our is at least one of my herbal tea blends. These are available in our chiropractic clinic and online for pickup or shipping. Find those links below.
Next to Nature herbal teas:
https://shopnexttonature.square.site
Mom Life Survival Bundle:
*Side note: most all Amazon links are affiliate links meaning I get a tiny percentage of the sale for putting this all together for the ease of your shopping + planning.