Having the right tools for any job, makes that job – not only possible – but easier, quicker and usually better. This is true of my husband’s job as the breadwinner, my job as a homemaker and my job as a homeschooling teacher.
Regardless of what changes in our curriculum, I’ve found that these are our tried-and-true, top 10 most valuable homeschooling tools and how we use them:
- Wall Pockets – These are our version/adaptation of workboxes. They take up next to no space and work perfectly for us. They hold paper, workbooks, library books and even our dry erase boards.
- Learning Box (Brain Box) – I purchased these boxes for my children’s spelling cards. Soon I realized I could utilize that extra space with memory helps for other areas of study. Our boxes now contain things we are learning or have learned that we want to retain. We have cards on famous artists & their works, the months of the year (because we needed some more practice), math facts and other memory card games & reminders.
- Dry Erase Boards– These smaller-sized dry erase white boards are perfect for our daily spelling (AAS) and also for cursive handwriting practice. Before we used these, I had tons of papers lying around at the end of the day which were crammed into the recycle bin. – No more! My children prefer to write on them because they “feel” different than writing on paper. I agree. Now we only write on paper if the assignment is something we want to save. Did you know you can buy washable dry erase markers? ☺
- Chalkboard – This is one of my favorite finds. I found this beauty at a school flea market for $12. We use our chalkboard often. I use it when I teach, and the kids use it for Math and other things.
- Library card & online request – Since our library has gone “online”, I have found it so easy to request the books we want. Any time, day or night, I can search for the books I want and then submit a request. Usually within a day or two, I receive am email telling me they are ready for pick up. I ♥ it!
- Computer - This one is obvious. The amount of knowledge accessible is amazing. I love that I can do a quick search by subject matter and get all the info I need from the comfort of my own home and even in my PJs. What’s not to love about that? From all my favorite blog reads, to curriculum reviews, Paperback Swap, my Netflix queue, and Amazon.com – I am good!
- Kitchen recipe book holder – This one might seem odd, but I tell you, my kitchen recipe book holder is HEAVY. It can hold any book upright. It can also hold up large art pieces, workbooks, notebooks, posters, foam board, our large dry erase board and even a bulletin board without tipping. We use it regularly which is why I’m going to have to invest in another one. I’m certain that my cookbook (that I purchased this for) is missing it.
- Timers - Doesn’t every home have one? or three? We love our timers! We use them to limit screen time in our home and sometimes to limit school work. Sound strange? Limiting school work time can really help on those grouchy days when kids need to know there is an end in sight. I’ll tell my kids that they don’t have to finish an assignment; they only need to work on it for so many minutes. They often finish the assignment anyway, but are more cooperative knowing it will be a temporary thing. We also use our timers for games and for the children to time themselves on tasks to see if they can beat their previous records.
- Schedule – Since we have used our flexible schedule, we are getting much more accomplished in less time and everyone is happier. It’s amazing to me to see how much more free time we have by using our schedule.
- Laminating machine – Laminating the world one paper at a time – that’s my motto! LOL! I do love to laminate all sorts of stuff. I am certain I am not alone here. ☺
I have recently acquired a new homeschooling tool – A spiral binding machine! ☺ This will definitely be on our top list for next year. I’ve used it three times so far and love it!
These tools have all proven useful to our family and I’d hate to be without any of them. What are your most valued tools of the trade?
Dana♥ can be found playing with her fun tools of the trade @ Noggins & Nonsense. This post is linked to: Top Ten Tuesday
I have almost everything on your list. I never realized how badly I need a laminating machine. Did you get yours at a craft store or office supply? I need to look into getting one soon.
I would also add, park passes or memberships to local zoos and museums. Those are a life saver.
I picked up my laminator at our local “super mart” . This is my second one. They have nicer ones now. They are really not that expensive. I think I paid around $30 for mine and I use it all the time!
For sure the Library card. Also, the computer. I like the wall pockets. Where did you get those?
You can get them in several different places. This time of year you should see the out, especially look around at any store that has school supplies. I paid $14 a piece for mine online. We LOVE them.
I love my Wall Pockets! Something about my son being able to see how much work there is left to do keeps him motivated. Before we got them I heard a lot of “how much is left?”
I can’t even imagine homeschooling without the computer and printer. My other must have is probably my Mom Binder, where I keep our weekly schedules, spelling papers, and notes to myself. I REALLY want a big school-sized chalkboard – I don’t know if I NEED one, I just want one. I’ll feel more “school-y” with it.
We have tons of whiteboards and still need more. I have them hanging in various corners of the house – some with big tangram puzzles on them, some with magnetic letters, whatever. One thing I don’t generally let them do is use the dry-erase markers. I learned my lesson after having clothes ruined because it won’t wash out. But if they make WASHABLE ones…….maybe I’ll change my position.
Does it really wash out?
confession: when they want to draw with markers, I make them strip to their underwear!
Yes Deb, they do wash out and they also make dry erase washable crayons now. ☺
And Chrissy – you can get the wall pockets on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Educational-Insights-Classroom-Organization-Center/dp/B000LLEA5Y/ref=pd_sim_b_3
If you order them from somewhere else, I recommend finding out how big the pockets are – the first ones I bought were not wide enough to hold a workbook, or even a letter sized folder.
Love the tip on the dry erase boards for spelling! I don’t know why I didn’t think of that before. We have a couple of smaller sized dry erase boards sitting around that would be perfect for that and save us lots of paper waste.
I’m also really impressed with your workbox adaptation.
These are great suggestions! I am really eyeing those wall pockets.
Great list! We have almost everything on it, and they are all so helpful. I like the idea of wall pockets, I may try that when my kids are a little older and we are not using so many larger items (like manipulatives, etc).
I love the wall pocket idea! Brilliant!!!
This year will be our first year homeschooling. So glad I saw this post… it helps to hear from veterans what work and what don’t. I will be following along! Nice to meet you!
Congrats on taking the plunge Darlene! ☺
Where do you hang your wall pockets? They look like a great idea but I’m not sure where I would hang them.
We have a narrow wall section in our dining room that our two fit in perfectly. If I had little ones that liked to get into things, I would hang them inside a closet door. ☺
A fantastic post. Love the images up there. Those pocket folders are so pretty. I WANT THAT! :-)
My faves would add on a guillotine paper cutter and our table top organizer that holds some reference books plus pencils, scissors, glue, etc. And now our Kindles. LOVE them.