Homeschooling Grandma goes shopping

My grand-daughter and I have been having an absolute ball for a couple days, bargain hunting for homeschooling books and supplies.

You see, for those of you who don't know, my home-schooled, 6^th grade, grand-daughter is moving in with me. Since my daughter will be living some distance away, at least temporarily, that means I get to be a home school teacher for a bit. How cool is that?

We've been to bookstores, thrift stores, department stores and even the dollar store. Oh ya. Why not? You can find some amazing educational supplies there to fill in the blanks left by your start up curriculum, no matter how awesome it is.

Now, of course, my daughter provided the basic, state compliant curriculum book and workbook in all subjects. And using that, Aja and I literally went to town buying complementary materials to round it out.

Plus, of course, she needed art supplies and a few basic physical activities for “gym” class. Now, we're not done by any means. Throughout the school year, we'll be purchasing items/activities to complement each lesson.

Here's our “score” so far:

Basic 6^th grade Curriculum book/workbook (purchased by my daughter)

All needed basic school supplies notebooks/pens/pencils/glue/paper,art supplies, etc.

Set of ten hardcover encyclopedia style current science study books with a study guide.

6 Concept Science books on various subjects (birds, animals, etc.)

5 Nancy Drew books for reading “practice.” They have many more so we'll be back!

Giant U.S. wall map

Small reversible U.S./World map for binder

Reading comprehension book w/follow up questions and writing tips

Pack of 38 earth science worksheets related to line of study

2 packs of 38 math worksheets related to line of study

US Geography card game

“Walk in the Woods” Nature/Earth Science game

2 sets of animal facts flash cards (for our aspiring veterinarian)

6 craft kits for art class

6 educational posters

Cheap outdoor toys, like a hula hoop, for gym class.

2 brain building games

2 subject related projects.

We also bought a few little decorative items for Aja's new space, which she informed me was, “nice, but kind of plain and boring.”

Total spent on this amazing pile of supplies, books, tools, posters and worksheets? About 50.00. Yup.

I think the hardcover books alone were worth about 150.00. We paid 7.50 for them, you guys!

We have also done online research and found plenty of free educational videos/lectures in line with her curriculum. Including....sigh....that blasted common core math. LOL Because it is included on the required state testing for all students. I will survive it, you guys! I will!

We'll be learning the ukulele together for music class. I got a beautiful one for Christmas and found another small, working souvenir one at the thrift store. Don't expect any videos until we've gotten it down, though. LOL

And of course, we'll be using all the resources we already have, like Playing cards, Scrabble and other board games that painlessly reinforce basic concepts.

There will be study related field trips. Like to the IMAX for nature movies and the Planetarium for star gazing. Oh, and so much more fun learning, I can't even list it!

Can you tell I'm excited?

School starts tomorrow for her, as she just got back from summer vacation a few days ago. I have 4 days of curriculum planned and this weekend, I'll be writing up a plan for the rest of the month that includes all the materials we purchased together.

You guys, I am no shopaholic by any stretch of the imagination. But this past couple days, I really had a good time shopping. I also found it quite fun planning out the lessons and activities. Perhaps I missed my calling. Or not. Because I am certainly loving what I'm doing, degree or no degree.

This is going to be a blast!