Hello friends!
As our society attempts to flatten the curve of the coronavirus growth, we’re in a weird season of changing the way we live. Many of you find your kiddos home with you for the foreseeable future after school closures are sweeping the nation this week. I want to encourage and equip you with some resources to help guide your transition to homeschooling (whatever that may look like for you!) over the next few weeks or months.
Today on Instagram, I shared a “homeschool crash course” that details our daily rhythms, some teaching books that may be of great help to you, and tips for your days at home. You can watch those videos here.
Even though these times are disconcerting and scary for many, none of it comes as a surprise to God. As you may be starting this new season of having your kiddos at home, know that He is FOR you, and He’ll equip you with the patience and grace you need. Just like any day as a parent, you will have to ask forgiveness more than you’d like, and you’ll need a heavy dose of flexibility and a sense of humor, but you’ve GOT this!
In this post, I wanted to share our favorite curriculum and tools for learning. Now, before you go spend a lot of money on new books and teaching supplies, remember that you have SO many tools at your disposal right in front of you.
Those Costco applesauce packet lids turn into math manipulatives for counting!
Baking as a family teaches chemistry, reading comprehension, math and whole lot more!
Doing yoga helps refocus little brains, boost immune systems, and calm fidgety bodies.
Puzzles can easily be made with some old cardboard or paper, crayons and scissors.
Get creative! Think outside the box. Independent play is some of the BEST learning that they can get.
Especially if you are not planning to homeschool long term, you’ll be able to help your children learn and stay busy with what you have at home.
If you need a few fresh supplies, I have compiled many many of our favorite learning and play resources in my Amazon shop. You’ll find our favorite magnetic calendar in there, lots of puzzles, books, and games that we love. I earn a small commission through anything bought at that link.
Curriculum
The Good and the Beautiful for Language Arts and Science (and they’re having a big moving sale right now, so perfect timing!)
Silas uses this Language Arts coursebook. Click “buy individual items” on that link to purchase the $29 coursebook, rather than the entire curriculum.
Delia uses this Level K coursebook.
Handwriting without Tears for writing practice. Silas really likes their Building Writers workbook.
Kids Read Truth for Bible studies and kids’ theology.
Highlights Magazine has a TON of awesome puzzling books, doodling pads, etc. This Jumbo Pad of Puzzles and Games is a HUGE hit in our house!
Other Resources
Teachers Pay Teachers is an amazing site for downloadable worksheets!
Khan Academy Kids is one of our FAVORITE apps for learning!
Stack the States is a great app for geography!
Cosmic Kids Yoga on Youtube is super fun.
OK, that should be enough to get you started! It’s definitely not a comprehensive list, but I hope it’s helpful! Stay sane, and healthy, and love your neighbors (even if that means staying far away from them!)
xo, Lindsay
