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MaryMary
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If you were a beginning homeschooler, and someone offered to purchase any and all curricula/materials/supplies/picture books/furniture etc. for your homeschool?
A friend of mine is in this fortunate position, and she would love some advice. She has four children, ages 5 and under, the oldest is just beginning Kindergtn. Where to begin is my problem...so many great resources out there to recommend to her. I'm thinkin' picture books. LOTS and LOTS of great quality literature...That, and some great reading for Mommy (i.e Elizabeth's book). But what do YOU think?
What do you wish you would have had as a resource when you were beginning your HSing career? What resources can't you live without NOW?
I'm planning to print out this thread for her when I see her in a few days. I want to show her that these forums are one of the greatest resources of all. The best things in life ARE free!
Mary
mom 2 3 
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Erin
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Mary
I'll have to do some thinking on this, but firstly in the line of hs books for mum- I would say that Elizabeth's Real Learning and Sally Clarkson's Educating the Whole Hearted Child would be the absolute best.
Elizabeth's because it is gentle, inspirational and most importantly do-able. As a fantastic bonus it is Catholic. An absolute must  Sally's funnily enough I don't own because I already have so many books thast cover her topics. IMO I believe her book to be the best of covering the various methods of hs. If I'd had her book I wouldn't have had to purchase anything else 
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Erin
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lapazfarm
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I would get a few resources like reference books (World History, Science Encyclopedia, Atlas and globe, etc). But rather than alot of books, which can be gotten for free at the library, or aquired over time, I would focus on the environment. It would be awesome for her to have a total Montessori set-up with all the shelves, trays, and manipulatives. Plus the albums with directions for all the presentations. And a couple of low tables and chairs and some nice mats for floor work.
I'd also get some DVD's like Leapfrog and some books on tape.
Since she is a beginner I would get Elizabeth's book, Catholic Mosaic and all those titles, and perhaps Five in a Row to get Mom started.
I would get a fully stocked art cabinet for sure!
That's a start, right!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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mary
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i would get atrium pieces
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Kelly
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And Laura Berquist's books, "Designing your own Classical Curriculum" and "Harp and Laurel Wreath". I also liked "The Well Trained Mind" some excellent resources within, and inspiring, even if it's a lot more rigid approach than I like. It's the book that got me notebooking, afterall. Cay's "Literature Alive" would be a great resource, too. As an added bonus, three of the four above resources are Catholic. 
In terms of Best Supplies, my top choice would be a really nice xerox machine! A heavy-duty, durable one. We were lucky enough to "inheirit" an old office machine from my dh's office when we began, and we have worked that machine until the cows come home! Major use.
The big, hundred dollar set of Prismacolor Pencils (best colored pencils, IMHO) and a passle of Ticonderoga #2 lead pencils (the best regular pencil, IMHO ) would be another nice starting point.
In terms of furniture, a big table and lots (and lots) of bookshelves. Did I mention lots of bookshelves?  LOTS o' bookshelves!
Last but not least, I personally like to have an old copy of World Book Encycolopedias on hand, say 1960s to 1980s. I picked up my set from 1970s for $25 and use them all the time. More for the younger crowd than the older, they are an invaluable resource in our homeschool. Also, a complete set of Field Guides would be very useful.
Just my off-the-top-of-my-head 2 cents worth!
Kelly in FL
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marihalojen
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Super art supplies and memberships to zoos, museums, planetariums, local attractions...
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Mother to Mariannna, age 13
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JennGM
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I have the early age, and I think I would second everything in Theresa's list. And add the atrium materials...those are expensive and/or time consuming.
There are many books available at the library, but some you might want to have around. The picture books that will be used over and over again (like the Catholic Mosaic suggestions and the Advent and Christmas titles) start getting now.
And second Kelly's recommendation for bookshelves. Perhaps set a room aside and get some built-ins? Elizabeth's library is a dream....
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Jennifer G. Miller
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saintanneshs
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All of the suggestions here are great!
How about A Charlotte Mason Companion by Karen Andreola? Just reading her advice on "home environment" is enough to positively guide any mom, homeschooling or not. I LOVE this book because it is so comprehensive.
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Cici
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Hmnnn. I have a 4.5, 2 yr old, and one on the way.
I would say Elizabeth's book, an FIAR manual, art supplies (prismacolor pencils, good paper, water colors, water color paper, tempera paint), an easel (my children love painting even more now that we have the easel), Catholic Mosaic, Hainstock's book, HWT )my dd is thoroughly enjoying HWT right now - and I was having a hard time teaching her handwriting with the free printables off the web).
I third the bookshelves, a laminator, a copy/scanner/printer, Moira's first album (I don't have, but its on my list), and some atrium supplies.
Picture books - does she live in an area with a good library system? I think I might second Jenn's opinion and get the Advent Catholic Mosaic titles, and maybe a few of the FIARs to get her started. Maybe more if the library isn't that great where you live.
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Bookswithtea
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Elizabeth's book, Catholic Mosaic (and as many of the titles as possible), a FIAR manual (with titles again), and a membership to the local zoo, children's museum or nature center. Messy art supplies would be a great bonus.
As much as I like Sally Clarkson's book, there is so much more available now that is Catholic. I would try to stick with Catholic materials, just because starting out with homeschooling is hard enough without confusing issues.
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~Books
mothering ds'93 dd'97 dd'99 dd'02 ds'05 ds'07 and due 9/10
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Rachel May
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I would add some of those magazine organizers that hold the soft cover books that otherwise slide or get lost on the bookshelf. I'm thinking specifically of my MODG syllabi, Land without a Sunday by Maria Von Trapp and my Lost Tools of Learning, which is, naturally, lost.
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Rachel
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Betsy
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+JMJ+
All of these suggestion are really wonderful. But, I would take all of the advice to prayer and remember that sometimes more is less.
When my boys were really young I did buy alot of things...and they ended up getting ruined or unused. Either they were too young for the material or I changed my philosoph by the time they were ready for it.
However, it is a perfect and wonderful time for her to be gathering information and developing her philosophy. So, I doubly recommend all of the "moms" books.
Betsy
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Sharie
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I also agree that essentials would be Real Learning, Catholic Mosaic(AND all the books it uses!) Maybe throw in one of the Five-in-a-Row books...even if she doesn't want to do this, it would give her ideas on how she might be able to elaborate on some of the Catholic Mosaic titles.
One other thing might be either a book on how to teach reading or a reading program.
I would also fill the house/school area with lots of puzzles and discovery type learning things.
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TracyQ
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There are several other resources I wanted to mention (besides those mentioned above that are all wonderful).
One is The Catholic Homeschool Companion which you can see here: The Catholic Homeschool Companion
The other is a book that has really helped me to understand how my children learn best, and has really helped me to make good curriculum choices, and to really get to know my children better and therefore foster better relationships with them, and honestly, my husband and myself once I understood both of us better too (when we did the learning profile as parents), is *Discover Your Child's Learning Style*. You can see it here: Discover Your Child's Learning Style
The third is a book that really helped me to SEE my homeschool the way I wanted it to be....ABUNDANT. It was an excellent book to really show how wonderfully abundant, full of love and joy homeschooling can be. It's the one homeschooling book that I read more than once, and refer to often. You can see that here: Beyond Survival: A Guide to Abundant Life Homeschooling
The last resource that I would recommend that I've used a LOT throughout our homeschooling would be a membership to *Enchanted Learning*. It's a wonderful website that you subscribe to, but is very reasonable, and we've used it from when the kids were younger, all the way until now (high school and middle school). I have used it a TON, and would definitely recommend it. You go here for that: Enchanted Learning Website
I hope this helps.
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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Maddie
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Just a few simple suggestions that have lasted over ten years:
I love my Clock-o-dile, a handy, sturdy play clock with cards to help practice the time with,
My floor puzzle of the United States by Melissa and Doug,
A good set of play money
An electric pencil sharpener for good sharp tips on pencils, makes a big difference in the children's writing and color pencil coloring,
A copy machine! For $150 you can buy a good HP at Best Buy and it will save you SOOO much time and $$$. You can't underestimate the value of good office equipment for homeschooling.
All the books mentioned above and I would also include a set of CD's from a homeschool conference to encourge her mid-year when the h/s gets tough.
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~Maddie~
Wife to my dh and Momma of 9 dear ones
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ALmom
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Would your friend's patron allow her a set ammount per year of homeschooling and then spread out her purchases. I found that what worked for me when I had just young children didn't work when I had more and more varied ages. Or what I thought would be grand at the beginning just didn't work for me. It took some years of homeschooling for me to realize certain things about my own limits - and my children's special needs (not necessarily in the sense of learning disabilities though we have had some of those too). Also, in the younger grades its not so hard to make your own games, find stuff and there isn't much pressure. It's tougher when they get older and you have tons of children and toddlers and olders and need something that is soooo good that the children have some things that they can do without a lot of explanation from you - and by high school the stuff gets more expensive whereas you can find really inexpensive but great things in the younger grades. Just my 2 cents.
Then, if I didn't have to do it right away, I'd borrow stuff from someone first and see how it works for me before I actually purchased it. After a week to a months use, you get a better idea of what you really like and waste less money and have less clutter. And, from experience, clutter is the nightmare of homeschooling.
However, bookshelves are a guaranteed need - but what fits now and looks nice might not work later - so one or two really nice bookshelves make sense. I wish I had some with glass doors that could be closed to cut down on the dust - but we didn't want those until after the littles were older.
Janet
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TracyQ
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OH! Maddie reminded me with the Conference CD idea!!!
Father Corapi's Message to Home Schoolers it the MOST AMAZING thing I've heard, and brought me to TEARS (in a really good way)! I was literally sobbing by the end, as he spoke about our mission and why it's so important. So often, we feel so isolated, and wonder whether we're doing the right thing. THIS is an amazing encouragement!
It is one I would NEVER part with...ever! In fact, I have it on cassette, and am going to buy it on CD. You can buy it here:
Father Corapi's Message to Home Schoolers
Blessings,
Tracy
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Blessings and Peace,
Tracy Q.
wife of Marty for 20 years, mom of 3 wonderful children (1 homeschool graduate, 1 12th grader, and a 9th grader),
homeschooling in 15th year in Buffalo, NY
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MaryMary
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[QUOTE=ALmom] Would your friend's patron allow her a set ammount per year of homeschooling and then spread out her purchases.
Janet, I'm pretty sure this will be a one time only deal.
You guys are amazing! Shucks, as a relatively new homeschooler myself I'm gleaning so many wonderful ideas! Keep 'em comin'...
Mary
Mom 2 3
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ladybugs
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We didn't have a lot of $$ when we started homeschooling...so my recommendation would be for a library card, a rosary, time, paint, food coloring (various art supplies) and letting the little ones help in the kitchen.
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
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dizzylaurel
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One thing that we couldn't live without in these past four years of homeschooling is a great big THICK dictionary...our Webster's 2nd edition is about five inches thick and includes all the roots and origins of words. It also has some nice color plates that have sparked all kinds of discussions! I remember hearing at a homeschool conference once that "all you really need is a place to sit, a dictionary, maybe some encyclopdias and atlases, and some paper and art supplies". In this current day, I'd add high speed Internet to that list!
Hugs,
Laurel in PA
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Topic: What would you order...
