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It will be time to go back to school before you know it. Now is the time to start putting together your Homeschool Back to School Supply List. Our homeschool list seems to grow every year, but there are always a few items we always need. Homeschooling doesn’t require extravagant items, but you do need a few basic items.

Homeschool Back to School Supply List

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You may think as homeschoolers you don’t need a back to school supply list.  While this is true in regards to many items like uniforms and long lists of supplies, there are some basic items you will want to have on hand.

Printer

If you do a lot of printing for homeschooling, then this may be one of the bigger items you need on your back to school supply list. Luckily, printers are pretty inexpensive these days. Look for great deals on printer ink and stay stocked up, so you never have to pay full price. A lot of times, it’s cheaper to just buy a new printer with ink. You could also look into getting refillable ink for your printer.  I love the HP Printer options and the monthly Instant Ink plan.  You can pay less than $5 a month for ink with their programs. 

Pencils

You know your family most likely goes through a tons of pencils. A back to school supply list for homeschooling isn’t complete without pencils. While you’re at it, make sure you grab a pencil sharpener. While you’re at it, stock up on markers, colored pencils, glue, and scissors. We always use a ton of these items during the homeschool year.  Ticonderoga Pencils are popular around the back to school season for good reason.  They sharpen easier and last longer than the cheaper brands at your stores. 

Lots of paper

When you’re homeschooling, you just can’t go wrong with having too much paper. Homeschooling ensures we use a LOT of paper! From writing out the ABCs to using scrap paper for math, you’ll want to stock up on paper. I try to stock up on paper of all kids when I see a good deal. We use lined paper and construction paper a lot, during our homeschool day.  Classic lined filler paper is the one item we can never have enough of in our classroom. 

Choose a curriculum

Most people that homeschool end up buying a new or used curriculum. This is a huge part of a homeschool back to school supply list. It is probably the part that will take you the longest to decide. While you’re looking, make sure you choose one that’s affordable. There are tons of platforms in which you can buy used or brand new homeschool curriculum.

We currently use the BookShark Curriculum as the base of our homeschool.  The level kits are excellent for our family and give me the option to supplement with my favorite math and handwriting or spelling curriculum. You can also check out our thoughts on the benefits of using a homemade homeschool curriculum if you have a limited budget.

• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum
• Ultimate List of Free Homeschool Curriculum

A whiteboard

A great tool to have during your homeschool room is a whiteboard. Not only does this save paper, but it’s also a really good tool to have during homeschooling. Kids loved working with whiteboards and it prevents mom from having to write things out a million times.  You can find a reasonable price on whiteboards during the back to school season, but I love VIZ-Pro Magnetic Whiteboard myself.

A tablet or laptop

Another essential item, during our homeschool journey, is some type of tablet or laptop. We use a lot of learning apps and a tablet is what works best for us. You can also use the library as a resource.  A computer will give you access to games, programs, and online curriculum through sites like ABCMouse, Kahn Academy, and Moby Max.  These are vital for a homeschool family. 

No matter what you add to your list of back to school supplies this year, this is a great place to begin.  Make a list of your family needs and shop for the appropriate items.  For your family, this could be traditional supplies or could mean things like a Netflix account for educational documentaries.

More Homeschool Tips: 

How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget

Math Activities for Preschoolers

How to Create a Homeschool Planner

LEGO Building Games for Homeschool Classrooms

Back to school season may feel like a bit of a bummer to kids. After all, they have just enjoyed a few months of fun and sun. So how can you lessen the burn of the back to school season? A totally epic back to school bash is the perfect solution. Throwing a back to school bash with kids can help get them excited about a new school year and bring the summer to a fantastic end. Take a look below at how to throw a back to school bash with your family so you can kick the new school year off right!

How To Throw An Epic Back To School Bash

This post contains affiliate links.

1. Bring the kids in on the planning.
Get the kids around the table and ask them their opinions on this back to school bash. What would they like to do, eat, and enjoy? How do they picture it? Search for some fun ideas via Pinterest and create a to-do list together. Assign jobs to each child to take too much stress off of yourself. Get them involved in the planning and execution of the back to school bash so it is a family event that everyone has a hand in.

2. Serve creative school themed snacks.
Make things simple on yourself by creating a buffet of snacks for everyone to enjoy. You can give snacks some fun school themed names, such as Gym Glass Juice, Principal Pretzels, and Recess Snack Mix. You can even use a primary color party theme, and incorporate plenty of yellow, blue, and red snacks into the mix. Finger foods will work best and are easy for grab and go.  I always grab my tablecloths, cups, napkins, and such on the Dollar Tree website. So much cheaper, and just as nice.

3. Create functional back to school crafts.
Create some functional back to school crafts together like simple pencil holders or pencil pouches.  We made these fun Minions Movie Duct Tape Pencil Pouches last year that are so cheap and easy!  You can upcycle old jars and cans into pencil holders or use scrap fabric and fabric glue to make simple pencil pouches. Create crafts using items you have on hand and ones that can be used in your homework station.  We even used popsicle sticks for easy Minions bookmarks!

4. Create a vision board that reflects goals for the year.
Give each child a poster board that they can turn into a vision board. On this board, they can write down their goals for the year, inspirational quotes, and post a picture of themselves at the start of the year. This is a great way to build excitement and anticipation for the new school year. Post the vision boards in a common place or privately in their bedrooms for reference throughout the school year.

5. Enjoy some final summer activities.
A back to school bash is the perfect time to enjoy those fun summer activities one last time. Get out the bubbles, sidewalk chalk, bikes, kiddie pools, face paint, H2OGo Slide, water balloons, and other family fun activities. Enjoy the activities as a family and make the most of these last days of summer. Before you know it, school will be back in session!

Are you ready to start kicking the school year off right? Give these tips for how to throw a back to school bash a try and send the kids off to school with enthusiasm!

More Back To School Tips:

• Tips For Adjusting To Back To School Schedules
• Life-Changing Homeschool Organization Ideas
• How To Create A Bedtime Routine For School Age Kids
• Tips For Getting Into A Successful Homeschool Routine

These tips for adjusting to back to school schedules remind us it is time to really get started preparing for school to begin again.  It’s hard to believe that the kids will be heading back to school before we know it! When it comes to adjusting back to school schedules for our kids, there are some things we can do to help do our part. Check out these tips for making the transition easier on the whole family.

Tips For Adjusting To Back To School Schedules

Are you looking for more homeschool support?  Come join our Homeschooling Lazy Parent Style group today!

Solid Bedtime

Kids simply cannot go to bed whenever they want and expect to be able to deal with life as it comes. It’s important to give kids a solid bedtime, so they can enjoy their days a little better. Honestly, choosing the correct bedtime for your kid can be difficult, but trial and error can help you find the bed time that works for you and them.  Start a few weeks before the first day of school and begin by making sure your kids are getting at minimum 8 hours of sleep. For most children, 10 hours of sleep seems to be the best for behavior and health.

Knowing What is Ahead

Kids need to know what will be happening to their schedules in a few weeks. Allow your kids to know what’s ahead, so they can mentally prepare for going back to school. Start a countdown with the kids, this will help them know and understand when school is starting up again.  This is important for your youngest students as well as teenagers in high school.  Having a plan in place makes everything go smoothly.

Get them Involved

Help your kids adjust to back to school by getting them involved. Let them help pack school lunches, set alarms, and get everything ready for the new school year. Ask their opinions on backpacks, clothing, and what they are most excited about this school year.  Let them make decisions about this part of their life.  Work on adjusting schedules and routines until everyone is happy and feeling comfortable with the new school routine.  This is probably the most important tip for adjusting to back to school schedules.  Let your kids make decisions about their own schedule.

Give Time to Unwind

So many kids get overwhelmed after school and it’s because they need time to unwind after spending all day with other kids. Giving your child some time to unwind can be the difference between a bad attitude or a great one. Let them take a small nap in their room after school or give them some time to color, draw, or read after they get home. Think about it like this, you need time to unwind after work and they need time to unwind after school.

Check out our other great tips for back to school!

How To Create A Bedtime Routine For School Aged Children

Ways To Kick Start Your Homeschool

Coping With Your Child Starting School

Using Legos In Your Homeschool

Do you have any tips you’d add to the list?

If you have a LEGO crazed boy or girl in your house then you have the perfect motivator for learning! LEGOS can be used to teach everything from math to language arts to art!  They are free since you probably already have buckets of them on hand, and will keep your childs attention probably better than any other theme will.  I know my son will reach for LEGOS before any other toy so it seemed like a great theme to use, and it was! Whether you have a preschooler right on up through middle school you can easily be Using Legos In Your Homeschool.  They are also great if you just want to supplement school work. I want to give you some ideas to get you started using LEGOS in every aspect of your school day.

Using LEGOS In Your Homeschool

Check out our Homeschooling for Lazy Parents Facebook Support Group for more tips and ways to make your homeschooling experience easy to manage!

Math

You can use LEGOS as a tool in  math from simple one to one correspondence counting (pointing to each object as you count 1,2,3…) to  fractions.  They are a fabulous  math manipulative for boys or girls.

Even toddlers and preschools can use them  (with supervision and perhaps the bigger Duplo version) can learn through using them.  Colors are a beginning concept of math, you can have them identify colors, sort, make patterns, count using one to one correspondence, as a tool for simple addition and subtraction.

Make worksheets by writing out math problems such as 5+2=_, or 10-3=_ and have your child use LEGOS as a manipulative to solve the problems, and then write down their answer. For addition problems use 2 different colors to show each addend. Let them also make up their own problems, involving them in the process will make them more interested.

Fractions? No problem. Make flash cards listing various fractions, give your child a pile of LEGOS and have them demonstrate by making a visual model of them.

Language Arts

Use a small piece of washi or painters tape to cover one side of a brick- write letters for little ones, give them 2 or 3 as well as an object like a pan and have them match the object with the beginning letter.

Cover one side of LEGO in tape, write simple sight words  on each one. Call out words and have your child pick up the one you called out, to make it more fun have them use tongs or even their toes!  Another variation? Create a bingo sheet with sight words on it, and use the LEGOS as markers.

Show your child how to count syllables in a word- use LEGOS to represent each syllable.

Use the LEGOS to create letters of the alphabet, a great way to enforce letter recognition.

When reading we use long LEGO pieces as pointers to track words in the story.

Science 

Create a LEGO solar system or a diagram of the bones using bricks.

Build simple machines from LEGO, make predictions on how they will work, have your child log their findings.

Measure with LEGOS or make towers from them and measure with a ruler.

Use a scale to measure weight, learn the terms- balance, heavier, lighter, etc. Give your child tasks by asking them to weigh 5 -6 stud bricks on one side and 10- 2 stud bricks on the other. Which is heavier? Have them add more as needed until the scale is balanced.

History/Geography-

If you are studying a particular time period, place, or person use LEGOS to  create landmarks like The Tower of Pisa, a replica of the Sistine Chapel,  or a map of Florida.

Use them to create a timeline- cover in washi or painters tape, write events from various points in history and have your child place them in order.

Study the history of the bricks themselves using the library or computer- When and where were they invented? What does LEGO mean? Where are the various factories located?

Art

Create free form structures and designs or give your child a specific subject- make a flower from LEGOS,  create a garden using them, etc.

Use LEGOS as stamps, dip them, both sides, in paint and create a free form abstract painting.

Create your own Minifig- Have you child draw their own unique version of a Minifig character.

Related Content: Lego Building Games, keep your kids interested in learning!

General

One of my favorite activities to do with my son is to give him a select amount of LEGO bricks in a bag and ask him to make – a flying machine, a boat, a building, or anything that comes to mind. This builds great critical thinking and problem solving skills.

At any age the act of putting together and taking apart bricks builds fine motor skills, this is great for children who are having a hard time with writing.

Create something functional out of LEGOS-  A pencil holder, a back scratcher, bookends, etc…

Don’t forget to just play with your child- LEGOS are amazing for imagination, creativity, dramatic play, fine motor skills, they can be therapeutic for any child but especially those with special needs.

Sensory Bin- Fill bin 1/4 to half of the way with water or rice, toss in some LEGOS and let their senses and imagination take over.

What is your favorite way to use LEGOS for learning?

There are numerous reasons why you have chosen to homeschool your child. One of them most likely being to provide your child with a better education. However, when you have chosen to begin Homeschooling Your Defiant Child, it can be tricky to find success. Don’t let a little attitude get in the way. Here are some great tips to keep in mind when homeschooling your defiant child.

Homeschooling Your Defiant Child

This post contains affiliate links.  I earn a small commission on purchases made via these links. 

As a parent, you want the absolute best for your child. Sometimes, that means changing things up to get to the root of a problem.  Below are some of my tried and true methods for homeschooling an often defiant child.  Defiance doesn’t necessarily mean there is some hidden horrible problem.  It can often mean that your child is struggling with expressing themselves appropriately. Hopefully, the tips below will help you to find out the problem and solve it easily.

Find the Root of Deficiency

This is oftentimes easier said than done, however, try to find the root of the problem. Does your child need more sleep? Is your child hungry? Is there an issue outside of school that is distracting him? Sometimes there is an easy fix, but if none of these is the issue, try these next tips.

Try a Different Style

What works for one kiddo may not always work for the next. If your child is having a hard time learning, sometimes that can lead to them becoming defiant. Try another learning style, to see if that makes school a little easier for your kiddo.

Consistency is Essential

Lots of changes can put a damper on anyone’s mood, especially younger kiddo. Make sure that you are being consistent, in all aspects. This includes having a consistent homeschooling routine, as well as keeping life outside of the classroom as routine as possible.

Add an Extra Break

Is your child defiant because they cannot focus for too long at once? If so, consider breaking up your school day. Either do a little school work in the morning, and then a few hours rest before going back at it later in the afternoon. You could also just add in an extra 15 minute break or so, if you are worried about taking too long of a break, and becoming unmotivated.

Stretch and Allow Movement

Sitting up straight in a chair for hours each day gets old. Perhaps part of your child’s problem is that they need to move around a bit. Consider getting an exercise ball for your child to sit on, instead of a stiff chair. The bouncing movement may help loosen your child up, and make their day a little less stressful.

Make it Fun

Sometimes defiance comes from boredom. While you do not want to reward poor behavior, make sure that you are making your homeschooling time exciting, and fun. If your child has something to look forward to every day, he is going to be less likely to act out.

Homeschooling your defiant child isn’t always easy. However, these tips can help make your life a little easier.

More Homeschooling Tips

• Benefits of Using a Homeschool Co-op
• Benefits of Homeschooling with a Homemade Curriculum
• How to Homeschool Multiple Grade Levels on a Budget
• How to Make a Homeschool Planner
• Places to Find Secular Homeschool Curriculum