Shopping for homeschool curriculum can be a nightmare. There are so many options and possibilities, from all-in-one boxed curriculum programs to subject by subject products; the amount of items being marketed to homeschoolers is staggering.
Families may be making buying decisions that don’t work for them, simply because of slick marketing campaigns or because they over-bought or the product simply wasn’t a good fit. Learning how to shop for used curriculum and discount homeschool supplies will help you stretch your homeschooling budget.
Used Homeschool Curriculum
Start with your local homeschool support group. Place your wish list in the newsletter or on the email group asking if anyone has the homeschool curriculum items you’re looking for. Keep an eye out for listings of items for sale or even for free. Just because it didn’t work well in their home doesn’t mean it won’t work well in yours. Take their recommendations to heart, and consider the reasons they’re getting rid of the product.
Buying Used Homeschool Curriculum Online
Check Craigslist.com or an online auction site like ebay.com. There are always used curriculum books available on ebay. If you’re shopping between September and January, you are likely to pay a lower price than in the peak months of February to August. Homeschool message boards and website forums often have boards set up specifically for the resale of textbooks for homeschooling. Even Amazon.com sells used books.
Homeschool Used Books Warning
Be aware of the condition of the used homeschool curriculum items you’re buying. If the workbooks are all worked through, you might need to buy a replacement workbook. If the previous owner only worked through a few pages before deciding to quit, you might be able to salvage it by skipping the pages or erasing the writing.
Cheap Textbooks
In some areas, school districts sell surplus and outdated items annually. See if your district makes a habit of selling cheap textbooks. Stay away from outdated science and social studies books that may teach facts which have been found to be incorrect. Flip through the books carefully to screen for inappropriate graffiti. Expect each set to contain a teacher’s book, a textbook, a workbook and possibly other resources like a test booklet or additional resources.
Sometimes textbooks for homeschooling can be found at thrift shops and yard sales. Rarely will these books have the accompanying teacher’s manuals and workbooks, but many families have found that those items aren’t necessary, or that they can be purchased individually for a much lower price.
Cheap Homeschooling Philosophy
Some homeschooling methods lend themselves easily to an inexpensive homeschooling lifestyle. The Thomas Jefferson method involves mainly reading from the classics and having lively discussions with parents/mentors. It is an inexpensive homeschooling method because the books are generally readily available at public libraries and discount book stores. Unschooling and the Charlotte Mason method can also be cheap homeschooling methods, since, like Thomas Jefferson, learning occurs mainly through educational experiences and activities, instead of through textbooks.
Regardless of your homeschooling method, discount homeschool supplies are available online and in every state. Keep your eyes open, your wish list handy and your hands out of your pockets!
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
