The Homeschooler's Toolkit: Resources for Every Learning Style
- Rustina
- Nov 4, 2023
- 5 min read
Updated: May 31
By Rustina
Homeschooling was not always my intention -- until I had my own children! Once they came along, then I knew I wanted to. Convincing my dear husband was a bit trickier, but he was aware of the shortcomings in public school and the increasing concerns. Eventually, he agreed, thankfully. I cannot imagine it any other way now. I have been homeschooling for 10 years with kiddos in multiple age groups and learning styles.
I am often asked about what resources I use. I started a Facebook group, Homeschool Discussions, during the boom that occurred during the pandemic. Creating a blogpost to share highly recommended resources and well loved materials seems more useful – while the social media giant is on its leisurely stroll through the highway of life with an enthusiastic snail as their tour guide these days.
That's enough chatter though; let's get to the good stuff!
Important Notes to Consider
I find it interesting how we all learn differently. A big part of the fun in homeschooling is getting to discover their style and see their growth. Not to mention, understanding my own learning style, and how I can improve my ability to reach out to other styles. I have a reading and analytical learning style, while my kiddos are a mix of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic with additional layers of analytical, reflective, and active layers. You can learn more about learning styles in my post on Modern Alternative Mama called What You Need to Know about Learning Styles (and Why It Matters).
Sometimes, a curriculum or activity is helpful for one child, but not the other. That's okay and absolutely normal because of learning styles and thinking styles (What Kind of Thinker is Your Child?).
People use a combination of all parts of their brains, but sometimes, we can draw more from one side than the other to evaluate the world around us. Just like some students thrive in a class setting, some students struggle with larger groups. If you are struggling to help your kiddo, understanding the basics of these dominant learning and thinking styles may be a great place to start or even help create that very connection you have been hoping to fire up.
There are always complications to every journey we embark on. It may be questioning How to Homeschool with Multiple Ages or How to Homeschool if Both Parents Have to Work. These do make it more interesting, but not impossible. You can do it! (Why do I even type that in a Rob Schneider kind of way?)
Top Resources for Every Learning Style
When deciding what materials to use, first ask yourself these questions:
What goals do you wish to meet this year?
What topics interest your child?
Do you need something that is scheduled daily and prepared completely for you? Or do you prefer something you can use as a reference and move at your own pace?
Are you wanting something complete with all predetermined topics, or do you want to put together things from different sources to fit different needs and views?
Are you looking for things that are religious or non-religious?
Some places to check out curriculums before spending a lot:
Public Library
Local Homeschool Groups
Facebook Homeschool buy and sell groups
Online Reviews
Ebay
Many websites also offer free trials or a certain number of money-back guaranteed days to try it.
Curricula
1. Education.com -- great for those who want to put together units or child led learning
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, and Reading
You can download up to 10 free items a month or get a subscription for unlimited.
I started doing the free downloads, but we love the online games, typing program, and everything really so ended up getting the lifetime membership. They also have a virtual assignment section so you can set up tailored activities for your child or let them play educational games at their pace.
2. Outschool -- great for those who want to put together units or child led learning
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (in some classes), and Reading
Outschool is essentially an online co-op where you can find nearly any class your child might like to join. The classes are done virtually with a teacher and a small group of other students.
We have taken French, Animal Studies, and even Martial Arts through Outschool. Most classes are about $8 per class. If you sign up for a class using the link above, you can get a $20 credit to go towards classes (and so will I).
3. Alpha Omega Publications and Online Academy -- great for those who want a package all prepared
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (in some lessons), and Reading
You can check out the product reviews for Alpha Omega Publications. They offer great Visual and Auditory learning with online, project, and text-based learning. You can earn reward points to go towards their curriculum purchases as well (that link will also get you 15% off Horizons and LIFEPAC).
4. Abeka -- great for those who want a package all prepared
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (in some lessons), and Reading
Abeka offers supplemental pieces to purchase or entire "grade level" kits for a complete curriculum. They also offer support and video lessons virtually as well.
5. Khan Academy -- this can be a whole package or used in pieces to fit what you need
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, and Reading
Khan Academy offers free courses and resources for ages 2-18 although donations are appreciated!
Here is a review: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/website.../khan-academy
6. My Father's World -- great for those who want a package all prepared
Learning Style Support: Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic (in some lessons), and Reading
My Father's World offers complete grade range kits and an active online community as well for support.
If you are looking for more ideas, check out the Hip Homeschool Moms' Review page: https://hiphomeschoolmoms.com/category/curricula
There really are hundreds more out there, too! Start searching and asking friends what has worked well for them. Check out local homeschool conventions also.
Variety Links
Looking for a catalog or safe place to order a variety of curricula and supplies? Check these out!
You can get discounts on curriculum, print free School ID cards for places that ask for student or teacher ID (like a tour group discount or store discount), read reviews of curriculum, and much more! Check out their blog page too!
They have all sorts of curriculum, project kids, supplies, and offer free consultations for recommendations for their over 50,000 products available!
If you love Montessori inspired materials, this is the place to check out!
4. Amazon
There's a huge variety of homeschool supplies available on Amazon from workbooks to activity sets to books.
5. Earthley
At Earthley, we believe in the importance of natural wellness and education. We have created many amazing homeschool resources like Real Nutrition, Real Food: A Healthy Nutrition Curriculum, Learn to Homestead Series, Herbal Mini Family Guides, and even started free Natural Wellness Classes for Kids (Preschool and Youth Classes). There are workbooks for classes available as well).
Learning Style Support: Kinesthetic and Reading
At MAM, we love homeschooling and educating about natural wellness. Check out our sections for DIY , Real Food Cooking, Natural Parenting, and Homeschool posts like this Homeschool Checklist Printables.
Learning Style Support: Kinesthetic (in some lessons) and Reading. This site is great for hands-on learning so kinestheticists can really enjoy this one.
If you are looking for fun activities to try out, real life or virtual field trips, or to read more about homeschooling (types of homeschooling/Wisconsin state law/etc), then feel free to join Homeschool Discussions.
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