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I wanted to share all my homeschool favorites with you as far as resources and products that have served us well. When you are new to homeschooling, it could seem like you need to run to a school supply store and give them all your money. However, I found it has been wise to figure out what could be helpful in the process of actually homeschooling.

After reading this, you can take or leave whatever may work for you. You will find I have listed out the items that have proved themselves worth their dollar in our years of experience.

Everything mentioned are things we have used for years, and have earned their place on this list. I hope you will find something that will make your homeschool days more efficient or delightful!

This post is all about our homeschool favorites.

homeschool favorites

Homeschool Favorites by Category

1. Notebooks

  • Narration Notebooks: These special notebooks are used about 3-4 times a week to keep written narrations for History, Bible, and Science. We ordered them top-bound with room for illustrations. It took each child about a year to complete one notebook. They are precious keepsakes that hold special memories!
homeschool favorites notebooks
Narration Notebooks
  • Watercolor Journals: The watercolor journals I have been using are no longer available, but these are what I am purchasing next. Quality brand that we have used many times, and I am fan of top bound notebooks because it doesn’t get in the way while trying to create!
homeschool favorites
Watercolor journals always come in handy!

[RELATED POST: Favorite Art Supplies for Homeschooling]

  • Reading Journal: With so many family read alouds, I wanted a way to keep track of what we read together. Ideally, there would be a way where my children and I could jot down a few thoughts of the books as well. I could almost cry when I read the pages of this Family Read Aloud Journal we found! We each write a blurb of thoughts about each read aloud. So sweet!
homeschool favorites journal
Family Read Aloud Journal

[RELATED POST: Summer Reading Book List Ideas]

2. Homeschool Planning Accessories

  • Highlighters: I have a few that I enjoy using, but this set is my current go-to for using in my Anna Vance Paper Co Planner. I rotate between this pastel brush pens set and this newer to me set as well. Of course, these are not necessary, but I do use them very often.
  • Pen Pouch: This is where I keep all of my planner supplies, including highlighters, brush pens, and washi tape.
  • Washi Tape: Purely decorative, that my kids and I use in our planners or to seal cards we write to family and friends. This is the exact one I have been using for the last 2 years (it has lasted me this long, with much to spare).
homeschool planning
Homeschool Planner Accessorries

3. Curriculum Binding Supplies

Since we purchase some downloadable curriculum, I decided to invest in a binding system so we do not have to outsource printing and binding. This has come in handy with 3 kids over the last few years.

  • Binder: Trubind Spiral/Coil Binding Machine
  • Large Coils: 1″ coils – 100 pack
  • Small Coils: 3/8″ coils – 100 pack
  • Plastic Sheets: Covers – 100 pack
  • Black Binding Page: Back Covers – 100 pack

4. Handy Homeschool Tools

  • Book Stand: This is so helpful! We use it when we are watercoloring or for typing practice. I sometimes bring it in the kitchen to prop up cookbooks.
homeschool favorites
Book Stand Used During Nature Study
  • LCD Writing Tablet: We pull this out in place of math scratch paper and to use for illustrating a concept. It saves on paper waste, and during read alouds, my little one uses it to doodle.
  • Silent Time: This comes in handy! I use this when I want to limit the amount of time for independent work. It also helps when my children are having a hard time focusing. “I need math done by the time this timer goes off,” usually gets them super focused. The visible color showing how much time is left is convenient if you have younger children who may not understand number values yet.

5. Homeschool Storage

  • Sturdy Vertical File Holders: These are so cute, but also very functional. I use them to hold curriculum together on the top tier of my rolling cart.
  • 3-Tier Rolling Cart: I could not find my exact cart, but I use TWO of them daily. Linked a very similar one. We store individual curriculum for 3 kids on one cart. The other holds are art supplies, teacher guides for myself to reference, and my admin supplies for work.
  • Portable File Boxes: This is where I store my kids’ curriculum. I like that it is portable, spacious, durable, and they can each have their own. If we need to move quickly or decide to take school outside, they can easily close the lid and be on their way. There is also a pencil holder within the lid.

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I learned about this cute coffee maker from my sister. I am so used to the bulky black coffee maker eye sores on the kitchen counter. This beauty totally lightens up the space! You will love seeing it sitting on the counter each morning.

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These are some of our current homeschool favorites, and will be updated as we go along.

Other Posts You May Like:

  • 2022-2023 Family Subjects Curriculum
  • The Best Homeschool Planner
  • Our Go-To Writing Curriculum for Years

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@juiceboxhomeschool

juiceboxhomeschool

Our summer homeschool rhythm is simple by design. Our summer homeschool rhythm is simple by design.

On the days we are home, we focus on math and language arts so it’s not a jolt of confusion when we return to fall. I am weaving in things that we used throughout the school year such as history read-alouds, morning meeting resources, and Night Zookeeper for my youngest, because it is just fun (free trial and 50% off available in my profile)!

Have any fun resources that you’re using this summer?

More about #cmmsummerschedule from #charlottemasonmondays here:

@truthgoodness_and_beauty
@juiceboxhomeschool
@moraviapress
@notebookingwithdelight
@kindlingwild
@livingideasplanner

#homeschoolmoms #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolplanner
We are in the homestretch over here. This time nex We are in the homestretch over here. This time next year, I will have my first homeschool graduate, and I have been sitting with a lot of feelings this season.

Looking back, so much of my mental energy went to things that genuinely did not matter as much as I thought they did. Yes, curriculum and rhythms affected our days, but a lot more was at play on the day-to-day that I would have liked to spend more of my effort towards.

The things I underestimated? The speed of this all. The uneventful, ordinary days that I did not think to hold onto. The moments when they were just... kids, learning alongside me.

I do not regret choosing this path for our family. However, if I could go back and whisper something to early homeschool me, it would be: worry less about keeping up and more about showing up. 

To anyone still in the thick of it, save this if you need the reminder. 🤍

Visit more #homestretchhomeschooling friends:
@redefiningschool
@rootedinrest
@delightfullyfeastingpress

#homeschooling #homeschoolhighschool #parentingteens #motherhood
Our homeschool days are feeling lighter, which fee Our homeschool days are feeling lighter, which feels about the right amount for summer. I’m noticing that since most things we are using are familiar to all of us, there is less need for my assistance.

It definitely feels like entering a new era with 2 high schoolers and a middle schooler. I am enjoying embarrassing them, and a different kind of relationship that is sometimes mom, and sometimes friend.

The book “Capable” by @sissygoff and raisingboysandgirls and it’s companion workbook for kids is a fresh addition to our rhythm. The workbook is great for kids ages 6-12, and would be a productive resource to utilize in the summer!

Comment “capable” for a link to this instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller book!

@bethany_house_nonfiction #iamcapable #capablebook #homeschooldayinthelife #homeschoolrhythm #homeschoolschedule
Our longest used curriculum is oddly the one I spe Our longest used curriculum is oddly the one I speak about the least, and that’s because it just works well for us year after year, kid after kid.

We’ve been using Institute for Excellence in Writing in our homeschool for over a decade, and it has been a solid and steady writing curriculum for each of my kids. I’ve seen an increase in confidence with a framework that makes sense.

This year my soon-to-be 6th grader is stepping into Structure and Style Year 2B and Fix It Grammar Level 4.

If you’ve ever wondered where to start with writing curriculum, @iew is the one I point homeschool moms to first. If you have questions about levels, placement, or whether it’s a good fit for your family, drop them below. 

Comment “iew” for my link! 🤍

#iew #writingcurriculum #homeschoolcurriculum #homeschoolplanning #homeschoolmom
We pour so much care into setting a generous feast We pour so much care into setting a generous feast for our children’s minds. However, somewhere between the read-alouds, the math lessons, and the snacks, it’s easy to forget that our minds are hungry too.

Charlotte Mason called it Mother Culture: the ongoing practice of keeping our own minds alive and growing. Not one more thing on the to-do list, but a way to preserve your personhood while we pour out.

So here’s what’s on my plate this summer (at least on paper). 🤍

A feast doesn’t have to be elaborate to be generous. A feast for them. A feast for us, too. What’s feeding your mind this summer?

More on #cmmsummermotherculture from #charlottemasonmondays here:

@truthgoodness_and_beauty
@notebookingwithdelight
@the.henderson.haus
@juiceboxhomeschool
@livingideasplanner
@kindlingwild

#charlottemasoninspired  #homeschoolmom #homeschoolplanning
There is something so special about coming full ci There is something so special about coming full circle in homeschooling. 🤍 #ad

I just unboxed our 2026–2027 history, Bible, and literature for my youngest, and I honestly got a little emotional. We are using Sonlight Level F, which covers the Eastern Hemisphere, and it instantly brought me back to my very first year of homeschooling because I used @sonlightcurriculum with my oldest!

Now here I am, opening it again for the first time with my youngest daughter, and it feels wonderfully nostalgic.

What I already love is how literature-rich it is. I can already picture the read-aloud moments, the conversations, and the places we’ll “travel” together through these books.

If you want to see the full unboxing with all my chatter and check out what packages they offer, comment “history” and I’ll send you both my YouTube unboxing video and affiliate link. 🤍

#sonlight #livingbooks #homeschoolcurriculum sonlightboxday curriculumpicks
Sharing what we are doing for homeschool this summ Sharing what we are doing for homeschool this summer with my 3! I tend to rollover the morning meeting rhythm materials from the school year for any days we are home. It just helps keep us in the flow of a disciplined day, with extra time for play and exploring their personal interests.

If you’re taking the summer off, I want to encourage you that kids learn constantly. Sometimes the best thing we can do is get out of the way and let life be the teacher.

 I shared a fuller deep dive into our plans on the subscriber side of IG. What are your plans? Are you schooling at all this summer?

More about #cmmsummerfeast from #charlottemasonmondays here:
@truthgoodness_and_beauty
@livingideasplanner
@juiceboxhomeschool
@notebookingwithdelight

#curriculumpicks #juiceboxreads #homeschoolmoms
Pulled some of our favorite classics from what we Pulled some of our favorite classics from what we had on the shelves. I already found a couple I wish I added to this stack. Have you read these and what would you add?

More classic books from #livingbooklegacy here:

@brittsbookbin
@juiceboxhomeschool
@brave.little.learners
@treasuredhourbooks
@playinghomeschool
@moraviapress
@thisnewday_
@blessedwithmotherhood
@livingbrighthomeschool

#bookstagram #juiceboxreads #classicbooks #modernclassics homeschooling readaloudfamily
We talk a lot about academics in homeschooling… bu We talk a lot about academics in homeschooling… but what about capability? #ad

Raising kids who can think, act, contribute, and take initiative in the real world, that’s the long game. I’ve been reading Capable from @sissygoff @raisingboysandgirls and @bethany_house_nonfiction, and it’s been such a timely reminder for me in this season with older kids.

A few small shifts I’m focusing on lately:
• inviting more ownership in daily responsibilities
• giving space for problem-solving before stepping in
• following up on their follow-through
• letting real-life practice be part of their education I’m learning that raising capable kids starts with trusting the process a little more than controlling it (hard for me!).

If this is something you’re thinking about too, you’re not alone.🤍

Comment “capable” and I’ll send you more info on this instant New York Times and USA Today bestseller.

#capablebook #iamcapable #homeschoolmom #raisingteens
When the homeschool slump hits, I try to add in tr When the homeschool slump hits, I try to add in trusted resources I know they will enjoy. It usually happens around this time when the books aren’t hitting the same, the kids are a little weary, and you are too. #ad

If everyone can use a fresh spark in the homeschool rhythm, check out Night Zookeeper! It’s been such a fun shift in our days. It gives a structured language arts program, but in a way that feels playful and engaging. A perfect little spring reset.

✔️ Guided reading + writing through “Quests”
✔️ Creative prompts that actually get them excited to write
✔️ A parent dashboard so I can still check in on their progress

If you’re needing a reset right now, this is a good one 🤍

Comment “night” and I’ll send you a link to try it for free!

#homeschoolmom #nightzookeeper #homeschoolhelp #homeschoolcurriculum homeschoolrhythm
This principle is one I came back to when I was te This principle is one I came back to when I was tempted to simplify things too much for my kids, especially in their younger years. Mason believed children have the mental power to engage with real, rich, meaningful knowledge presented as living ideas. A generous curriculum. A trusting heart. 

It was never close to a perfect scene, and I didn’t consistently have the positive homeschool vibes 😅, but I can see now how the Lord can still use that! The blessing of homeschooling is time, but when you do it for the long run, you also get to see the other side of those early challenges and doubts.

Which subjects are giving your family life lately? Drop it below and check out other #charlottemasonmondays friends sharing on #cmmprinciple11 today:

@truthgoodness_and_beauty
@the.henderson.haus
@hannahs.healthyhabits
@notebookingwithdelight
@juiceboxhomeschool
@livingideasplanner

#charlottemasoninspired #homeschoollife homeschoolhighschool
In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a few storie In honor of Mother’s Day, I’m sharing a few stories with mom figures we adore! Let me know yours in a comment below.

🌻 All-of-a-Kind-Family: Cilly Brenner, aka Mama, was written after the author’s own mother, and the series is based on her childhood experiences on New York City’s Lower East Side.
🌻 Heartwood Hotel, Home Again: Mona’s mother is a figure from the past who is revealed to have been a talented cook, similar to Mona’s new friend, Strawberry.
🌻 The Vanderbeekers to the Rescue: Mama is a professional pastry chef who bakes from their Harlem brownstone with her 5 children.
🌻 Kisses from Katie: Katie Majors’ story revolves around her adoption of 14 Ugandan girls and her work as the director of a non-profit organization that provides support to hundreds of other children.
🌻 Star of Light: Kinza’s mother, Zohra, and a caring nurse work hard to protect Zohra’s blind daughter.
🌻 A Place to Hang the Moon: A friendly librarian makes the world of a difference to 3 young orphans fleeing London during WWII.

Have you read any of these? What literary mom comes to find as one of your family’s favorites?

More from #livingbooklegacy here:

@agoodbookhunt
@playinghomeschool
@thisnewday_

#livingbooks #readaloudfamily #homeschoolreadalouds #homeschooling morningbasket juiceboxreads
One thing the homestretch of homeschooling is teac One thing the homestretch of homeschooling is teaching me is this: so much of what felt small in the early years was actually foundational.

The habit of attention, a steady homeschool rhythm to our days, narrations, chores, church life, nature study, discipline, family read alouds... 

At the time, it can feel repetitive and almost invisible. At times, it felt like a fight to keep at it and not lose my mind.

Years later, those same practices begin showing up with a new look. I see focus, initiative, spiritual rootedness, a sense of responsibility, and connectedness.

We are planting and toiling, often unseen, long before we see a hint of growth.

The fruit may come slowly, but it does come. 🤍

Save this for the days when the small things feel insignificant. What seeds are you planting in this season?

More from #homestretchhomeschooling here:
@rootedinrest
@redefiningschool
@delightfullyfeastingpress

#homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #homeschoolrhythm #motherhood
Nothing brings science curriculum to life like inc Nothing brings science curriculum to life like including hands-on science labs for kids! I used to dread science experiments because it just felt like a lot of work, but here are some things that have eased the process:

🔬 Remind your child and yourself that the goal of science labs are to discover, experiment, and let your curiosity play. It’s meant to be fun, not perfect!
🔬 Fun may mean a little mess to clean at the end, and that’s okay because we will all help clean up.
🔬 If you can, purchase a supplemental lab kit. I personally love @naturesworkshop - they have supplies organized by lesson, which was a game changer.
🔬 I found these “messy mats” online that are waterproof and help contain things. We use them for science labs and art projects to protect surfaces.
🔬 Use a notebook to record lab findings and/or take photos to print and save in their notebooks. We like the @apologiaworld colorful and engaging student notebooks for processing information well and making each lesson fun! Use code “TRISHA10” for a discount on those.

Do your kids like doing science labs in your homeschool? Share your tips for ACTUALLY DOING THEM!

Comment “science” for the direct link to some of our favorite products, including 25% all new products at Apologia! I highly recommend taking a look at the Activity Videos for Astronomy and Earth Science! 👌🏻 

#sciencelab #sciencecurriculum #homeschoolscience #apologiascience #homeschoolmom
If you want books that quietly shape character, st If you want books that quietly shape character, start here...

Some of the books that have added a lot to our homeschool most deeply are the true stories. 🤍

There is something so powerful about placing real lives in front of our kids. Stories of courage, conviction, sacrifice, faith, and ordinary people choosing obedience in hard moments stay with them in such a different way.

Some longtime favorites:
📚 Portraits of Integrity: A Family Treasury, real people who demonstrated Godly character
📚 YWAM biographies, which have made such meaningful family read-alouds over the years, and wonderful independent reads for middle schoolers.

These kinds of books have sparked some of our best conversations about character and what it looks like to live with purpose.

If you love biography-rich homeschooling too, comment “books” and I’ll send over some of our family favorites.

More from #livingbooklegacy here:
@treasuredhourbooks
@brittsbookbin
@delightfullyfeastingpress
@agoodbookhunt
@thisnewday_
@brave.little.learners
@playinghomeschool
@moraviapress
@letthemlovelearning
@blessedwithmotherhood

#biographiesforkids #familyreadalouds #juiceboxreads #booksforkids
Some things I’m not planning to repeat with my you Some things I’m not planning to repeat with my younger kids (sorry, first kid! 😉)...

Not that the first time was a big fail, but walking through the high school years has a way of shaping you.

There are things I see a little clearer.
There are things I want to hold with more gentleness.
There are things I don’t want to rush past.

Homeschooling in different seasons has reminded me that we’re growing right alongside our kids. These are just a few quiet shifts I’m making as I go.

If you’re in a similar season, I’d love to hear. What is something you’re doing differently now?

More from #homestretchhomeschooling friends tagged in the last slide!

#homeschoolmom #homeschoollife #motherhoodjourney #homeschoolingteens
POV: the coziest little reading corner just levele POV: the coziest little reading corner just leveled up ✨📚

We added this 360° rotating bookshelf from @Flycitymall and my daughter had the best time filling it with her favorite books, games, and even a stuffy.

It’s one of those pieces that’s both practical and pretty... everything within reach, easy to rotate, and somehow makes reading feel even more inviting.

Ours is the gold 5-tier, but they have other colors and sizes depending on your space!

If you’ve been looking for a simple way to make books more visible and loved in your home, this is such a sweet option.

Comment “bookshelf” and I’ll send you the link + my discount code!

#flycitymall #flycity #RotatingBookshelf #livingbooks #homeschoollife
Some of our very favorite stories are those we hav Some of our very favorite stories are those we have read together and have a strong theme of FAMILY.

The kind of stories that squash our own bickering, bring everyone on the same page, and gently shape how our kids see family, unity, and what really matters.

These are a few of our favorite family-centered living books we’ve come back to over the years. Those special stories that I will want to keep my shelf long after they are grown!

If you’re looking to add more of that to your days, I’d love to share a larger list of favorite family read-alouds with you.

Comment “books” and I’ll send you the link 📚

More from #livingbooklegacy here:
@treasuredhourbooks
@juiceboxhomeschool
@thisnewday_
@letthemlovelearning

#juiceboxreads #livingbooks #homeschoolmom #readalouds
This giveaway is now closed. Sometimes the car c This giveaway is now closed. 

Sometimes the car can become one of the easiest places for learning!

If you’re looking for a simple way to help kids practice Scripture memory, the Teach Me the Faith podcast from Generations Ministries is such a helpful tool. The episodes are short, engaging, and designed especially for kids, making them easy to play while driving to activities or running errands.

Generations also created a bundle of resources that pair beautifully with the podcast, including:

📖 a companion book
🎨 a coloring book
⭐️ a sticker pack

I’m excited to give away 5 of these bundles to bless a few families in this community!

To enter:

1️⃣ Follow @juiceboxhomeschool and @generations.min 
2️⃣ Like this post
3️⃣ Comment below and share one place your family loves listening to podcasts or audio learning (car rides, breakfast time, quiet time, etc.). You will receive a link to see details of this bundle on their website.

That’s it!

Giveaway will close on Friday, 3/20 at 1pm PST, and winners will be announced in stories. This fun giveaway is not associated with Meta in any way.

#christianhomeschool #scripturememory #homeschoolresources #homeschoolmom #podcastforkids
The quiet homeschool days rarely make the highligh The quiet homeschool days rarely make the highlight reel, but they tend to be the ones that shape the most. 🤍

Homeschooling is rarely flashy.
Mostly it’s small, ordinary moments that slowly add up over time.

If you ever feel like your days look too simple, save this as a reminder that simple is often exactly where the building happens. 

#cmmditl from #charlottemasonmondays here:
@livingideasplanner
@moraviapress
@notebookingwithdelight
@aroundtheworld_homeschool

#homeschooling #homeschoolditl #charlottemasoninspired
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