My usual content centers on toxicity, but many of us with this type of interest also homeschool our kids.
This past year, I tried a variety of homeschool curriculum and materials for Pre-K, going into Kindergarten. Bookshark was the big curriculum package I got, but I was surprised that the materials I found most helpful for actual learning were simple, low cost workbooks and a fantastic subscription box. See below for my favorites!
Bookshark is basically a story book based curriculum, which had some good components but some I don’t recommend. In the future perhaps I’ll update this post with more details on that and maybe a video, but for now I made a section below categorizing the parts according to how I like them. I recommend buying the good books separately rather than the entire Bookshark packages. Some of the books seemed at a level best for older ages. But the “Developing The Early Learner” workbooks were too easy, probably best geared for very early learning stages, maybe beginning of age 3?
I also got the optional “Handwriting Without Tears Pre-Kindergarten Package” and didn’t like that. The teachers guide seems geared for teaching a classroom rather than homeschooling. And it kept referencing the use of several other books and supplies such as their art book that would need to be purchased from them. I was unimpressed with the wooden letter shapes. I haven’t started the writing materials yet so can’t comment much about those.
I highly recommend all of the workbooks and activities listed below. The best thing about them is many of them are easily portable and can be done in places like waiting rooms. Quell boredom and make good use of those moments!
I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned in this post. This post may contain Amazon Associates links, that I may earn small amounts from if you click them. See the bottom of this page for more details. Other than Amazon, there are no affiliate links.
STICKER WORKBOOKS
These sticker books were actually one of the best teaching tools I have tried ! And so low priced, fun, and convenient to take on the go.
School Zone Sticker Workbook-Alphabet Fun Grades P-K https://amzn.to/4kEtY9u
School Zone Math Stickers Workbook: 64 Pages, Preschool, Kindergarten https://amzn.to/3Zbk1s1
School Zone Preschool Stickers Workbook: 64 Pages, Pre-K, Kindergarten https://amzn.to/3HmjIED
WORKBOOKS
Brain Quest Pre K workbook https://amzn.to/4kKCrYQ
School Zone big kindergarten workbook https://amzn.to/43TJjxk
School Zone Preschool basics workbook. Super low price but a great variety of activities. https://amzn.to/4kKCrYQ
Evan Moore Smart Start STEM workbook https://amzn.to/4dIAwl3
Evan Moore brain games workbook https://amzn.to/4mFHv2o
ACTIVITIES
Brain Quest Pre K Q+ A cards. These are a nice change from workbooks and are portable. https://amzn.to/4jnVDKJ
Evan Moore Take It to Your Seat Phonics Centers, Grades PreK-K. This looks like a workbook but isn’t; it involves cutting paper to make into activities. This is a fun change from regular workbooks. https://amzn.to/4dSgOUk
If you are ok with limited screen usage, ABC Mouse is pretty good.
MANIPULATIVES
I find that hands on manipulatives are an engaging way to learn without printed materials. From now on, any toys you buy for your kids, make them educational! At this age they still seem like fun toys rather than curriculum. Similarly, make sure any books you buy have an educational aspect. For all of these, make sure your kids are past the mouths by stage and keep away from any younger kids you might have in the house.
Counting Dinosaurs Manipulatives https://amzn.to/4e21nZT
Learning Resources Mini Letter Scoops https://amzn.to/4mMKOFa
Learning Resources Snap-n-Learn Alphabet Alligators https://amzn.to/4kJ4CHv
Junior Learning Rainbow Numbers Magnetic Numbers https://amzn.to/3FB6FhWp
SUBSCRIPTION BOXES
I LOVED My Pre K Box! East, cute and fun learning games neatly packed in small monthly boxes. If I could only recommend one thing, it would be this! This is not an affiliate link. https://www.myprekbox.com
Highlights Magazine makes a somewhat similar box for kindergarten but I already have the types of things it comes with.
Next year I will probably get this science subscription box: https://www.stevespanglerscience.com/club/
And I might consider this history subscription box: https://mysteriesintime.com
Subscription boxes I used for second grade were:
Kiwico Atlas crate
I sprout (science)
Outside the Box (art)
Little Passports (geography)
It depends on what you’re wanting to teach, but my favorite of these was I sprout for science. The rest were less academic and more just for fun.
This science box also looks good, perhaps in a year or two: https://bioboxlabs.com/science-subscription-box/
MATERIALS I MIGHT BUY FOR KINDERGARTEN
History and social studies https://amzn.to/43ZEanw
Kindergarten standardized test prep. I know it’s frowned upon to “teach to the test” but, it’s helpful to know what is on standardized tests especially if you’re required to take them. In the past with my older child this kind of workbook was very helpful to prepare. https://amzn.to/3Hs2NAp
Kumon science https://amzn.to/4jyd1MR
Kumon geography https://amzn.to/43MwV11
Evan Moore summer activities https://amzn.to/3Z7q2px
This is a set of art crafts but intended to be used alongside history lessons https://www.bookshark.com/product/hands-on-history-world-cultures
BEST COMPONENTS OF BOOKSHARK
WHY DO TIGERS HAVE STRIPES?
WHAT’S UNDER THE SEA?
THE BERENSTAIN BEARS’ BIG BOOK OF SCIENCE AND NATURE
WHY DO TIGERS HAVE STRIPES?
WHAT’S UNDER THE SEA?
THE BERENSTAIN BEARS’ BIG BOOK OF SCIENCE AND NATURE
KID’S BEGINNER WORLD ATLAS
FEELINGS
PEOPLE
THEN AND NOW
COMPONENTS OF BOOKSHARK THAT ARE JUST OK
FIRST THOUSAND WORDS
Dr. Seuss’s ABC (This book is fine, but there are many other books about ABCs that you probably already have.)
THINGS PEOPLE DO (very busy pages with tons of reading. Seems outdated; from the 1980s.)
CARS AND TRUCKS AND THINGS (seems outdated and best suited for European culture. Originally published 1974.)
RICHARD SCARRY’S WHAT DO PEOPLE DO ALL DAY? (Outdated; originally published 1968.)
A CITY THROUGH TIME
A STREET THROUGH TIME (both of these seem better suited to older ages for both pictures and content. Very busy pages with tons of reading.)
ERIC CARLE’S ANIMALS
WORST COMPONENTS OF BOOKSHARK
WINNIE THE POOH (chapter book, not a picture story book.)
BABE THE GALLANT PIG (chapter book, not a picture story book.)
THE LION STORYTELLER BEDTIME BOOK (This book is filled with fantasy stories involving a male hero “winning” the hand of a bride.)
STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD (similar to the Lion Storyteller book; fantasy stories many of which involve marrying princesses and such.)
YOU READ TO ME AND I’LL READ TO YOU (Long stories better suited for other kids and don’t seem to have an educational purpose.)
MOTHER GOOSE (quite possibly the worst book in this package in my opinion. Very old fashioned poems, some of which have questionable subjects.)
SLATE CHALKBOARD, CHALK & SPONGE KIT (I didn’t use this because of the toxicity concerns with chalk.)
DEVELOPING THE EARLY LEARNER SET (very rudimentary; published in 1982.)
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