Frugal Homeschool - Keeping Curriculum Affordable and My Plans for Next Year

One of the many benefits of homeschooling that I listed in my previous post, Falling in Love with Homeschooling, is the affordability of homeschooling. And depending on which curriculum you choose, it can be even more affordable! I tend to pick and choose curriculum in a more eclectic approach instead of buying an all-in-one package per grade, which fits my teaching style better and saves our family even more money.

After doing some research, I've already purchased my curriculum for next year (so exciting)! I'll have a second grader and kindergartner to teach. I wanted to share with you what my plans are and how much I spent (less than $60 for each grade)! This is a great deal in comparison to some of the package deals. For example, the Sonlight Curriculum for the full second grade package costs over $800! 

Here's what I spent per grade:

2nd Grade:

Horizons Math Workbook 1 & 2 - $19.96 each

Explode the Code Phonics 2 - $12.08

DK Workbooks 2nd Grade Geography - $5.83

K12Reader.com 2nd Grade Spelling - Free

What's in the Bible DVDs (my mom-in-law owns the set) - Free

Total: $57.83

Kindergarten:

Horizons Math Workbook 1 - $19.96

LIFEPAC Language Arts Set - $39.96

Total: $59.92

We have been using Horizons for first grade math this year and love it! The reviews are very good

and I enjoy how it's an easy format to teach with the workbooks and repeats the content throughout the book for mastery of various concepts. We usually do 1-2 pages of math a day and it works really well for our schedule. I bought this curriculum again for both of my kids. 

The Horizons phonics/language arts curriculum wasn't as well rated as their math, so I decided to go with something different for Language Arts. For my second grader, I'm pretty privileged to have a retired school teacher/administrator for a mom, so she has been putting together literacy lessons that correlate to various books for our reading. I also purchased Explode the Code for phonics instruction and use K12reader.com for a free 36-week spelling program.

I wanted something more put together for my kindergartner that I wouldn't have to do a lot of prepwork for and decided to try the LIFEPAC language arts set (with teacher book and two student work books). I like how there are additional activities suggested in the teacher book to go along with each lesson, and many of these are Bible based activities.

My kids also go to AWANA each week, which I consider part of their Bible curriculum. They

memorize verses and learn various lessons. In addition, I'm using What's in the Bible for my second grader as my mom-in-law has the entire DVD set, plus there are free resources online to go along with the DVDs. They're very thorough, informative, and fun with catchy songs and funny puppets.

I'm trying DK Workbooks for 2nd grade Geography. The workbooks are relatively cheap on Amazon and I thought I'd try one since it has good reviews. If we like it, I may purchase the 2nd grade science workbook also. 

My kids also go to an all-day homeschool enrichment program at a local charter school on Fridays, so I'm very thankful and blessed that they get many electives taught to them by amazing teachers for free, including art, music, and science. Plus, they enjoy the social time with friends and the fun of going to a "big" school.

I'll let you know what I think of these different resources as we use them and if I plan to buy them again in future years.  It's always nice to hear what other home school families are doing and I'd love to hear what curriculum you use and recommend!