The Frugal Homeschooler

Educating your children in the confinements of your home doesn’t require you to be wealthy.  Homeschoolers have found ways to homeschool their children without exhausting their funds.  Many parents who consider homeschooling automatically go out and buy expensive curriculums, thinking this is what homeschooling is about.  The more you research and examine your goals you may find that you do not need a prepackaged curriculum.  Homeschooling is not just about education, but rather you the parent, having a substantial role in deciding what is best for your child/children.  Many people ask “how it is possible to homeschool while on a fixed budget?”


I first started homeschooling my children seven years ago.  I went out and bought all of their books, pre-packaged curriculum, workbooks and many of manipulatives; I spent a fortune I really thought this is how you homeschool.  I then began to look at the other sisters around me and noticed that they had very little books.  I was amazed, thinking to myself how could it be possible to homeschool your children without a curriculum on hand.  One of the sisters with whom I was friends with noticed all of my materials and asked me why I bought so many books.  Of course I am looking at her a little confused, so I asked her what else was I supposed to do?  As the years passed by and I continued to homeschool things started to make sense.  I did a lot of research and found the way to homeschool on a dime. This entire experience has led me to where we are now, providing the best education for your child without spending your life savings.
Quotation As the years passed by and I continued to homeschool things started to make sense.  I did a lot of research and found the way to homeschool on a dime. This entire experience has led me to where we are now, providing the best education for your child without spending your life savings. Quotation



The library and the internet are from among the best resources available to homeschoolers.  As a homeschooler take it upon yourself to get library cards for your entire family.  The library can serve as the core to educating your child/children.  A plethora of educational aides can be read and checked out for free.  Yes I said free, who doesn’t like to hear that word?  Just try to remember before you go to the library to make a list of the books that you are looking for, it’s easy to get side tracked by the many books that you may see.  Often libraries have websites that you can access from home to search for books, so that when you go to the library you will already know where to look.  Don’t forget to check your local library most of them have computers that are for the public to use which makes your job a little easier if you do not own one.


The internet has a massive amount of free literature relating to homeschooling including free worksheets, workbooks, planners, etc… Did you see that word again?  Free is one of the topics of this article and how to homeschool with very little money.  Through the years I have found a number of websites that provide quality curriculums and worksheets.  Among them; internet4classrooms.com,letshomeschool.com, thehomeschoolmom.com and
homeschoolersofmaine.org these are just a few.  If you would like more websites do a Google search and type in homeschool for free.  Remember these sites are not run by Muslims so you have to be careful what you take from them.  There are a few  Islaamic websites that have resources that homeschoolers can utilize they are; islam4kids.com, talibiddeenjr.com,
arabicfirst.co.uk, salafyink.com , thmsadaqagroup.org, just to name few.


Check your local paper or www.craigslist.org for garage sales and yard sales I have found arts and craft supplies, workbooks, readers and other resources that I could use to help me plan for my school year.  One thing to keep in mind homeschooling just isn’t about secular studies you have to be balanced and add some home economics, science projects or just some regular art and crafts. Children love to be creative so feed their creative desires and have fun while doing it.
 

There are a number of curriculums and workbooks that are designed for homeschoolers that are economically friendly.  I myself like to use the spectrum series by Mc Graw Hill, but you will have to do extensive research and finds what works for you and your child/children. Every child is different and has an individual way of learning.  What works for one may not work for the other. Take the time and plan ahead you will find what you are searching for.  You might consider going online to shop for curriculums/workbooks.  I have found a number of used curriculums and workbooks on www.amazon.com, also pay a visit to your thrift store, you might find some used books their also.


Frugal homeschooling does take a while to master; it requires more footwork and spare time.  I have found that just talking to some of the sisters has been a rewarding experience.  They have proved to be very helpful, comforting and often we find ways to barter.  Try going to your local Masjid and talking to the other mothers who homeschool you might find it to be beneficial. Continue to make du’ah and put your trust in your Lord, things have a way of falling in to place, insha Allah.

 

 

Umm Abdis Salaam Al Grenaadiyyah
About the author:
Umm Abdis Salaam Al Grenaadiyyah is co-owner of Salafy Ink. " Our focus is to produce and/or translate, da’wah/educational materials which are all taken from the works of well known, and trustworthy Salafy Scholars of both past and present."