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Home » Blog » Hodgepodge Top Ten Must Have Items

May 29, 2012 by: Hodgepodgemom

Hodgepodge Top Ten Must Have Items

Today I’m listing a hodgepodge of Top Ten Must Have items for Homeschooling. I’m spending 10 weeks sharing Top 10 lists with other homeschoolers at iHomeschoolNetwork. It’s a 10 in 10! I do have to say for this list that ‘items’ such as coffee, chocolate and date night with Hodgepodgedad are a given. Well, and a plentiful, non-stop supply of books.

Plus, this homeschool journey is enriched greatly by mentors and homeschool friends, both in my local homeschool support group and the special friendships I’ve been blessed with online. These ladies and families have paved the way, continue to encourage and make a huge difference in our homeschool daily. Thank you!

So, I must have…

1. An every day quiet time for mom. Preferably starting the day with the Lord before the children get up. He is the source of all strength. Afternoon quiet time or a chance to Just Step Outside are both awfully nice too. Even if it’s just five minutes.

2. Slow Cooker and a Meal Plan – because, honey, everybody has to be fed and I’d much rather have the slow cooker do the work. Especially on a busy, balancing-the-needs-of-the-age-range homeschool day.

3. Apps for organization and timing. Evernote for lists galore, blog post writing, homeschool ideas. Find Friends – for finding Hodgepodgedad on the road and timing supper just right.

4. Three Hole Punch. For the notebook and homeschool paper of every kind.

5. Art Supplies. It’s the way some of us learn best around here plus it’s a joy.

6. Sharpened pencils with erasers. Oh how the daily math is side-tracked if these aren’t at the ready.

7. Chalkboards for teaching, lists and the day’s meal plan. Usually the easy answer to “what are we doing today?” and “what’s for supper?” Plus just fun for scribbling.

8. A computing device! Laptop, iPad, etc. That email reminder from the library when books are due is absolutely essential. As are: quick internet searches, those Top Ten websites for homeschooling, homeschool planning and all the learning apps we enjoy.

9. Spiral notebooks to cut the paper clutter and track the school work of five children. One for each subject. One for me to jot things down in (like this post).

10. Camera phone for capturing the every day moments. For continuing gratitude in the every day. The 1,000 gifts app is great for this!

*All the hodgepodge of Top Tens are here.

Thanks to Angie at Many Little Blessings! Be sure to stop by to see Angie’s top ten and all the top ten link ups.

Top Ten Tuesday at Many Little Blessings Plus, don’t miss all the other Top Ten Must Have Items for Homeschooling at iHomeschool Network…

What are your top ten must have items for homeschooling?

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About Hodgepodgemom

Tricia faces a daily dose of chaos homeschooling five children. The biggest lesson she’s learned? At the end of the day – when the dishes are put away and the children are tucked in bed – truly what matters is each child’s relationship with the Lord. Raising children is a God-given privilege and, folks, the time is short.

Golden Days of Parenthood
Sandpiper Shore Bird: A Chalk Pastel Tutorial

Comments

  1. Mary says

    May 29, 2012 at 6:49 AM

    Great list, Tricia — I think I could have done a top 20 and still had more favorite resources!!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      May 29, 2012 at 8:20 AM

      I agree Mary!!

      Reply
  2. Mary says

    May 29, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    I love your chalk stash!!

    Reply
  3. Sharla says

    May 29, 2012 at 9:27 AM

    I had thought my list was complete at 10 until I started visiting other lists this morning and finding things that are essential to my homeschooling too. Like meal planning…where would I be without meal planning of course?! Enjoyed your list!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      May 29, 2012 at 9:30 AM

      I agree Sharla – I think we need to have an ‘even more must haves’ 🙂

      Reply
  4. Aadel says

    May 29, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    We don’t use the slow cooker as much as we should. It takes up exactly 1/2 of my counter space in my tiny kitchen! But I love your recipes!

    Art supplies- YES! I am oogling over your pastel storage! Our favorite medium is watercolor. I never thought I would do art with my kids, but my oldest is a natural. So I have learned to hone my skills!

    Reply
  5. Rebecca says

    May 29, 2012 at 11:19 AM

    LOVE your list~ and sharp pencils are a MUST

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      May 29, 2012 at 8:45 PM

      Yes! around here the erasers are such a treat. Somehow they disappear rapidly 🙂

      Reply
  6. jenny Penton says

    May 29, 2012 at 6:04 PM

    Love your chalks…you’ve inspired me! I’m an artsy girl and have a bunch of them for me but never even occurred to me to bring them out for my children to get creative!

    Love your site and thanks for the inspiration!

    Jenny
    Planner Perfect

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      May 29, 2012 at 8:44 PM

      As you know, chalk pastels are messy but oh so much fun. Just bring on the baby wipes and enjoy. Thanks Jenny!

      Reply
  7. Judy @ Contented at Home says

    May 29, 2012 at 6:18 PM

    Like you, I couldn’t make it without the reminder emails from the library! (I still get to make plenty of “donations,” though!)

    Reply
  8. Angela says

    May 29, 2012 at 7:58 PM

    I didn’t even think of half those things, but I too couldn’t live without most of those either! Especially the slowcooker!

    Reply
  9. Amber @ Classic Housewife says

    June 2, 2012 at 12:31 AM

    First I have to say — amazing photo at the top!
    Second – awesome chalk stash!!

    Reply
    • Hodgepodgemom says

      June 2, 2012 at 3:59 PM

      Thanks Amber! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Angie @ Many Little Blessings says

    June 5, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Just seeing all those pastels made me sigh. I love it!

    This was a great list, Tricia. Thanks for sharing it! 🙂

    Reply

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