We just got home from vacation and you’d think we’d still be unpacking, doing laundry, and easing back into our daily rhythm. And yes, we’re doing all of that. But in the back of my mind there’s another clock ticking: the start of a new homeschool year.

For us, that means more than just picking a “first day of school” outfit. It’s a full-on preparedness season. While public schools send home supply lists, we make our own, tailored to the unique needs, preferences, and learning styles in our family.

Right now, we’re focused on making sure we have everything lined up so the year flows as smoothly as possible:

Library Prep: We’re very flexible in the order we learn things because we homeschool on a budget using the public library as one of our primary resources. I put in holds now for the audiobooks and Kindle books we’ll need, knowing that if too many come in at once, we can skip them and they’ll come back around to us eventually. Most of the time we just work with whatever titles are available when they’re available. Our homeschool isn’t necessarily in a perfectly straight line, but we always cover all the subjects we need by the end of the year. The kids like to do their chores while they listen to their audiobooks, which helps preserve their afternoons for their own endeavors. After all, a good story can make quick work of the dishes.

Math Materials: We’re confirming that we have the right math books for each kiddo, and testing calculators to make sure they’re still working properly (because dead batteries in the middle of a math lesson are no one’s friend). My son always needs a refresher each year as we start to get back in the swing of math, so I hunt down printable practice worksheets online. It’s basically stretching before the math marathon begins.

Organization & Storage: We get tired of piles of books ending up in all the wrong places around the living room, so it’s important to have a dedicated spot to put them away. That way we can keep them out of Royce’s reach for the older kids, and also make sure they’re easy to grab when school time rolls around. Because nothing says “Monday morning chaos” quite like a math book under the couch cushions.

Art Supplies: Our kids’ Wreck This Journal books are a big part of their art assignments, so we’re restocking paints, markers, glue sticks, and whatever else they’ll need to keep creating. One of the best things about this art journal is that it encourages creativity outside the usual lines. One page might ask them to make art using spills, while another might have them create with dirt. Basically, it’s art class with a “please make a mess” permission slip.

Basics: Pencils, erasers, sharpeners, highlighters—these seem small, but we go through them faster than a box of popsicles in July.

Tools & Tech: We’re putting up the multiplication tables on the living room wall so they’re easy to reference during math time. We’re also making sure everyone has working earbuds for listening to the read-aloud stories they’re assigned this year. Because sometimes learning happens best when you can listen to your homework while you take a walk or sit on the porch and soak up some sunshine.

History Through Film: We’re researching where we can stream movies that help teach history. I even found a great teacher resource online that suggests movies and provides conversation starters for after the credits roll. We started incorporating this last year and the kids loved it, so we’re continuing with more films that spark curiosity and lead to great discussions. Plus, it’s hard to beat learning about ancient Rome while you’re curled up with the cats on the couch. If you’re like our family, you probably already have access to a fair number of those movies from streaming subscriptions you already pay for.

Homeschool prep isn’t just about having the right tools, it’s about creating an environment where learning is easy to start and hard to derail. A little organization now saves us from mid-year scavenger hunts for missing supplies (and my sanity thanks me every time).

In a few weeks we’ll crack open fresh notebooks, open our first lesson plans, and settle into the rhythm of a new school year. But for now, it’s about gathering, sorting, labeling, and maybe hiding a stash of chocolate for the teacher.

Mimi 🌿❤️