Book Shack Unboxing: And How to Find Cheap Homeschool Curriculum

Last week, I posted a list of free and inexpensive homeschooling resources. In that list, I linked The Homeschool House’s Book Shack. This non-profit organization gives donated homeschool curriculum to homeschool families for the cost of shipping (or you can shop at their physical location in Shawnee, Oklahoma with a $10 annual shopping pass). It’s a terrific organization that can help you save costs on homeschooling materials.

I wrote to them a couple of months ago and received a box of materials for $20 shipping today. They recommend that you make a general request (such as 1st grade curriculum for all subjects) because they operate on donations only. It’s like a grab bag for homeschooling, and we waited in excitement to see what treasures awaited us in the mail.

Here’s what we received:

Two magazine copies of “Old Schoolhouse”

Health, Safety, & Manners
Teacher Edition and Student Reader by Abeka

Horizons Math Book 2
This is the student workbook (teacher manual isn’t necessary), unused

Our America
History and Geography Series, Grade 2 by Abeka

A Reason for Handwriting
Manuscript B Worksheet

The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer
Activity Book One: Ancient Times
I had never heard of this before, but it sounds like the kind of resource I like: hands-on, detailed history with Biblical undertones

Science Literary Activities by  Lorin Klistoff

Reading Detective Grades 3-4
Using higher-order thinking to improve reading comprehension

Shurley English Bundle Level 1- student workbook, teacher’s manual, and practice booklet
I’ve been interested in this program for a while, and I’m glad I get the opportunity to try it out. It teaches grammar concepts with jingles

Lastly, there were four novels. Two Pee Wee Scouts books

Ramona the Pest and Journey to Nowhere

There was a lot in the box, and I think we’ll be able to use everything this year and next. It saved us a lot of money, and the anticipation of mystery books coming in the mail was exciting.

If you like Book Shacks, similar programs include Second Harvest Curriculum (a family-run curriculum site for less), Good and Acceptable (a marketplace for new and used homeschool resources), and Homeschool Classifieds. There are also Facebook groups that sell used homeschool curriculum for the cost of shipping, and local homeschool groups often have parents selling in your area.