My Virtual School Supply Checklist

This weekend is tax free weekend in Ohio so naturally since I like to save money I will be out this weekend to pick up the supplies we need. This year's back to school trip is going to look a little different since we are virtual schooling. So I decided to share my virtual school supply list which will hopefully help you prepare for the upcoming school year.

1. A Learning Space

This isn't a supply necessarily but it is important. We all know that if we have a designated area to do anything we are more likely to do it. If you are working from home it's smart to have an office space, if you are trying to loose weight a workout space is a must and when you are schooling at home you need a designated space for learning. This does not have to be fancy. It can be a space in your child's room with a desk and chair or at the kitchen table. Ours is in our playroom. While you're out shopping for supplies grab some fun pictures, a letter board or a bulletin board to make your learning space inviting for your child.

2. A Computer or Laptop

We are virtual schooling this year so a computer or laptop is essential. Some schools provide this which is a plus. Before you spend any money don't forget to check with your school to see if they have one you can borrow.

3. High Speed Internet

Do you remember the days of dial up? Talk about patience that took forever. Now days we are blessed with faster internet speeds. Take time to review your internet speed and make sure it will be fast enough for virtual schooling. With two kids virtual schooling, one parent working from home and six of us in the house all day we are planning on upgrading to the fastest speed so that everyone can accomplish what they need to.

4. The Standard School Supplies

Every year your school releases a list of supplies that kids or the classroom needs and as a parent I look at it while internally screaming at the fact I'm buying 50 glue sticks lol. I've seen the question a lot, do I need to buy school supplies since my child is staying at home? The answer is yes! I suggest buying all the essentials crayons, colored pencils, markers, headphones etc. You'll definitely need them and the various binders to keep them organized. Now with that being said the quantities can be less because let's be honest ain't nobody using 30 glue sticks that's why every year I get a bag of extra supplies at the end of the year.

5. Backpacks and Lunch Boxes

This may seem like something you don't need but I actually plan on using backpacks and lunch boxes this year. Depending on our schools virtual plan I would like to have lunch and finish up school at the park some days. So my girls with need backpacks to carry their supplies and chrome books along with lunch boxes.

6. Printer

I think a printer is essential for schooling at home. This past spring when schools went online my daughters struggled with some concepts they were being taught. It was so nice to be able to find some supplemental materials online, print them off and spend one on one time working through it until they understood it. Not to mention I can easily print crafts and coloring pages to keep my two little ones occupied.

7. Busy Bags

While I'm out I plan on grabbing some reusable bags and items to keep my 1 and 4 year old busy while I'm working with the older two. I'd recommend getting some mess free coloring pages, puzzles, books, play dough and things along those lines while you're out getting supplies for the older ones. I'll share more about this in a later post.

8. Calendar/ Planner

Teaching your children to be organized is to me very important for at home learning and helped my a lot as a homeschooled kid as well as now. Having a calendar up with important dates/due dates for younger kids or a planner for older kids should help to keep them on task. It will also help you know what they have due and need to work on.

9. A Brain Break Space

When my kids get overwhelmed with learning and start crying I make them take a break. For my younger ones I'll have them sit or lay on their bed to rest until they are calm. For my older daughter I tell her to walk away and breathe then we will resume. We also have bean bags in our schooling area if they only need a few minutes. This is important to me because when they are upset they cannot learn and I cannot teach them because I will get frustrated. There are days that we have gone over and over something but it is just not sticking so we leave it. To me this is the beauty of learning at home. They will understand it but they do not need to understand it today.

10. A Teacher Supply Area

Whether it's a box, shelf, drawer or whatever have an area to keep your important papers, supplemental materials, library books etc. That way as you're going through your day you can easily find what you need.

Did I miss anything? These are the top ten on my list this weekend, what's on your list?