Wanderlust Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 My family is fortunate to be part of a charter school with independent studies. Each child is given $2500 for classes and curriculum for the school year. I have spent the stipends for my oldest 2 (mostly tutoring due to LD) but my TK 5 year-old son has about $1000 left! He is not into classes so it is all going to curriculum and extras. I have bought a ton of games (clumsy thief, number ninjas, sum swamp, etc), art supplies, a calendar station, Singapore math for next year, WTM, FLL 1 and 2, AAS 1-3 and a few other things. I know it is a dream come true to have extra money to spend, but I am clueless as what to buy. What are some must-haves? "Consumable" options are great (paperback books, paint, etc) so I don't have to return it to the school. What would you buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frugalmamatx Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Tech items? Maybe a tablet for him to use for educational apps? Crafting kits? Things like Tinkercrate / etc? Maybe he'd like to take up some type of martial arts or sport? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coloradomomof5 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Books Who was series Childhood of early Americans Read and find out science If you were born in the Time... Books!!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiara.I Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Magazine subscriptions, art supplies, swimming lessons. I would have said a globe and microscope, but they aren't consumable. Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebunny Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Does it have to be at grade level? If not, how about: Living math and science books like :The entire series of horrible science, Murderous math and horrible geography etc? Theoni pappas Penrose series? Magic school bus series? Math manipulatives? science kits? Audiobooks? Nat geo and the like subscription? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemsondana Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 (edited) Are there any expensive reference books that the whole family could use? Story of Us set? Usborne, DK, or other illustrated books that can be used for years? We also like the one small square books for ecosystems and basher books for all sorts of things. Math manipulatives? I found a set that you can use to build 3-D shapes. Pin-it maps and snap circuits sets are also good hands-on extras. Also, the magic treehouse set or the cat in the hat knows a lot about that are fun books for younger kids that introduce a lot of topics. Edited March 10, 2017 by ClemsonDana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bay Lake Mom Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 World Book Encyclopedia set! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faithful_Steward Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Do you have to spend it all? Why can't you use the funds to buy what you need and leave the rest? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
73349 Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 music stuff--a set of little kids' instruments, CDs (like the Beethoven's Wig series), CD player an easel, if you don't have one elementary science supplies--magnets, sand timers, eye dropper, food coloring, etc. readers like the Nora Gaydos books I agree that swimming lessons would be good. If you want to try a somewhat expensive (but good) curriculum, Logic of English Foundations is a good candidate. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Epicurean Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 How about yearly memberships and passes? State and local museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, national parks, etc.? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bethben Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I would get monthly mail to you science kits. There's a very cool chemistry one: https://melscience.com/en/ and a electronics one: http://www.eeme.co. There are also crafty mail to you kits. My kids would LOVE getting these! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExcitedMama Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 I'm in the same position so I know what you mean. My charter lets us keep everything until we decide to be done with it so if yours is the same you could stock up for the future. What about an art program like Artistic Pursuits and the supplies. Science program and its supplies. The supply kits are pricy and great to have so programs are more open and go. Is he reading? If not AAR. Does your charter let you receive subscription kits at home and go through the summer? Mine requires they go to our ES so we can't get them over the summer. If you can then we've really enjoyed Raddish and Kiwi Crate. Raddish is something I'd never buy myself but it's been great for DS to practice cooking. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CadenceSophia Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 Yours doesn't roll over? Our state switched last but they didn't really publicize it so I have noticed not every parent knows they can just save the balance for the future. When we had to spend a surplus, I bought the next year's books from a couple good book lists -- Ambleside, Mater Amabilis, Sonlight, etc. Anything that looked good to read in the future, plus some good reference books. The Smithsonian books are well loved and frequently used here. We also bought books on tape. The Chronicles of Narnia from Focus on the Family is hugely popular in my house :) And the audio books for Story of the World. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenecho Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 (edited) How about a microscope? It will serve him for years! Have you considered teaching him a second language? If so I really suggest the videos at Foreign Languages for Kids (https://www.foreignlanguagesforkids.com/). If I had money to burn I'd spend it on that, and then pay someone who's first language is spanish to come play with my child and speak only Spanish once a week or so. Signing Time videos are also great at that age (another good second language to learn). Would a membership at the YMCA for PE count? Or sports equipment for PE? Edited March 10, 2017 by goldenecho Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 10, 2017 Share Posted March 10, 2017 (edited) Are eBooks considered consumable? I really like Layers of Learning and Yesterday's Classics and Heritage History and Eclectic Education series http://www.dollarhomeschool.com Edited March 10, 2017 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Science kits from Home Science Tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakelly Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I'm in the same boat. I have $700 to spend before March 22. Last year I had one of my kids enrolled in a different charter school, and the funds from that school rolled over year to year. Really wish our current school did that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MistyMountain Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Visualize World Geography? It is pricey but it looks good and you can use it for all your kids. Can you use it for sports or gymnastics or music lessons or other extra curricular activities? A online supplemental math subscription like CTC or Redbird? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monica_in_Switzerland Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Piano rental for a year. I believe instrument rentals are covered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 (edited) World Book Encyclopedia set! I bet they won't ask for these back, once they are a few years old and considered "outdated". And even if they did, I would still want these for while I could have them. Edited March 11, 2017 by Hunter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 Math on the Level. This is good as a supplement as well as a main curriculum. http://cathyduffyreviews.com/homeschool-reviews-core-curricula/math/grades-k-6/math-on-the-level Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 And I'd buy tech, even if they wanted it back. It breaks down and becomes outdated so quickly. I'd get a printer, lots of ink and paper, and some type of tablet or Chrome Book or eReader. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peaceful Isle Posted March 11, 2017 Share Posted March 11, 2017 I would get some stem kits, literature books( if they let you keep them) , quality art supplies, and some audio books. You could always buy next years curriculum with the money, if they let you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderlust Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 Thank you everyone for all the great suggestions! Our charter works on a use it or lose it system. Unfortunately, our funds do not roll to the next year. Whatever we do not spend gets absorbed by the charter. Considering they already receive thousands (someone told be $6000) per student, I don't want my stipend to go unspent. Next year I will plan to buy more memberships and subscriptions at the beginning of the school year, as they prorate it based on the months that fall during the school year. A lot of great book suggestions were made. My Amazon and Rainbow Resources carts are bursting. Also quite a few new-to-me curriculums were recommended. I have enjoyed researching it all. An art supply shopping spree is in the future as well as the purchase of some science kits. Thanks again for taking the time to reply. Your comments were greatly appreciated! Shannon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Amazing that you get that much. What state are in you in? I need to use up our funds this month too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderlust Posted March 12, 2017 Author Share Posted March 12, 2017 We are in California. Each charter decides how much to give for a stipend. Our charter gives $2500 for the year. Other charters in our area give $400, $1500 and $2000. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Maybe I need to look around 4k and k get 750 1-6 get 1250 7 and 8 get 2000 and high school get $2250 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ondreeuh Posted March 12, 2017 Share Posted March 12, 2017 Last year we started being allowed to roll over unused funds. Make sure you HAVE to spend it this year! We can also use funds from one kid on a different kid, so we aren't locked into buying on grade level. Audiobooks! Join Audible for a trial month so that you get the subscriber discount, and then stock up on audiobooks. Most are $10-$15 Series of Unfortunate Events Roald Dahl collections Beverly Cleary collections Pippi Longstocking Chronicles of Narnia Harry Potter etc. iPad, Whiteboard, toner, printer paper, etc. Literature guides - Moving Beyond the Page ones are great, and they are consumable Lively Latin download Math Mammoth blue series Logic Safari, Logic Liftoff series, One Hour Mysteries Life of Fred elementary books Usborne reference books (Cells, Microscope, Astronomy, Mysteries & Marvels of Nature, DNA & Genetics, etc.) I think I spent all $1000 right there, LOL. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tanaqui Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 0.0 I can only dream...! If we had that, we could sign the kids up for ALL the classes! With that said, I'd go with a subscription to every age-appropriate magazine produced by Carus Publishing, an outside class (maybe a sport?), and then as many memberships as possible to museums and whatnot. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I don't see how they could take back Kindle and Audible books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted March 16, 2017 Share Posted March 16, 2017 I'm in a punchy mood this evening, so I'm going to suggest buying 4 or 5 of these crazy expensive pens. Because homeschooling doesn't mean we have to use Bic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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