MrsMe Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 Honestly? I haven't read all the posts, but here are my first thoughts: 1. Save the money for future education costs. 2. Buy lots of pencils and wide-ruled notebook paper. 3. Make sure you have only a few curriculum items you need to give her a solid foundation. Include engaging literature. 4. Get in lots of outside time. 5. Get read-alouds out of the library or on paperback book swap. 6. Incorporate day trips into your school plans. Sorry to be a wet rag, but $3000, invested conservatively, will double in seven years. That means in 14 or so years, you might have $12,000. Oh that's no fun!:tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KidsHappen Posted May 31, 2009 Share Posted May 31, 2009 I'll just tell you what we have done. First of all, I have an office instead of a school room. I have: bookshelves a desk a reading chair two heavy duty plastic tables with stools that slide underneath a computer chair a computer and copier/printer. The plastic tables are very practical because the kids can spread out their school work, they can use them for crafts or activties, and they are washable. This gives everyone plenty of room to work. Educational materials are stored in the books shelves. Reading is done in the reading chair or the kids spread out on the floor. I usually sit at my desk. We have used the set up for quite awhile and it works very well and we have not outgrown it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'd plumb in a science center. A chemical resistant island with hot and cold running water in a sink, electricity, and a gas jet for later science experiments. I'd put an high powered extracter fan/hood over the island. I'd use the island as an art spot for now and later as great place for all the simple science eperiments that happen thru high school. I'd put down a the toughest flooring I could afford. I'd also pay attention to lighting. A I'd plumb in a science center too. Tough flooring and floor to ceiling bookshelves (the kind we have now in some rooms...they go staight across from one side to the other without stopping (in otherwords...just one shelf) and are deeper than regular bookshelves so I can put supplies on them too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaik76 Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I honestly wouldn't spend much money on a school room. It's just not needed, ime. We actually got rid of our school room altogether (made it into a much-needed dining room instead), and haven't missed it a bit. School got done just as effectively at the kitchen table, in the bedrooms, and on the couch. I'd take the $3000 and make other enjoyable, needed additions to the rest of the home, or take some really great, memorable trips with it. I think a lot of people are like us and don't really need a schoolroom. However we spend the majority of our day in the schoolroom, so I want it to be one of the most inviting spots in the house, and have it be able to be used for years. We're also the kind of people that eat in the living room because we made our dining room into a library.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lgm Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'd consider a piano or whatever instrument she'd want to pursue. Love the science workbench idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
titianmom Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 I'd save it for HS. You'll need it for Science equipment or college classes, IMHO. Forget the glitz. I have a nice school room and the kid hangs out on the family room couch, instead. Books are all over the house, etc. The school room has ended up a storage room, basically. She couldn't care less about it. But then, when you think about it....why mimick a school classroom, anyway? Why in the world are we homeschooling for if it ends up not feelling like home? Kim Purely hypothetical, of course :D Already has a white board ("large") and a "world rug" for the floor. Located in the basement (I think it's a walk-out). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom4him Posted June 1, 2009 Share Posted June 1, 2009 Purely hypothetical, of course :D Already has a white board ("large") and a "world rug" for the floor. Located in the basement (I think it's a walk-out). I would start with a school table that is solid,sturdy,unmoveable. I would then add Microscope &Telescope. I would then add to that all the books that I would love to have in our permanent library and not feel like I have to sell even one of them to make money for the next year. I would focus on Yesterdays classics but possibly in a better binding and the full collection of the Lamplighter books. I would move on from there to......Well, the list could go on for ever and the cost would probably be way over $3000 just for the books without a hitch. If your Hypothetical changes to reality have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earth Angel_79 Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 My shopping carts on Amazon, Yesterday's Classics, and Christian Book Distributors reflect the idea I **think** I have this much money!! LOL I love the idea of the science island -- that would be extreme and amazing! I would actually have to build a room first (so there you go, give me $3000 and I want $20K). :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cin Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 I didn't read ALL the replies, but I would buy a quality color laser copier printer, with a flatbed top so I could copy things (legally, of course!) AND print beautiful pictures off of the web. And stock in an ink cartridge company :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tricia Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Heck, with that much money I can equip a lot more than a schoolroom:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EKS Posted August 30, 2009 Share Posted August 30, 2009 Lots of shelves. A couch. Good lighting. A child sized table and chair. Some posters with relevant themes. Use what's left for a family trip or lots and lots of books (over several years). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermine Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 * microscope * science kits/supplies for the next few years * some nice comfy chairs and a table * bookcases * Books -- but not too much, you never know what you're going to need * museum passes? :D * Globe * Maybe wall charts of the alphabet, world map, something like that? * white board * art supplies -- nice ones! * Nice color printer But only if I had to spend it. I'd be likely to just buy the minimum of what I need and save the rest for when I know what curricula she needs next year and the year after, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathmom Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Montessori stuff all the way, especially those cool map puzzles! http://montessori-n-such.com/detail.aspx?ID=187 Wow, it's even on sale right now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragons in the flower bed Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I would build built-in bookcases, window seats with big cushions, and set up the bones of a nature corner with places for many small things to go on display and a microscope to live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarlaS Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 Sorry to be a wet rag, but $3000, invested conservatively, will double in seven years. That means in 14 or so years, you might have $12,000. In my experience, theoretical money does not do that. It needs to be spent now before it loses value, or your brain moves on to another "what if" scenario. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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