If you had to stuff your school in a single suitcase/box...

[Sneezyone]

We just found out we're moving and will be living out of our suitcases for approx. 3 months. I can bring one, maybe two, small boxes for our school stuff and, unlike the last time we moved, I don't have much time to think this through. I could really use the Hive's collective wisdom to help out. The movers will be here in three weeks.

11 yo
Hake 5 workbook & teacher's guide
SM5 textbook, workbook, & teacher's guide
HO 2
Orbiting w/Logic (for fun/variety)
LC1 flash cards (for maintenance)
4-6 novels

8 yo
VIE 2 workbook
SW book
SM 2 textbook & workbook
SOTW2----use audio files----
BTS 2 (for fun)
4-6 chapter books

ALL
12 pencils
3 blue/black pens
1 red pen
1 ruler
1 protractor
1 pack wide ruled paper
1 primary writing tablet
1 pack construction paper
1 watercolor sketch pad
1 pack of index cards
1 pack regular colored pencils
1 pack watercolor pencils
2 manual pencil sharpeners
2 polymer erasers
1 pair scissors
1 roll of tape
2 glue sticks
1 roll of correction tape
1 pack paint brushes
1 watercolor paint set
1 adult-style coloring book
assorted Scholastic News magazines
1 dictionary

1 set dice w/math Yahtzee cards

1 deck of cards

printed maps of the region/local area

We have 2 laptops and 3 iGizmos which are going too.

Should I try to take the smaller of our two printers? (which requires paper and ink)----naaahhhh-----

Should I take some manipulatives along for DS, if so, which ones?

• base 10 set?
• tangrams?
• fact family write-on/wipe-off boards

What am I forgetting?

What could I leave out?

Edited December 22, 2015 by Sneezyone

[Lanny]

Sounds like you are moving overseas?  About the Printers, they may or may not work, depending on the AC Voltage, if you are going overseas.  If you are going to a country like Colombia, everything from the USA will work, but in many other countries they have different voltage and/or plugs.  For devices like Laptops, the AC Adapters usually are very inexpensive if you need to buy a different one. Probably (I have never needed to look for one of these, so am not sure how easy/difficult it is to find them) you can just buy a new cable, for the side of the AC adapter that plugs into the AC outlet.  Check out the AC Voltage, the type of plugs they use, etc., in your destination country, if you are moving overseas.  GL with your move!

[Sneezyone]

Yes, we're going overseas. I think adapters are readily available. I'm mostly concerned about space. Last time, we shared a one bedroom condo with a fully operational kitchen (and small eating space). This time, I think the best we can hope for is a cramped, basic hotel room until we sign a lease.

Edited December 20, 2015 by Sneezyone

[fourisenough]

Sounds like a very good list and a fun adventure. I'd skip the printer to keep things simple, but that's just me.

[PeterPan]

I'd take the math books, a kindle fire for each child, and use the rest of the space for hands-on (strategy games, a Knex kit, whatever they're into).  History, science, logic, all that could be hit on the kindle fire.  Well I'm saying that, but is Zoombinis available for android or only ipad?  My ds listens to TONS of history on his kindle fire, including both Teaching Company lectures (available inexpensively through audible) and audiobooks.  You can get science that way too.  I just got him For the Love of Physics and of course some textbooks are available as audiobooks or interactive ebooks.

 

The other nice thing about the kindle fire is then they'd have a camera to make videos and slideshows about things they're learning.  *I* wouldn't take index cards, etc., because that can all be done with technology.  They can use mind-mapping apps like Inspiration or Popplet for their writing.  The 11 yo could even do a National History Day project (paper or documentary) during this 3 months, all using a Kindle Fire and whatever is interesting about your new location!  

 

You could also use this time to become politically active and call it civics.   :D

 

I've thought to myself for some time that I'd like to sell everything and go homeschool in an RV when dh turns 50.  And that's how we'd do it, with a kindle/ipad.  You can do SO much that way now.  You could post to a blog instead of printing.

Edited December 20, 2015 by OhElizabeth

[Hunter]

Three months is totally different than living like that long-term.

 

I have learned not to skimp on tech devices. I have found I need more than I thought I would need. It is okay if they overlap. I don't like running them while they are charging. They sometimes break suddenly. Sometimes I need more than one eBook open at a time, even just for me, never mind more than one person studying at a time.

 

Right now, my computer store credit card is maxed out, and I have a large screen cell phone, an android tablet, a Kindle paperwhite, and a Windows 10 laptop. I tried having less and was in tears of frustration too often.

 

Most of the past few years has been without a printer. I have gradually planned all my curriculum around that, but it didn't happen overnight.

 

All my books for a 10 year education can fit in a single suitcase.

 

If you click on my signature, or this link, in hardcopy, I have all the books listed as 3R books, Handbook of Nature Study, a large print NIrV Bible, and a Merriam-Webster large print dictionary. Everything else is eBook or online from just my cell phone. No printer. No home WiFi.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9Fvf4FXKZtoenllaW5GT2RtZXc/view

 

You are only doing this for 3 months, though. I seem to be stuck in perpetual chaos and deprivation, and had to get serious about what I CAN accomplish.

 

Good luck!!!! :grouphug:

[Hunter]

Sometimes one of the biggest books can be one you need most.

 

It irks me how bulky my Merriam-Webster large print dictionary is. But, the spell check on my phone is wonky, and I have to grab it to check my spelling all the time.

 

And the dictionary for overdrive ebooks doesn't work offline. I can download overdrive library books onto the android tablet through a pdanet bluetooth tether, but feel too guilty and afraid to do more than that, before clicking right off of that extremely limited internet connection.

 

I use this dictionary constantly and a less bulky book won't replace it. Not with my failing eyesight.

 

Handbook of Nature Study is bulky, too. This I could use the Yesterday's Classics version if I had to. But I know I am using this book so much more than I ever did in the past, with it being my only hardcopy science book. It sits there in a very small pile of books, and therefore shines brighter than it ever did.

 

The large print NIrV is bulky, too, but is an excellent source of copywork for beginners, and doesn't really need any resource books most of the time.

 

Do not automatically leave behind all bulky books.

Edited December 20, 2015 by Hunter

[Hunter]

Download the Augsburg Drawing books before you go.

http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/359033-Augsburg%20Drawing:%20free%20and%20AWESOME%20and%20complete%201-8?do=findComment&comment=3718296

[Hunter]

And just, no matter what, I abhor doing math without a hardcopy book. Not only does book math give eyes a rest from screens, but...I don't know. I just NEED a math book.

 

I can accomplish a lot with the three little Strayer-Upton books. Not as much as many people here think must be accomplished. But a lot just the same.

 

And once a lot has been accomplished. When things ease up in general or a student manages to access resources beyond what mom can provide, that solid base of just Strayer-Upton is not insignificant.

[Hunter]

The Yesterday's Classics volume one eBook package is on sale right now. I wouldn't want to leave the country without that.

http://www.yesterdaysclassics.com/

Edited December 20, 2015 by Hunter

[Hunter]

And if money were not too tight, I would want the Yesterday's Classics volume 2

 

And Heritage History Young Readers.

http://www.heritage-history.com/index.php?c=products

[Hunter]

Do you know what your situation will be for WiFi?

 

Will you still be able to download ebooks?

 

Will you be able to keep using the ebooks from your current American library card?

Edited December 20, 2015 by Hunter

[Hunter]

Right now, I can get art books from the local library, but if going overseas, to be stuck in a hotel room, I sure wouldn't mind have these books. Lots of learning and entertainment with little bulk, and these titles play nicely with each other, with no overlap.

 

Using Color in Your Art can be adapted to crayons, but is written for paints.

http://www.amazon.com/Using-Color-Your-Art-Williamson/dp/0824967542

 

Ed Emberly Fun Print can be adapted to just drawing, even though written for finger and thumbprints. Awesome instruction on super simple emotions.

http://www.amazon.com/Emberleys-Complete-Funprint-Drawing-Book/dp/0316174483

 

Ed Emberley Make a World. Thin book with tiny pictures.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0316789720/ref=pd_aw_fbt_14_img_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VSBQ6FDDW92222JFVFP

 

Zentangle for Kidz. Just a pamphlet.

http://www.amazon.com/Zentangle-For-Kidz-Sandy-Bartholomew/dp/1574213407

 

Drawing Textbook. Just a pamplet.

http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=002584

Edited December 20, 2015 by Hunter

[Sneezyone]

Sometimes one of the biggest books can be one you need most.

 

It irks me how bulky my Merriam-Webster large print dictionary is. But, the spell check on my phone is wonky, and I have to grab it to check my spelling all the time.

 

And the dictionary for overdrive ebooks doesn't work offline. I can download overdrive library books onto the android tablet through a pdanet bluetooth tether, but feel too guilty and afraid to do more than that, before clicking right off of that extremely limited internet connection.

 

I use this dictionary constantly and a less bulky book won't replace it. Not with my failing eyesight.

 

Handbook of Nature Study is bulky, too. This I could use the Yesterday's Classics version if I had to. But I know I am using this book so much more than I ever did in the past, with it being my only hardcopy science book. It sits there in a very small pile of books, and therefore shines brighter than it ever did.

 

The large print NIrV is bulky, too, but is an excellent source of copywork for beginners, and doesn't really need any resource books most of the time.

 

Do not automatically leave behind all bulky books.

Ooooh, a dictionary. Good call. A lot of times, the wifi in hotels is pretty weak/unstable. I don't want to rely too much on tech lest we be unable to connect.

[Hunter]

Ooooh, a dictionary. Good call. A lot of times, the wifi in hotels is pretty weak/unstable. I don't want to rely too much on tech lest we be unable to connect.

My closest WiFi is a half mile walk away. As the weather gets worse it seems longer than it did last summer. And not only do I have to lug the tech there, but I'm often trying to combine other errands so have library books, food, pharmacy, cleaning, paper products, etc. Even before trying to access WiFi, my other daily errands are over 4 miles of walking. So accessing WiFi after that just isn't so enticing. I just want to stay home and have a cup of tea, not head right back out into the cold carrying another load.

 

If you can rely on cellphone data and a 3G paperwhite kindle, that helps. A lot. I don't know if they have 3G Paperwhites and Voyages where you are going. They use cellphone type data unlimited for free, when you pay more upfront for the device.

 

If your cell phone data is cheap enough, you might be able to get the android tablet to connect through bluetooth. My tablet doesn't recognize the bluetooth tether as WiFi, which is good and bad. It doesn't try to download updates and such, but I cannot even download a PDF. But for some reason the Overdrive app works just like I'm on WiFi, just slower.

 

The android tablet also has a card slot, so I have a card in it with ebooks on it. The paper white is easier on the eyes, but has no card slot and has a smaller screen.

 

To have so few books and not lose my mind, I had to max out my computer store charge card. To have a wealth of digital resources all bottlenecked behind limited tech is beyond frustrating.

 

I don't have a winter coat, but I now have sufficient tech to deal with less than a suitcase of books and no WiFi and no printer. Priorities first! :lol:

Edited December 20, 2015 by Hunter

[Hunter]

Here is a link to the 3G Paperwhite.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQWXMNU?tag=hydsma-20&hvadid=73780881142&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=574901597242697278&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_6u0gr110up_e

 

I don't regret this purchase. Yes, I'm in a hole, and I don't care.

 

Both the 3G paperwhite and the Windows laptop to replace the Chromebook made this all doable. It was like 50 pounds off my back.

 

The slightly older WiFi kindle and the Chromebook didn't like the realities of public WiFi. The sign in pages and other security measures sometimes couldn't be bypassed. What people tell you will work in theory doesn't always work in reality.

 

Total home library in a suitcase takes some trial and error. Especially without WiFi and printer.

 

Good luck! Seriously some of this is luck, when dealing with tech.

[Hunter]

My 3G Paperwhite allows me some limited access to Wikipedia. Both WiFi and 3G kindles have offline dictionary support, but my 3G is allowing me to click on a word and get wikipedia support even when not connected to WiFi.

[JanetC]

Can you print at a library or other facility when you get there?

I would definitely include blank notebooks on the list.

Are there good field trips to explore your new surroundings? Open ended visit places and write/draw about it will get you more acclimated to your surroundings and keep you busy while waiting for the rest of your school stuff to arrive.

[Sneezyone]

I'm not sure about libraries. The public facilities for printing will probably be scarce though. Our exploring may be limited at first too but we will get out and about as soon as we can.

[kalusignan]

I've done this twice. *deep breath*

 

My advice:

 

1. Consider eliminating any non-essential subjects for now and schooling through the summer in those subjects. Personally I stick to the 3 Rs and adding in a lot of library books once we get to our destination. Or, consider thinking outside the box for awhile. During our most recent move, I didn't bring everything for our history and science programs, but I got Geography songs on Amazon, which we listened to along with tracing a map of the US. Instead of the human body unit that was planned, we went on nature walks and journaled about wildflowers in our new location.

 

2. ipad, kindle, laptop are your friends. I used mainly audiobooks and kindle books. I put Math Mammoth worksheets on my iPad using dropbox and notability.

 

3. Have fun learning about your new location!

[desertflower]

If its just for 3 months, I would leave sotw behind. Or get the audio or kindle version.

 

Can you buy pen, paper, ruler, scissors, and construction paper there?

 

You are going to have so much fun!

[FO4UR]

For 3mo?

 

Math & Kindles  :iagree:   & Flashcards of the few things that you don't want forgotten.

 

For manipulatives?  Take the dice.  They are tiny and you can use them for school and games.

 

 

I'd take blackline maps of the places you'll travel, and several of your new home city.  Use colored pencils to mark your travels and the interesting places that you will plan to visit after you settle.

 

 

I'd give each child a fresh, new journal.  Encourage them to fill it with writing/drawing of whatever they wish.

 

 

That is all.  

 

 

[Hunter]

Three months is different than long term. During my last crisis, I experienced a major worldview change as well as having to deal with deprivation of resources. I definitely dropped stuff. I no longer knew what I even wanted to teach.

 

During my multiple crisis, I have learned that students need rhythm and schedule and a bit of variety. They do far better when school is not dropped entirely, but that doesn't mean that the instructor needs to worry about details or the big picture.

 

During this last crisis, when I had some students really left to their own devices, they became full out unschoolers. They don't know how to stop learning at this point. They even call their studies "self-soothing" now and have different criteria than I do to divide school from other types of activities.

 

This has been a really eventful year. :lol: I am so not the same person or instructor. And my students are not the same either. They are more independent and focused. And opinionated :lol:.

 

As I have been trying to bring some order and stability back into my life, that I think I can maintain in the continual deprivation I expect, I'm dealing with things that wouldn't need to be dealt with for just a 3 month event.

[Guest]

I would take math, a tablet (at least one but enough for everyone if I had the scratch), a deck of cards, and some paper. I would also take one book per child that they already love...a book that is grounding and calming for them.

 

If I had math on a tablet or laptop (like math mammoth), I wouldn't even that a separate book for that.

 

3 months is just slightly more than summer vacation.

[againstthegrain]

OhElizabeth -

 

About a year ago we discussed moving full time into RVing, it would be so fun!

 

[Sneezyone]

If its just for 3 months, I would leave sotw behind. Or get the audio or kindle version.

 

Can you buy pen, paper, ruler, scissors, and construction paper there?

 

You are going to have so much fun!

We'll be confined for a time (one rental car) and I wouldn't even begin to know where to look for supplies. I like the deck of cards idea, I will do that plus the dice. I do have the audio CDs for SOTW2 so I can load those to my laptop. We have some math Yahtzee games we can play. The challenge is that DD will be assessed for math placement right about the time our things finally arrive so we can't skip it entirely. She has to finish SM5. DD really wants to have "the middle school experience" *snort* and DH agreed with her so we compromised on part-time school for math and science.

Edited December 22, 2015 by Sneezyone

[Hunter]

So many games and educational activities can be done with a deck of cards! You can even use them for fortune telling. Just joking.

 

I'd bring a couple drawing books into the situation you are describing.

 

And I'd want my math in a book, not a screen.

[HSMWB]

I would add in a small lap white board, maybe one for each kid.  I do our homeschooling out of materials that will fit in a box all the time, and I really appreciate being able to write out a math problem or example from the electronic device (or my head or the book) on the whiteboard for the child.  Then it is easy to erase for the next thing.  It saves a ton of paper because we just don't have room for paper personally. Use them for math problems, diagraming sentences, lists, spelling, tons of uses.