When parents first start thinking about homeschooling, one of the first things they ask is,
“So, where do I get the books?”
I cannot tell you how often I am asked this question.
Particularly when parents have little or no homeschooling background, there is often the assumption that either: 1) the school district provides a stack of books to use each year; or , 2) that there is some place locally to go and pick up whatever books are required.
Not so.
Not unless a student will be enrolled in a home study program where books are provided and shipped directly to the home, that is. But that is not the way the most families homeschool their children. (In fact, it may not really be homeschooling at all.)
The truth is, in MOST cases, homeschooling families DO NOT receive books for homeschooling. Parents must choose their own books — and pay for them, too.
And, for many, that is exactly the reason they homeschool – to make their own curriculum decisions – some even choosing not to buy books at all.
For others, however, like some of the parents who ask the book question, this comes as a great disappointment.
In fact, when families make the decision to homeschool children, they become separate, independent education programs all their own. They must not only decide what to teach, and how; but they must also decide which materials to purchase. Or not to purchase. The choice is entirely theirs to make. And, unless state homeschooling laws dictate which subjects to teach or what tests will need to be passed (some states do, check your laws HERE), families can decide exactly which books to buy, and where to get them.
So, where do homeschooling parents get their books? This is where a little bit of research will come in handy. Asking friends and acquaintances who are homeschooling is one way. Joining local or online support groups and finding out where people buy their books is another. Going to homeschooling book sales and conventions is still another idea. Or, scouring the Internet to find the web sites of reputable sellers of homeschooling materials will work, too. And lest the prices scare families away, parents needn’t worry, as they are many inexpensive ways to homeschool that do not involve purchasing costly textbooks at all. My book has a list of resources that can help.
Regardless of how the books are ultimately obtained, it is important for homeschoolers to realize that book choices are theirs to make, and that they remain in complete control of all purchases made for the purpose of home education. And as for tax breaks for these kinds of purchases? Read this post for answers.