x-post: What would you buy if you had a generous homeschool budget

[Sebastian (a lady)]

I was once in a situation where an employer gave us an educational allowance. One of our friends is now in a similar situation.

On my blog I'm trying to brainstorm some of the cooler things that I got and that she might want to consider. I'd love to get some other opinions too. I'm sure I've left off some great ideas.

[Willow]

A really good microscope. All kids just love looking at stuff under it, and invaluable for High School.

[elegantlion]

Agreed. Microscope, telescope, and some great reference type books. A great printer that prints double-sided copies, extra printer ink and lots of paper.

[Ali in OR]

When I get an unexpected $$ gift for our home school (thanks MIL!), I like to invest in things that make me a better teacher. Two I can think of off the top of my head are Teaching the Classics and Teaching Co. DVDs.

[tess in the burbs]

microscope, telescope, some more reference books for the higher ages and I would also buy lots of readers for the kids :-) I have empty bookshelves right now and want to buy books so badly!

[Sue G in PA]

Oh yes, the pricier equipment: a good microscope, a copier and laser printer, laminating machine, a better, faster computer (probably a laptop) and one for my older dc to use so we don't have to share. I'd stock up on good art supplies, too. Definitely more bookshelves and renovate a space to be used just for school. It gets so old having to use the dining room table for absolutely everthing. Wow...I'm daydreaming now...

[Kathy in NC]

All the other ideas are great, but I'd buy some of the day to day curriculums I simply covet right now.

[pianoplayer]

Books, books, and more books. :D

And then I'd drop a lot (more than we've already spent) money on Teaching Company DVD's.

[womenfly]

IEW products - depending on age of kids.

[sweetbaby]

A great telescope and plenty of books!

[WTMindy]

Laptops for each kid. I would just order all the TOG books new and not try and find them used or at the library.

[happygrrl]

Last year I got a gift of cash earmarked for school. I had already purchased the essentials, so I splurged and bought the science models at hometrainingtools.com. We *love* those things! We keep changing our mind about which is our favorite... the human torso? The eye? the skeleton? they are just too cool (and great props for kid's parties as a bonus).

[MamaChristina]

I would get lots of books on CD, and really nice art supplies especially a pottery wheel and kiln for my creative little ladies.

[Carmen_and_Company]

Hmmm... we already own laser printers, laminators, binders, and all that office equipment.

Live-Education 6, 7 & 8
Chalkdust Algebra, Geometry, and Algebra II DVDs
Cambridge Latin Tutor services
LOEB book set
Analytical Grammar
Tons of DVDs from The TEaching Company
Spectrum Chemistry
New family room furniture
Built-in bookshelves
Larger windows cut out, if possible
Kitchenette off lower level family room
Turn 3-season porch into 4-season with heating coils under tile.
Tons of high quality art supplies
vactation to Europe for educational purposes
Vacation to Japan for educational purposes
Vacation to Australia for educational purpose

That's it for now.

[Jenny in Atl]

I would travel. Within the US, visit DC museums or try to travel to Europe, get a rail pass and try to hit as many countries as we could. If I could not travel, then new laptops for the kids and of course more bks.

[TracyR]

Me? I would buy a few more book shelves , printer ink ( this stuff is more expensive then gas ) , printer paper , telescope , microscope , some of the curriculum I need and lots of good books to go with them :>), oh yes and a few laptop computers .

[Martha]

ART supplies - easels, pastels, acrylics, graphite pencils, watercolor paper, cavass, scretch pads, prismacolor pencils, modeling clay, ...

science stuff - the microscope that connects to your tv or computer screen so everyone can see the same thing at the same time! dissection stuff, models, reptile cage for insect catch and studies...

set some aside for memberships or to do fun stuff as it comes up

[Jennefer@SSA]

Most of what came to mind has already been mentioned:

books and tons of them, microscope, telescope, piano, bookshelves, an extra computer

The only thing I would add is a more yearly passes to museums and a budget for one educational trip a year! What a dream!!!!

:001_smile:

[Jennefer@SSA]

A copier! I would most definitely purchase a copier. :) I spend too much time standing at the copier at Office Depot!

[Mosaicmind]

Several things have been mentioned like a microscope and telescope. I second the laptops for each kid. Bookshelves for all of the books I would get buying a complete Sonlight Core.

[Shanna]

Books, books and more books. And a really good microscope.

[nestof3]

Stereo microscope

Teaching Co. DVDs

music appreciation and art appreciation resources (things I don't splurge much on)

Lots of Usborne I don't have

Entire Gail Gibbons library

tons of Yesterday's Classics and Bethlehem Books

Homeschool in the Woods (I'd raid their inventory :D)

Mystery of History audio

Rest of SOTW including audio

All of Jim Weiss' audio

Rest of Your Story Hour audio