I need to state at the outset that I do not equate being frugal and thrifty with either copying curriculum, borrowing a friend's program or being stingy with our children’s education.

I do feel that we should make every effort to buy new from the creators of the many fabulous curricula out there, as far as we can, as this keeps them in business as well as feeding their family. However, there are many ways to be a frugal homeschooling family without compromising. So here is my take on frugal homeschooling a la Charlotte Mason...

Library
“ The teacher [parent] who allows his [her] scholars the freedom of the city of books is at liberty to be their guide, philosopher and friend; and is no longer the instrument of forcible intellectual feeding.” Charlotte Mason

Joining a library and going regularly is a huge saving for frugal homeschooling. Most libraries have booklists that you can use to guide your children in their choices. There are also good book lists online (like the 1000 good book list) that your children can read through or you can use to read aloud.

Teaching your children how to access information in the Dewey library system is also a great help when they become delight directed learners and want to study up on topics they are interested in.

Internet
The internet is another great way to save money while homeschooling. Using games, free worksheets and info sites can flesh out or bolster your children’s areas of study.

We often use the following sites for information:

www.schooltube.com
www.youtube.com
www.wiki.com

However, with internet use comes the added problem of smutty ads and cookies left on your hard drive so do be careful to educate your children in internet safety as well as choosing the correct age and maturity before letting your children loose!

Real Life
Real life is a wonderful teacher. This is something homeschooling moms should never ignore and should take advantage of it especially in the younger years. As you go about your day – cooking, cleaning, gardening – draw your children alongside you to learn how to do these things.

I was recently ill and so blessed to see how my children could stay on top of housework and cooking and their chores because they had learnt how to do it alongside me when younger.

While we use and enjoy a home economics course with an Amish slant, I also realize how much any mom can teach their children when she plans for, shops for and prepares meals for her family. I have been doing this with all my children, boys and girls, since they were toddlers and it has stood me in good stead.

When mending or sewing needs to be done, children can be given scraps to sew and practice stitching. When I was making winter ponchos recently my 7 year old son wanted to use scraps to design a jacket of sorts for his toy rabbit. The result was quite impressive.

Free outings
Many educational institutions offer free group outings or reduced prices for certain numbers. Homeschool fieldtrips are fabulous ways to introduce, wrap up or further your areas of study.

We do as many outings as we can each year and have visited castles, islands, reserves, museums, planetariums, caves, historic towns and many other places. Be sure to find out what is in your area so that you can take advantage of these natural learning experiences.

Swapping skills
Another frugal homeschooling tip is to swap skills with other homeschool moms or dads. Perhaps you can sew and a friend can bake…swap skills and children for an afternoon a month. I am not a crafty person, but I love to bake. A friend and I take turns by alternating these skill sessions every second week. This way I get to teach the children to bake and she gets to do crafty things with them.

This can also work for science, maths and language. You can even be more organized and do a co-op for a month where you can swap skills on a larger scale. I love Shakespeare and once taught a class for jnr high homeschoolers while my children were doing choir, science and soccer elsewhere in the center.

Crafts men
“Every craftsman is a valuable acquaintance to a child.” Charlotte Mason, Home Education

When we have plumbers, carpenters or builders around, my sons love to be in the action. They learn as these men work. They fetch and carry and listen to the talk.

My uncle is also a master carpenter and recently my older son spent a day with him.

My mother is an expert knitter, my younger daughter spent a day learning to knit with her.

Gardening & Nature Study
"We are all meant to be naturalists, each in his own degree, and it is inexcusable to live in a world so full of the marvels of plant and animal life and to care for none of these things."

There is no part of a child's education more important than that he should lay - by his own observation - a wide basis of facts towards scientific knowledge in the future."

"Let them once get in touch with nature and a habit is formed which will be a source of delight and habit through life." Charlotte Mason

Need I say more? In the early years your children do not need much more than long days outdoors studying what they see around them. Along with a nature journal and some field guides you are set.

Starting a vegetable garden is not only a way to reduce the family food budget but teaches children self sufficiency, seasons, natural cycles and health. Do consider setting aside some of your garden this spring to grow some of your own vegetables.

	Web www.homeschool-curriculum-for-life.com