Using Supplemental Resources With Your Homeschool Curriculum
Have you ever felt that your current curriculum could use a bit more pizzazz? Maybe you’re looking to fill in some gaps or add a little extra excitement to your daily lessons. If so, you’re not alone!
When you're a homeschooler, no matter how hard you try you will find yourself in a slump of the mundane. The schedule that was working so beautifully is getting boring. The curriculum that you love brushed over a topic that really piqued your interest.
You're feeling the need to shake things up. It could be from a teaching perspective, but maybe it's from a child's perspective.
Acting out, having a bad attitude toward schooling, and even having a disinterest in learning can happen to the best of kiddos- even with the perfect curriculum and schedule.
How do you address it? Do you throw out the whole curriculum? Do you start over? Do you power through?
Many of us find that incorporating supplemental resources in our homeschools can bring new life and depth to our homeschooling journey. Let’s dive into how we can make the most of these additional tools to enrich our children’s education.

What are Supplemental Homeschool Resources?
Homeschoolers focus so much on the core subjects, ensuring that we have the perfect schedule, curriculum, and even learning objectives- and they forget about the filler material.
The best part of homeschooling is being able to choose what we teach, how we teach it, and when we teach it- all working alongside our children's interests, desires to learn, and explore the vast world around us.
That's where supplemental resources come in. In homeschooling, supplemental resources are all of the things that you use outside of the main curriculum.
It's important to note that supplemental resources are, well, supplemental. They are not the full pieces. In fact, they are more like smaller investigative units, mundane day breakers, and exploration topics that your whole family will enjoy.
Here's a list of supplemental resources you're probably already using in your homeschool:
- Book Lists
- Manipulatives
- Documentaries
- Printables
- Online Courses/Classes
- Memberships
- YouTube Channels
- Podcasts
- Additional Products
- Your Local Library
- Movies
- Unit Studies
- Streaming Channels
Here's an example of using supplemental resources in your homeschool:
When you learn about the Industrial Revolution and what led to the invention of so much engineering and technology used today, your supplemental resources will be
- Unit Studies about specific inventors
- A documentary on the evolution of communication (from telegraphs to cell phones)
- An online class on STEM and robotics
- Library books on Eli Whitney and Alexander Graham Bell
- A visit to your local history museum
- Virtual field trips to inventor's birthplaces, or old historical buildings/factories/museums

Why Consider Supplemental Resources?
First off, why should we even consider using supplemental resources? Isn’t the primary curriculum enough? Well, while a good curriculum provides a solid foundation, supplemental resources can offer several benefits:
- Personalization: Each child's learning process is unique and different. By adding exciting, age-appropriate, and new, supplemental materials, we can tailor learning experiences to fit their individual needs.
This includes diving deep into subject areas and topics that may interest one child but not another, possibly even cross different subject matter or grade levels- it can be a great way to get the whole family involved! - Engagement: Sometimes traditional methods can become monotonous. As homeschool parents, we have the opportunity to provide our children with new experiences and learning material daily!
Interactive and diverse resources can reignite a child’s interest and enthusiasm for learning. As long as you're learning, you're still schooling. What supplemental resource can you use to break up the mundane? - Depth: Certain subjects might require more detailed exploration than what’s provided in the main curriculum. Supplemental materials can help delve deeper into those areas, providing a well-rounded exploration!
Not only that, but by providing educational resources that can be used family-style, or that cross conventional subject boundaries, you can give way to critical thinking and intuitive learning experiences that today's traditional schools miss out on! - Affordability: You can buy digital printables, classes, on-demand content, use streaming services, find podcasts, or visit/explore local areas for free!
There are tons of free resources online and unlimited access to books and audio from your local library. You can also search for free lessons and hands-on activities, that give way to more project learning! - Skill Reinforcement: Extra practice through different mediums can reinforce skills and concepts, ensuring better retention. Learning happens by reading, hearing, doing, and experiencing- supplemental resources help immerse yourself wholly!
Unit studies and online courses can be the perfect tool to add to your learning experience by providing a fun way to learn about skills, crafts, culture, and so many more amazing things across the world!

Types of Supplemental Resources
There are myriad types of resources available to homeschoolers today. Here are a few categories that might catch your interest:
1. Digital Classes or Printable Content
The internet provides us with so much content at affordable prices, especially when it comes to digital content. Content you can consume from your home cuts out physical storage, shipping costs, and more for both the brand and the consumer.
This allows people from all over the world to share their knowledge, skills, and perspectives, at completely affordable prices!
Some of our favorite supplemental content has come from homeschool bloggers and brands we've found on the internet. Content like
- Music classes from Music in Our Homeschool
- Foreign Language Classes from Flip Flop Spanish
- Cooking Classes from Kids Cook Real Food
- Watercolor Classes from Lily and Thistle
- Bible Material from Not Consumed
Pro Homeschool Tip: You can save even more when you shop bundle websites, like ours! Be sure that you sign up for our email list so that you never miss an opportunity to save money on supplemental resources for your homeschool! Our biggest sale, The Homeschool Collection, only happens once a year!
2. Digital Platforms and Apps
In this digital age, there are countless educational apps and websites designed specifically for homeschoolers.
- Reading Eggs
- Schoolhouse Teachers
- All About Learning
- Night Zookeeper
- ABC Mouse
Example: Imagine your child struggling with writing. A quick session on an app like Night Zookeeper could provide the confidence and interactive tools they need to grasp important concepts better.

3. Audiobooks, Ebooks, Books, and Workbooks
Never underestimate the power of a good book! Whether you're looking for living books that would excite Charlotte Mason, historical fiction that brings history to life, or workbooks filled with practice problems, books remain an invaluable supplemental resource for homeschoolers.
Here are some great places to get deals on books for your homeschool!
- ThriftBooks
- Audible
- Amazon Books
- Hoopla or Libby
- Your local library
Example: If you’re teaching American history, supplementing your lessons with engaging biographies or historical novels can make the past come alive for your kids.
4. Educational Videos and Documentaries
Visual learners often benefit greatly from videos and documentaries. Websites like YouTube have channels dedicated to educational content across all subjects.
- World Watch – great for current events of today's world!
- Netflix
- Discovery Plus
- Amazon Prime Video
- Yippee

Example: When studying ecosystems in science, watching a documentary about rainforests or coral reefs can provide vivid imagery and real-world context that textbooks sometimes lack.
5. Hands-On Kits and Projects
For kinesthetic learners who thrive on hands-on activities, kits for science experiments, art projects, or building models can be incredibly effective.
- Cratejoy
- KiwiCo
- Craftsman Crate
- Cozy Crafters Crate
Example: Learning skills and handicrafts at home with a kit from companies like Craftsman Crate or Cozy Crafters Crate allows children to see scientific principles in action right before their eyes!
How To Integrate Supplemental Resources Effectively
Now that we know the types of resources available, let’s discuss how to integrate them effectively without overwhelming ourselves or our children. When you already have a complete program or curriculum, you don't want to push supplementals too heavily.
Just like with anything, there's a balance. Here's how you can integrate supplemental academic resources and group activities for your family, without becoming overwhelming.

Start Small
It’s tempting to dive headfirst into every shiny new resource— but start small! If your kids express extreme interest in a topic or theme that you're naturally learning, try to find a resource or tool that dives into that.
If you find that your younger students struggle in a particular subject, maybe start with gamifying that through apps and online classes so that they feel immersed while having fun learning!
One of the most important things is to introduce one new element at a time and observe how it fits into your routine. That way, you don't overspend, or overwhelm.
Align With Your Goals
Ensure that any supplemental material aligns with your overall educational goals. Ask yourself: Does this resource support what I want my child to learn? Is it age-appropriate, grade-level specific, or provide value to our routine or experience? Will it enhance their understanding?
If the answer is no, pass it up. You shouldn't spend money on something that doesn't aim to improve your experience or coordinate with your learning or teaching styles.
Make It Fun!
Learning should be enjoyable! It doesn't matter if you are practicing letter sounds with young minds or looking for higher education mobile apps for your older students, choose resources that are engaging and fun for both you and your child.
This will foster a love for learning rather than making it feel like a chore.
Be Flexible
Flexibility is key in homeschooling. If something isn’t working as expected, don’t hesitate to switch gears or try another approach. The beauty of homeschooling lies in its adaptability!
Final Thoughts

You don't have to tie yourself to classical education models that you find in most public schools. You aren't tied to grade-level-specific subjects like Language Arts, Social Studies, or even lesson plans.
With the sea of curriculum options, alongside additional resources, every homeschooling parent can ensure that their home education is a great place to learn essential foundational skills and know that instruction has no bounds when you desire to absorb it.
Supplemental resources aren’t just extras— they’re powerful tools that can transform our homeschooling experience! By thoughtfully integrating these materials into our daily routines, we create richer, more dynamic learning environments tailored specifically to our children’s needs.
So go ahead— explore new resources! Try out different apps, pick up interesting books, listen to the audio drama, watch inspiring documentaries together as a family… The possibilities for quality education and curating long-lasting familial relationships are endless!
Remember: You’ve got this! Your dedication makes all the difference in nurturing curious minds ready to explore everything homeschooling has to offer.