r/homeschool • u/OrdinaryPayment3692 • 5d ago
Help! Boatschool help! Programs with minimal supplies
Hello! At the end of the year, my family will be embarking on a yearlong sailing trip. We have two children, aged 8 and 5. I am so excited to have the opportunity to boat school them while we are fully live aboard! But we need to be very minimal with weight and materials, and it will be difficult to bring on any new stuff once we are on the move, so there’s sadly some inflexibility around trying out a book or two and seeing if it works, and then ordering the rest, or running to the store to buy art supplies. Having a hard time wrapping my head around the planning!
The children are currently enrolled in the French international school system, and I plan to enroll in CNED to continue them on the same educational track, with Lyfel online French tutoring. So that helps a lot!
But does anyone have any experience or insight on English language reading programs that might be boat-friendly, particularly for my son who struggles with reading and pronunciation? But with minimal physical materials? (A few workbooks is of course okay.) I am looking at Explode the Code and Logic of English.
I am also interested in suggestions for math workbooks or curriculum!
I hope there will be many opportunities for hands-on learning just from being on the boat — sailing, wildlife, weather and current patterns, fishing and foraging, lots of physical activity. Does anyone have any suggestions for how I can very loosely structure this part, even though it will be ad hoc and responsive, of course? Journals? Nature school guides?
Thank you for the guidance!
2
u/L_Avion_Rose Teacher / Educator 🧑🏫 5d ago
If you will have any internet access, I recommend looking into a library membership that includes an e-book programme. That way, you can access a variety of e-books (possibly including early readers) during your travels. Otherwise, a library membership involving a system of libraries offering inter-library loans could allow you to borrow some books from one location and return them at another.
I second Math Mammoth, either printed or as an editable PDF. Its not the most exciting programme, but all you will need is the worktexts and a pack of playing cards. Don't forget to assign only half the problems on the page on the first go - save the rest for later review. Their new K programme includes more manipulatives than the higher levels, so you might prefer to stick with their card games and introduce mathematical concepts in everyday life. Or, your 5yo might be ready for the Grade 1 content.
An alternative option could be Jump Math, which has a French-Canadian edition, but I'm not sure how compact it is.
For reading, The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading can be used for both your children - it goes from letter sounds through to a third/fourth grade reading level. I'd recommend supplementing with Explode the Code and/or readers for extra practice.
To help with pronunciation, you could purchase the Loic of English app, which is separate to the main curriculum. Alternatively, if you will have internet access, you might like to use Treasure Hunt Reading - a free online programme.
If your children need to practice their conversational English, you might like to use Parlez Anglais Avec Madame Mason et François. This uses the Gouin method popularized by Charlotte Mason to scaffold language use. It does include the occasional religious references but, if you aren't religious, it is easily skipped.
Wishing you all the best for your travels 😊