It’s that time of year once again. Schools have started or are getting ready to start. And while that means many children are headed back to the classroom, that might not be the case for your family. Whether you homeschool or your child attends virtual classes, this is a great time to try roadschooling.
There are plenty of reasons why you should give roadschooling a try. We covered some of those reasons, along with important considerations to make when choosing the right RV for schooling on the road, in a previous post you can read here. But if you’re ready to jump in, here are some of the roadschooling essentials you’ll want to have on hand.
Basic school supplies
The basics are going to depend on the age of your children. But, in general, this includes things like pencils, crayons, notebooks, scissors, glue sticks, rulers, and markers. Keeping in mind that space is limited in an RV, think about how much you need for each. Does each child really need their own pencil box full of crayons and markers or can they share?
In addition to the basic supplies, you’ll want to consider what tech needs you have while schooling remotely. If your child is attending class virtually or streaming their lessons, you need to make sure each child has access to a device when needed. And don’t forget if you have more than one child schooling at a time or you’re trying to work on the road as well, it’s easier when everyone has headphones to use. You may also want to make room for a printer. While you can print documents at places like libraries or office supply stores, you may not want to have to worry about where you’re located when the need arises to print something.
Art supplies
In addition to the traditional school supplies, consider what types of art projects and crafts your children will be making on the road. You may want to have an assortment of art media you can bring with you. This can include anything from paint to watercolor pencils to fabric and buttons or construction paper.
Workbooks
Workbooks can be a great addition to a roadschooling family. You can find workbooks online or even at the local dollar store. Look for ones based on your child’s age, grade, or the skills they’re working on. These can be great activities to keep them busy while traveling from one place to the next or on a rainy day. It’s also a great way to give them a chance to practice their printing or cursive if they’re doing most of their classes on the computer.
Legos and dice
There are so many ways you can get creative with both legos and dice when schooling on the road. A bucket of legos can be turned into all kinds of projects. They can also be great for practicing things like counting, patterns, and assisting with basic math problems. Dice can also be used for math games by having your children add, subtract, multiple, and divide the numbers they roll. They can also be used for probability games.
Books
Reading is such an important part of education. However, RVers have to be selective on how many books they can bring along with them. There are ways to get around this though for roadschooling families. You can use ebooks when possible. Or, look for local libraries that you can visit when you’re staying put in an area for a longer period of time.
Getting outside
Having the right schooling equipment is important, but the true benefit in roadschooling comes from being out on the road. Make time to get your kids outside in nature or soaking up the local culture. There are lessons to be learned everywhere you turn.
Have your child read the signs throughout the parks you visit. Encourage them to ask questions to park guides or locals in the area. Look for historic sites wherever you travel. Work on identifying trees, plants, and animals as you hike.
Get creative with storage solutions
As you pack up your school supplies for roadschooling, look for creative ways to store them away. Many RV families like to find storage baskets that can be tucked away when not in use. Another popular option is to store art supplies, pencils, crayons, and similar items in a utensil tray.
But remember, the key is to not bring more than what you need. This can take a little time. If you’re on the road and find that you bought too much and you’re not using everything, consider selling the supplies, books, or equipment you have to other roadschooling or homeschooling families.
If you’re just getting started, don’t be afraid to start small and add as you go. Bring only the things you know are guaranteed to be essentials. Then if there is something you find that you need along the way, you can order it or buy it.
