How to Hold a Home-School Swap

Home-school curriculum costs more than some home-schooling families can afford. Offset the cost of home-school curriculum by getting together with other home-schoolers for a home-school curriculum swap. Homeschool curriculum swaps are like yard sales for home-school supplies. A variety of curriculum is available for cheaper than publisher prices. Follow the advice below for help in planning your own home-school swap.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Home-school curriculum
• Change

1. Tell families you know who home-school that you're interested in holding a home-school curriculum swap. Set a date, time and place. You can hold a curriculum swap in your home, at a park, in a community center or at a church. Find out if having a potluck or snack time after the swap is favorable and plan accordingly.
2. Organize how the home-school swap materials are displayed. Each family can set-up their own materials on a table or blanket. Have each family separate their curriculum by either grade level or subject and have each item clearly priced.
3. Walk around and make sure everyone has change before you start the swap. Bring extra change for families who don't have any. Keep concise records of how much change you give each family so you can be repaid at the end of the swap.
4. Assemble a table or special area for home-school curriculum that is free. Some families might bring used materials that aren't worthy of selling, but still hold educational value. This is also the place for sharing copies of home-school planners, grading sheets and organizational tips.
5. Start swapping. People can walk around to the areas that have home-school curriculum that interests them. The swap helps home-school families not only find cheaper curriculum, but discuss methods and tips that help them home-school successfully.
6. Collect any amounts of money owed to you by the families that borrowed change after the swap. If your group decided on bringing snacks or having a potluck, break out the food and enjoy each others company.

Tips & Warnings

• Bring plastic grocery bags for home-school families that purchase a lot of items at the swap.