Where to Start with The Waldock Way: A Simple Beginner’s Guide to Our Homeschool Resources
You found us! Now what? It’s exciting to find new homeschool resources that align with everything you’ve been feeling about child-led learning, focusing on connection, and leaning in to natural curiosity. Where do you begin with all these amazing resources?
We definitely understand. You don’t want to purchase another thing that will sit unused, and you don’t want to buy another printable resource that fails to deliver what it promised. On top of all that, there are so many! Figuring out where to begin can be A LOT, and it’s ok to feel that way.
That’s why we’ve put together this simple beginner’s guide to our homeschool resources. We will show you which products are the easiest to start with and what resources can help you achieve exactly what you’ve been missing in your homeschool.
Feeling Overwhelmed? You’re Not Alone
Starting something new in your homeschool can be both exciting and overwhelming. There are so many options, too many options! Nobody wants to throw away money trying to find the right resources. We want materials we will actually use, resources our kids will love.
It’s so easy to fall into the “shiny new curriculum” trap. We buy something big and seemingly amazing. Then, it never leaves the box. Added to that, many of us are homeschooling on tight budgets, and the fear of wasting money can be even greater than the fear of wasting resources.
This isn’t just a problem for new homeschool moms; it’s something veteran homeschoolers face every year too. The good news is that you don’t need a perfect plan, and you don’t need to do everything all at once. You just need a place to begin.
Start Small: The Waldock Way Approach to Homeschooling
We believe in starting small. Trying to do everything all at once or make lots of changes quickly can backfire. Starting small gives you a place to begin. Beginning with one small difference that you can build on over time.
We built our resources this way intentionally. As we discovered new things in our own homeschooling journey, we wanted to share them with others. This change happened gradually. It worked for us, and we know it can work for you too.
Starting small saves time, money, and energy. No one wants to spend lots of time planning an entire homeschool year filled with changes only to watch it fail when all those changes become overwhelming.
Likewise, we don’t want to funnel our homeschool budget into fancy new resources that don’t work for our family. All these things cost more than just money; they cost us energy.
Another big benefit to starting with small changes is that it’s flexible. If you start with one change and find out it isn’t working, you can pivot without feeling like you wasted lots of time, energy, and dollars. That flexibility matters because every homeschool family is different.
At The Waldock Way, we also really believe in following the child’s interests. That’s a crucial part of making this work. Following your child’s interests and passions leads to less resistance, more engagement, and a stronger connection. The best part is that this approach is filled with joy!
You can build it over time, getting closer each week. It isn’t a one-time purchase decision that affects the rest of your homeschool year. It’s a starting point, a new beginning.
The 3 Best Ways to Get Started (Affordable, Low Prep, and Flexible)
There are 3 important things to think about when you’re first getting started. We think these are the best ways to begin. We want affordable resources, tools that are low prep for homeschool families, and make it totally flexible. So, that’s what we create.
Discovery Decks: Simple, Screen-Supported Learning in Minutes
Our Discovery Decks are sets of cards kids can use independently to get the answers to all their biggest questions. As homeschoolers, we are always working to teach our child how to learn. We want Emily to know where to look for answers and be curious enough to search for them.
These decks have questions kids are naturally curious about, like “Why do we sneeze?” or “Who invented video games?” Then, instead of a lecture or essay to read, kids can scan a QR code and watch an age-appropriate video with the answers.
You can use these decks in so many different ways in your homeschool! They’re perfect for morning baskets, riding in the car, waiting rooms, and keeping learning going when mom isn’t feeling well. If you need a break, a more laid-back approach, or learning without resistance, these are perfect.
The best part is that they work for visual learners, audio learners, curious kids, and all the kids who have a million questions. There are no elaborate lessons to prep for or materials to gather for hands-on activities. You can spread them out across an entire unit study or do them all in a week. It’s totally up to you!
There are 60+ topics to choose from, so you’re sure to find something interesting for your child to dive into. Plus, they’re a great way to begin exploring The Waldock Way approach without committing to a comprehensive unit study right off the bat. Here are some of our most popular decks:
Then, if this style works for you, transition into movie guides as the natural next step. Currently, we have some Screen-Based Learning Guides filled with activities and opportunities for interest-led learning that your kids will love.
Mini Unit Studies: Short, Structured, and Meaningful
Mini Unit Studies are short and sweet. While all our units are flexible, these structured lesson plans are different from a full curriculum, because they don’t require the same level of commitment. Mini units can be finished in 1-2 weeks.
A unit that only takes a few weeks to complete feels doable. It’s not another thing you’ll start and risk never finishing. You can spend a couple of weeks and decide it’s not for you without losing an entire semester. That matters a lot when you’re just getting started with our resources.
While we’re chatting about unit studies, let’s be clear about what complete means. Completing a flexible interest-led Waldock Way mini unit doesn’t mean you completed every single activity. You can, and we hope you will love them all, but you can also skip some of them without missing out on the learning.
Since our units have resources for all different types of learners in a flexible style, you can pick and choose what works for you. If your kids don’t like crosswords, skip those puzzles without worrying about missing out on learning. Ultimately, these are perfect for families who want a little more structure without a long-term commitment.
Mini units provide topic-based learning, so you can follow your child’s interests. They’re shorter, so reluctant learners don’t get overwhelmed. Some of our favorite mini units are listed below.
If this style works for you, check out some of our bigger comprehensive unit studies. Some popular favorites include Spy Academy and our Traveling the States.
Novel Studies: Turning Reading Into a Full Learning Experience
You’re probably already reading to your kids or reading together. Novel studies add depth by turning the books you read into a complete learning experience. This approach is a big win for homeschool families because it feels less like “school” and more like an extension of something you love.
Our novel studies can be completed in six weeks or less, so you can start with the finish line in sight. Sometimes knowing it’s just six weeks makes it feel more manageable, especially if you have reluctant learners or if you’re still worried about diving into child-led learning.
These studies are created to ensure flexibility, just like our unit studies. With some minor adjustments, you can use them for a variety of ages. So, they’re perfect for homeschool families with lots of different ages who want to learn together.
If this sounds like a great resource for your family, check out the Passport to Adventures curriculum based on The Magic Treehouse book series or Waldock’s Wizards & Wandsbased on the Harry Potter series.
What Other Homeschool Moms Love (Most Popular Picks)
Sometimes the best way to get started is by trying something with social proof behind it. Resources other homeschool moms love and tools that are popular picks can be just right when you’re beginning.
These are the products we have sold the most, the ones with the best feedback. If you want to dive in with a complete unit study and you’re not sure what to choose, check these out.
Traveling the World & Traveling the States
We have sold thousands of these unit studies over the years. They are two of our most popular picks! These resources are so popular because they bring geography to life in a way that’s fun and accessible for kids of all ages and learning styles.
With custom coloring pages and fun passports, these units are a big hit with younger learners. Older kids will enjoy the puzzles, recipes, and hands-on activities. Ultimately, these engaging units won’t just transport you to fascinating locations around the US and the world; they’ll help your family connect facts with real stories, recipes, and fun.
These unit studies are exciting and memorable for visual, auditory, and kinesthetic kids with videos, projects, games, and great books. It’s the best way we can think of to increase retention while building a love of learning in your homeschool this year.
The Most Helpful Resources for Homeschool Parents
Unit studies and Discover Decks are excellent resources for any homeschool family, but what about tools that help make it all seem doable for moms and dads in the moment? If you’re planning the homeschool year and it all feels overwhelming, we want to encourage you.
Here are the most helpful resources for moms and dads. These are tools you can pull out when you start worrying about gaps in learning, falling behind, making homeschooling more fun, or any other nagging homeschooling fears you might struggle with this year.
Ultimate Guide to Learning Year by Year makes it easy to see where you stand with helpful summaries and printable lists you can use to make sure you’re checking all the boxes without being tied to a boxed curriculum. The best part? It covers every kid from preK to 12th grade!
Language Arts for Everyday Learning will help you teach writing, grammar, literature, and so much more without diagramming a single sentence. You can do it all with books, games, videos, and real-life learning opportunities.
Similarly, Math for Everyday Learning shows you how to find and teach math concepts in everyday life without memorizing multiplication tables or completing endless worksheets. This is math with puzzles, games, and practical real-world projects. You don’t want to miss it!
Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Started with The Waldock Way
Which Waldock Way resource should I start with first?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, start with the smallest step possible. Discovery Decks are often the easiest entry point because they’re low prep, flexible, and can be used in just a few minutes a day. They give you a chance to experience interest-led learning without committing to a larger unit study.
What if my child doesn’t enjoy traditional schoolwork?
That’s exactly why many families are drawn to The Waldock Way approach. Our resources are designed around curiosity, books, games, videos, hands-on activities, and real-world learning. Following your child’s interests often leads to less resistance and more engagement.
Can I use Waldock Way resources with multiple ages at the same time?
Yes! Many of our resources are designed to be flexible enough for family-style learning. Older children can dive deeper into discussions and projects while younger siblings participate at their own level, making it easier to learn together as a family.
Our goal isn’t to sell you our latest amazing products and printables. We sincerely want you to save money and time while finding resources that will help you enjoy learning together as a family. That’s why we wanted to be sure you had a great place to begin with our resources, from the most popular unit studies to the quickest wins.
While we’re at it, don’t forget to grab a 15% off code by joining our email list. That way, you can try something new with your homeschoolers at the lowest possible cost. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy extra tips and encouragement for interest-led learning in our email newsletters.