What supplies does my student need?

Most families already have nearly everything they need to begin using Homeschool Pro.

The main requirements are:

• An internet-connected device, such as a laptop, Chromebook, desktop computer, or tablet
• A reliable internet connection
• Basic writing supplies, such as pencils, pens, and paper

Homeschool Pro includes the teacher-led lessons, quizzes, Study Guides, worksheets, handouts, reading materials, and other digital course content available within the student’s classes. Many materials can be viewed on the screen, downloaded, printed, or completed in a notebook. Not every lesson includes a worksheet or printable activity.

Students may also need ordinary school or household supplies for certain art classes, science labs, projects, and independent learning activities. These needs vary by class and lesson, so families do not need to purchase a large supply package before getting started.

One Laptop Instead of an Overloaded Backpack

Have you ever lifted your child’s backpack and wondered how they carry it every day?

Textbooks, thick binders, notebooks, folders, homework, and supplies can turn one backpack into a surprisingly heavy load. When a growing child carries that weight between classes, onto the bus, and back home, it is natural for parents to worry about the strain on their shoulders and back.

Our student Roxston remembers carrying that kind of overloaded backpack when he attended public school. Many of his friends still carry one.

In this video, Roxston compares a backpack filled with a textbook, multiple binders, crumpled homework, and school supplies with what he now uses to access his Homeschool Pro classes: a laptop.

Our student Roxston compares the overloaded backpack he carried in public school with the laptop he now uses for Homeschool Pro.

Homeschool Pro does not eliminate every pencil, worksheet, art supply, or project material. It does, however, mean students do not need to carry an entire curriculum from classroom to classroom.

Their teacher-led lessons, quizzes, and digital learning materials are available through their student account. For many families, getting ready for school can be as simple as opening a device, grabbing a notebook, and beginning the next lesson.

What Type of Device Does My Student Need?

Most Homeschool Pro classes can be completed using a standard internet-connected:

• Laptop
• Chromebook
• Desktop computer
• Tablet

The device should be able to:

• Run a current web browser
• Stream online video
• Play audio
• Open and download PDF files
• Display worksheets and Study Guides
• Access quizzes, tests, and assignments
• Upload files when the student submits instructor-graded work

A laptop or desktop computer usually provides the most comfortable experience, especially for older students completing longer writing assignments, projects, or high school coursework.

A tablet can work well for many lessons, particularly for younger students. A phone may be useful temporarily, but its smaller screen generally makes regular coursework, worksheets, quizzes, and writing more difficult.

Some specialized coding or game-design courses may work better on a Windows or Mac laptop rather than a tablet or Chromebook. Families should review the course instructions before beginning a class that requires particular software or computer capabilities. Standard laptops and tablets that can stream online video should handle most other classes.

Does Each Child Need Their Own Device?

Not necessarily.

Siblings can share a computer or tablet as long as they take turns and each child signs in using their own student login. This keeps their classes, lesson progress, quiz results, assignments, and completed courses separate.

However, each child will need access to a device when completing online coursework. If several children need to work at the same time, having more than one device may make the homeschool day easier.

Do We Need Internet Access?

Yes. Students need an internet connection to access their accounts, stream teacher-led lessons, take online quizzes, and use other platform features.

A stable connection is especially helpful for:

• Watching video lessons
• Taking assessments
• Uploading assignments
• Downloading larger PDFs
• Using interactive activities

Students can download certain worksheets, Study Guides, or other files in advance and complete them away from the internet. They will still need to reconnect when returning to the online class or submitting work.

Are Headphones Required?

No. Headphones are optional, but they can be helpful when:

• Several siblings are learning in the same room
• A parent is working nearby
• The student needs fewer distractions
• The student wants to replay part of a lesson
• The student has difficulty hearing the teacher through the device speakers

Any comfortable headphones or earbuds that work with the student’s device should be sufficient.

Do I Need a Printer?

A printer is helpful, but it is not required for most Homeschool Pro coursework.

Many downloadable materials can be:

• Viewed directly on the screen
• Saved to the student’s device
• Completed on separate paper
• Answered in a notebook
• Printed when the family prefers a physical copy

For example, a student can read the questions from a worksheet on the screen and write the answers in a notebook rather than printing every page.

Families may still prefer a printer for:

• Worksheets
• Study Guides
• Lab reports
• Writing activities
• Project instructions
• Course syllabi
• Certificates
• Homeschool recordkeeping

A basic black-and-white printer is sufficient for most schoolwork. Color printing may be helpful for art materials, diagrams, certificates, and other visual resources, but it is not required for every lesson.

What Basic School Supplies Do You Recommend?

We recommend keeping a small set of ordinary school supplies available.

Depending on the student’s age and classes, these may include:

• Pencils and an eraser
• Pens
• Lined paper
• A notebook for each subject or one divided notebook
• Colored pencils
• Crayons or markers
• A ruler
• Scissors
• Glue or a glue stick
• Index cards
• Highlighters
• A basic calculator when appropriate
• Printer paper if the family plans to print materials

You do not need to purchase everything on this list before the first day. Begin with a device, internet access, paper, and pencils, then add supplies as the student’s classes require them.

Can My Student Use the Digital Notebook Instead of a Paper Notebook?

Homeschool Pro includes a built-in Digital Notebook that students can open directly beside a lesson video.

The Digital Notebook:

• Automatically saves the student’s notes
• Organizes notes by class, chapter, and lesson
• Keeps notes accessible during quizzes and tests
• Allows notes to be downloaded as PDFs

A physical notebook can still be useful for working through math problems, practicing handwriting, drawing diagrams, brainstorming an essay, or completing activities away from the screen.

Students may use the digital notebook, a paper notebook, or a combination of both.

Should We Keep a Folder or Binder?

Yes. A folder, binder, or other recordkeeping system is helpful for work completed outside the platform.

You may want to save:

• Printed worksheets
• Writing samples
• Lab reports
• Project work
• Reading lists
• Drawings and artwork
• Research notes
• Instructor-graded assignments
• Photos of hands-on activities
• Test or evaluation records
• Other work samples

You can use:

• One folder for each student
• One binder divided by subject
• One folder for each school year
• A digital folder on the computer
• A combination of paper and digital records

We recommend placing the student’s name, subject, and date on completed work before filing it.

These materials can help document the student’s learning and may be useful for homeschool portfolios, evaluations, future school enrollment, or family records.

What Supplies Are Needed for Art Classes?

Art supply needs depend on the class and activity.

A simple starter collection might include:

• Drawing paper
• Pencils and erasers
• Colored pencils
• Crayons
• Markers
• Watercolor or washable paint
• Paintbrushes
• Scissors
• Glue
• Construction paper
• A ruler

Some art lessons may use only a pencil and paper. Others may suggest paint, craft materials, or a particular type of paper.

Students can also use these supplies for independent artwork beyond their assigned lessons. Families may substitute similar materials when appropriate, provided the substitution is safe and still allows the student to complete the activity.

Review the lesson before purchasing special art supplies.

What Supplies Are Needed for Science Labs?

Homeschool Pro includes lab experiences in select science classes. Not every science lesson includes a lab.

Labs may be presented in two formats:

1. Instructor video labs: The instructor performs the lab while the student observes, pauses, takes notes, records data, and completes a lab report.
2. At-home labs: The student completes a printable, hands-on activity using the provided directions.

At-home labs use common household items whenever possible. When additional supplies are needed, they can often be found at a grocery store, dollar store, hardware store, craft store, or online. Each lab includes a materials list, quantities, safety instructions, procedures, and student recording pages when appropriate.

Depending on the activity, materials might include items such as:

• Cups or bowls
• Water
• Coins
• Index cards
• Paper
• Tape
• String
• Rulers
• Scissors
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Food items
• Recyclable containers
• Basic craft supplies

For example, one Homeschool Pro inertia lab uses an index card, coin, plastic or paper cup, flat table, notebook, and pencil, all common household or school supplies.

Families do not need to purchase a large science kit before beginning the curriculum.

How Will I Know What a Lab Requires?

Review the lab lesson before the student begins the activity.

At-home labs provide a materials list that explains:

• Each item needed
• The quantity required
• Where the item may be found
• Whether a substitution can be used
• Safety information
• Whether adult supervision is needed

Many materials are ordinary household supplies. When a less common item is needed, the lesson may explain where it can usually be obtained.

Gather the materials before beginning so the student does not have to stop partway through the procedure.

Does an Adult Need to Supervise Labs?

Parents should review the complete lab instructions, materials, and safety information before the activity begins.

Younger students should complete hands-on labs with adult supervision. Additional caution is needed for any activity involving:

• Heat
• Electricity
• Glass
• Sharp objects
• Chemicals
• Moving parts
• Items that may snap or spill

Students should use only the listed materials or approved substitutions and should stop the activity if something behaves unexpectedly.

Families may choose an instructor demonstration instead of completing a hands-on activity when that option is available and better fits their circumstances.

Will Projects Require Additional Materials?

Some classes include projects that may use ordinary school, craft, household, or recyclable materials.

Examples could include:

• Poster board
• Paper or cardstock
• Markers
• Glue
• Tape
• Recycled boxes
• Art supplies
• Presentation materials
• A camera or device for recording a video assignment

The exact requirements will appear in the project instructions.

Review the complete assignment before purchasing supplies. Students may already have an appropriate substitute at home.

Do We Need to Buy Textbooks?

You do not need to purchase a large boxed curriculum or a stack of required textbooks to begin Homeschool Pro.

The primary lessons and course materials are available online. Many lessons also include downloadable worksheets, reading materials, lab reports, research prompts, and other PDFs.

A small number of classes may recommend an outside book or additional reading. When that happens, families can often borrow the book from a public library rather than purchasing it.

For more information, see:

Do I have to buy any textbooks?

Do We Need to Purchase Everything at the Beginning of the Year?

No. There is no required Homeschool Pro supply package that every family must purchase before beginning.

A simple first-day setup can include:

• An internet-connected device
• The student’s login information
• A notebook or paper
• Pencils or pens
• Optional headphones
• A folder for completed work

You can add printer paper, art supplies, lab materials, or project supplies as they become relevant.

This helps families avoid buying items that their particular students or classes may never use.

What If We Are Homeschooling While Traveling?

A traveling student generally needs:

• A laptop, Chromebook, or tablet
• Internet access
• Headphones
• A charger
• A notebook and pencil
• A folder or envelope for printed work

Download worksheets or Study Guides before traveling when internet access may be limited.

Students do not need to carry a full set of textbooks between locations. Their primary classes and learning materials remain available through their student account.

The Bottom Line

Most Homeschool Pro students can begin with supplies their family already owns.

The main requirements are:

• An internet-connected laptop, Chromebook, desktop, or tablet
• Reliable internet access
• Basic writing supplies

Helpful optional items include:

• Headphones
• A printer
• Notebooks
• A folder or binder
• Basic art supplies
• Common household materials for labs and projects

Homeschool Pro provides the teacher-led instruction and digital curriculum materials. Worksheets and other files can be viewed, downloaded, printed, or completed in a notebook.

Course-specific art, project, and lab supplies vary, but the lesson will explain what is needed. There is no reason to purchase a large supply package before your student begins.

For many students, school no longer requires a backpack packed with textbooks and binders. As Roxston shows, sometimes the most important school supply is simply the laptop that opens the door to everything else.