🌟 What We’re Loving So Far (Amazon Favorites+)
Here are a few things my kids and I use all the time that make homeschooling + everyday life easier and more fun:
📚 Puzzle Books (Amazon)
✏️ Kids’ Washable Art Supplies Set (Amazon)
🧩 STEM Building Kit (Amazon)
🎨 Craft Supplies Organizer Box (Amazon)
🎲 Family Game Night Favorite (Amazon)
🗂️ Homeschool Planner (My Shop)
🧠 LCD Writing Tablet (Amazon)
🪄 Quiet-Time Activity Book (Amazon)
Homeschooling a 12-year-old is such a unique season—this in-between stage where they’re not little anymore, but not quite fully independent either. It’s this sweet spot where they start taking genuine ownership of their learning, but they still need structure, tools, and guidance to help them thrive. Over the past year, I’ve slowly worked my way toward a system that feels peaceful, simple, and supportive for my son. And today I’m sharing everything—exactly what he uses every single day in our homeschool.
If you’ve ever wondered:
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What does a 12-year-old actually need?
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How do I keep things organized?
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How can I build a routine that doesn’t feel overwhelming?
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What supplies help them stay engaged and independent?
…this post was written just for you.
My goal is to help you walk away with ideas you can use immediately—not a big list of random supplies, but an intentional system that will make your homeschool feel calmer, smoother, and more enjoyable for both you and your child.
Let’s dive in.
A Look at What My 12-Year-Old Uses Daily in Our Homeschool
Before I list the items, I want to mention that I keep things very intentional. I’m not trying to recreate a traditional classroom or overwhelm him with materials. Instead, I focus on giving him the tools that help him learn independently, stay organized, and feel confident in what he’s doing.
Here is everything we rely on every single day.
1. His Homeschool Binder (The Heart of His Day)
If I could only choose one single tool to keep, it would be this—his binder.
I divide it into simple sections:
This system keeps him from asking, “What do I do next?” and it helps him take responsibility for his work. He checks off assignments as he completes them, and at the end of the day we review it together.
If you have a child who struggles with focus or jumps from task to task, this one tool can be a total game changer.
Every day, he uses his Chromebook for:
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Watching short instructional videos
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Typing writing assignments
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Practicing math when he needs reinforcement
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Researching for science or history
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Using digital curriculum when necessary
I love keeping it minimal. He knows when it’s time for school, the laptop is only for learning—not games, not random browsing. Structure helps a lot at this age.
Yes, digital tools are helpful, but handwritten work still matters for middle schoolers. My son uses notebooks for:
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Math practice
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Grammar exercises
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Vocabulary
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Copywork
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Science observations
I’ve noticed that physically writing things helps him remember details so much better. And spiral notebooks keep everything from getting lost all over the house (because if I’m being honest, that totally used to happen).
4. A Quiet Timer for Independent Work
At 12 years old, kids want independence, but still benefit from structure.
So we use a quiet digital timer for:
Timers help him stay on track without me constantly reminding him. It teaches time management gently and naturally.
5. A Reading Basket With His Assigned Books
Every morning, he grabs his reading basket, which includes:
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His current independent reading book
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His assigned literature book
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A bookmark with reading goals
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A reading log to track what he’s completed
Keeping everything together removes the “I can’t find my book!” struggle that used to eat up so much of our time.
6. A Mechanical Pencil + Highlighters + Colored Pens
I used to underestimate how much good writing tools matter at this age. But having nice pens and pencils has made him more excited about schoolwork—especially note-taking and organizing his binder.
His everyday writing tools include:
This not only makes his work cleaner but also teaches him how to study effectively.
7. Math Curriculum + Scratch Paper
Math is one of the few subjects he touches every single day.
Our setup includes:
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His main math curriculum
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A notebook for daily practice
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Graph paper (great for lining up decimals or long division)
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Online math videos if he needs extra help
I try to stay nearby during math to support him when he gets stuck, but his binder checklist keeps him moving forward without needing constant direction.
8. A Personal Journal
This is one of the most meaningful tools we use.
Every day (or at least a few times a week), my son writes:
It supports writing skills, creativity, and emotional expression—especially during this age when they’re navigating big feelings.
This journal is not graded, corrected, or judged. It’s just his space.
Headphones protect his focus when:
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He’s watching a lesson
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We’re all working in the same room
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His sister’s doing a louder activity
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He needs quiet to concentrate
This is one of the simplest but most effective tools we use.
10. A Daily Planner Page (Super Important at This Age)
At this age, planners become more than just schedules—they’re training for independence. He uses his daily planner to track:
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Assignments
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Chores
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Reading time
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Projects
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Upcoming tests
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Personal goals
I fill it out with him each morning so he knows exactly what his day should look like. Over time, my goal is for him to take over this part himself.
11. Science Kit Supplies (Basic but Essential)
We don’t do huge science projects every day, but he always has access to:
Having supplies ready makes spontaneous learning so much easier.
When he wants to try an experiment or observe something outside, he can just grab what he needs without waiting for me to gather everything.
12. A Comfortable Workspace Setup
This isn’t a “thing,” but it is something he uses every single day.
Our workspace includes:
A clutter-free setup completely transforms his focus. When he sits down, he knows it’s time to learn.
13. An Educational App for Skill Practice
We keep this minimal to avoid screen overwhelm, but one app we use daily is an educational one for:
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Math drills
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Vocabulary
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Grammar practice
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Geography work
Just five minutes makes a huge difference. Middle schoolers still need repetition, but they don’t want to feel like they’re doing “baby work.” Apps make skill practice feel more like a challenge than a chore.
14. A Weekly Folder for Completed Work
This has saved my sanity.
Every day when he finishes assignments, he puts them in his “done” folder. At the end of the week, I:
It keeps our homeschool from turning into a giant paper tornado.
15. A Water Bottle + Snack Basket (Yes, It Matters!)
Because a hungry or thirsty tween?
Not the ideal homeschool situation.
Keeping water and healthy snacks available helps him stay focused and keeps our day running smoothly.
Why These Tools Work (The Real Secret)
The magic isn’t in the items themselves—it’s in intentional simplicity.
The biggest mistake I made in earlier years was trying to use too many tools, resources, and curriculum pieces. It only created overwhelm.
A 12-year-old doesn’t need a complicated homeschool setup.
They need:
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Structure
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Freedom to work independently
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Tools that are simple and consistent
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A parent nearby when support is needed
This list reflects exactly that.
How This Routine Solves Common Homeschool Problems
If you’ve ever struggled with:
✔ A child who can’t stay focused
The binder, planner, and timer give built-in structure.
✔ Constant “Mom, what do I do next?” questions
The daily checklist solves that.
✔ Disorganization
The weekly completed-work folder keeps everything tidy.
✔ Resistance or lack of motivation
The right tools (pens, notebooks, workspace) make learning more enjoyable.
✔ Losing track of assignments
The planner and binder sections keep everything in one place.
✔ Feeling like you’re “behind”
A simple, predictable routine eliminates chaos.
This system truly changed the way our homeschool feels every day—calm, confident, and productive without the overwhelm.
Final Thoughts: Simple Tools, Big Results
Middle school homeschooling doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be peaceful, structured, and even enjoyable when you use intentional tools that support independence and confidence.
These are the exact things my 12-year-old uses daily, and together they create a routine that feels natural and manageable—not stressful or rigid.
If you’ve been wanting a more organized homeschool, or if your child needs more clarity and structure, try adding a few of these tools this week. Small shifts make a big difference.
Leave a Comment
What does your 12-year-old use every day in homeschool?
Do you keep things simple, or do you use lots of tools?
Share your tips below—I’d love to hear what works in your home!
📚 Explore More Helpful Amazon Finds
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Thank you for reading my blog! Stay tuned for more tips, resources, and printable materials to help make your homeschooling experience enjoyable and effective. Check out my store for a variety of educational products and printables to assist you on your homeschooling journey.
Nancy at Cleverly Kindred ❤️
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