Quick Start Guide
Welcome to Your Timberdoodle Curriculum Kit
We’re so glad you’re here! You’re about to begin a memorable year of learning, exploration, and those wonderful “I get it!” moments with your child. What a thrill!
If you like to read through everything before starting, your Handbook is ready and waiting. It’s packed with all the nitty-gritty details to get you fully prepped.
If you’d rather jump right in, this Quick-Start will get you going in minutes.
Just Five Things to Get Rolling
- 1Unbox your order
- 2Start your first lesson
- 3Join the Facebook group
- 4Print your schedule.
- 5Prep for future lessons
1. Unbox Your Order — And Share the Fun
This is the exciting part. Pull everything out, strip off the shrink wrap, and spread it all out on the table.
You might:
- Check items against your packing slip. You’ll find notes on the paperwork explaining which items are coming to you directly, which are sent via email, and information on any delays. Confused? Reach out to us ASAP—we’re happy to help!
- Take a minute to see what’s what. Maybe you’re curious about history pacing this year, or you want to know the rules of your new games. Enjoy getting to know all your new tools!
- Sort it however makes sense to you — by subject, student, or type of work (e.g., workbooks over here, games over there)
Pro tip: Don’t stress about getting your system perfect right now. You’ll probably tweak it once you see what works best in real life.
📸 Bonus kudos if you snap a picture and tag us @timberdoodleco — we love seeing those fresh-kit photos and excited kids!
2. Start Your First Lesson
Pick the thing that made your eyes light up when you unboxed it. Many first lessons are easy to jump into — the first puzzle in a thinking game, the first model in a building kit.
If it’s something you’ll work on together, go for it! If it’s independent work, let your child dig in while you take care of something else.
Not sure how to start? Crack open your Handbook for a quick guide. Most things don’t require prep, but a few (We’re looking at you, All About Reading!) flow better if you spend a few minutes ahead of time cutting out flashcards or the like.
3. Join Your Facebook Group(s)
Flip to page 3 in your Handbook or check out the list here to see which group(s) fit your kit. They’re full of other families using the same materials you are — sharing ideas, answering questions, and offering real-life tips.
4. Print Your Schedule
Sure, you could just use the sample schedule in your Handbook, but it works so much better if you customize it to fit your family.
You’ll plug in your start date, add your weeks off, add any additional courses, chores, or projects you want to track, and print daily or weekly checklists. Some families then print their lists and have them spiral-bound for the year, but we suggest using them for a few weeks first to ensure you’ve made all the tweaks you’d like.
5. Prep for Future Lessons
Some items are best with a little advance work. Skim the intros or overviews to see if you’ll need to gather anything.
A few to watch for:
- Reading Challenge – Reserve some books at the library now (recommendations are in the Handbook).
- All About Reading – Check the early pages of the Teacher’s Manual or our notes in your Handbook.
- Online Access—Many kits have an online component, from the online access to Math-U-See lessons to the downloads of Typing Instructor, etc. Taking time to set those up early can be super helpful.
And That’s It
Yes, you’ll still be looking at directions here and there in the first week or two. That’s completely normal.
You’re teaching. Your child’s learning. And that’s a big deal.
Before long, you’ll be moving through lessons faster and more confidently than you imagined.
If you need us, we’re just a message or call away:
📞 800-478-0672
📧 mail@timberdoodle.com
Here’s to a fantastic year ahead.
