Research for sources of old textbooks. You can do so online, such as at homeschooling websites and discussion groups.
Search for old textbooks. Places to look include used bookstores, used curriculum sales, homeschool conventions, flea markets and yard sales. Online, sites that have classifieds for used textbooks could prove to be buying venues. Project Gutenberg online provides a wealth of free, older material in ebook format. An Old-Fashioned Education is another resource brimming with old books.
Check your library for old textbooks. However, you might prefer to own your books, rather than having to return them.
Peruse and evaluate the books you find. Discern whether the information in them will be complete and accurate enough for your homeschool. Old textbooks may have some information gaps. For example, a history book published in 1965 does not include information on events since then. You can still use these books, but might need to supplement with additional materials.
Buy the old textbooks you have determined are suitable.
Develop lesson plans for the textbooks you purchased. Decide on the timing and method you will use, and whether you will teach part or all of the textbook. Also determine whether you will use entire textbooks or just certain chapters or sections.
Determine, as you plan, which sections or chapters of used textbooks you will not use, if any. You might do this if a chapter contains outdated information.
Print material you will use from textbooks that are in ebook format.
Teach, read and study the old textbooks along with your child, according to the lesson plans you developed. If your child is older or independent enough to learn on his own, provide him with assigned reading and activities from the textbooks.
Correct and evaluate your child's work after he completes assignments based on the textbooks.
Supplement your old textbook curriculum with other material as needed. For example, add newer textbooks, workbooks, literature, audio and video material, and hands-on activities.