SB Global Families
Recommended Resources
Our favorite products, tools, and partners for globally minded families, organized so you can find what fits. These are the resources we actually use and trust to support clarity, structure, and skilled performance over time. Everything here supports one of five areas SBGF families value: learning, minimalism, global interaction, health and art.
Learning
We value learning because strong math and English foundations open every other door.
Start here
SB Global Families Academic Membership
Daily math and English mastery for grades 2–12, alongside your child’s school. Practice at home. Perform at school.
$499/month · Cancel anytime · Access within 48 hours
The supplies that keep middle and high school work on track, from calculators to the basics that fill a backpack.
An easy-to-navigate graphing calculator that carries students through precalculus and beyond.
TI-30XIIS Scientific Calculator
A good, affordable calculator from grade 2 all the way through precalculus.
Unjoo Math Geometry Set (Protractor, Compass & Rulers)
A complete high school geometry kit, with a case to keep everything together.
We use the front pocket for “Work in Progress.” Students aim to have just one binder, with as many tabs as they have classes.
Loose Leaf Graph Paper, 4×4 Quad Ruled
We aim for students to take Geometry in middle school, and this graph paper is used primarily in middle or high school Geometry.
Amazon Basics College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper, 1-Pack
We keep 5 sheets of college-ruled paper in the back of our 3-ring binder.
BIC Xtra-Sparkle Mechanical Pencils
Popular, simple and easy to use.
Pentel Twist-Erase Click Mechanical Pencils
They make it easier to write quickly, because the click to advance the lead is on the long part of the pencil.
Amber Light Rechargeable Book Light
Rechargeable and blue-light-blocking. We each have one for reading in bed at night.
Minimalism
We value minimalism because a simple, uncluttered home leaves more room for focus and calm.
Clean, functional pieces for a calm study space at home, simple enough to keep the focus on the work.
IOTXY Simple Wooden Writing Desk (39″, White)
A clean Nordic-style desk that fits a teen’s room without crowding it: room for a laptop and a notebook, and nothing extra to distract.
SIHOO M18 Ergonomic Office Chair
An ergonomic mesh chair with adjustable lumbar support and a headrest, so longer study sessions stay comfortable and posture-friendly.
FULI Japanese Tatami Mattress (Twin XL)
An authentic tri-fold tatami mat, made in Japan and sized for one: a simple, natural surface for floor seating, stretching or a minimalist sleep setup.
LUMUNANCE 14″ Metal Twin Bed Frame
Each of our boys has this bed. It’s sturdy and simple, with generous under-bed storage so their rooms stay clear.
A step for reaching high shelves that doubles as an extra seat when we need one.
HomePop 24″ Round Storage Ottoman
Light enough to move easily, with a lift-off top that hides extra blankets or toys inside.
TMY 1080P Mini Portable Projector with 80″ Screen
We picked ours up for about $50. It stands in for a television and folds away when we’re not using it.
Global Interaction
We value global interaction because living and learning alongside other cultures builds confidence, empathy and real fluency.
Language immersion that builds real fluency — sustained, structured and lived day to day — plus gear for families who learn on the move.
Edu-inter – French Immersion, Quebec City
Edu-inter runs French-language immersion programs in the heart of Quebec City, one of the few places in North America where families can live and learn in French. Structured daily instruction is paired with real immersion in a French-speaking community, the kind of high-standard, sustained practice that builds true fluency.
Pajaro Flor – Spanish Immersion Homestays, Suchitoto, El Salvador
Pajaro Flor offers Spanish-language immersion homestays in the colonial town of Suchitoto. Students live with local families and study in small groups, building conversational fluency through everyday life, not just the classroom. Immersion the way it is meant to work.
Durable, travel-ready gear we rely on.
The North Face Recon Everyday Laptop Backpack
A padded laptop sleeve and plenty of organized pockets for school days and travel days.
SSLOTSCASE iPhone 16 Pro Case with Stand & Card Holder
A case, kickstand and card holder in one — handy for scanning boarding passes or propping up a phone on the road.
Cetaphil Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Stick, SPF 50
A mess-free, travel-size sunscreen stick that’s easy to pack and reapply on the go.
Health
We value health because rest, movement and care for the body give the mind what it needs to learn.
Training and race-day shoes for student athletes logging serious miles in cross country and track & field: light, cushioned and built to last a full season of workouts and meets.
New Balance Men’s Fresh Foam Arishi V4 Running Shoe
A dependable everyday trainer for young runners. The Fresh Foam midsole cushions high-mileage weeks, and the light build keeps them quick on cross country courses and in track workouts.
Art
We value art because practicing a craft teaches patience, discipline and the joy of getting better over time.
Instruments and accessories for consistent, high-quality practice, at home and on the road.
Jean Paul TR-330 Student Bb Trumpet
A reliable, budget-friendly student trumpet: a solid first instrument for beginners.
Eastar Bb Pocket Trumpet ETR-330N
Our favorite for travel. It packs small enough for a carry-on or backpack, so practice doesn’t stop on trips, and there’s no full-size case to haul through airports.
Rhythm Trumpet Mute – Lightweight Aluminum Practice Mute
Softens the sound so daily practice at home doesn’t disturb the whole household.
Hetman Classic Piston Lubricant 3 (Valve Oil)
The best valve oil we’ve tried. It keeps valves moving smoothly without corroding the instrument, unlike some cheaper brands.
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means SB Global Families may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you. The immersion programs above are partners we work with. We only recommend products and partners we trust.
The same standards, for your child’s education
Want the structured, high-standard approach behind these picks?
SB Global Families brings it to math and English for grades 2–12: one math classroom, one English classroom and short daily practice, alongside any school.
$499/month · Cancel anytime · Access within 48 hours