Free Homeschooling

Homeschooling doesn't have to cost anything.  Really.

(Although, I do recommend that every homeschool family have an HSLDA membership.  It's important to protect yourself, and your membership helps keep homeschooling legal in all 50 states.)

I absolutely adore curriculum.  It's really fun to look at and play with and plan for.  But in reality,  sometimes the kids like it.  But more often than not, we spend a whole lot of money on something that looks great, only to find that, after a day or two,  the kids are no longer keen on it, and the haranguing begins.

Cause if I've spent a lot of money on some curriculum I thought was going to be wonderful - well, then we must use it, right?

On the other hand, if I get my stuff for free, then I don't much care whether the kids love it or never want to play with it again.  I have the freedom to let them enjoy it or not.

Please be aware:  While I have personally looked at all of these websites - it is not possible for me to have looked at all of the games/links as there are literally thousands.  Please, please, never let your child access the internet without your supervision.  Computers with internet access should be in a common area, where you - the parent - will be aware of what your kids are being exposed to.  I know of several Christian, homeschooling families who trusted their kids to know what not to look at - and their kids were inadvertently exposed to, and subsequently addicted to porn.  Be careful!!

Here are some free curriculum sites (in no particular order):

MULTIPLE SUBJECT, GRADE SCHOOL AGE GAMES:

Starfall:  Early primary phonics, math, silly learning games.  My kids love it.

Learning Games for Kids:  Like the name says, lots of games in all areas.  Let them choose and you sit back and watch them learn.  :)

Gamequarium:  More games for elementary school age.

Game Classroom:  Kindergarten through sixth grade games in all areas.  These games are developed to match state standards.  (Is that a good thing? - LOL!)

Arcademic Skill Builders:  More K-5 games in all areas.

ABCya!:  Lots more great games.  I like playing the one where you fit the United States in the map, one state at a time.  My high score is 320 on hard.

Fun Brain:  Reading and Math games for grade school age.

Sheppard Software:  Hundreds of educational games, activities, quizzes, articles and more!

Funschool:  Worksheets, online games, craft videos - it's got it all.  But I detest the commercials.

PBS Kids:  Games, coloring sheets, and worksheets associated with all the PBS shows.  Mostly fluff and commercialism, but some good stuff.

HISTORY/SCIENCE:

National Geographic Kids:  Lots of interesting things to do and see.  Plus some learning games.  Warning- definitely a site that believes in evolution and that the world is billions of years old.  If you, like me, believe in young earth and that God created humans - then you will want to be sure your kids understand that this site does not support that.


Answers in Genesis kids' section:  Fun videos, worksheets, coloring pages, crafts, etc.  Love it!


Usborne Quicklinks:  Links to educational websites galore!

MATH:

A+ Math:  Math games, worksheets, flashcards.


Timez Attack!:  Teaches all the multiplication facts, 2 x 2 through 12 x 12.  Fun!!


Manga High:  Lots of math games for upper elementary and middle school students.


Cool Math:  Higher level math games, primarily for older kids (and adults).  


Sum Dog:  Math games that cover 100 numeracy topics at 10 levels.

The Math Worksheet Site:  Make up worksheets and charts based on what your kids are currently studying.

TYPING:  

Learn2Type:  Like it says, free online typing tutor.




SPELLING/VOCABULARY:

Spelling City:  Spelling and vocabulary for all levels.  Use their suggested lists or make your own list and convert it to word searches, games, and tests.  


READING/BOOK LISTS:

Book Adventure:  This Sylvan sponsored site offers both reading suggestions for all ages, and quizzes to check for comprehension.  If your child is an independent reader, you can set up rewards for him/her to get when then read a certain number of books and score well on the tests.  Nice!!


Ambleside Online:  Book lists (some are free online and some you get at the library) and guidelines for the popular Charlotte Mason method of homeschooling.  Great place to get inspired.  


GEOGRAPHY:

Seterra:  Fun online geography practice.  Better than just a quiz - actually helps you learn the major citys,  countries, etc.



Wish you were here!

Vote Early, Vote Often

Sher Bear writing her name on her ballot

I grew up in Chicago, where "Vote Early, Vote Often" was more of a tradition than a mafia joke.

But, seriously, if you are an American, did you vote yesterday?  We did.

After breakfast, we took the kids to Town Hall and up the stairs to the polling place.  One of the benefits of living in a small, rural town is that we knew almost everyone, and they were fine about the kids being there - reminding us politely that the kids were not to touch our ballots.  They gave each of the kids their own "Sample Ballot" same as we had, but printed on bright yellow paper so as not to be confused with the real thing.

Then we all went into our little cubbies and got to the voting.  The girls filled out their ballots, too, copying Mom's and Dad's.  And Sher Bear even wrote her name on her ballot. (I'll have to talk to her about how voting is supposed to be anonymous).

If you voted yesterday, kudos to you!  I hope you took your kids with and talked about the process, and the privilege we have in the US.  I commented to the kids as we crossed the street after voting, "We are so blessed to be able to vote at all.  Blessed to be able to vote as women.  And blessed to be voting without threat of violence for having done so."  How nice to realize that there we no guns on the streets on election day.

Campster carefully considers her vote

If you didn't vote yesterday, please make sure to register to vote this week and do so next time.  I believe it is important to instill in my children not only the right to vote - but the responsibility. Please understand me, I am not saying that this is a should.  I am saying that voting is a use it or lose it proposition.  If enough of us fail to vote over the years, our children will not see the value, and we lose that wonderful privilege.  Please make sure you are registered to vote, and take your kids with you so they see how it's done.

Regardless of whether you voted or not, take time over the next few days to share the election results.  My kids were excited to compare their "ballots" with the election results.  I won't tell you how we fared, because, excepting where your rights to homeschool or parent are concerned, this is not a blog about politics.

But most states (I'd hazard a guess that all) require that you teach your children federal, state and local government.  And here's your opportunity.  Talk with your kids about why you voted the way you did.  Explain your choices and do your best to express the alternate viewpoint and what you see as it's shortcomings.

Ideas for next election:  Get involved early.  Candidates would love your help stuffing envelopes or delivering fliers.  Visit your state capitol building and talk about how it all works.  If you need a refresher course, here is a great website explaining how our government is set up.  Or, break out your Schoolhouse Rock DVD and dance around the living room while you learn about how bills turn into laws.

Lastly, I want to share ParentalRights.org with you.  Please take a moment to go over to their website and get familiar with what your rights are as a parent, and how they are in jeopardy.  It's important, and most parents I know didn't have a clue about these important issues until I told them.

Apres Voting.  Jor Man is camera shy.

Wish you were here!