Sunday, August 2, 2009

Incredible long list of free homeschool online resources!

I stole this from Mindy at the Well Trained Mind board. She gave permission for people to post elsewhere. I think this is an incredible list and I wanted a place to keep it safely, so it is here on my blog.

Early Learning:

1. Starfall - Teaches alphabet and early reading skills.
starfall.com

2. Brightly Beaming Resources - Letter of the week, sound of the week, science of the week, etc. This is a good all-around site for early learning.
http://www.letteroftheweek.com/

3. Rhyme a week
http://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/g....htm#This_Week

4. Enchanted Learning - Not really free, but a lot can be accessed without paying (membership is $20 donation/year per family)
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/Home.html





Whole Curriculum:
1. Ambleside Online - Charlotte Mason. Wonderful resource that includes lots of info and is really a full curriculum option. Great booklist!
http://amblesideonline.org/index.shtml

2. An Old-Fashioned Education - Another really complete option. LOTS of stuff to look at and use here!
http://oldfashionededucation.com/

3. Puritans' Home School - I have heard good things, but have never used this. VERY religious site, but it does appear pretty complete.
http://www.puritans.net/curriculum/

4. Core Knowledge lesson plans - Tons of lesson plans on lots of subjects from PK-8. I have not used this, but it looks really good.
http://www.coreknowledge.org/CK/resr...sons/index.htm

5. About.com Homeschooling section (not really a whole curriculum, but TONS of stuff)
http://homeschooling.about.com/

6. Tanglewood Education
http://www.tanglewoodeducation.com/

7. The Baltimore Project
http://www.cstone.net/~bcp/BCPIntro2.htm

8. PASS Materials (FL)
http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/default.aspx

9. Paula's Archives
http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/

10. EdSITEment
http://www.edsitement.neh.gov/

11. Mater Amabilis (Catholic Charlotte Mason Curriculum)
http://materamabilis.org/


Unit Studies:
1. Homeschool Share - Lots and lots and LOTS of projects and unit studies.
http://www.homeschoolshare.com/

2. A Journey Through Learning Inventor unit study and lapbook. Click on Free products
http://ajourneythroughlearning.com/

3. H.I.P. Pocket Change. Several Lesson Plans revolving around money
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/teachers/lessonPlans/

4. Homeschool Helper
http://www.homeschoolhelperonline.com/units.htm

5. Oceanography
http://www.currclick.com/product_inf...roducts_id=243

6. SCORE Cyberguides
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/cyberguide.html

7. Eyes
http://www.aaofoundation.org/what/heritage/

8. Birds Notebooking pages
http://www.currclick.com/product_inf...ers=0_0&free=1

9. Nature Study
http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/

10. Canada
http://www.knowledgequestmaps.com/canadaunit.htm


Math:
1. Ray's Arithmetic - 1885 math book on google books. Thorough and "back to basics". (click on the icon on the page and scroll down to read/print)
http://books.google.com/books?id=eop...age&q=&f=false

2. CSMP materials - K-6
http://ceure.buffalostate.edu/~csmp/...ram/index.html

3. First Lessons in Arithmetic - 1878 math text
http://www.donpotter.net/math.htm

4. NC public school math program K-2
http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/mat...s_k2_resou.php

5. Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching (UK) - AKA MEP
http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm

6. Living Math History (lessons on right)
http://livingmath.net/LessonPlans/C1...S/Default.aspx

7. Pearson Scott Foresman K-5
http://pgcounty.scottforesman.com/

8. Geogebra (Algebra and Geometry)
http://www.geogebra.org/cms/

9. Oakes Math
http://dorioakes.bravehost.com/Math.html

10. Eduplace printable workbooks
http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/lp_1.html
http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/lp_2.html
http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/lp_3.html
http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/l _ 4.html http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/lp_5.html
http://www.eduplace.com/math/hmm/practice/lp_6.html
and activities that coordinate with this program
http://www.eduplace.com/kids/hmm/

11. Middle/High school math
http://go.hrw.com/gopages/ma-msm.html

12. McDougal Littell Math Course
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/ms...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/ms...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/ms...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/pr...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/al...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/ge...e.htm?state=MN
http://www.classzone.com/cz/books/al...e.htm?state=MN

13. Missouri Schools program (including TM/answers)
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/msma...e/index.php/mo
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/msma...e/index.php/mo
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/msma...e/index.php/mo
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/prea.../index.php4/mo
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/math/alge.../index.php4/mo

14. Glencoe Workbooks
http://www.glencoe.com/sites/georgia...workbooks.html

15. Public Schools of NC math program
http://community.learnnc.org/dpi/mat...s_k2_resou.php


Math Drill:
1. Math Magician Games
http://resources.oswego.org/games/ma...cathymath.html

2. Printable math worksheets
http://www.mathfactcafe.com/

3. Math U See (online)
http://mathusee.com/drill.html

4. Math worksheets to create and print (some portions pay)
http://themathworksheetsite.com/

5. Timez Attack (multiplication video game - way cool) - basic is free
http://www.bigbrainz.com/indexd.php

6. Harcourt activities
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr1.html
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr2.html
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr3.html
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr4.html
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr5.html
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/math2002/na/gr6.html

7. Learn to play chess (I guess this is math...haha)
http://chesskids.com/


Phonics:
1. Word Mastery
http://donpotter.net/PDF/Word%20Mastery%20-%20Typed.pdf

2. Starfall (learn to read online)
http://www.starfall.com/

3. Blend Phonics
http://www.donpotter.net/Blend%20Phonics.htm

4. Sadler-Oxford
http://www.sadlier-oxford.com/phonics/student.cfm

5. Progressive Phonics
http://www.progressivephonics.com/

6. Society for Quality Education
http://www.societyforqualityeducatio...stairway2.html


Literature/Reading Guides and Units:
1. Novel Study Guides for the Classroom Teacher
http://www.nt.net/~torino/novels3.html

2. Reading Units by Gay Miller
http://www.mce.k12tn.net/units/units_with_books.htm

3. Garden of Praise
http://www.gardenofpraise.com/lesson.htm

4. Glencoe Literature Guides
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/

5. Literature Activity Guides by Nancy Polette - These are samples, but are in depth enough to test if your child understood the story.
http://www.nancypolette.com/litguides.asp

6. SCORE Cyberguides (California schools)
http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/SCORE/cyberguide.html

7. Dangerous Journey (Pilgrim's Progress for kids version) study guide
https://www.visionvideo.com/pdf/DangJourney.pdf

8. Course in nature study: for grades one and two - Detroit Public Schools
http://books.google.com/books?id=i8EOAAAAMAAJ

9. Nature-study: a manual for teachers and students
http://books.google.com/books?id=C4EWAAAAIAAJ

10. Readquarium (mostly games)
http://www.gamequarium.com/readquarium/index.html

11. Harcourt Guides
Grade 1
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_1.html
Grade 2
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_2.html
Grade 3
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_3.html
Grade 4
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_4.html
Grade 5
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_5.html
Grade 6
http://harcourtschool.com/menus/trophies/grade_6.html

12. National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/history/


Free Books:
1. Classical Education Library
http://www.classical-education.net/

2. Kids4Classics
http://www.kids4classics.com/

3. Project Gutenberg
http://www.gutenberg.org/catalog/

4. Online Library of Liberty
http://oll.libertyfund.org/index.php...icxt&Itemid=29

5. Google Books
http://books.google.com/books

6. The Baldwin Project
http://www.mainlesson.com/main/displ...icle=christmas

7. Planet eBook
http://www.planetebook.com/

8. 19th Century Schoolbooks
http://digital.library.pitt.edu/nietz/

9. Librivox - Free online audiobooks
http://librivox.org/

10. Storynory - Free online audiobooks
http://storynory.com/

11. Free Books online
http://www.wowio.com/

12. Magic Keys
http://www.magickeys.com/books/

13. Fun Brain
http://www.funbrain.com/brain/Readin...dingBrain.html

14. Interactive Story Books
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch...nlinestory.htm

15. Stories about American Heroes
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi

Art:
1. Dick Blick Lessons
http://www.dickblick.com/lessonplans/

2. Meet the Masters
http://www.getinvolvedineducation.co...ram-Manual.pdf

3. A Lifetime of Color
http://www.alifetimeofcolor.com/main.taf?p=1

4. Teach Art at Home
http://www.teachartathome.com/FreeProjectCurrent.html


Teacher helps (planning/support):
1. Donna Young - Tons of planning stuff, including some things like handwriting masters.
donnayoung.org

2. Homeschool Inc. - Online planning software (very versatile)
http://home-school-inc.com

3. Homeschool Tracker (planning software - basic free, full pay)
http://homeschooltracker.com/

4. Online Lesson Planner, Scheduler, and Tracker
http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/H...isplayLogin.do

5. Super Teacher Worksheets. Lots of well done worksheets for all subject areas. Grade level 1st-4th
http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/index.html

6. Free Forms
http://www.oklahomahomeschool.com/forms.html

7. Freebie of the day
http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/

8. Currclick. They feature a free product once a week to download. It usually changes Monday afternoons
http://www.currclick.com/index.php

9. Freely educate. Lots of great links here
http://www.freelyeducate.com/

10. Hoagies Gifted. Tons of Free high school curriculum links
http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm

11. Education World
http://educationworld.com/

12. Internet Activities to coordinate with each grade and subject
http://www.gsc.amdsb.ca/

13. Scholastic
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/learn.jsp

14. Softschools
http://www.softschools.com/

15. Videos (creationist site -- have not used)
http://www.answersingenesis.org/kids/videos

16. Worksheets
http://www.worksheetworks.com/miscel...rganizers.html

17. Charlotte Mason stuff (not all free)
http://simplycharlottemason.com/

18. FossWeb by Delta Education. Click on the subject, then teacher resources. You will then have to click on Teacher Prep videos for the lessons. Everything else on the page supports the lessons. There are games, worksheets, and many additional resources listed
http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/index.html

19. Higher Up and Further In blog
http://higherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/

20. Pioneer Woman blog
http://thepioneerwoman.com/

21. Well-Trained Mind
welltrainedmind.com/forums/

22. Teacher Tube
http://www.teachertube.com/


Science:
1. Engineering for kids ages 8 and up. Single subject lesson plans. Nicely done and easy to understand
http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forum...ree+curriculum

2. Earth Awareness Curriculum for Middle Schoolers
http://cygnus-group.com/use-less-stuff/NSTA.html

3. Life Science Curriculum
http://www.eequalsmcq.com/Thank%20yo...%20Science.htm

4. Otter’s Science
http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschoo...ence_main.html

5. K-12 Science
http://www.msnucleus.org/curriculum/curriculum.html

6. Take a Cloud Walk (Cloud unit)
http://www.takeawalk.com/cloud-walk/

7. Science plans for 6th grade based on the "Prentice-Hall Life Science" book
http://www.smithlifescience.com/

8. Hands-On Technology Program
http://www.galaxy.net/~k12/

9. NASA for educators
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/index.html

10. Science Songs
http://www.acme.com/jef/singing_science/

11. Invitations to Science Inquiry
http://eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/eri...0/1e/27/27.pdf

12. Science Videos
http://www.teachersdomain.org/

13. Animal Units
http://www.scribd.com/people/documen...06/folder/1072

14. Animal Activity Packs
http://www.kidszoo.org/education/zaps.htm

15. Videos that demonstrate experiments for every element on the periodic table
http://www.periodicvideos.com/

16. Click on the element and then on the microphone to hear about the element
http://www.webelements.com/

17. Inventor's Timeline
http://inventors.about.com/od/timeli...Nineteenth.htm

18. BODIES, the exhibition ~ includes educator guides for various grade levels from Carnegie Science Center. Even if you aren't interested in the exhibit or pictures of the preserved bodies, there is good info in the guides that can be used for lessons:
http://wheresciencehappens.org/bodiesguide.htm


Computer Science:
1. Blender 3D animation creation
http://www.blender.org/

2. Computer Programming Course
http://www.alice.org/index.php

3. Computer Training Courses
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computer/

4. Computer Animating and Design
http://scratch.mit.edu/


Typing:
1. Online typing Course
http://www.goodtyping.com/

2. Dance Mat Typing
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

3. Touch Typing (Online)
http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/

4. Kiran's Typing Tutor
http://www.kiranreddys.com/products/typing.html

5. Learn2Type
http://www.learn2type.com/


Foreign Language:
1. BBC Languages
http://www.bbc.co.uk/languages/

2. Elementary/Middle School beginning Spanish. The first book listed is a free download.
http://nflrc.iastate.edu/pubs/units/unitsList.html

3. Greek and Latin
http://www.textkit.com/

4. FSI Language Courses
http://fsi-language-courses.com/default.aspx

5. Live Mocha - This is a social site, so you may want to monitor your kids closely on this one.
http://www.livemocha.com/

6. OFS (Online free spanish)
http://www.onlinefreespanish.com/

7. Spanish Unlimited
http://www.spanishunlimited.com/

8. Latin Resources
http://www.cdacademy.com/class/2007/...-games-online/
http://www.gettingstartedwithlatin.com/
http://hungryfrog.com/classics.html
http://homeschool.online.program.lat...lyfishfun.com/
http://www.memoriapress.com/help/Latin.htm

9. French Resources
http://www.poissonrouge.com/
http://lexiquefle.free.fr/learn-french.htm

10. Boca Beth (Spanish)
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f

11. Salsa (Spanish)
http://www.gpb.org/salsa/term/episodes

12. Mommy Teach Me Spanish
http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...rch_type=&aq=f

13. In the Beginning Greek
http://www.inthebeginning.org/


Home Economics/Life Skills:
1. Future Christian Homemakers (Have not used or looked into this)
http://www.futurechristianhomemakers...sonsIndex.html


Virtual Field Trips:
1. Take a field Trip
http://www.uen.org/tours/fieldtrips2.shtml

2. Meet Me at the Corner
http://www.meetmeatthecorner.org/


High School/College (have not used these or looked closely at them):
1. HippoCampus Free Courses
http://www.hippocampus.org/

2. Mixed Courses in many subjects
http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/

3. Printable Courses in all subject areas. Not sure who funds this one, but I like how the curriculum is laid out
http://www.pass.leon.k12.fl.us/Speci...t%20Areas.aspx

4. University of Berkley Courses. Tons of Free Courses available here
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/

5. Yale University Open Courses. Nicely done and easy to access IMO
http://oyc.yale.edu/

6. University of Washington free courses
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/openuw/

7. M.I.T. open Courseware. Tons of completely free courses in many subjects
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm


Bible Studies:
1. http://www.padfield.com/

2. Calvert
http://children.calvarychapel.com/site/curriculum.htm

3. Notebooking Pages
http://www.notebookingpages.com/stor...5bc3631269ff94


Health and Nutrition:
1. http://www.nutritionexplorations.org...ssons-main.asp
__________________
Hi, I'm Melinda!
Mom to:
Jared 6 (6/9/03) Math and science loving kid!
Hannah 4 (8/10/04) To dance is to live!
Nathan 2 (3/30/07) Getting into stuff...

I've seen the village, and I don't want them raising my children!
__________________


16 comments:

Kelly said...

Great resources!

Cindy said...

Wonderful list! Another free curriculum that I didn't see in the list is Serendipity (www.elizabethfoss.com/elizabethfoss/serendipity). Thanks!

Dan said...

I was happy to discover your blog today. I was unable to find a contact link. I hope it's OK that I'm contacting you through a public comment. I've developed an educational program for Windows called SpellQuizzer that helps children learn their spelling and vocabulary words without the battle that parents often have getting them to sit down and write them out while the parents dictate to them. The parent enters the child's spelling words into the software making a sound recording of each word. Then the software helps the child practice his or her words. It really helped my children with their weekly spelling lists.

I would appreciate your reviewing SpellQuizzer in Two Thirds Unschooling. If you are interested in hosting a giveaway of a SpellQuizzer license I'd be happy to supply a free license to the winner. You can learn more about the program at http://www.SpellQuizzer.com. There's a video demo you can watch at http://www.spellquizzer.com/SpellQuizzer-Demo.htm. Finally, there's a page targeted to homeschooling families at http://www.spellquizzer.com/spelling-software-for-homeschoolers.htm. I'd be happy to send you a complimentary license for the software. Please let me know if you are interested.

Thank you very much!

Dan Hite
TedCo Software
Dan@SpellQuizzer.com

John Médaille said...

What are homeschoolers using for economics?

Faith said...

Mr. Medaille! First off, I have to tell you my daughter, Hannah, is going to the University of Dallas this fall! She is thinking of majoring in Theology though she's still 'undecided' right now.

Secondly, I think most (though not all!) homeschoolers are of a Libertarian bent when it comes to Economics. They tend to use Richard Marbury's books and Henry Hazlitt's Economics in One Lesson has the basis for their study of Econ. Here's a prime example of that http://www.motherofdivinegrace.org/curriculum/syllabus.cfm?id=26

My husband taught our teens Economics last year using a text that the public high schools use in our county. He wanted a more nuts and bolts approach that was less ideological. He used Economics: Principles and Practices (see link: http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0078606934/ He thought it was a pretty good text; some filler but overall he thought it presented the material well.

Another resource that I've seen homeschoolers talk about, though I am unfamiliar with it myself, is an online course put out by www.thinkwell.com You can check them out if you are interested.

If you go to the Catholic site http://maureenwittmann.blogspot.com/2009/07/exciting-stuff-at-homeschool.html, you can see a list of classes that Homeschool Connections is starting up this fall. One of these is an Economics course taught by a professor at Benedictine College in Kansas. This is brand new though, I don't think even that many Catholic homeschoolers are aware of it. They are just getting the word out now!

I would love to see a thoroughly Catholic approach to learning Economics not based in partisan politics or ideology. The online class from Homeschool Connections looks great but not everyone likes taking classes on line. There can be time conflicts, computer glitches, etc. What books/readings would you recommend if you were homeschooling high schoolers? I'd love to know!

Blessings,

Faith

John Médaille said...

Faith,

As a short text, I would use Robert Heibroner's "The Making of Economic Society." Short and concise, it corrects the individualistic bent of too many libertarian texts, which are almost always "Austrian," a corruption of libertarianism. As the title suggests, it recognizes that economics is always a set of social arrangements. As an advanced text, I would use his "The Worldly Philosophers," which would be to teach the subject through biography.

I was thinking about writing a text for the homeschool market, but I know little of the resources, inclinations and marketing channels for that segment. I would also like to co-author it with an actual real life homeschooler. After all, it helps to know what you are talking about when you write a book. Its not required, of course, as most textbooks demonstrate, but it is my preference.

Faith said...

We have The Worldly Philosophers (my husband read it in college as an Econ major). I've read bits and pieces of it too. I'm not familiar with The Making of Economic Society but thanks for the recommendation. I am educating myself on Economics as I've recently become interested in it as a result of reading Chesterton.
My husband was Libertarian in college but has since mellowed a good deal. He's a lawyer that deals with economic issues in his practice.
I'll ask him what he thinks would be an ideal approach for homeschoolers. Unfortunately he has been working so much lately, I've hardly had a chance to say two words to him!

John Médaille said...

The Making of Economic Society is a good short intro if you are beginning your study. At 200 pages, it is very readable but fairly through.

Anonymous said...

GREAT list Faith! Thanks for including Mater Amabilis.

John said...

Science resource for homeschooling kids
www.sciencescore.com

BBat50 said...

Great long list. Thanks. I'd add;

SpellingCity.com

http://www.vocabulary.co.il

Lisa said...

Wow, thanks for posting this!

Lisa ;)

Jannell said...

An excellent art site is artprojectsforkids.org. It's my favorite actually.
Jannell at artteajannell.blogspot.com

touchtyping said...

Great Links infact its a nice collection where students of all age groups can find something for themselves.

Touch Typing

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the post! These are great resources. I've been looking everywhere for websites that will help my child learn to read online. Thank you very much.

Kimi Smith said...

One of the best christian home school programs that loving parents should check it the American Academy. We are accredited by the National Association of Private Schools and we are using a Christian-based curriculum known as The School of Tomorrow. Our Christian home school programs were tailored to fit every child’s needs in all aspects. We impose a reward system approach in line with the goals we set for your child in order to keep him motivated in finishing every milestone. Of course, you will be their partners who will physically guide them all throughout the course. With the American Academy, your child will have the experience similar to that of a regular school set up because we also celebrate their graduation.