by Katrina Fujisaka
Times are tough for many folks right now, so I thought I’d run down a few online resources that I have found useful or exciting. Some of these sites I have described for you, others I’ve included their own descriptions of their sites in quotations.
Homeschool Mom Resources
Free homeschool planners, planning tips, and school calendars.
http://donnayoung.org/index.htm
For Elementary School:
“HomeschoolMath.net is a comprehensive math resource site for homeschooling parents and teachers: find free worksheets, math ebooks for elementary grades, extensive link list of games, interactive tutorials & quizzes, curriculum guide, and math teaching help articles/lessons. The resources emphasize understanding of concepts instead of mechanical memorization of rules.”
http://www.homeschoolmath.net/
We have a very, large selection of FREE items. Click on the buttons in the menu bar above to locate 16,000+ worksheets, funtime games, make worksheets, online math, activity fun worksheets and United States Units.
http://www.schoolexpress.com
“SpellingCity.com is on a mission to make spelling more fun, and give you the spelling help you are looking for. Our spelling program is a breakthrough. All parents and students, whether you are involved with a public, private, or homeschool, can use SpellingCity.com to make spelling lists, practice for spelling tests, and make instant spelling and word games to play online or print out.”
http://www.spellingcity.com
This is a fun-filled adventure back in time. Not only are there short but interesting lessons on a good number of individuals, the site is eye-catching and humorous. There are questions for children to answer, special segments, including one titled “The Big Sneeze” which is all about how and why Thomas Edison created the silent motion picture. Some of this content is Jr. High appropriate as well.
http://www.americaslibrary.gov/jb/index.php
For Jr. High/High School
This is the most exciting thing I have found on the internet yet. MIT (yes, the MIT) offers full courses online for free. These are not accredited, of course, because you are controlling the grading. Nothing is sent in to the school. But the entire course is available for viewing online. My son used one of the Intro. To Biology courses as a full high school science credit course in 10th grade. We found the textbook used online for $10. Pretty good deal for a full year’s worth of Biology.
They also have several courses that they have developed specifically for high school students. Spend some time here….it’s worth it!
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/home/index.htm
Word 2 Word Language Resources
Foreign language resource.
“This site is dedicated to breaking down of language barriers and assisting the users who have the desire to learn a language, a need to communicate between languages, and for those who work with languages as a profession.”
www.word2word.com
Sponsored by the Capital Community College Foundation, this website is LOADED with free resources. Extensive reference information and interactive quizzes are available.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/
Provided by Oaklea Middle School in Junction City, OR, the website give step-by-step instructions on how to tackle a research project. It is designed for students who have never done such a project.
http://www.junctioncity.k12.or.us/Oaklea/ggiddens5.htm
All ages
One of my favorite idea machines! Check out their archives for great links.
“Get FREE, web-based curriculum ideas every day - Monday through Saturday! ClickSchooling brings you daily recommendations by email for entertaining websites that help your kids learn Math, Science, Language Arts, Social Sciences, Art, Music, and Foreign Languages. We'll even take you on a fun Virtual Field Trip once-a-week!”
http://clickschooling.com
A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling
Collection of links to a variety of educational and interesting websites. The links are up to date and well maintained.
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/materials/FreeResources.htm
Not free…but cheap!
Free Homeschool Software provides a variety of educational software for almost free. You pay shipping and handling – which ranges from $6-$7.50 per program. Some programs cost $1 or $2 plus shipping but most just require the shipping. Their inventory is fluid – so check back often. These are top rated educational and edutainment programs. http://www.freehomeschoolsoftware.com
One year of High School Chemistry for $8.50. Pretty good deal.
This website is maintained by Miss Maggie, a frugally minded Christian woman. She has gathered a fantastic collections of links to public domain books and writings and organized them by subject. Lots of great stuff here to go through.
http://oldfashionededucation.com/index.html
LDS online resources
“School of Abraham focuses on academic excellence and gospel scholarship, using a unique approach that sets us apart from other homeschool programs. School of Abraham exists to encourage individual scholarship through an innovative study program which fosters spiritual and moral development in an environment of academic rigor, and helps parents more effectively teach their children the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
http://www.schoolofabraham.com
This is by no means an exhaustive list of what is available out there… there is SO MUCH! The sites listed here are just a few of my favorites. The internet has revolutionized homeschooling. Use your search engine and see what you can find.
Do you have a favorite that you’d like to share? Let me know.