by Mama Fox
I wanted to type up a handy list of resources for families who are homeschooling, thinking about it, or even parents just wanting to add a little extra to what their child is already learning in school. So here's my collection...
Something Important:
Homeschool Laws by State.Books:
- The Homeschooling Handbook by Mary Griffith - I really love this one. It's pretty much all the basics summed up in one book. If you are considering homeschooling, this is a MUST!
- The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas by Linda Dobson - The title says it all. It's a load of games and ideas for all subjects for ages 3 to 12. It has a very good intro about "school mind" vs "education mind" also.
- Homeschooling: The Early Years by Dobson. For ages 3 to 8.
- Teach Your Own and Learning All the Time by John Holt. He was pretty much the creator of the term "unschooling." I enjoyed reading his books.
- Of course don't discount magazines like National Geographic. My boys love looking through the pictures, especially the issues on volcanoes and Stonehenge. They publish little kids and kids issues too.
Article websites:
Kids' websites:
Free ideas, printables and lesson plans:
Some Curriculum sites (Keep in mind that I haven't used any of these, just passing it along):
Educational Toys:
The idea of education has been so tied to schools, universities, and professors that many assume there is no other way, but education is available to anyone within reach of a library, a post office, or even a newsstand.-- Louis L'Amour
And of course... the Internet.
Do you homeschool your children, or are you considering it? Do you know of any other resources for mothers wanting to homeschool their children?
Comments (11)
I'm not homeschooling, there's too much I'm just not good at to be able to do what they need. But I love finding free resources to supplement what they're learning, particularly in areas that they have trouble with - and because there are times where the assignments tey get atschool just aren't enough, or they don't enjoy them so don't get as much from them as they could.
I don't plan on homeschooling, but my sister tutors on the side so these might be helpful resources for her. Thanks.
Ive been thinking about homeschooling, but i dont know how well that would help my son with his people skills, he wouldnt be around anyone but me. I want him to learn and I want him to be able to have friends and have fun with them while hes learning. Is homeschooling a good choice? Or does it pull kids back from having good people skills with not being around other children?
Right now I'm not homeschooling, but I always keep the option open and ask God to tell me if that is what I should be doing. I do supplement at home though. I'm going to check these resources out as soon as I get the time to do it.
Thanks a bunch :)
@MommyOf2_0507@xanga - Well besides having their siblings, they come in contact with many people of many ages. We have a weekly playgroup with kids ranging from 5 months to 4 years, we go to parks and stores where we talk and interact with many people, we go through walks and they greet any neighbors we see. We don't just hole up inside our house, we are out in the world. Really, unless you lock your kid in a box in the basement, he will learn the social skills he needs.
I was homeschooled most of my life and I plan on homeschooling my kids from Jr High though High school.
I was homeschooled through the 10th grade. I loved it! Right now I'm about to graduate with my bachelor's in elementary education, and I'm planning on going on to get my master's in school counseling.
I'm student teaching this semester, and the more I'm in the public school system, the more I see that frustrates me. I love teaching, but there is good and bad in the system.
I don't have any kids yet (I just got married this summer, and we're planning on waiting a few years before we have children), but we haven't decided yet what we are going to do about schooling yet. I would love to homeschool my future children for at least a few years, but my husband isn't so sure (He grew up in public schools). We will decide what is right for our family when the time comes. I know that we both just want the best for our children.
I've always been a fan of Hooked on Phonics for teaching reading...I don't know what else is out there now, though I'm sure there are many other methods these days.
I'm planning to home school, at least for pre-K. I'll see how that works out and continue with it if everything works out good. These links are very helpful though, especially since I'm already worried about a curriculum for next year.
We unschool. We're on our third yr and we love it. It's nice to hear from a few previously homeschooled people! Thanks
We find this site a good place to understand and clarify what it's all about http://www.unschooling.com/gws/
Thank goodness for the internet; it makes homeschooling much easier!
I homeschooled my six offspring. I'm now working with the last one who is a junior in high school. Not all of mine homeschooled all the way through but the last two have been home all the way through to college. I've decided that it is actually easier to stay home all the way to college. I have worked with the local community college during the end of high school both with my children who went into the public school system and with those who stayed home all the way through. Getting their feet wet early by taking a couple of dual enrolled classes helps in the transition from how to college.
As I was looking at your list of resources I would add: *Raymond and Dorothy Moore's books and www.moorefoundation.com-They have a lot of information including studies on why homeschooling is best which site information on brain development and physchological development which swayed me as I considered the issue of whether to teach mine at home or not
www.christianbook.com*Mary Pride's books-She has lots of lists of ideas and resources in her books
Curriculums-
Abeka
Switched on Schoolhouse
Rod and Staff
other resources-
Pizza Hut reading program-this is open to homeschoolers and can be a fun way to spur on reading interest
4 H clubs-a good group to get kids out of the house and doing things with other kids projects vary from raising animals and gardens to baking and crafts and it is fairly inexpensive
Your Community Library-most libraries have reading programs for kids from preschool up which feature fun activities and are this is another way you can get out of the house and meet other kids and parents while doing something academic
Homeschooling Groups-These groups are all over the country now and can help with making friends and finding out about resources
AWANA-a good Christian midweek program for kids which can help kids to learn the Bible,give them a time to interact with other kids who are not necessarily other homeschooling kids.
HomeSchool Legal Defense Association- an organization which can help you to understand how to deal with the laws in your state and in our country that affect homeschoolers
or cbd is a great resource for inexpensive books which can be ordered
www.visionforum.com is another organization dedicated to promoting and supporting homeschooling. They have reprinted some old out of print books which are wonderful resources. I have used the G.A.Henty books with my son with great success.
**I'd be happy to write to anyone who has a question about homeschooling and wants to talk over some aspect.