Science Experiments For Kids – A great collection of science videos!
Everything related to space
SPACE.com – All kinds of information about space including lots of photos.
75 Free Language Learning Resources Online
Learn lapbooking basics at Lapbooking 101
Lapbooking 101. – Learn lapbooking basics.
How to make lapbooks, mini-books & shape books
Lapbooking – There are tons of ideas, resources, links and even a video about lapbooking, mini-books and shape books. Some resources listed are not free, however, there’s enough free info here to warrant inclusion here!
Explore Mars with realistic Mars habitats, rockets, ground cars and robotsExplore the plane
exploreMarsnow.org – A mars simulator presenting “plausible concepts for near future Mars missions drawing upon the depth of knowledge from experts around the world.” Very interactive.
Literacy Lava
Literacy Lava – A downloadable pdf written by multiple contributors and filled with lots of ideas to improve literacy at home and in everyday life.
Keyboard Shortcuts for special characters
Keyboard Shortcuts for special characters. Want to know how to make a © or ♥ symbol? This is a great resource which lists shortcuts for HTML, MacOS and Windows in chart format.
Patterns for Colouring
Patterns for Colouring. If you want to skip the cartoon character coloring pages, this is a collection of cool downloadable coloring pages for all ages. (via Simplemom Finds).
YouTube – magic school bus
YouTube – Magic School Bus. My kids love these – they’re fun to watch and full of great info.
MyPyramid.gov – United States Department of Agriculture – Home
MyPyramid.gov – Lots of information, activities and resources about the food pyramid.
MAKE BELIEFS COMIX! Online Educational Comic Generator for Kids of All Ages
Make Beliefs Comix – Create your own comix “in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese or Latin!”
FreeTypingGame.net – Free typing games online, fun and lesson based keyboarding games including home row!
FreeTypingGame.net – online games & lessons (via Atumn’s Attic)
Welcome to the new Sodaplay | sodaplay.com
Sodaplay – models which can be manipulated.
How to read a painting
How to read a painting – A suggested process for teaching students to appreciate art.
Easy Meal Planning
Easy Meal Planning. A quick and easy way to get started in menu planning.
Create your own online kaleidoscope
Complete the multiplication table in a timed quiz
Make a gift box out of 2 dollar bills
Gift Box. There are instructions and photos to help you make this box.
Mixes in a Jar Recipes
Mixes in a Jar Recipes. Over 300 recipes. Great for gifts! And easy on the wallet too!
Quantum Theory Made Relatively Simple
Hans Bethe: Quantum Theory Made Relatively Simple. A video lecture.
Virtual drum set
Buckle Inc. – Use your number keys to play drums online.
DIY Thread LED Tealight Cover
20Questions
20Q.net Inc.. Think of something in your head, answer the 20 questions and see how the computer could very well read your mind! It’s fun for all ages.
The Bible on One page
The Bible on One page – All the books and chapters of the Bible (NIV) are linked to on this webpage.
Survival & primitive skills book list
Wildwood Survival – Book List – Survival & Primitive Skills. Books about survival, living in the wilds, shelters, hunting, plants for food/medicine, animals for food, flint knapping, tanning, boats & canoes and more.
Living books for math
Reader Lists. Arranged by topic, this is a compilation of literature (stories vs. textbook) that teach math.
Movies to Supplement History
10+ typing games
10+ Original Typing Games @ the Keyboard Playground – Fun & Free. Practice typing and have fun at the same time with this assortment of games.
How to open an online store
Online Store Tutorials | MyWifeQuitHerJob.com. Many homeschoolers start online businesses to supplement income and/or teach their children valuable life skills. Here’s a step-by-step guide written by a couple who did it.
Seven of the Best Hidden Beaches in the World | BootsnAll Travel Articles
Seven of the Best Hidden Beaches in the World | BootsnAll Travel Articles. Might be good to put some of these on the dream list…
Play chess with a friend via email
A Step-By-Step Guide to Overcome Public Speaking Anxiety
List of initialisms and acronyms
Ben’s Incredible Big List of Initialisms and Acronyms (BIBLIA). LOL and many, many others…
Make your own recycled bookmark out of an old envelope
Double Takes: DIY: Corner Bookmark. Clever idea.
How to organize your home and office, organizing tips, articles on organizing
Unique online maze game
Learn to read with fun online games and activities
Get language help for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian & Portuguese Language
Language Learning Library – You’ll find grammar, common phrases, common nouns, numbers, time, alphabet, dictionaries and culture information for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Russian & Portuguese.
Make your own Homeschool I.D.
Homeschool Buyers Co-op. Registration is required.
How to fold a file folder into a lapbook
How to Fold a File Folder Into a Lapbook. A YouTube video.
Create your own comic strips
ToonDoo – Create, publish & share your own comic strips.
How to make a alphabet book
Making an Alphabet Book by Kathryn Stout. You could get as creative and crafty as you want, but this gives you a good guide to get started.
Spelling rules that apply to a large number of words
Spelling Rules. “Very few spelling rules are effective in teaching spelling. For a rule to be valid, it must apply to a large number of words and have few exceptions. Following are rules that meet this definition.”
A list of spelling rules
Online games to teach kids about money
Moneyville: Online Activities. Run a lemonade stand or pretend you’re living on your own in the real world.
How Do I Homeschool My Gifted Child?
How Do I Homeschool? – Gifted Homeschoolers Forum. An article with practical tips.
World travel destinations, culture and history guide
Geographia. Pick a country or region of the world and explore.
Food Timeline: food history & historic recipes
Food Timeline: food history & historic recipes. Also check out the food the Presidents love(d).
20 Great Reasons You Homeschool
20 Great Reasons You Homeschool. A fun printable poster.
Nickelodeon Presidents Song
Nickelodeon Presidents Song. Learn the names of each president through George W. Bush. YouTube video.
Songs to learn the U.S. Presidents with key facts about each
Learn the presidents in song. A YouTube video.
Wakko’s 50 State Capitols in song
Learn the 50 State Capitols in song. A YouTube video.
Discover the customs, beliefs, food, etc. of countries and cultures around the world
High-quality links to history resources around the web
Best of History Web Sites. Simply choose the period of history you are studying and get a list of websites to aid you in learning. The sites are rated (1-5 stars) and brief descriptions are included. There are also games, maps, lesson plans and more.
Links to lots of public domain books and other resources about ancient history
Internet Ancient History Sourcebook: Main Page. Organized by empire/era.
The history of all of America’s wars
Learn about the history, the requirements & the responsiblities of The American Presidency
Huge collection of currency (bills) images from all countries
mappage. If you’ve got a child with an interest in money and what it looks like in different countries, this is a site to visit.
Find a place to volunteer in your local area
VolunteerMatch – Enter your zip code and some keywords and find volunteering opportunities in your area.
A crash course in statistics for the non-mathematician
Statistics Help for Journalists. Covers the basics.
How to “deschool” so that you can more effectively unschool
Deschooling for Parents, by Sandra Dodd. Homeschooling and unschooling are so completely different from traditional schooling on so many levels. Children (and parents of children) who have spent time in a traditional school setting will do well to get rid of some of the associations they have with learning instilled by the traditional schooling method. This process is called “deschooling” and this article provides an understandable explanation of the process and practical hints to achieve it.
Make your own generic game boards from file folders
Welcome to the Homeschool Hutt. Make your own generic game boards from file folders.
How to use timelines to enhance learning
HTTA – Timeline Helps. This site has very practical tips, directions, photos and more to help you make & use your own timeline(s).
Timelines for every imaginable series of events in history
Timelines – AlternaTime. Timelines for History & Cultures, Science & Technology, Arts & Literature, Pop Culture and Science Fiction.
Common Objections to Homeschooling, Q&A with John Holt
Common Objections to Homeschooling – The Natural Child Project. John Holt is considered by many to be the father of modern-day homeschooling. He was a recognized teacher for many years but came to realize our public education system leaves much to be desired.
Make a survival kit out of an Altoids tin
Make a Survival Kit out of an Altoids Tin | Field & Stream. This one has great photos! Very helpful.
The secret history of the credit card
frontline: secret history of the credit card | PBS. Gives a behind-the-scenes look at the credit industry and what consumers should be aware of. An especially good resource for high school students on the verge of financial independence.
Assembling a survival kit for children in a plastic water bottle
Put together a 72-hour survival kit in an Altoids tin
BEST.
Learn typing by pressing the corresponding highlighted key you see on the screen
Mr. Kent’s Typing Tutor II. Learn typing by pressing the corresponding highlighted key you see on the screen.
A thorough yet simple typing course
Keyboarding practice
Keyboarding Practice. A straightfoward site with 17 drills.
Kids can learn typing (various levels)
BBC – Schools – Dance Mat Typing – Home. Nice site!
Check your typing speed with this online test
A listing of valuable language arts resources & discussion about how to improve education
Education Pages | DonPotter.net. “This page is dedicated to the dissemination of materials of value to parents and educators interested in improving the quality of education in America and throughout the English speaking world.”
Info about the Hebrew alphabet, vowels & Biblical Hebrew grammar
Hebrew for Christians – “Here you’ll find basic information about the Hebrew alphabet, vowels, and Biblical Hebrew grammar so that you can better understand the Scriptures from a Hebraic point of view.”
Resources for learning ancient Greek
Greek – List of resources for learning ancient Greek.
A nice collection of Latin resources and online Latin books
Latin – A nice collection of Latin resources and online Latin books.
An article about the whys and hows of homeschooling
Schooling at Home. This is a well-written piece about one family’s experience.
Organize your family’s essential information in case of an emergency
Technophilia: Organize your family’s essential information in case of an emergency. This article is a good starting point for gathering all your important info in one place.
Make your own 10-day survival pack to store in your car
10 day survival pack for your vehicle for just $25. I would bet you’ve got a lot of the items on this list in your house already thus making this a worthwhile (and potentially free) project.
Positive character trait (& animal) lesson plans
Creation Kids – Positive character trait (& animal) lesson plans. Find Bible verses, enrichment activities, games, books for topics like Kind Kangaroos and Resourceful Rhinos.
Brief explanation of Roman numerals & a Roman Numeral converter too
Online Bible training courses
Biblical Training – Online Bible training courses for the advanced student.
“Chicken Soup for the Soul”-type stories with Christian themes
Favorite Stories – Inspirational stories with Christian themes.
Online Greek Bible
Greek Bible – Online version.
Learn about important documents like the Constituion & more at the National Archives website
National Archives and Records Administration. Find out about important documents like the Declaration of Independence & the Constitution , the Presidential libraries and geneaology research.
Make your own online flashcards for vocabulary memorization, and studying games
Enter your Scrabble tile letters and get a list of words you can make with them
Find & listen to music you love and new-to-you music plus artist/composer bios and more
Pandora Radio – Find & listen to music you love and new-to-you music, plus artist/composer bios and more. When we’re studying a particular composer, for example, I simply type in that composer’s name and let the music play quietly in the background as we do other schoolwork. We can read his bio too. Very handy.
History clip art
MrDonn.org – Free Clipart. Links to all sorts of clip art covering mostly ancient history.
Test your U.S. geography by dragging & dropping the states in their correct locations
Christian clipart
Christian Clipart – Christian Clipart and more. The free images are small but large enough for notebooking etc. Larger images require membership.
Read picture books online
Lookybook. An outstanding site and very user-friendly. The books here are new books (as opposed to classics in the public domain, written before th 1920′s).
Downloadable software to learn over 70 languages
Byki – Downloadable software to learn over 70 languages. Flashcard-type learning with audio. Both Mac and Windows versions.
Get the vocabulary right and donate rice to needy people
FreeRice – Answer the vocabulary questions and “[f]or each answer you get right, we donate 10 grains of rice through the UN World Food Program to help end hunger.” Watch out, this is addictive. For older students (and parents).
How to homeschool your Kindergartner
Do You Need to Teach Kindergarten?. A great article with practical suggestions for teaching your Kindergartner at home. Also, a very realistic (in my opinion) take on public school Kindergarten.
Picture books with character themes, organized by character trait
Character Education Literature List – Picture books with character themes, organized by character trait.
100 books every child should read
100 books every child should read – Part 1 is for the early years. Part 2 is for the middle years and Part 3 is for the early teen years. Compiled by the Telegraph (UK).
Get familiar with four classic operas
OperaGlass – Get familiar with four classic operas, “each related to a different important period of opera: Rossini’s The Barber of Seville (1816); Verdi’s La Traviata (1853); Bizet’s Carmen (1875); and Puccini’s Madama Butterfly (1904).”
U.S. History lesson plans & online interactives linked to resources from the Library of Congress
AAM Homeschool Program: Lessons. A variety of topics are covered.
Discover stories & little-known facts in American history
America’s Library. “We want to put the story back in history and show you some things that you’ve never heard or seen before.” A well-done site for elementary students.
A quick, easy-to-use tool to print color flags of countries around the world
Print Free Flags. Simply select the geographic region, the country and the paper size you want it printed on from the dropdown menus and you’re all set! Nice!
Diagrammed Latin and ballroom dance steps
Learn to Dance Steps – Diagrammed Latin and ballroom dance steps.
History of several types of dance
History of Dance – History of several types of dance.
Instructional dance videos, clips and examples from movies
Free Dance Videos, Clips and Movies – Instructional dance videos, clips and examples from movies. Please be sure to preview videos before showing them to children.
Wheelock’s Latin in nursery rhyme form
Wheelock’s Latin, The Musical – Wheelock’s Latin in nursery rhyme form. “…herein is my attempt to reduce Frederic M. Wheelock’s opus into a series of nursery rhymes. There’s not much I can do for you in the vocabulary department, but for what it’s worth, here’s the grammar.”
Generate a packing list by answering a few questions
The Universal Packing List. Enter in things like what type of accomodations you’ll be staying in, what sorts of activities you intend on doing, what you expect the weather to be like, etc. and this tool will automatically generate an apporpriate packing list for you.
Very detailed coloring pages of famous cartoon and storybook characters
Free Printable Colouring Book Pages Character Images to Print. Find printable coloring pages of characters like Alice in Wonderland, Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh and more.
Sunrises & sunsets photo gallery
Tons of downloadable fonts
Lots of color clipart organized in very specific categories
Free clipart downloads, clip art graphics, myspace layouts, glitter animations, texts, pictures, gif images. Check here if you’re looking for very specific clipart such as Car Clipart, Frog Clipart and Santa Clipart.
Nice selection of handwriting fonts
9800 free fonts
9800 Free Fonts. Type in your own text to see how it looks in each font.
31-page ebook, How to Homeschool
How to Homeschool e-book. Email registration required.
Determine whether you are left or right brained and find out effective study strategies for each
Learning styles comparison chart (visual, auditory, kinesthetic & tactile)
Learning Styles. Helps you discover your child’s learning style.
Learning styles inventory (test, quiz or questionnaire), including graphical results
Discover your child’s special gifts and inclinations
Multiple Intelligences. Check the boxes on eight different lists that apply to your child. At the end, you’ll get a results page where you can see which areas your child is strong in, possible careers, tips to help them develop their gifts and more.
Printable sample curriculum planning form
CurrPlanForm. From Cindy Downes
Printable sample daily schedule
DailySchedSample. Shows what a typical day might look like for a K-2nd grader, a 3rd-6th grader and a 7th+ student. From Cindy Downes.
Printable sample weekly plan
Sample Weekly Plan. From Cindy Downes.
See what legalities you need to consider in your state
What the research says about homeschoolers
National Home Education Research Institute – Research Facts on Homeschooling. What the research says about why people homeschool, academic performance, social, emotional and psychological development and success in the “real world” of adulthood.
Top 10 reasons NOT to homeschool (and a rational response)
An article explaining why homeschooled kids might just be better socialized than their public school counterparts
Enough of the Socialization Debate. “I’m not saying kids don’t learn valuable lessons in [public] school, I am merely pointing out that there are limitations in social learning due to class sizes and priorities that don’t apply to life outside an educational institution. Sure, homeschooled kids have to pay attention to their lessons, but because lessons don’t take as long on a one-on-one basis as with a large, diverse group, homeschoolers actually have more opportunities for life-learning, and valuable socialization in the community.”
Newsletter archives for The Teaching Home: A Christian Magazine for Home Educators
Newsletter Archive. Christian or not, there is LOTS of information about lots of homeschooling topics and issues here.
An explanation of homeschooling and what it looks like
A full curriculum (1-12) using free online classical literature & resources as its spine
An Old-Fashioned Education – A full curriculum (grades 1-12) using classical literature & resources (almost all available for free online) as its spine. Not only is the curriculum worthwhile, but for those who don’t need a full curriculum, the resources she includes (organized in the left sidebar) are equally valuable.
A complete curriculum (K-12) using the Charlotte Mason approach
Ambleside Online – A complete curriculum (K-12) using the Charlotte Mason approach. The curriculum (lesson plans, book lists, etc.) is free and while many of the suggested books can be found online for free (gutenberg.org and archive.org are good places to look), some may have to be requested from your local library or purchased.
Online version of Charlotte Mason’s The Original Homeschooling Series
CM Series. Not only is the full text here, but summaries of the 6-volume series too.
A blog about the often unexplored & perhaps questionable underpinnings of Charlotte Mason’s approach to education
Revealing Charlotte Mason. “while everyone else wants to focus on her [Charlotte Mason] as the one who has this great insight for parents, children and education there is more to her views and it is that part I will focus on .”
Enhancing nature walks with the Handbook of Nature Study by
Handbook of Nature Study. This is a blog written by a homeschooling mom who uses the classic book Handbook of Nature Study by Anna Comstock published in the early 1900′s. (You can read the entire text online here.) She issues weekly challenges (the blog author, not Anna Comstock) encouraging you to get out and nature walk. Here’s here explanation of how to use the book.
Classical education FAQs, articles, blogs and more
The Well-Trained Mind. This is the companion site for the well-known book on Classical Education, The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer.
Heidi’s (at Mt. Hope Chronicles) approach to lesson planning
Mt. Hope Chronicles: Homeschool Planning the Heidi Way. Her kids are lower elementary age.
A typical day at Mount Hope Academy
Help with confusing and often misused words
Confusing Words. “a collection of 3210 words that are troublesome to readers and writers. Words are grouped according to the way they are most often confused or misused.”
An addicting online game which helps typing and spelling skills
Learn elementary vocabulary with pictures for Danish, Dutch & French
Illustrated vocabulary – Learn elementary vocabulary with pictures for Danish, Dutch & French.
A list of Latin and Greek roots
A Selection of Latin Roots and Greek Roots for Vocabulary Enhancement – A list of Latin and Greek roots. (Scroll down to find the links “Latin Section” and “Greek Section.”)
Crochet patterns, tips, tricks and community
Crochet me. Crochet patterns, tips, tricks and community.
An essay on teaching Latin roots vs. Latin language
Latin Examination – An essay discussing whether one should teach only Latin roots or the entire Latin language.
Learn Chinese
Learn Chinese Mandarin - With English and Pinyin Symbols.
Links to free online language courses for dozens of languages
Free Online Language Courses – Links to free online language courses for dozens of languages.
Online version of Allen and Greenough’s New Latin Grammar
Allen and Greenough’s New Latin Grammar – Online version.
Online version of New Latin Grammar (Pub. 1918)
New Latin Grammar – Online version by Charles E. Bennett, published 1918.
Biblical Latin lessons
LearnLatin.tk. “…dedicated to teaching you enough Latin to be able to read the Latin Vulgae Bible (Vulgata).”
Latin quotes & phrases
Latin Mottos, Latin Phrases, Latin Quotes and Latin Sayings – Arranged alphabetically.
Online Latin course
Free online Latin course (lessons in classical Latin for guided self-study) – “The course starts with lessons for people who know no Latin at all and will enable you to read original texts, for example Caesar’s De Bello Gallico or Catull’s poems.”
Texts in Latin
The Latin Library – Texts in Latin. For the serious & advanced Latin student.
Learn Latin in an untraditional way
Latin1: The Easy Way – Learn Latin in an untradiational way. “I used to teach this subject. I use a method that’s a little different than the standard, a method aimed at results, not tradition, and no need to learn grammar at the outset, when you’ve got enough new things to learn. If you learned by the traditional method you may find this radically different; but trust me.”
How to say common, humorous & well-known phrases in Latin
Fun Latin – How to say common, humorous & well-known phrases in Latin.
Beg. & Int. audio and video language courses
BBC Languages – Beginning and intermediate audio and video language courses for 36 languages.
Online guitar lessons
Guitar Lesson World – Online guitar lessons.
Customizable & printable sheet music and staff paper
Blank Sheet Music – Customizable & printable sheet music and staff paper. Be sure to browse their Staff Paper Directory as well for pre-made printables.
Piano lessons with audio
PianoNanny.com – Piano lessons with audio.
Piano lessons
Piano Lessons Online – Email required.
A suggested schedule for studying 128 classical music pieces over a 6 year period (K-5)
Classical Magic – A suggested schedule for studying 128 classical music pieces over a 6 year period (K-5). This schedule is meant to be an accompaniment to the (purchased) Classical Magic Music Program, however, it might be helpful to the (budget-conscious) homeschooler who wants to introduce classical music to their children in a systematic way, but doesn’t know where to start. The schedule is arranged according to grade and therefore, difficulty level. Potential use of the schedule: For each piece on the schedule, a homeschooler might listen to the piece (perhaps at classicalarchives.com) and search online for the composer’s bio & information about the piece.
Online radio show featuring a new composer each month
Classics for Kids – Online radio show featuring a new composer each month. The short radio pieces are fun to listen to and the website includes printable worksheets and bios for the composers.
Printable music, staff paper, worksheets & teacher resources
The Music Rack – Printable music, staff paper, worksheets & teacher resources.
Dictionary of (mostly classical) composers
Dr. Estrella’s Incredibly Abridged Dictionary of Composers – Dictionary of (mostly classical) composers.
Photography tips and galleries from National Geographic
National Geographic Photography – Photography tips and galleries.
A beginner’s guide to photography for those who want to be digital artists
Bernie’s Better Beginner’s Guide to Photography – A beginner’s guide to photography for those who want to be digital artists.
Online games and activities to teach art concepts & artists
A Lifetime of Color – Online games and activities to teach art concepts & artists. Various levels.
6 unique and simple art projects
Art Attack – 6 unique and simple art projects.
Basic lessons in 3-D drawing
School of Imagination – Basic lessons in 3-D drawing. Click on the “Lessons” tab to get the free lessons.
How to draw a cartoon character
How to Draw a Cartoon Character – “New cartoon lessons will be posted the first of every month!”
Lists of art galleries showcasing works by kids (some accept submissions)
Art Sites for Kids – Lists of art galleries showcasing works by kids (some accept submissions).
Step-by-step instructions to draw cartoony and funny doodles
Learn to Draw and Color Cartoonys and Funny Doodles with Uncle Fred – Step-by-step instructions.
Art lessons for kids using various media
Home School Arts – Art lessons for kids using various media.
Beg., Int. & Adv. in-depth drawing lessons
Drawspace.com – Beginning, intermediate and advanced in-depth drawing lessons
Projects, lessons and ideas to help teach art
Free Art Lesson Plans – Projects, lessons and ideas to help teach art.
Interactive art activities for various art topics
Smithsonian American Art Museum – Interactive art activities for various art topics.
Listen to and learn about music from cultures from around the world
National Geographic World Music – Listen to and learn about music from cultures from around the world.
Kids can learn about the orchestra, play in the music lab and more
San Francisco Symphony KIDS – Kids can learn about the orchestra, play in the music lab and more. Well-designed, fun site.
Basic music theory in 26 lessons
The Grand Staff – Basic music theory in 26 lessons.
Printable staff papers and tablatures
The Printable Staff Paper Page – Printable staff papers and tablatures.