Lapbooking 101. – Learn lapbooking basics.
Homeschooling Nuts & Bolts
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!
Reader Lists. Arranged by topic, this is a compilation of literature (stories vs. textbook) that teach math.
Homeschool Buyers Co-op. Registration is required.
How to Fold a File Folder Into a Lapbook. A YouTube video.
How Do I Homeschool? – Gifted Homeschoolers Forum. An article with practical tips.
20 Great Reasons You Homeschool. A fun printable poster.
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.
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.
Schooling at Home. This is a well-written piece about one family’s experience.
How to Homeschool e-book. Email registration required.
Learning Styles. Helps you discover your child’s learning style.
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.
CurrPlanForm. From Cindy Downes
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.
Sample Weekly Plan. From Cindy Downes.
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.
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 Archive. Christian or not, there is LOTS of information about lots of homeschooling topics and issues here.
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.
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.
CM Series. Not only is the full text here, but summaries of the 6-volume series too.
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 .”
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.
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.
Mt. Hope Chronicles: Homeschool Planning the Heidi Way. Her kids are lower elementary age.
Classical Conversations provides “academic programs, events, and services to local homeschool communities, parents, and educators.”
Search the Children’s Picture Book Database If you’d like to find a list of books to go along with a particular topic and your child enjoys picture books, check this site out. Search by keyword, topic or subject name and get a list of books. Lots of books included here!
Expanded Table of Contents for Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site Carol Hurst’s site has a wealth of valuable information about children’s lit. She reviews books and indicates her ratings by stars. She also includes supplemental resources and ideas ideal for literature-based learning. There are author and illustrator biographies, book ideas for unit studies and much more.
1000 Good Books List. A great resource organized by reading level and author.
College Bound Reading List. Organized by subject.
Bright Child/Gifted Learner. If you have reason to know whether your child is bright or gifted, this might be helpful to make a determination.
Free Historical Stock Photos for Emails and Personal Websites There’s a decent selection at this site. A good resource for notebooking!
The Great Books List. For high school or above.
Copywork – This is a very helpful article if you are wondering about copywork, how to do it and its benefits. The Charlotte Mason method is particularly encouraging of copywork.
Alphabet Preschool Activities and Crafts – Printables, worksheets, book recommendations, crafts, etc.
The ABCs of Unschooling – Unschooling or not, this is a FANTASTIC list of activities that any family can use.
Cultivating the unschooling mindset. Don’t let the unschooling title scare you, there are great things to think about here. Maybe this is my own issue, but I can so relate to the description of “learning” just enough to get an “A” on the test and to enjoy the (fleeting) accolades which follow, all the while disliking school and longing to be out. It goes without saying that I really learned nothing except to look to others and the grades on my report card to make me feel good about me. Hopefully my children will be spared from the same fate.
First-School’s First Preschool Materials List – This list of fun things to have on hand is good for not only preschool, but for all ages.
socialization.jpg – A humorous & helpful look at the ever-famous socialization question.
Joyfully Rejoycing – This site has been the most helpful (and thought-provoking!) as I’ve sought to understand unschooling and how it works.
Simply Charlotte Mason – If you’re unfamiliar with the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling, this is a great place to start. Those familiar with Charlotte Mason will also appreciate this site’s organized information and helpful resources.
Alphabet (ABC’s) Theme – If you’re teaching the letters, this is a great resource