Homeschool Resources: Freebies

Yes! Who doesn't like free resources.  I typically share what I come across or what another homeschooling family shares with me via my homeschooling community's Facebook page.  Today, I thought I'd share some of the resources that I've found to be helpful.  Please note: I have not been asked to share these in particular nor am I getting anything in return for this post.  I simply wanted to make you aware of some of the resources that have been helpful for my family.

Geography:

For those with children who enjoy drawing, why not learn world geography, too.  This is a complete world geography unit for immediate download.  I've just found this so we haven't yet begun using it, but I have plans to as we enjoy drawing over here. (http://homeschoolgiveaways.com/HSE/?c18993Le)

Nature Study:

We are beginning a unit with our homeschooling community on birds (which I'm facilitating).  I've found a lot of good resources: http://hsedufreemarket.blogspot.com/search/label/Bird%20Study and they are all free.

Online Classes:

If you happen to be in the Atlanta-metro area and possess an Atlanta-Fulton Library card you can utilize the online classes on UniversalClass.com for free.  Otherwise, they're still a great price. ($180 for a year.)  Classes range from specific subjects to hobbies and personal development.  All classes are self-paced, overseen by a teacher and offer a certificate and/or grade at completion.  You can take up to 6 classes at once. (You must log-in to the library's site first, then go through eCampus to UniversalClass.com.)

Science:

We are starting to become familiar and learn about the Periodic Table of Elements.  A friend shared this site with me recently.  It offers an interactive table that then correlates to video lessons on each element.  Talk about an awesome resource.  You can find it here: http://ed.ted.com/periodic-videos

Music:

All three of my children are taking piano lessons.  I have started all of them but have allowed the younger two to take some instruction online via this site: https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/ I like the simple lessons that are offered and all of them are free.  You have the option to purchase additional lesson resources through the site. I haven't found that we've needed them thus far.  I view the lesson, make anything that may be needed for it and them allow them to do the lesson.  So far it's just what we've needed.  It also gives me a little break from having to teach them everything. (I am looking for a firm, yet gentle, piano teacher to teach them as they continue.  Should you have a recommendation for us, please share.)

U.S. History:

Perhaps you're looking for history resources.  I always am.  In creating my own curriculum, I am in continual search of primary sources to read and study. The Zinn Educational Project is a great starting place for this.  They offer resources and also give links to other primary resources.  I strongly suggest you take a look at what they have to offer.  Most of the resources are free of charge.

Have you come across free resources that you're using with your family?  Share yours in the comment section so others can benefit too.  Thanks for stopping by today.  I hope you're able to make use of one or two.

Happy Learning.


All images were found via a Google Image Search.

Review :: VocabularySpellingCity.com

We are finally back from vacation and I'm doing my best to get back into the swing of things.  It was so nice to be away and offline for awhile.  What's amazing is just how much I have to 'catch-up' on.

I'll start with the review of VocabularySpellingCity.com that I was asked to do a month ago.  Here's the first post about it which gives the statements about the site along with a brief right up about it. 

Please note that there are affiliate links in this post.

Here are the pros of this site that I found for my family:

I really liked that it was fairly easy to set up assignments.  It did take me a moment to figure out just where things were located, but the 'help' video provided on the site was extremely helpful (short & to the point, which is a plus)!

Pretty girl, my eldest, was the first one to start on an assignment.  I liked that the Spelling test 'talks' to her.  I was wondering just how this might work and was pleasantly surprised.

I also like that I control the list of words.  We have been using Spelling Power and this site works wonderfully with what I am already doing.  With Spelling Power students take a spelling test daily and only study words they don't already know.  With VocabularySpellingCity.com, we have a lot more variety in activities that help to reinforce the learning of new words (word searches, fill in the blanks, hang-man).

I really loved the added part of Vocabuarly development.  Spelling is only one part of learning words.  Knowing the meanings of words is also important to me as a homeschooling parent.

We added the app to our iPad & iPods so that each of the children could do a few activities with in their lists simotaneously, thus cutting our time for this subject/activity in 3rds.  I liked that!

I liked that on the report it shows how long it took for the student to complete each activity.  It also shows which words were missed--helping me know which words to reinforce.

There is also a pre- and post-test that can be assigned.

Here are some things I didn't like:

Once an assignment has been made it cannot be changed.  The only thing that can be editated are the students who are to complete it/them.

The App doesn't do the same things as the main site.  I sort of expected it but viewing the 'help' video about how to use it made it appear that it would.  Many of the activities are unable to play/work using the App.  This was a BIG disappointment for all of us.  In addition, the assignments can be completed on the app, however it does not record that they have been completed as part of an assignment (of course, there may be a step I missed but after a month, I have not been able to figure that out).

I've noted that Flash is required to use most of the activities on the iPad/iPod and at this point Flash is unavailable for Mac devices.  This is not VocabularySpellingCity.com's fault but it limited the amount of activities we could utilize and I was disappointed about that.

Despite the cons, I still really enjoyed the site and my children did as well.  It took us a bit longer to get through activities since we had to spread our time using the main PC, but we were able to try out all of the activities that were appropriate for my children in that time frame.

I believe I tested out the premium options for this site so am not sure what the basic membership would cover.  If you'd like more information about this site and the options you have follow this think to VocabularySpellingCity.com to learn more.

Overall, I give this site a 'good' rating.  It's interactive and you control the spelling lists and activities your child must study/complete.  I like it most because it compliments what I'm already using and gives additional 'fun' activities for learning words.

Hope this helps you if you've been interested in checking out VocabularySpellingCity.com

Happy Learning!

Review :: VocabularySpellingCity.com

I have been invited to review VocabularySpellingCity.com.  I have never used this resource before although I do know several homeschooling families that have.  Here's the disclosure that I must post here prior to review:

I've been given a Premium Membership to VocabularySpellingCity.com for a candid, personal, online review. 

VocabularySpellingCity helps students study word lists using 25 different learning activities such as Sentence Unscramble, Handwriting Practice,WordSearch, and FlashCards. Parents can create their own spelling lists, find published lists already available on the site, or use any of dozens of free teaching resources on topics such as Synonyms and Figurative Language. Be sure to come back in three weeks to read about my experience. 

There might be more free memberships available for bloggers. If you're interested, find out how you can review VocabularySpellingCity.com.

We will be using this resource over the next 30 days and I'll be back to share my honest feedback of this site.

Is this a resource you've used or are using currently?  What do you use for vocabulary & spelling in your homeschool?

Happy Homeschooling!