Tried & True Resources

The journey for home education isn't an easy one, especially when you and your significant other come from public school systems. However with the right resources and support system, you too can begin one of the most rewarding journeys of your life.

START HERE: HSLDA.org
This is the quickest way to learn what you need to know about homeschooling. Plus, with their experience, its like having Gloria Allred in your corner of the ring should anyone put up a fight with your choice.

THEN GO HERE: Your state's department of education and local school district (if applicable)
You'll want to know everything you can about CPIs, IPIs, HSAP and so much more. You want to make sure that you know what to do in the event that things are requested of you (or required), and whether or not they truly are "required" - which is why you went to HSLDA.org first!

Then the fun begins! It's important for you to know that what works for a friend may not work for you. Ask around for opinions, but know that there are curricula for the different learning types. There are also different types of homeschooling. Curriculum can get pricey pretty quick, but you don't need to have a large income to homeschool. Often you can find free resources. Sometimes you can also get mini unit lessons for those days when you didn't have anything really prepared for about $10. And most importantly, use your local libraries to get books, research materials and even DVDs for your teaching adventure! Below are some free resources that I recommend, and have had recommended to me.


Administration
    Planner Software: http://www.homeschooltracker.com/download_basic.aspx?
    Planners, Info, Lessons (K-12): http://www.donnayoung.org/
Fine Arts
    Art (K-6) http://www.nga.gov/kids/
    Art Appreciation Games from the National Gallery of Art (K-8): http://www.nga.gov/kids/
    Art History (3-12): http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/
    Art Lessons (K-6): http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/
    Art Lessons (K-6): http://www.deepspacesparkle.com
    Art Prints (K-12): http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AOArtPrints/
    Artist Study (K-6): http://www.cuchicago.edu/experience/arts/visual-arts/art-lessons/
    Artist Study and lessons (K-6): http://kidsart.com/blog/
    Classical Music (K-8): http://www.classicsforkids.com/
    Music Theory (3-12): http://www.teoria.com/index.php
Foreign Language
    French (K-6):  http://ambafrance-uk.org/-Just-4-Kids,223-
    German, French, Spanish (K-12) http://www.knowitall.org/instantreplay/content/LanguageIndex.cfm?CFID=2906044&CFTOKEN=99415101&jsessionid=56301f3c32ada172839e592f175363657f38
    Japanese (9-12+) http://www.gpb.org/irasshai/japanese-i
    Spanish (K-2) http://www.gpb.org/salsa
Health
    Health and Safety topics (K-12): http://classroom.kidshealth.org
History
    American History (3-7) http://www.mission-us.org/
    Ancient History (K-6): http://bringinguplearners.com/mosaic…s-and-marvels/
Kindergarten
     Lessons (K-1) http://www.kinderthemes.com/index.html
Language Arts
    Aesop Stories and Lessons (K-6): http://www.mainlesson.com/display.ph…8ac5c6116dd093
    Audio books (K-12): Librivox
    Daily Grammar (K-12): http://www.dailygrammar.com/archive.html
    Dolch Word Lists (K-4) http://www.mrsperkins.com/dolch.htm
    Early Reading (K-2): http://www.jmeacham.com/emergent.readers.htm
    Early Reading (K-3) http://www.1plus1plus1equals1.com/YouCanRead.html
    Early Reading- I see Sam (K-2): http://www.marriottmd.com/sam/index.html
    Grammar (K-6): http://www.scholastic.com/dodea/index2.htm
    Grammar and Spelling  (?) http://www.mhschool.com/reading/treasure_workbooks/national.html
    Grammar Handbook (3-8): http://www.zaner-bloser.com/gum/gram…anics-handbook
    Grammar- Mad Libs (K-12): http://www.wordlibs.com/genre/?name=Childrens
    Grammar Textbook (?):http://www.englishbanana.com/big-grammar-book-english-worksheets.html
    Grammar, Spelling Workbooks (K-6): http://www.mhschool.com/reading/trea…/national.html
    Handwriting (K-6): http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/
    Handwriting , D’Nealian (K-2) http://www.handwritingworksheets.com/flash/dnealian/sentence/index.html
   Handwriting help (K-2) http://www.handwritinghelpforkids.com/expert.html
   Literature (K-12): Manybooks
   Phonics (K-2): http://www.beginningreading.com/Free%20Workshe.htm
   Phonics (K-3) http://www.progressivephonics.com/~suzettew/
   Phonics (K-3) http://www.readingbear.org
   Phonics (K-3): http://www.starfall.com
   Picture Books (K-4): http://www.wegivebooks.org/
   Reading and Grammar (?) http://www.sfreading.com/index.html
   Reading, word families (K-3): http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/prin…FamilyBooklets
   Spelling (K-12) http://www.spellingcity.com
   Word Families (K-3): http://www.wordway.us.com/
Life Skills
   Character Education (K-6): http://humaneeducation.org/sections/view/childrens_character_education
   Financial Literacy from the Actuarial Foundation (grades 9-12) http://actuarialfoundation.org/progr…urFuture.shtml
Mathematics
   Algebra from Purple Math http://www.purplemath.com/index.htm
   Comprehensive School Mathematics Program (full curriculum; grades K-6)
   Explorations and Fun with Math from the Actuarial Foundation (grades 3-8) http://actuarialfoundation.org/progr…_academy.shtml
   Games (K-12): http://www.learn-with-math-games.com/
   Games and Lessons (K-12) https://www.xtramath.org/home/people
   Games from Big Brains (multiple grades) http://www.bigbrainz.com/
   Living Books (K-6) and Ancient History http://www.livingmath.net/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=8k51N6evMx0%3d&tabid=1046&language=en-US
   MEP Full Curriculum (K-12): http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/proje…ry/default.htm
   Various topics from the Actuarial Foundation (multiple grades) http://actuarialfoundation.org/programs/youth_education.shtml
   Virtual math manipulatives from Utah State University (multiple grades) http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/vlibrary.html
Multiple Subjects
   BBC (k-12) http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/
   CM curriculum (K-12) http://www.charlottemasonhelp.com/p/…urriculum.html
   Free Textbooks, mostly science and math (9-12) http://www.ck12.org/flexbook/
   Full Curriculum (K-9) http://www.guesthollow.com/homeschool/curriculum.html
   Full Curriculum (Pre-K-5) http://www.theheadoftheclass.com
   Full Curriculum program from Ambleside (multiple ages) http://amblesideonline.org/curriculum.shtml
   Games (K-12) http://www.familygames.com/freelane.html
   Games (K-6): http://www.sheppardsoftware.com
   Lapbooks (K-12) http://www.homeschoolshare.com/Lapbooks_at_HSS.php
   Lesson Plans (K-12): http://www.lessonpathways.com
   Resources and Lessons (K-12): http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/
   Teaching Resources (K-12): http://www.learningpage.com/
   Topic Links (K-12) http://www.usborne-quicklinks.com/usa/usa_homepage.asp
   Unit Studies (K-9) http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/schoolroom/unitstudies.php
  Units (K-12) http://www.schoolexpress.com/
   Videos and Lessons (3-12): http://www.khanacademy.org/
Preschool
  Full Curriculum, Letter of the Week http://www.letteroftheweek.com/index.html
  Montessori: http://www.montessoriforeveryone.com/Free-Downloads_ep_35-1.html
Science
  Animal Science (K-6): http://www.nwf.org/Kids.aspx
  Archeology, Dinosaurs and Fossils (3-12) http://www.fossils-facts-and-finds.com/earth_science_lesson_plans_on_geologic_time_introduction.html
  Astronomy (K-12): http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/eyes/
  Biology (9-12) http://quarksandquirks.wordpress.com/biology-hs-level/
  Chemistry (grades 3-6) http://www.inquiryinaction.org/
  Chemistry, Periodic Table (K-12): http://www.periodicvideos.com/index.htm
  Coloring Pages (K-12): http://www.hometrainingtools.com/sci…-pages/c/1112/
  Computer Programming (K-12): http://fuse.microsoft.com/page/kodu.aspx
  Computer Programming (K-12): http://scratch.mit.edu/
  Computer Science (K-12): http://csunplugged.org/
  Elementary Science (K-5): http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-k-5-teacher-resources/index.cfm?campaign=footer_teacher_k5
  Elementary Science (K-6): http://www.hhmi.org/coolscience/forkids/
  Engineering (K-12) http://www.teachengineering.org/index.php
  Evolution (k-12): http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/search/search_lessons.php
  Evolution, Tree of Life: http://tolweb.org/tree/home.pages/treehouses.html
  Experiments (K-12) http://www.sciencebuddies.org/index_A.htm
  Free Course (?)  http://www.superchargedscience.com/a…le-classes.htm
  Full science courses (grades 6-9) http://www.jason.org/public/whatis/start.aspx
  Games (K-6): http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/sci/
  Geography (K-6) http://www.gutenberg.org/files/12228/12228-h/12228-h.htm
  Geology (K-5): http://www.k5geosource.org/
  Human Evolution (K-12): http://humanorigins.si.edu/
  Life Science (1-6): http://www.eequalsmcq.com/classicsciinfo.htm
  MIT courses (9-12): http://ocw.mit.edu/courses/
  Multiple Subject Curriculum (K-12): http://www.msnucleus.org/membership/index.html
  Multiple Subjects (K-12): http://sciencenetlinks.com/
  National Geographic (K-6): http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/
  National Geographic (K-9) http://www.ngsp.com/RESOURCES/TeacherResourceDownloads/ThemeSets/tabid/70/Default.aspx
  Nature Study (K-6): http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/download/
  Physical Science, various ‘ologies’ (K-12): http://www.amnh.org/ology/
  Physics (K-9): http://www.aps.org/programs/education/k8/index.cfm
  Projects (K-6): http://pbskids.org/scigirls/projects
  Satellite Earth Science (K-12): http://scijinks.jpl.nasa.gov/
  Science Fair (K-9): http://www.good-science-fair-projects.com/index.html
  Science Textbooks: http://ocas.pearsonschool.com/sf/0-328-10113-3/iText/products/0-328-10113-3/?token=53616c7465645f5fec379d50d08fa34b517ffeead335c3d13313df5fd9d30718576b6532ed1b18dff1ba98c2fce5e52a184f3847d5b28538e0d26947f6069ac7
  Videos (K-12): http://thehappyscientist.com/category/free-stuff
  Virtual Museum (K-12): http://www.exploratorium.edu/explore/
  Zoology Links (K-12): http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Education/HomeworkHelper/
Social Science
  American Folklore (K-12): http://www.americanfolklore.net/
  American History (3-9): http://www.pbs.org/wnet/historyofus/
  American History (K-3): https://sites.google.com/site/mindfi…erican-history
  Current Events (3-12) http://www.timeforkids.com
  Geography (K-6): http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/Geography.htm
  Government (K-6): http://bensguide.gpo.gov/index.html
  Greek Myths Flashcards (3-9): http://bogglesworldesl.com/greekmyths_flashcards.htm
  History Unit Studies (2-12) http://www.learningthroughhistory.com/newsletter/archives/archives.php
  History, National Archives (3-12) http://docsteach.org/
  Human Trafficking from Free the Slaves (grades 6-12) http://www.freetheslaves.net/Page.aspx?pid=302
  Multiple Subjects (3-12) http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/
  Mythology (3-9):  http://www.mythweb.com/
  Narrative History (K-12): http://www.fsmitha.com/index.html
  Talking Pyramids (K-9): http://www.talkingpyramids.com/ancie…-games-online/
  US History Timeline (3-9): http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0902416.html
  Vikings (K-9): http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/vikings/
  World History (K-12): http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/eras/era1.php
 World History (K-6): http://www.littlecitykids.com/perspective/index.php
Supplemental Resources
  Information (K-12):  http://www.mrdonn.org/index.html
  Logic (7-12th): http://www.filozofia.uw.edu.pl/kpaprzycka/Publ/xLogicSelfTaught.html
  Maps (K-12): http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/reference.html
  Worksheets (k-12): http://www.worksheetworks.com

If you find that any of these links aren't working for you please let me know.

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