Our children are in grades 9th, 7th, 5th, and 2nd. We homeschool mostly for free. I say “mostly,” because someone could be strict and say we spend money on gas or one-time purchases of devices or instruments. But these expenses are optional – we homeschool for free because the material we use is free. You’ll see exactly what I mean below.
Ambleside Online is the place I go for history and reading/literature book suggestions. I don’t follow the Ambleside levels, though, because it makes me crazy when I try to teach 4 different levels at once. So we study just one level each year, together. If I can’t find a suggested book free online (to read off my Kindle, which, by the way, is only $139 now with no extra fees – I justified it at the initial price of $350, ouch!), or if I can’t find the book at the library, I look for an alternative that’s free, either by searching online for a good book or by looking at a different Ambleside level.
For Math, we use Khan Academy, which is an online program. In the past, I printed off the math drill sheets at my free printables including planners and schedules, since the kids need to work on speed.
For Science, the children may watch a good quality TV program and experiment with all sorts of kits and supplies and gadgets (rocketry, electronics, chemistry by baking, etc.). Science is a natural around here — we’re curious, experimenting folk. We supplement our experimenting with a few sites like Katz on nutrition, Stossel’s free DVDs, and this elements chart. Also, our 9th grader is in the Civil Air Patrol where there is an emphasis on aeronautical science.
The 9th grader and 7th grader are using this Grammar program this year.
The children also need some Current Events. I like Izzit for that.
For Art, the kids have the freedom of using any supplies they like when they like. We keep art supplies readily at hand. We completed every video from illustrator Jan Brett. And this year, to give them some information on drawing basics, we’re using Drawing with Children by Mona Brookes (not free – it’s a book). Our 2nd and 5th graders also take a free art class at the local library.
For writing, we do a lot of copywork (copying high quality literature from their literature or history books and often the Bible). Dictation is once a week (I read a passage; they write it down. We then go over it together, discussing spelling and punctuation). I find that it’s best to learn spelling from words you’re already using or reading, instead of from spelling lists, so the above methods (copywork, dictation) work well for us, but a year ago our then-5th grader was having a hard time because she was so-very-phonetic, that after reviewing All About Spelling, I started using it for her (here’s a post on why). I had our 8th grader “teach” it to her (90% of what you teach, you retain, so I’ve heard). It’s made a difference, so our younger children are using the All About Spelling program, too, but honestly, I think reading great books and writing daily makes the biggest difference of all.
For typing, the older children prefer Peter’s Online Typing Course, while the younger ones enjoy the loud and colorful Dance Mat Typing.
For language learning, we are using Tell Me More (which is not free at all, but if you want it, here’s an offer from them: Save Up to 25% off and Free Shipping on Select Language Learning Software). When we want to interact with native speakers, or simply to learn even more, we go to the free language learning site, Live Mocha.
Our little gal, 2nd grade, is moving along at her own pace with the free reading program at Progressive Phonics. She spent preschool and kindergarten at Starfall. She is going to use the free ebook that we recently highlighted for Penmanship this year.
Whew! Obviously, we don’t do all of this in one day! I didn’t even mention practical skills, P.E., geography, economics….but I think this list is overwhelming as it is, with the many links for you to visit. I hope it gives you an idea, though, of how to use the free resources found at FreelyEducate.com. If you’d like me to expand on this post, or post it in a loose schedule form, let me know.
We’re on the look out for the highest quality, 100% free, educational finds for ourselves, as much as we’re trying to find them for you.
It is nice to see the actual usings of a homeschool family on occasion. We have been homeschooling for 2 years now and it is very helpful to have it broken down like that. Thank you so much for your frankness and knowledge on how to ‘educate freely’!
Great post Lori! It is always nice to see what others are using successfully.
Thanks for the post. How did you decide what AO year to use? And what do you think you will do with you’re eighth grader for high school? My oldest is in the same grade, and I haven’t tried to combine him with the younger kids.
Hi, Ann! Two mothers who have graduated children told me to "teach to the oldest," so I often teach to our 8th grader, letting the others tag along in their lessons as they're able.
But for history, which is mostly what I use Ambleside Online for, I decided to go chronologically. We started with Creation, as that's the beginning of history to us. We are currently finishing Romans and are on our way to the Middle Ages. I look on Ambleside to find the period of history, using their book suggestions.
For high school, I'll continue with the history, chronologically. But I'm also plannning on teaching all subjects with the SATs in mind.
“If you’d like me to expand on this post, or post it in a loose schedule form, let me know.”
I would love to see more!
Expand please! 🙂 I would love to see your schedule. Also, thank you so much for announcing the Kindle price! I have been wanting it since it first came out… Finally decided to buy (with this price)! Thank you Lori!
You know that was kind of a silly question, asking us IF we’d like for you to expand on your schedule. We’re homeschoolers; we live and breathe schedules!! (And always searching for THE PERFECT ONE!)
Expand away!!!
We use MEP for math, Scholastic DoDEA for grammar, Spelling Power, Vocabulary Power and PASS for science, history and anything else we need! All FREE!
Thanks, Paula!
If you remember that you pay nothing else, ever, it is SUCH a great deal. Mine was $350, but it's been going for 2-1/2 years, so divide that by months, and it's a lot cheaper than my cell phone!
Remember, if you all purchase from Amazon, please use our Kindle link in this post or the Amazon search box on this page. You'll pay the same, but Amazon will give us a referral credit, which helps keep Freely Educate up.
Of course I'm about to say ours isn't perfect, either. I love to look at schedules too!
You just mentioned a bunch I haven't highlighted yet on Freely Educate. Thank you for that!
i would love to see your schedule, and understand how to keep children committed to a schedule. my kids have come out of the public school system- WANTING to homeschool. now they get to, and RESIST sitting down to actually do the work! i don’t want to kick this year off to a negative start. any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, Amy! I think I'll write it up!
I would love for you to expand on this subject.
Would please put it in a PDF for us to print off and share with other new homeschoolers. (Don’t forget to add your site information!)
Thank you!
Great idea to create a pdf, Brenda. Thanks!
Thank you Lori for all the great links. As our last school age child is getting older (6th grade) it is getting more challenging to find the right resources for him.
It does get tougher, you're right. I'll keep looking!
Yes, I would love to see how you schedule your day. We have a 7th, 6th, and 4th grader so I’m still trying to figure out how I want to work everything in. Thank you for this post!
It's a challenge to school so many grades, isn't it? We can do it!
I use Ambelside as well! Don’t forget about this little gem as well…
http://handbookofnaturestudy.blogspot.com/
🙂
Thank you for that link!
Although the Drawing with Children book isn’t free, I did find this http://www.redshift.com/~bonajo/dwclp.htm by an awesome woman that posted her lesson plans to use along w/ the book. My biggest complaint about the book was that I couldn’t figure out how to actually use it…I need a clear cut plan, abstract ideas confuse me 😛 Anywho, just thought I’d share.
THANKS for that, Samantha! That makes the book easier for me to use, too. We'll definitely go through those lesson plans this year.
Where can I find your continuing saga? ;D