republished from 2013 ; links updated August 2020
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.
For Science, the children may watch a good quality TV/YouTube/streaming 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, what we used is no longer available. Look at my collection under the ‘languages’ category to find something that may work for your family.
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, physical education, geography, economics….but I think this list is overwhelming as it is, with the many links for you to visit. Look in the “By Subject” or “By Interest” groups at the top of the Freely Educate home page for more ideas in other subjects and topics.
I hope our list gives you an idea, though, of how to use the free resources found at FreelyEducate.com.
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