General
4 Real Learning
This site offers lots of information and resources for using the Charlotte Mason method of schooling. Hosted by the author of Real Learning, Elizabeth Foss, the site in particular focuses on the use of the CM method for Catholic educators.
Books@HWTK Links
On this page of the Books@HWTK website you'll find links to free e-books and audio books as well as links to several other book and library related websites.
Gale Schools
Visit this site for access to free lesson plans for specific holidays and occasions as well as a broad spectrum of general lesson plans sorted by age range and subject matter.
Harcourt School Publishers
This site offers a variety of online educational activities sponsored by the publisher. Called “The Learning Site” this portion of the website offers access to activities focused on reading, language arts, sign language, spelling, math, social studies, science, health and art.
Homeschool E-store
Homeschool e-store offers a weekly free download. Sign up for their e-newsletter to receive a reminder each week.
Homeschool With Index Cards
At this vendor’s site you can download free index cards for studying Bible topics, Aesop’s Fables, and spelling rules. You can also create time cards, a babysitter information card and print a card to keep track of your diet and exercise. New to the site are a variety of Notebooking Forms! If you sign up for the e-newsletter you’ll receive weekly updates to keep track of the latest free downloads.
Joyce Herzog Free Downloads
From this website you can order a free demo DVD of the Joyce Herzog products, plus down load board game printables and printable graphing paper.
Joyful Momma
At Joyful Momma’s site you can purchase one of her books, or shop via several other vendor links. In addition she has free resources including Greek Alphabet Flash Card printables, a weekly essay writing checklist, memory verses for copywork and planner sheets. You can also download a copy of The Help! My Husband Just Got Laid Off! e-book from this website. Be sure and check out her links page too and you can even subscribe to an e-newsletter if you like!
Learning Page
Learning Page is associated with the subscription-based sites Reading a-z, Writing a-z, et al. The cost of membership at Learning Page is free and allows access to printable lesson plans, books, worksheets, and clipart. You can also download free samples from each of the A-Z sites. This webpage has a lot of advertisements both banner and text.
Quia
This website allows you to use prepared template to create 16 different types of online learning activities. This is a fee-based site but a free 30-day trial is available. You can sample activities from 100 different categories by visiting the “Shared Activities” page.
SFSuccessNet
From this website you can access several free curriculum sites sponsored by Pearson Education, Inc. (publishing as Scott Foresman). Included among the links are those to the various Scott Foresman sites for different subjects areas where you can find suggestions for lesson plans, learning tips and other aids for teaching each of the subjects.
Simply Charlotte Mason
This website offers e-books and printed books useful for those using the Charlotte Mason principles for teaching. In addition, visitors can download a free Book of Centuries, view a list of narration ideas, enjoy a 30-day free trial of the Charlotte Mason Organizer, or use the free CM Bookfinder. The site also offers dictation exercises, printables for copywork and a curriculum guide- all free to visitors. Visit the Inside SMC blog for latest site news.
Teacher Created Resources
This website sells school materials and e-books but also supplies many lesson free of charge. Plus, there are monthly activities, calendars and teaching tips. Weekly freebies include writing prompts, teaching tips and brainteasers. While daily offerings include a brain tickler and a quote of the day!
Teacher File Box from Evan-Moor
This is a for fee program, but you can trial the system for the first month for just $0.99. Sign up to access downloadable e-books and other materials.
Teacher Vision
Most of the materials available here must be purchased, but the site also offers free e-books and other resources. Sign up for the free newsletter to keep track of what's new and free.
The Mailbox
This site for The Mailbox, a magazine for teachers, features lots of freebies including newsletters and printable reading, writing and other learning activities. The site also offers free seasonal ideas for preschoolers through grade 5.
Homeschool Guides and Resources
Donna Young
At this site you'll find a very nice selection of free printables, planners and calendars. This is a very popular stopping place for homeschoolers because of the great resources.
Highlights of Homeschooling Magazine
This magazine offers descriptions and reviews of many of the e-books sold by HofH’s Online E-Store. In addition, each issue has articles about activities or teaching methods, a recipe or cooking tip, and a printable booklet or other free unit. The magazine is available free online and each edition is approximately 60 pages. The May/June 2007 printable was a multi-page booklet about polar bears; the September/October 2006 issue included a Child’s Guide to Homeschooling booklet.
Homeschool Tracker
Download the basic version of this program free.
Scrapbooking to Learn
This site offers resources, information and a photo gallery to assist you in utilizing scrapbooking in your homeschool. Products are offered for sale along with the free advice and materials.
Time for Learning Homeschooling Guide
This website sells an online curriculum for homeschoolers and others. Free on the site you can download a copy of Welcome to Homeschooling, a guide for getting started.
Printables and Unit Studies
Alenka’s Printables
This site offers free printables as well as a variety of printables available for purchase. Selections include recipe cards, gift tags, chore charts, bookmarks, clipart, scrapbooking items, blank templates, a calendar and more.
Amazing Afternoons
Visitors to this website are offered the opportunity to purchase a subscription to receive weekly e-mails that include suggested activities for a parent or caregiver and their preschooler to perform together. Free example activity sheets for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Story of Noah and the Rainbow are available on the website.
Amazeing Art
This website sells maze themed gifts and books, but also offers a variety of free printable mazes.
Bic Teacher’s Corner
This website sponsored by Bic offers a variety of freebies for teachers, including a free downloadable color Math-toon posters, flashcards, and a free 16-page printable teacher’s guide with games. Also via the Bic website you can access the lesson plans for the Reader’s Digest National Word Power Challenge.
Flashcard Exchange
A full paid membership at this site allows you to create; download and print pre-made or customized flashcards. A free account allows you to create and study your own flashcards online. You can also access an online memory game. Subject areas accessible with a paid membership begin with Dolche words and numbers in Early Education and continue through high school. Specific subject areas include foreign languages, information technology, medicine, sign language and many others. The cost of membership as of May 2007 was a one-time fee of $19.95.
Hands of A Child
Download a new free unit study each quarter.
Knowledge Box Central
Sign up to the newsletter for coupon codes, or download the free Automobiles science lapbook. Also download free sample pages.
Live and Learn Press
Download the free Apple Learn 'N Folder or the All About Me! Learn 'N Folder. Or sign up for the Yahoo Group to receive special offers and more freebies.
Notebooking Pages
From NotebookingPages.com you can download free notebooking pages in several interesting styles, including borders, cutouts and lapbooking templates. In addition the site offers free organizational charts and other useful printables. Selections include Sudoku pages, Calculadder progress charts, Greek alphabet strips, and more.
Party Hut Free Pintables Page
This site is sponsored by a party supply retailer and offers information on the history of each holiday, holiday games, word scrambles, searches and finds, plus coloring pages.
Character Building & Christian Studies
Advance Publishing Free Resources
This site offers a list of links to free resources including web games, character building materials and lessons, music downloads and more.
Christian Children’s Corner
A free website hosted by Antelope e-books, Christian Children’s Corner offers Bible lessons, stories, games, poetry and activities. You can also view several Sally and Sam e-books free of charge at this website. (There’s a graphic on each page featuring a picture of a book and the words “Stop Music” that you can click to stop the music from playing.)
Dove Publishers Bible Lesson Plans
At this website you can download free Bible-based character education lesson plans to accompany a series of books sold by Dove Publishers.
Heart of Wisdom Publishing
From this website you can download a Free Digital Scrapbook Kit with images for several different papers, embellishments, word art, illustrations and more for use in making a Creation study scrapbook. Also at this site, download sample lessons and overviews of several of Heart of Wisdom’s popular books and free worksheets and teacher helps.
Jonathan Park
Listen to the current Radio Drama online or download special study guides to go along with each program at this website hosted by Vision Forum, Inc. There are also online games and other features available to help share the story of creation and beyond with your child.
Kids Answers
Sponsored by Answers in Genesis, this website offers links to various AIG and other videos including Dangerous Journey an animated production of the book, Pilgrim’s Progress and several Jurassic Ark episodes. In addition the website offers informational resources for students and parents, activities, and animal facts. Articles from past issues of Kids Answers magazine can also be accessed on the site.
Kids Sunday School Place
This site offers a complete printable Sunday School curriculum for each age group, plus craft ideas, object lessons, games, puzzles, skits, songs and more. Many resources are available free of charge to have complete access to all the resources offered a membership is required.
NavPress Pray Kids!
This site offers spiritual growth resources, including these pamphlets on helping kids learn to pray. Free samples of several pamphlets can be downloaded or you can order sets for use with a youth group. You can sign up for several free newsletters as well.
Phonics, Language Arts & Literature
A to Z Teacher Stuff
This site offers e-books and other resources for teachers. The above link will take you to a page with free downloads of samples or entire e-books offered at the site.
AVKO Educational Research Foundation
The stated purpose of this organization created in 1974 is to create a system to help educators to teach poor readers and spellers. The organization has now achieved its goal and is in the process of seeking a publisher for the finished work. From the AVKO website you can purchase the Sequential Spelling curriculum, access free resources and view a list of other websites offering free resources or free sample lessons to assist you in teaching your child to read and spell. Included in the freebies is the opportunity to view a video of how this teaching method works. You will also be able to view some of the Sequential Spelling materials online, including a list for learning all 220 Dolche words created by Don McCabe, author of To Teach a Dyslexic.
Beginning Reading.com Free Worksheets
Beginning Reading.com offers book sets intended to teach your child early reading skills as part of a beginning reading program. In addition to the books available for purchase, the website offers a large number of free worksheets for early reading ranging from ABC flashcards to coloring pages featuring the vowels.
Brave Writer
This is the website for Brave Writer books and online courses. At this site you can also access free articles and exercises to assist you in bringing out the writer in your child.
Free Online Grammar and Writing Handbook
Glencoe Literature Library
This site lists the Glencoe collection of hardcover books complete with a brief description and suggested additional readings. The free feature making this site worth a visit is the study guide complete with background information and activity pages available for each title.
Penguin Group Teachers Guides
This website offers teacher’s guides for several classic titles that are published by Penguin Group. Several Shakespeare titles are included as well as guides for books by Orwell, Steinbeck, London and others.
Picture Me Reading
At this site you can view samples of the Picture Me Reading system, this system places and emphasis on the acquisition of the Dolche words. You can print free samples to use as flash cards to get started using the "Picture Me" system right away. In addition, the site provides a list of useful links for teaching your child. The site also provides a copy of the text of Theo LeSieg's "Ten Apples on Top!” which includes 61 Dolche words comprising 88% of the text.
Progressive Phonics
Download and print samples from this complete phonics program.
Random House Step into Reading Program
Download a free teachers’ guide for each step in the Step into Reading program from this website.
Richard C. Owen Publishers, Inc.
This website offers a wide variety of books for young learners. You can request a free sample Draft Writing Book at the site.
Mathematics & Critical Thinking
Dr. Frank’s Math Minute
Sponsored by the Wang Education website, these video clips present various themes in math in an interesting and understandable way. Each video clip is accompanied by a free worksheet covering the same topic.
Empower Thinking
Sign up at this Critical Thinking Company/Bright Minds consultant’s website to receive free critical thinking activities and samples via e-mail.
Math U See
This is the program we have used for the past year. I have found it very helpful to my own understanding of mathematics and my son really likes the manipulatives. This is a “mastery” based program, where the child is expected to master one concept before moving on to the next. The new version of this curriculum (we are using the Classic version) offers a DVD that allows you and your child to watch the entire lesson together before beginning your work. Be sure and check out the online helps at the website. You’ll find free worksheet generators and math drills that can aid you in helping your child learn math.
MiniPLOTS.com
This website is hosted by the makers of MiniPLOTs, a math study aid. On the website, you can find links to additional math sites as well as a free graph program and a graph paper printer.
The Math Worksheet Site
This for fee sites offers several free worksheet generators that allow you to sample their product and create free math worksheets for your children.
Science & Technology
Apologia Science
A science curriculum based on young earth theology. The site offers information about the curriculum as well as links to other resources, including homeschooler created content.
Biblical Gardens
Based on the concept of creating gardens using the 125 plants, herbs and trees mentioned in the Bible, this website offers a plethora of free information and resources to explore. You can take several virtual garden tours, download a free 35-page coloring book, try puzzles, view the plant encyclopedia and order free seeds!
Explore Learning
You can sign up for a 30 day free trial and access the 400 + “Gizmos” learning videos at this website. The Gizmo videos are designed to teach a variety of topics in science and math. While the trial is free, a full year’s subscription to this service costs approximately $150.
FrogGuts
All the dissection, none of the mess. For $75 per year you can access a variety of dissections videos for in home study. Current offerings include frog, squid, starfish, cow eye, owl pellet, and fetal pig. You can view demonstrations of portions of the frog, squid and owl pellet dissection free by selecting demos at the website.
Insect Lore
In addition to selling educational and insect related products, this site offers an “Insectlorepedia” with information about several common and interesting insects (such as the jumping bean moth). There’s also an educational section with suggested activities and information about the Insect Lore classroom kits.
International Paper Life of the Forest
Contact International Paper to order a free Life of the Forest education packet. The materials may be previewed online. In addition, you can download a forestry education packet from the website or take a virtual tour of how paper is made.
Noeo Homeschool Science
This vendor offers free printable student narration and experiment pages in a variety of styles suitable for use in your nature and science studies. Noeo curriculum samples may also be viewed at this website.
Quick Study Labs
This website offers online learning in the area of electronics for homeschoolers. One free lesson is offered to visitors to the site- though you may need to purchase an electronics or other kit to participate. During the summer, QSL offers a Summer Club class that is free of charge.
Rockhound Kids (Added 3/08)
Billed as “the place for kids who love rocks,” this site provides a gallery of images of rock specimens, an online newsletter, several articles about rock hunting, helpful links and more. The site also features various advertisements and a “store” where rocks can be purchased.
Wild Watch
Sponsored by an eco-tourism organization this site offers archived articles from it's magazine about Africa's varied wildlife. There is also a photo gallery that you can use to identify those animals you spot while watching Africam.
World's Smallest Air Museum
Download templates and instructions for building paper airplanes and other items at this site. Included in the freebies is the Bleriot plane.
Xpeditions by National Geographic
This site hosted by national Geographic offers lesson plans covering all of the U.S. Geography Standards, including the 5 geography skills. From the main site you can access an interactive learning museum, search for lessons sorted by grade and geography standard, or access online and off-line “missions.”
Social Studies
A Book in Time
This site offers "great books outside of your history textbook". Free extras include a web directory of links to free historical craft ideas, interactive history websites, map and timeline resources, printable reading logs and ideas for creating your own studies.
Hold That Thought
This vendor of timelines and other notebooking supplies offers several free planner printables and crafts. The site also offers a list of useful quotes that can be used with the Hold That Thought Timelines and samples of several of the product lines offered.
Homeschool in the Woods
This vendor of timeline and figures offers instruction on teaching with timelines. The instructions include descriptions of the various kinds of timelines you can use and images of completed timelines. The site also offers tips on creating lapbooks and file folder games. You can even learn more about what art mediums; paper stock and adhesives will work best for your timeline figures.
Homeschool in the Woods- Jamestown Replica
Download masters and directions for building your own Jamestown settlement replica at no charge from Homeschool in the Woods.
Knowledge Quest
Sign up for Knowledge Quest's free e-newsletter and receive access to download the e-book, Globalmaina: Master World Geography in Just 7 Months. Plus you can also download samples of several other Knowledge Quest e-books.
Lessons From History- Biography of Benjamin Franklin
This unit study provides a brief summary of Franklin’s life along with a list of recommended books, activities and discussion questions.
Save our History (Added 3/08)
The History Channel is offering free resource packets on several topics of American history including the Declaration of Independence and The National World War II Memorial. Online exhibits for these topics are available as well.
Tapestry of Grace-Egypt
At this website you can explore Egypt using Lampstand Press' Tapestry of Grace, an integrated unit study covering history, writing, literature, geography, philosophy, art and more. The free program allows you to explore the first 3 weeks of this curriculum.
Time for Kids
Designed to complement the Time for Kids magazine, this website offers resources for both teachers and students. The teacher’s pages provide lesson plans, worksheets and organizers. By selecting the “current issue” of the magazine online, you can view the teacher’s guide that will explain the articles featured, plus print out worksheets to accompany the lessons. These worksheets look great and could be used without the magazine. The kid’s pages feature research assistance, “homework helpers”, and games.
The Homeschool Shop
Download samples of the History Scribe series, as well as unit studies, lesson planners, and other resources. Plus there are several of free articles too.
Art & Music
Adobe Digital Kids Club
This website offers step-by0step instructions on digital photography and videography.
Bright Ring Publishing
This is the publisher site for a variety of art books for children. From this site you can access several free art activities, art related links, tips on fostering creativity and other articles, and get information on publishing through Bright Ring.
Classical Music Archives
You can access up to 5 files per day with free registration at this site, or have unlimited access for $25 per year. The site offers a tour of music history with free plays of songs from each of the relevant time periods. What a fun way to study music!
Crayola Crafts for the Holidays
At this site you can select from several different holidays and events and access free Crayola crafts and activities for each.
Creative Park 3D Paper Craft
Sponsored by Canon, this website provides printables and instructions for creating a variety of crafts from paper. Selections include buildings, vehicles, science themed items, toys, costumes, origami, animals and others.
Curiosoft.com
This site offers several free online games and activities to stimulate your child’s creativity. For a limited time (as of July 2007) one of their games “Jr. Artist” is available free as well. Other games can be purchased for download. Subscribers can sign up for a free e-newsletter and receive additional free resources. I am still trialing this website myself but have notice that it carries advertisements on some pages and not others.
Gee Art
View a full lesson of this art education program free. Note, this program is now available on CD under the title Creativity Express.
Mark Kistler’s Imagination Station
At this website you can view sample animated art lessons, purchase instruction books or DVDs, or view Mr. Kistler’s and student’s art.
Smart Draw
This is a product created for business use. The program allows you to create timelines, schedules, graphs, charts, and other documents. At the Smart Draw website, you can download a free trial of the software.
Solidworks Free Origami Robot
Caution: There is one inappropriate word in the subtitles of the video at this site, so don't open the page with a young reader looking over your shoulder. The site features a video of an origami master creating the robot step by step.
Other
Cook With Your Kids
The Kids Cooking website offers Jr. Cooking Club Memberships for approximately $12.95 per month. The organization also offers homeschool classes. But, free on the website, you'll find free recipes indexed by appropriate student age, class recipes, activity sheets, games and health and nutrition information.
Do2Learn
This website offers “games, songs, communication cards, print resources and information for special needs. The site allows you to subscribe to a Make-A-Schedule program that will create a visual schedule for your special needs child. In addition you may purchase many other visual-based resources for your child. The site also offers several free resources including interactive coloring pages, autism awareness cards, feelings and emotions games, daily organizers and informational articles.
Rainbow Horizons
Visit this site to download a free cooking unit study for children in grades K-3 or Tall Tall Tall Tales for students in grades 4-8. Also visit the site for the free puzzle of the day.
State Farm Common Cents kit
Your school or household can order a free kit from State Farm via this website. The kit includes a DVD with games for grades K-12 and a story titled “The Johnny ‘Gullible’ Story for older students. The kit is designed to teach your children good money habits.
State Farm Smoke Detectives
This is an interactive site designed to teach children about fire safety. The State Farm website also offers a selection of free coloring pages based on safety themes.
