_edited.png)
There are numerous resources for homeschoolers available online. While I will not be diving into every one, I hope to introduce you to a few categories of resources so that you may begin searching for sites that can help your family.
HSLDA
In 1983, a group of attorneys began an organization to lobby for the right of choice in education. This group, the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, is currently the largest advocacy organization for homeschoolers. Their website is a great resource for finding out your state’s laws pertaining to homeschoolers.
Facebook is a great place to connect with other homeschoolers. My county has two pages for homeschoolers. One of those pages is specifically for buying and selling curriculum. The other page is for homeschoolers to be able to ask each other questions, advertise homeschool groups and events, and organize field trips. Search for “(your city or county name) homeschool” to see if there is a group available where you live.
You can also find Facebook groups for the particular curriculum that you are using. These are great resources if you have a question about how to implement a part of your curriculum or don’t understand how an answer key arrived at a particular answer. I have even found online co-ops for my curriculum that formed over Facebook and meet via Zoom. The kids meet once per week on Zoom and do an art, science, and history project and each get a public speaking opportunity.
Facebook is also a great place to buy/sell/trade materials. Make sure you read our post on buying materials online.
Hoopla and Overdrive
Check with your local library about their online resources. Programs like Overdrive and Hoopla allow library card holders to download and stream books, movies, and music. Some libraries have access to online encyclopedias, test prep materials, digital magazines, and audiobooks as well.
YouTube
I love to watch YouTube videos. Well, I love to have them on in the background while I fold laundry and wash dishes. There are numerous YouTube channels for moms to watch with homeschooling tips and curriculum reviews. One of my favorite YouTube channels is the Simply Charlotte Mason channel with Sonya Shafer.
YouTube also has great educational resources. You can find videos on nearly any topic. This is great if you need a video to illustrate a subject you are reading about or if you are having a hard time explaining a topic. My kids love watching videos on how different things are made. As with any resource, the parent might want to preview the videos before allowing their children to view them.
Podcasts
Similar to YouTube, Podcasts are a great resource for moms to get homeschooling tips and encouragement. I love listing to Kristi Clover’s "Simply Joyful" podcast or Pam Barnhill’s "Your Morning Basket" podcast when I walk around my neighborhood.
Project Gutenberg
Project Gutenburg is a digital library that focuses on literature that is in the public domain. Most books were published before 1924. Some books published after 1924 are also included, if they are not protected by copyright laws. Project Gutenburg has currently cataloged over 60,000 works of literature. They also have a collection of audiobooks read by volunteers and are always looking for people to add to this collection.
Learning Websites and Apps
If there is a particular subject or topic that your child needs extra help with, there is probably an app for that! Whether you are using DuoLingo for Spanish, Khan Academy for Math, or Reading Eggs for teaching phonics, there are all kinds of learning websites and apps.
Museum Websites
Many museums have started offering virtual tours through their websites. You can tour the White House, the International Space Station, or the Louvre.
Some Museums and agencies have online learning activities available as well. Nasa has STEM activities for grades K-12, the Smithsonian Learning Lab has a variety of resources for educators, and the Exploratorium in San Francisco has multiple hands-on science activities that can be done at home.
コメント