The kids taking in some history at Chateux de Gruyeres
In our homeschooling adventures, we don’t really use a set curriculum or any workbooks. Instead, we rely mostly on the many wonderful educational programs available through the Internet, for either free or for a very low cost.
Updated: March, 2017
Guidelines for Curriculum
- WorldBook – Even though we don’t follow a set curriculum, we use this wonderful resource to gauge what topics our son could be learning at his grade level.
Online Programs
The following educational programs we use or have used:
- Starfall – This is a fantastic interactive program that can help teach your young child to read. It includes letters, sounds, calendar, patterns, shapes, colors, numbers, math, and much more. Plus you can print out worksheets. Best for ages 3 to 7. The computer version has more features than the iPad/iPhone version. Some of the content is FREE; otherwise, for all the features it’s $35 per year (on last check). Well worth the price!
- ST Math (Jiji) – A smart, intuitive math learning program from Mind Institute. It also tracks and reports on your child’s progress. Our son has been doing “Jiji” since kindergarten at his former public school, and we are lucky that they now have a version for homeschoolers. ST Math is available for all grade levels and includes versions for the computer and iPad/iPhone. It is not cheap, but we feel worth it. Cost: $199/year for one child, $149/year for an additional sibling.
- BigBrainz – Interactive video game style method of learning math facts, such as multiplication. You can download a FREE version to your PC or MAC, as we did. If you want additional “environments” (to make the game more interesting), then there is a cost.
- FunBrain – features a variety of engaging games to help learn more about numbers, words, the universe, culture, and strategy. We like its ebooks and comics, which includes Diary of a Wimpy Kid. FREE.
- Crash Course Videos – This YouTube channel provides educational videos on a wide variety of topics. Videos pack in the knowledge and are hilarious (taught with humor!) FREE.
- Kahn Academy – Video learning on a variety of topics, mostly for older children. FREE.
- ABCya.com – provides educational games for grades K-5. We use it for Sight Word BINGO. FREE.
- Sushi Monster – an app for the iPad/iPhone that helps test your knowledge of math facts. FREE.
We haven’t used the following programs as much, but you might want to check them out.
- BrainPOP and BrainPOP Junior (k-3rd grade) – They offer movies, games, activities, and more covering hundreds of topics in math, science, social studies, art & music, health, English, and technology. Some items are available on their FREE page (for BrainPOP) or FREE page (for Jr. version) but most of the content is for a subscription fee (over $100/year). Available on your computer or iPad/iPhone.
- Mad Libs – an app for the iPad/iPhone. (Also available through FunBrain, above.) FREE.
- Vocabulary Spelling City – Available at cost (about $35 at last check).
- iCivics – Great place to learn about U.S. Government and how it works. Games, role playing, and plenty of resources. FREE
- The Magic School Bus – We watched this television series on science topics for young kids via episodes available on YouTube.
Online Worksheets and Games
- Multiplication.com – a variety of games to practice multiplication facts online. I use it to print out math worksheets, of which there are many. FREE.
- Softschools.com – Free math worksheets and games, plus lots of worksheets and games in other subjects, such as language arts, social studies, and science. FREE.
- MathInEnglish – More printable Math worksheets and booklets. FREE.
Have bookmarked all that is applicable. Great resources.
Thanks, Tina!