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5 Must-Have,
No-Cost Resources for Homeschooling
This past year
has not been an easy one for many Americans, that’s for sure. With
businesses downsizing and laying off staff, many loyal employees find
themselves out of work. With the bursting of the real estate bubble,
many hard-working homeowners find themselves in a house they can no
longer afford to keep and yet can neither afford to sell. We live in
hard times, but often it is these very hard times that generate the
most creative thinking. As they say… Necessity is the mother
of invention. I believe that was first spoken by Plato.
Or you could say... “Invention is the mother of necessity.” Thorstein Veblen, the author of that quote, was a
U.S.
economist and social philosopher who lived during the latter portion
of the 19th century until the Great Depression. He lived
in times not unlike our own. Swift change can cause turmoil.
So, if invention
and creativity is spurred on by necessity or difficulty (and vice
versa), then now is a
great time to look for and use no-cost resources that will serve us
well during this economic downturn.
There are many
of you who cannot afford homeschooling curriculum this year. Does
that mean that you should put your children into public school? No,
what it means is that it is time to get creative, even inventive, when
it comes to our children’s education.
And this is your
place to start. I am going to share with you my top 5 “must-have”
homeschooling resources that won’t cost you a dime. Bookmark each of
these sites and refer to them often as you prepare and teach your
children during this upcoming school year.
Top 5
Must-Have No-Cost Homeschooling Resources
(These are not
listed in any particular order because they are all good!
Bookmark or sign up for them all!)
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Jim
Erskine’s Freebie of the Day
-
http://www.homeschoolfreebie.wholesomechildhood.com/. If you
are not aware of this site, then I am excited to share it with you.
Jim works with homeschool publishers to provide you with 1 freebie
each day. The link to the freebie is only active for 24 hours, so
you have to act fast, but these are quality offerings and not just
filler junk. Trust me, I have participated in this program and we
have given away a full U.S. geography curriculum on one occasion and
another full ebook on another occasion. Other publishers are doing
the same thing. So sign up using the “Join List” tab at the top of
the page.
-
The Old
Schoolhouse’s Teacher Toolbox -
http://www.thehomeschoolmagazine.com/E_News/index.php#teacherstoolbox.
Most of you are probably aware of their Freebie Friday newsletter
(if you are not, then sign up for that one as well). But the
Teacher Toolbox newsletter is a lesser known treasure.
The
Teacher's
Toolbox is a great way to inject something extra into
your teaching plans especially when you are homeschooling on a
shoestring.
-
The
Homeschool Mom Unit Studies
-
http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/schoolroom/unitstudies.php.
Actually, the entire Homeschool Mom site is a gem and you should
spend some time there getting familiarized with it and find out what
it has to offer. But I specifically highlighted the unit study page
because unit studies are a great way to homeschool your children
especially if you are working with limited funds. You can teach
them all the same topic but at varying levels. You can often
utilize library books and online information resources – all for
free.
-
Donna Young
Printables and Resources
-
http://donnayoung.org/index.htm. Yes, this site is a treasure
trove of lessons, planners and forms. There is a form for
everything you could ever need. I especially like her diplomas! If
you are looking for a specific form, a planner or a lesson for a
certain subject, make sure that you check here! Donna Young has so
many useful forms and resources that you will think you have hit the
jackpot.
-
Homeschooling ABCs Free 5 Day MiniClass
–
http://www.homeschoolingabcs.com. Sometimes when you are
throwing it all together yourself and not using pre-made curriculum,
you can start to wonder if you are on the right track. Worry no
longer… sign up for the free 5 day mini-class at the site above and
receive information on:
Ø
What to Teach and When
Ø
4
Steps to Homeschooling Success
Ø
Homeschooling on a Dime
Ø
Getting the Help You Need
Ø
Planning and Scheduling
There you go – 5
“Must-Have” No-Cost Resources for Homeschooling. Take advantage of
them. Let them be the fuel that starts your creative engine and keeps
it going strong. My hope and prayer for you is that you have NOT been
hit hard by this financial mess our country has found itself in. But
if you have been, then look for the silver lining amongst the gray
clouds. As Patti Handy says, “Don’t let a good financial crisis go
to waste.” (www.teenscashcoach.com)
Warmly,
Terri Johnson
Bramley BooksTM,
a division of
Knowledge Quest,
Inc.
www.KnowledgeQuestMaps.com
1.877.697.8611
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