Homeschooling Resources

Whether you homeschool your kids full time, or simply like to give them fun, educational activities to keep them busy on the weekends, there are some amazing materials to try. The kids and I recently discovered IXL math (www.ixl.com). This program costs $79/year plus $20/year for any additional child--believe me, it's worth it. It's amazing! Starting with preK-4, this program builds upon your child's skills at the state standard. So, if you are homeschooling, you can track your child's progress against the state standard to be sure you are keeping up (or getting far ahead). To supplement this math, try Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org). The guy is a genius. He has videos for every level, and he teaches with such simple clarity. Especially if you find your kids are excelling beyond your own knowledge, Khan Academy covers everything from PreK number lines to Physics. For reading and vocabulary building, if you want to do more than simply read with your kids, work on phonics and maybe give them sight words each week, you might try Sadlier Vocabulary Workshop, which is sold according to grade level. There are online audio programs which go with this. Again, you keep track of their progress and measure them against the state standard. And if you want to teach your kids values, within a context of extensive thinking, journal and essay writing (plus drawing if they are young), come back this summer for my book!