Do you ever get caught up in something good?  Well I did!  It was good...but homeschool suffered. 

Time to get back on track!  I will be adding more free resources!  Hurah!

Online School: Connections Academy

Here is another online schooling option.

Connections Academy

is an online public school.
(click here to check out their web site)

Like K12 they provide you with FREE curriculum

(and possibly a free computer if you qualify).

Online public schools

are a good option for parents who feel like they can't do it on their own

and feel as if they need more guidance and support.

Online School: K12

Looking for FREE?

You might want to look into...

K12 Online School

(click this link to go to their home page-this is the AZ page)



It is an online public school.

This may be an option that you might want to explore.

You get everything for FREE.

Sometimes they'll give you a computer to help you out (if you qualify).

For more details check out their page.

If you are wondering...No,

we do not use an online public school for homeschooling.

We have chosen not to.

It may be what YOU are looking for.

You won't find out if it's what you want until you check it out.

Reading Reflex

Reading Reflex

A friend recommended this book for reading.  I started using it and really like it.  I took my older kids through it as a review and started my younger ones on it.  I started my 5 year old and the 3 year old wanted some of the action. 

Guess what?...My 3 year old is in the beginning developing stages of reading. 

How & Why?

It is different from the traditional style of teaching reading...
    
Traditional (one method): learn the sounds (and or letter names at the same time-many programs have you learn the names of the letters before you even start to learn the sounds of the letters).  After learning/mastery then you apply what you have learned.  Here is a problem with this system...you have to learn all the letters before applying.  You can't move on till you learn all 26 letters.

Reading Reflex: the child learns letter sounds in smaller sets and then applies what they have learned right away.  Example: learn c, a, t, f, m.  Learn 5 sounds and then you can make...at, cat, fat, mat, fam (for family...my 5 year old figured this one out).  They can be reading after a few short practice sessions.  They also learn their sounds based on "sound pictures."  Which gets them reading faster (because they cut out the middle man-less steps/processing).

The reading reflex system uses flash cards (can be homemade) and a few reading selections.  At first I was stand-offish because I was trained in traditional style.  Once I got into the program I loved it.  I will never go back!

I am VERY happy with the program!!!  Remember...I'm a trained teacher and one of my passions is curriculum.  I've studied, reviewed, and looked at quite a bit of programs.  This one is simple, easy to use, easy to do, and quick to get the kids going and excited.

This is not necessarily a FREE curriculum resource.  Maybe you can find this resource at your local library.  You can also find excellent prices on ebay.  I borrowed from a friend so for me it was free (thanks Kami)!


Thanks Meredith for the recommendation!

Free: Writing and Grammar Curriculum (Scott Foresman)

Scott Foresman...

they give you FREE access to their

online writing and grammar curriculum.

It's an online (complete) book/workbook. 

They are also available for download...for FREE.

They have one book per grade.

Grades 1-6

visit the link below to check it out...

http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html

dailygrammar.com: FOLLOW-UP

I started using dailygrammar.com

but...

with all things that come for FREE...

there is a catch...
they are not necessarily free from work.

I found that the concepts are introduced very quickly and that the pace is also very quick!

NOT A PROBLEM:

I just take it slow.  I beef up my explanation, discuss more, and do more practice before moving on to the next concept.  Grammar is not my thing so I have to do a little homework before working with the kids to make sure I know what I am talking about (you may not have to).  This is a small sacrafic to make in order to get free curriculum.  So far I like it...and so do the kids!

I really like the way that the program is organized!!!

(I think I'm I sucker for things that are organized:)

I like how it goes through sequentially and I really like the quizes after every few chapters.

So far, so good.

I'll keep you posted.

Reading: starfall.com

Starfall.com

An excellent place for fun reading activities.

Check out their FREE resources!




Thanks Linds!

Check out her blogs...

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