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Homeschooling is increasing in popularity. Across America, more than 6% of children are now homeschooled. That’s over five million kids!
If you homeschool your kids, you know how difficult it can be. And one of the biggest issues homeschooling parents face is a lack of resources. Without the resources of a large school district, you might struggle to get everything you need to keep lessons fresh and interesting.
Looking to freshen things up with some free homeschool resources? Stick around! We’ve got a whole range of amazing resources to help boost your homeschooling.
1. Newsela
Newsela is one of the best free literary resources online. This fun and informative site allows kids to develop their reading and writing skills while enjoying online teaching games centering around reading news articles.
There are new articles all the time, so the content is always fresh. You can choose content that is tailored to specific age groups, so it’s perfect for everyone from elementary schoolers to high school students.
All content on the Newsela website is free and easily accessible. All you have to do is sign up for a free account and choose your desired unit study. A premium version of the site is available if you want more from Newsela.
2. National Geographic for Kids
If you’re looking for a safe, reliable resource that’s sure to keep kids engaged, National Geographic for Kids could be for you. This excellent YouTube channel provides all kinds of videos relating to animals, the natural world, and more.
The great thing about this resource is that it allows kids to enjoy all the great content National Geographic is known for, while adults can relax, safe in the knowledge the material is age-appropriate.
3. Big History Project
History is important. But there’s so much of it, it can sometimes be difficult to find resources that cover it adequately. The Big History Project covers history from the Big Bang through to the modern era.
Compiled by scholars, scientists, and teachers, the Big History Project divides the history of life, the universe, and everything into bite-sized chapters. There are plenty of homeschool printables available on the site if you prefer to work off paper.
Video, text, and activities combine to create a truly unique learning experience. Attempting to understand more than 14 billion years of history is no easy feat, but the Big History Project is certainly one of the best free resources to help students make a good start.
4. Homeschooling and Loving It Podcast
Podcasts are growing increasingly popular in all walks of life. And home education is no exception. The Homeschooling & Loving It Podcast is one of the best ways to get ideas for improving your teaching, building lesson plans, and more.
The podcast is hosted by an experienced homeschooling mom of six children, so you’re sure to get a fun and relatable perspective as well as picking up a few useful ideas. It’s available free on iTunes and other major platforms.
5. Scholastic Learn at Home
Pretty much everyone in the world of education has heard of Scholastic. Now you can enjoy their content without spending a cent, thanks to the Scholastic Learn at Home site.
There is two weeks’ worth of content for every grade from Pre-K through 9th. Lessons are delivered through videos, stories, and activities, sure to keep kids engaged and passionate about learning.
Depending on your kids’ grades, Scholastic’s resources can be great for preparing for upcoming exams. Click the link for more info on helping your kids to prepare.
6. Your Local Library Provides Amazing Free Homeschool Resources
Local libraries are often forgotten in the modern age. But they’re still a wealth of knowledge and modern libraries offer so many learning opportunities, it’s well worth making the trip now and then.
Whether you’re looking for textbooks, research material, archives, or some novels to read for literacy classes, you’ll find them at your library. It’s also a great place to develop your kids’ independent research skills. Try assigning them to find a specific fact and letting them search for it among the library’s resources!
And modern libraries offer so much more than just books. Many libraries also offer classes and programs which provide an ideal supplement to homeschooling.
7. Outdoor Learning
Another simple and free way resource for homeschooling parents is the outdoor world. With a little planning, you can make a simple trip to the park or a walk in the woods wholesome and educational.
Outdoor learning is great for educating your kids on natural history, geography, biology, and much more. It’s also a guaranteed way to keep kids engaged in their surroundings. And after spending lots of time studying hard indoors, it can be nice to get out and enjoy some fresh air every once in a while.
Do a little advanced planning and make use of your surroundings. Try to visit different local ecosystems like lakes, forests, mountains, and more. You could prepare specific lesson plans or a project centered around your outdoor adventures for your homeschool planner.
Some Learning for You
Homeschooling is tough. But there are so many free homeschool resources out there to help you! When you get creative and keep an open mind, it’s easier than you might think to keep things interesting.
As a hard-working, homeschooling parent, it’s good for you to get a little education for yourself every once in a while, or just relax with an entertaining article. If you’re looking for something fun or interesting to read, check out our different topic sections. You’re sure to find something you’ll like.
