Writing about Homeschooling means that I never stop looking for related, interesting subject matter. I have a running list of topics on the notes app on my iPhone, usually a post-it or two stuck here and there, a crazy number of web browser bookmarks, and sometimes, when there is no paper available, I’ll Sharpie an idea on my hand. *GASP*
Thankfully, friends, family and readers also send in site links, book suggestions, and even ideas for places our family could go that would supplement what we are learning. Honestly, readers are the biggest powerhouse resource I have.
Below I’ve highlighted three of my favorite, FREE, relatively recent, online recommendations so you can benefit from them too.
This Day in History
The History Channel’s “This Day in History” is just what it sounds like; you can learn what happened today (or any other day) in history. Site visitors can click through and read the leading story; for instance, when I clicked through yesterday, I read that Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879.
An additional short video clip culls other significant historical events occurring on that day.
A calendar allows readers to choose other dates in history. Naturally, I looked up my birthday and was amused to discover that, on June 16, 1884, the first roller coaster in America opened at Coney Island, in Brooklyn, New York. That offered some needed comic relief as I’ve been on my own roller coaster ride this week.
The site’s sidebar includes a long list of links of things that occurred “Also on This Day”, and if you’re a crazed history buff *ahem*, there is an option to sign up for daily “This Day in History” emails.
Newsela
I heard about Newsela via an email from high school physics teacher, Erica Schaefer.
Newsela offers current event (daily news) articles written at multiple levels of text complexity so educators can match students’ reading and comprehension abilities, fourth grade and up. Easier or harder versions of the same article are available if needed or when they are ready.
If desired, there are quizzes to test reading comprehension and teacher tools for assigning articles and reviewing student quizzes.
For those who track with Common Core, Newsela’s articles and quizzes align with its standards.
Scratch
Scratch is a programming language, but also offers an online community where kids learn to program and share interactive media (stories, games, and animation) online.
Kids can choose to work independently or collaboratively as they learn to code in Scratch. As they learn to code, they are also developing creative and strategic thing skills.
Designed primarily for 8 to 16 year olds, Scratch is not limited to any age group.
From the site: “When people learn to code in Scratch, they learn important strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas.”
Not convinced? IrishMum‘s husband, IrishDev wrote a succinct, yet helpful summary of Scratch, including his boys’ view on learning to code with Scratch.
Any new and exciting FREE online resources you’ve recently discovered and want to share? Please include them in the comments below!
Heather Sanders is a leading homeschooling journalist who inspires homeschooling families across the nation. Married to Jeff, Heather lives in the East Texas Piney Woods and homeschools her three children, Emelie, Meredith and Kenny.