~ Homeschooling ~
Subjects
 
What Subjects Should Be Covered
Whither your creating your own cirriculum or just trying to make sure you have all your bases covered.
 
There are a great many sites online that help homeschoolers with various cirriculums. One of the best is:
National Repository of Online Classes: AP-free, self-study, online AP courses in science, math, and history
 
You can also find a great deal of information to incorporate into your learning program from MIT's Online Courseware.
 
Here's a few subjects you should cover throughout your child's homeschooling. These subjects cover younger children as well as older children.
 
Language Arts
Handwriting Practice
Math
History and Geography
Science - Biology
Foreign Language
The Arts
Computers
Environmental Studies
Physical Education
Health & Safety, and Driver's Ed
Philosophy
 
 
Language Arts
Language arts can cover everything from spelling, vocabulary and etymology, reading, literature, poetry, grammer and creative writing.
 
 
Handwriting Practice
Another topic under Language Arts is handing writing. Start each day with a little practice at writing.
  • For younger children you can use this time to practice their ABCs and learning to write words.
  • For mid-level children you can use this time to practice writting grammer lessons.
  • For older children and teens, you can use this time to instill a practice of journaling and strengthen their knowledge of grammer and creating essays.
 
 
Math
The thing to remember about math is that you have a TON of help out there. So don't panic.
  • For younger children you're going to start with recognizing and writing numbers. Counting on your fingers is a good way to help preschoolers establish the beginning skills for math.
  • Don't worry about starting to young. Young children are indeed a sponge. They may not understand everything you're telling them about numbers, but many will listen and start to 'get it'.
  • Addition, subtraction and multiplication also begin at a young age. At 4 years old, children are able to comprehend rudimentry math.
  • Pre-Algebra and Algebra
  • Geometry
  • Advanced Math: Algebra 2, Trig, and Calculus
     
    Some Online sites that can help.
  • Many Ways to Practice Math Skills-including the dreaded math facts
  • Online Math Enrichment
 
 
History and Geography
Don't limit your cirriculum to American history and geography. But that's a good place to start.

History
Structure you lessons for younger children with the basics of North America and it's discovery. Each year, progress through each era of history to modern times. For children who have a real knack and interest in history, consider expanding this list to European, Oriental and Middle East history as well.

  • Start with early America; the Native Americans, the European discovery of America by the Vikings and Columbus, Jamestown and Plymouth Rock.
  • From here cover these era's in history:
    * The Colonial Era
    * The Revolutionary Era
    * The Critical Period
    * The Early National Era
    * The Jeffersonian Era
    * The Antebellum Era
    * The Civil War Era
    * The Gilded Age
    * The Progressive Era
    * World War I
    * The Interwar Era
    * World War II
    * The Postwar Era
    * The Space Race
    * Vietnam Era
    * Watergate
    * The Middle East Conflicts (from 1979 to date)
. 
Geography
Structure you lessons for younger children with the basics of the United states.
  • Start with your own state for preschool and kindergarten. You can cover the town you live in, your state's capital and general history.
  • For elementry level, cover each state and it's capital, when it was added to the Union and some general history.
  • Continue your lessons with world geography.
 
   
Science - Biology
There are tons of free online courses and resources for science. Here's just a few:
  • Eyes on the Skies-a children's astronomy tutorial with activities, from Havard
  • Scratch -a free download from MITof a new programming language that lets you create your own interactive stories, games, music, and art, website includes kid-friendly tutorials and "facilitorials", aimed at grades 3 - 8
  • Try Engineering-free lesson plans for ages 8 to 18
  • Young Epidemiology Students-(9-12) free down-loadable teaching units on epidemiology and other biology topics, also an annual  student competition  
  • NIH Curriculum Supplement Series-(K - 12) 2-week modules with lesson plans and activities,ranging from tooth-brushing to cellular biology
  • UCMP K - 12  by the University of California Museum of Paleontology-web-based educational modules and online resources to help students  to investigate and understand the history of life, the fossil record, evolution, and the diversity of the Earth's biota
  • I.Science MaTe by the Math/Science Nucleus-(K - 10) free online kid-friendly tutorials on various science topics, short and illustrated with photos
  • Virtual Text-(9 - 12) biology web modules and online texts, some free some subscription
  • Windows to the Universe-(K - 12)  free online tutorials, activities, coloring pages, etc. on Earth and Space science, includes art, poetry and myths  related to the sun and planets
  • Middle School Science-free online resources and lesson plans for activities, projects and experiments
  • The Science House-free online experiments for Middle School science, designed by NC State University
  • Pre-University Chemistry Course by the University of Oxford-includes free online text and virtual labs
  • Virtual Chemistry from the University of Oxford-free online chemistry labs, webcasts, and video libraries, high school level and up
  • The Chemistry Collective by Carnegie Mellon University-free online collection of virtual labs, scenario-based learning activities, and concept tests for use as pre-labs, homework, and in-class activities
  • Basic Concepts in Geology-a tutorial from NASA
  • Global Stratotype Sections-lists the geologica time scale and names specific rock formations that are of that age
  • Stanford Computer Science Library-free online tutorials, videos and applets for learning about computer science
  • Amazing Space-free online tutorials and activities from the Space Telescope Science Institute (the Hubble Space Telescope)
  • The Physics Classroom-free online physics tutorials written at high school level
  • CoAST -free modules for studying marine and coastal environments
  • The Official String Theory Website by Patricia Schwarz
  • Underwater Archaeology-visit dive sites around the world
  • The Lesson Plans Page-thousands of free lesson plans on all subjects, including science and computers
  • Teachnology-over 25,000 free lesson plans on all subjects, including science and computers
  • Rader's Chem4Kids-free online chemistry tutorials and activities for kids
  • Rader's Biology4kids-free online biology tutorials and activities for kids
  • Food and Nutrition-an extensive website that discusses all aspects of food, nutrition, food processing, the food industry, food additives, and agriculture, from the University of Saskatchewan
  • High School Biology in Your Home-an independent research approach to high school biology, no textbook provided, students find info on websites, in old textbooks, and using primary sources
  • National Repository of Online Classes: AP-free, self-study, online AP courses in science, math, and history
  • Connexions by Rice University  --  contains educational materials in all subjects for all levels, from children to college students to professional.  Information is organized in small modules that stand alone or can be  easily connected into larger courses.  Connexions is an innovative environment for collaboratively developing, freely sharing, and rapidly publishing scholarly content on the Web.  All content is free.
 
 
Foreign Language
Learning other languages is a great way to enrich anyone's life. Especially children. There are a huge variety of books, tapes, CDs, computer programs and online courses to choose from. Here's a few:
  • BBC Languages - free online language courses in French, Spanish,
    German , Italian, Chinese, Portugese, Greek, and more!
  • Word2Word -links to free online language courses for over 120
    languages, multiple links for some lanuages!
 
 
The Arts
Art is just as important as other basic subjects. Especially for younger children. It provides everyone with an outlet of expression and creativity. Drawing, danceing, acting, music, singing, and design are components that should be covered in your lesson plans.
  • Look for a community theater in your area. Not only can you take children to see some fun and interesting productions, but you can also find out how you and your whole family can participate.
  • Colleges with music programs often offer programs for their students to teach others how to play various types of musical intruments.
  • Your local Park Authority may have programs for various ages in music, dance and drawing. So check with their program office and see what's available. Here in Fairfax Virginia, our Park Authority has a great many programs in all The Arts.
  • Free Drawing Lessons - by Karine at Masterpiece Art Instruction
  • Drawspace.com - free online drawing lessons from Brenda Hoddinott
 
 
Computers
In today's technological world, children need to learn computer skills. There are many programs on the market today to help get young children started. But there are also a large number of free online tutorials to help older kids who have an interest in computer programming and internet design. Here's where Amazon.com comes in handy. If you search for your child's age group under software, you'll get a long list of products that are currently available. But you'll also get reviews from parents who have purchased these products and used them with their kids. It's a wonderful way to find the best current products. You might try some of these free online courses as well.
  • SpringWolf Designs - WebDesign Tutorial - this is an easy to follow tutorial for learning the basics of webdesign and html.
  • Computer Programming for Homeschool Students-free online tutorials by Richard G. Baldwin, a community college professor. Designed specifically for teaching computer programming to homeschool students and their parents. Uses (free) programming languages: Scratch (ages 8 and up), Alice (middle school and up), and Java (high school and college).
 
 
Environmental Studies
Also known as Earth Sciences, these are subjects about the planet, ecosystems and animals. In today's enviornment of conservation and extreme weather changes, these are subjects that many children find intersting.
 
 
Physical Education
Growing bodies need education just as growing minds. Don't overlook time for your child to release some energy through playing and exercise.
  • There are many organizations in your area that offer team sports for kids throughout the year. Check with your local Park Authority or Sports Center.
  • Another great option is enrolling your child in a karate program. These programs teach young children how to listen, learn respect for others and them selves, as well as physical coordination.
  • Combine art and fun by making and chasing Paper Airplanes.
  • Homeschool SportsNet - a national organization, includes TEAMFIND to help locate homeschool sports groups in your area
  • President’s Challenge - a version of the President's Physical Fitness Challenge that can be used by homeschool families.
  • Balance First - by Discovery School.com, in partnership with the President's Council on Physical Fitness, a health curriculum that address healthy eating and the need for exercise
 
 
Health & Safety, and Driver's Ed
Everyone needs to be aware of health and safety around their home and out in the world. These programs are good for parents and children alike. For older children, you will be faced with helping them learn to drive. There are many programs online, some free and some require a fee.
 
 
Philosophy
There is a large debate about whither or not philosophy should be taught to younger children. Each parent should take a look at what's involved in these subjects and make the decision for them selves. The study of philosophy includes topics such as ethics (right and wrong, morals, values), metaphysics (the nature of reality, man's place in the universe, spiritual issues), and logic (the principles of reasoning). Wikipedia has some nice definitions and histories of the studies of philosophy, metaphysics, and logic. There are a large number of websites that cover these topics in detail. Don't be afraid of some of their titles. Many are well researched and easy to read.
 
 
 
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