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Free Printable Electoral College Map for Election Night!

November 4, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Free 2024 Electoral College Printable Map for Homeschoolers

With the 2024 election day here, it’s a great opportunity to introduce or further educate your kids on the basics of the U.S. electoral process. This free 2024 Electoral College printable map from C-Span is a fantastic tool for helping homeschoolers understand how the Electoral College works and how votes are distributed across states. Whether you’re diving into a government unit study or simply want to keep your kids informed on current events, this map is an engaging resource to bring real-world learning into your homeschool.

The map outlines all fifty states and their assigned electoral votes for the 2024 election, allowing kids to track electoral outcomes or even participate in mock elections at home. This hands-on approach makes it easier to explain how states contribute to the total 538 electoral votes and why candidates focus on winning certain key states. It’s also a visual aid that can simplify complex concepts, such as swing states, majority wins, and the overall voting process.

You can use the map in various ways to enhance learning, from coloring in states as results come in on election night to practicing math by adding up electoral votes for hypothetical scenarios. This free resource is easy to download, print, and incorporate into your lesson plans.

To get the map and start exploring the Electoral College with your homeschoolers, simply visit this link.

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Government, Printables

Deskjet vs Laser Printers: When is it Worth it to Switch?

October 16, 2024 Leave a Comment

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We’ve all been there—printing out worksheets, flashcards, and lesson plans like there’s no tomorrow, only to find that your ink runs out just when you need it most. If your deskjet printer is starting to feel more like a money pit with all those cartridge replacements, you might be wondering if a laser printer would save you some cash (and frustration) in the long run. Let’s dive into the numbers to figure out at what point a laser printer becomes the smarter choice for your homeschooling needs.

Deskjet vs. Laser Printer: A Closer Look at the Costs

Deskjet Printers are often the default choice for many families due to their low upfront cost, typically ranging between $50 and $150. However, the real expense comes with ink cartridges. Standard ink cartridges cost around $30 and print between 200 to 300 pages. This means the cost per page is roughly 7.5 to 11 cents for black-and-white printing. If you’re printing 300 pages per month, you’ll spend around $540 annually on ink alone, leading to a first-year total cost of about $640, including the initial printer cost.

Laser Printers, while initially more expensive—typically between $150 and $300—offer significant long-term savings. A toner cartridge for a monochrome laser printer costs about $80 but yields around 3,000 pages (please keep in mind this varies depending on the brand). This brings the cost per page down to approximately 2 to 5 cents. If you’re printing 300 pages per month, the total cost of toner for the year is only about $96. Adding in the initial printer cost, your first-year expense with a laser printer totals around $346.

Cost Savings of Laserjet over Deskjet over a 2 year time-frame

Conclusion: When Is It Worth the Switch?

Under 100 pages per month: A deskjet printer remains cost-effective at this level of printing. The savings you might get from a laser printer won’t outweigh the higher upfront cost.
100-200 pages per month: At this level, the cost difference begins to shift. By the end of the first year, a laser printer will save you some money compared to a deskjet, and the savings will continue to grow.
Over 200 pages per month: If you consistently print more than 200 pages per month, upgrading to a laser printer will significantly reduce your printing costs over time. For high-volume homeschooling families printing 300 pages or more each month, the laser printer pays for itself within the first year and offers long-term savings.

In short, if you’re printing moderate to high volumes regularly (150+ pages a month), it’s worth investing in a laser printer to save money and time in the long run.

I hope this helps you decide which type of printer is right for your family!

*Be sure to check out all of our printable resources at How to Homeschool for Free!*

Breaking Down the Math

For those of us who like to see a little more math, here is a clear breakdown of the costs of Deskjet vs Laser by number of pages printed:

Printing 100 Pages per Month:

Deskjet: First-year cost = $280 (including ink)
Laser: First-year cost = $282 (including toner)

For 100 pages per month, both types of printers have similar first-year costs, making a laser printer less necessary unless you value faster printing speed and sharper text.

Printing 200 Pages per Month:

Deskjet: First-year cost = $460 (including ink)
Laser: First-year cost = $314 (including toner)

At 200 pages per month, the savings with a laser printer become apparent by the end of the first year.

Printing 300 Pages per Month:

Deskjet: First-year cost = $640 (including ink)
Laser: First-year cost = $346 (including toner)

If you’re printing closer to 300 pages per month, a laser printer will save you nearly $300 in the first year alone, and that savings will compound over time as the cost of toner remains far lower than that of ink.

Other Important Considerations

Print Speed: Laser printers are significantly faster than deskjets. If you often print large batches of worksheets or lesson plans, this can be a big advantage. A laser printer can typically handle 20-30 pages per minute, compared to the 5-10 pages per minute of a deskjet.

Print Quality: Laser printers generally produce sharper and crisper text, which can be especially helpful for educational resources like worksheets, where clear and readable text is important. While deskjets perform well for photos and graphics, laser printers are better for heavy text documents.

Durability and Volume: Laser printers are designed for higher-volume printing, making them more durable over time. Deskjet printers, on the other hand, may wear out more quickly with frequent use, especially if you’re regularly printing hundreds of pages per month.

Color Printing: If you frequently need color printing, deskjet printers are often the better choice since color laser printers are much more expensive upfront. However, if most of your printing is black-and-white, a monochrome laser printer will serve you well.

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Articles

FREE Full Alphabet Printable Tracing Page! (Upper and Lower Case)

September 30, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Here is a simple and FREE full alphabet tracing page you can download and print! This includes all upper and lower case letters to give your little ones plenty of practice.

Head over here to get the FREE printable A-Z tracing page: FREE Full Alphabet A-Z Tracing Worksheet.

When you get to the landing page simply click on the image and it will automatically download the PDF.

Be sure to check out all of our free homeschool printables here at How to Homeschool for Free!

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Penmanship, Printables, Writing & Grammar

Make a Creative Writing Prompt Journal for Kids!

September 13, 2024 Leave a Comment

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A writing prompt journal can be a great way to encourage your kids to write every day – especially in the summer when they don’t want to do “regular school” – regardless of whether your kid struggles with writing or loves it. Why are writing journals so effective? A journal allows kids to be creative and have fun without the pressure that goes along with more formal writing. It’s an awesome way for kids to exercise their writing and creativity muscles. You can keep a theme, or just let them write what they are feeling that day.

Create Your Journal Together

Sure, there are plenty of cute, pre-made writing journals out there, but this is really one of those times that making it yourself is going to benefit you and your child the most. Pick out a fun binder, choose all your favorite colors for paper and folders, and dividers, and decorate it with fun craft supplies like glitter and stickers. Make an “About the Author” page for your child to customize with fun details and pictures.

Include Different Types of Creative Writing Activities for a Writing Prompt Journal

One of the best things about writing prompt journals is that kids get chances to try out all sorts of writing. Many kids don’t like writing because they have only written in a couple of contexts. Your kids may discover a love for writing through one of these prompts. I like to type and print a page with a new prompt to put in the front of the journal for reference.

Narrative Writing

Narrative writing includes much more than writing a story. Kids can also write a personal narrative (something that happened to them written in story format), create silly stories, and retell favorite novels or movies. It’s a lot of pressure to give kids a blank page and tell them to “tell a story,” so good prompts can be incredibly helpful here.

Expository Writing

Expository writing is writing to inform. Kids get a chance to become an expert. You can create prompts around things your kids know, such as describing a favorite app or sport. Kids can also write directions or recipes. They can write about the best ways to care for the family pet. There are so many ways to get creative with expository writing.

Writing a Letter

You can start with basic letter writing, such as writing a letter to a friend or family member. Then, you can branch into more creative areas, like writing to a state representative, a favorite book or film character, or a famous historical figure. Around the holidays, we like to write letters to our local retirement home and my kids have even gotten a few pen pals over the years!

Recalling Memories

Journals are a great place to record memories. You can start a prompt with “Tell about a time when…” or use a picture prompt. Paste in a photo from when your children were younger and let them write about what they remember.

Using Imagination

There are many imaginative, creative writing prompts you can use. Kids can write about something completely new, like inventing a planet and its inhabitants or they can extend a favorite story by telling what happened to the characters after the ending. Kids can come up with an innovative solution to a problem or invent a new product. The possibilities are endless here.

Opinion / Persuasive

This one is the undisputed, all-time favorite in my house. My children have some strong opinions about many things, like their mutual disdain for cooked cabbage! Do your kids have a strong opinion on one thing or seven? Well, here’s their chance to express themselves, by turning it into opinion writing.
There are many different ways to approach an opinion essay. Kids can express an opinion and support it. You can also prompt your kids to persuade someone of something, like why you should buy them a new video game console.

Compare and Contrast

This is definitely a “formal” writing format, but it goes well with opinion/ persuasive prompts. Kids simply pick two topics and write about their differences and similarities: dogs and cats as pets, bacon and sausage for breakfast, store-bought and homemade treats for holidays or social events, etc. The choices are endless, and the more creative, the better!

Reluctant Writer? Make Lists in your Writing Prompt Journal

One of my favorite ways to get reluctant writers to write is through lists. For some reason, lists aren’t as daunting as paragraphs. There’s a lot you can do with lists: top ten favorite toys, a grocery list for a favorite meal, ten places you’d like to visit, etc.

Have Fun With It!

Writing is such an important part of our dedication journey with our kids. Honing these skills in fun and creative ways helps even reluctant writers feel less confined and stretch their writing muscles. Make this writing prompt journal with your kids and open even more avenues for creativity and opportunities to learn to love writing!

***Be sure to join our How To Homeschool For Free Support Group for daily encouragement and more great resources for your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Writing & Grammar

Top 12 FREE Geography Apps for Kids!

September 11, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Learning Geography used to be as basic as passing around a globe or pointing at a flat map on the wall. Don’t get me wrong, I love the aesthetic a globe gives a room and we use ours all the time. But these days, there is a wealth of other amazing resources available to help learners of every age master their geography skills. Here are twelve of the top FREE geography apps for kids. Please note that some are available only in the App Store OR Google Play while some are available in both. Read More

1 Google Earth

It doesn’t have games or quizzes, but Google Earth is an invaluable resource for learning about the world. Take off to anywhere on earth with up to date 3d satellite scans of the entire globe! Plus it’s free at the App Store and Google Play.

2. World Quiz: Learn Geography

World Quiz: Learn Geography is an interactive app that helps kids learn about the world through a variety of fun and challenging quizzes. Covering a wide range of geography topics, including countries, capitals, flags, and landmarks, the app is designed to test and expand knowledge in an engaging way. With multiple difficulty levels, it caters to different age groups and learning stages, making it an excellent tool for both beginners and those looking to sharpen their geographic skills. The app’s straightforward interface and colorful graphics make learning about the world accessible and enjoyable for kids. Available in the App Store only.

3. Kids Atlas

Kids Atlas features a realistic world map that teaches kids about countries, continents & states. Kids Atlas also features anthems of major countries of the world as well as photos of landmarks. It’s perfect for road trips as it does not require an internet connection to function. Kids Atlas is available for free on Google Play only.

4. GeoGuessr – Let’s Explore the World!

GeoGuessr is an exciting geography game that takes players on a virtual adventure around the world, challenging them to guess their location based on visual clues. The app uses real-world images from Google Street View, allowing kids to explore different countries, landscapes, and landmarks in a fun and interactive way. With various game modes and difficulty levels, GeoGuessr is perfect for enhancing map skills and geographic knowledge while keeping players engaged. It’s an entertaining and educational tool that makes learning about the world an adventure. Available for free in the App Store and Google Play.

5. World Geography for Kids

Kiddopia: Kids Geography is a vibrant and interactive app designed to teach young children about world geography through fun games and engaging activities. The app covers various geography topics, such as continents, countries, and landmarks, making it a great way for kids to learn and retain information. With colorful graphics and easy-to-navigate features, Kiddopia encourages exploration and curiosity, providing an enjoyable educational experience for preschool and elementary-aged children. The app’s playful approach ensures that kids stay entertained while learning about the world around them. Available in the Google Play Store only.

6. World Geography Quiz Game

World Geography – Quiz Game offers a fun and interactive way for users to learn about the world. The app features quizzes on various geography topics, including countries, capitals, flags, and major cities, making it perfect for kids and adults alike who want to test and improve their geographic knowledge. With different levels of difficulty and a global leaderboard, the app provides a competitive and engaging experience. Its straightforward interface and rich content make learning about world geography both enjoyable and challenging. Featuring 26 different quiz game options in 8 different languages, this little gem is an excellent resource for free on Google Play only.

7. Seterra Geography

Seterra Geography covers info for all age groups, going into as much or as little detail as needed. It offers tons of learning game modes and no internet required, this is a great app for keeping those skills sharp while traveling! It’s available for free in the App Store and on Google Play.

8. Maps of Our World

Maps of Our World is an educational app that allows users to explore and learn about geography through detailed maps and interactive quizzes. The app covers continents, countries, capitals, and major geographical features, making it ideal for both beginners and those looking to deepen their understanding of world geography. With its engaging gameplay and customizable difficulty levels, users can challenge themselves while mastering their knowledge of the globe. The app’s clean interface and visually appealing maps provide an enjoyable and informative experience for learners of all ages. Available for free on the App Store only.

9. StudyGe – World Geography Quiz

StudyGe – World Geography Quiz is a fun and interactive app designed to help kids learn about world geography through a variety of quizzes and challenges. Covering topics like countries, capitals, flags, and continents, the app offers a comprehensive way to test and expand geographic knowledge. With multiple levels of difficulty and engaging visuals, it’s perfect for kids who enjoy learning through games. The app’s user-friendly interface and dynamic content make exploring geography both exciting and educational. Available in the Google Play store only.

10. GeoTrainer: Geography Map Quiz

GeoTrainer: Geography Map Quiz is an engaging app designed to make learning geography fun and interactive for kids. The app offers a variety of quizzes and games that help users memorize countries, capitals, flags, and other geographical features through a map-based interface. With customizable levels of difficulty, GeoTrainer caters to different age groups and learning stages, making it suitable for both beginners and advanced learners. Its colorful graphics and intuitive design provide an enjoyable way for kids to enhance their geographic knowledge and skills. Available in the App Store only.

11. Planet Geo – Fun Games of World Geography for Kids

With bright colors and easy to understand games, this app perfect for all ages. IT’s chock full of fun map puzzles for learning about countries all over the world. Planet Geo is available for free in the App Store only.

12. Learn World Geography

Using the latest in cognitive science techniques, the developer Brainscape promises faster and easier learning of world geography. This very well-reviewed app is available for free in the App Store only.

Here are a few great apps that cost money but are worth taking a look at:

Stack the Countries

Stack the Countries is what you get when you mix geography and Tetris. Here, the more you learn, the more you get to play! Build a tower of countries to reach the finish line. Find this one for $2.99 in the App Store and on Google Play.

Geography Drive USA

This app is focused on the geography of the United States, but has tons of information for your students! “Travel” around the US learning about the location of states and their geographical landmarks. Find it for $2.99 in the App Store only.

Be sure to check out all of our posts on free educational apps here at How to Homeschool for Free!

***Be sure to join our How To Homeschool For Free Support Group for daily encouragement and more great resources for your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Educational Apps, Geography

Free Java Tutorial for Absolute Beginners – Full Course!

September 9, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Java is one of the most widely used programming languages in the world. It’s known for its versatility, used in everything from mobile apps to web development, and it’s a great language for beginners because of its straightforwardness as a programming language and strong community support. This makes Java a wonderful starting point for anyone interested in exploring the world of coding. If your child has been wanting to dive into Java or just try their hand at programming in general I found this wonderful free course by freeCodeCamp that will take them from absolute beginner to intermediate level programming! Read More

It is a 4 hour course and can be broken up into however many sessions they want. Here are some of the topics covered:

Variables & Data Types
Basic Operators
Input and Scanners
Conditions and Booleans
If/Else/Else If
Nested Statements
Arrays
For Loops
And a lot more

There is zero programming experience required before taking the class. You can check out the course at freeCodeCamp HERE.

Check out all of our posts on electives here at How to Homeschool for free!

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Electives, Programming

10 Literature Classics to Read in Middle School!

September 6, 2024 Leave a Comment

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The middle school years are a great time when it comes to finding good books for your kids to read. Kids at this age can process and discuss deeper, more difficult subjects. Unfortunately, modern young adult literature often doesn’t provide books with deep, meaningful plot lines. And sometimes the characters in those books are shallow people we don’t want our kids to emulate. Read More

But there is some great literature for this age group as well. This list includes books that are meaningful and thought-provoking. Some of these are definitely appropriate for upper elementary ages, depending on the maturity of your reader.

10 Literature Classics to Read in Middle School

Little Pilgrim’s Progress by Helen L. Taylor and Pilgrim’s Progress by John Bunyan
This classic tale follows Christian as he faces trials and hardships on his way to the Celestial City, in this allegory of the Christian life. Little Pilgrim’s Progress is an adapted version of the original, suitable for slightly younger readers. In this version, Christian is a boy. Both versions of this thought-provoking story make for great discussion.

The Chronicles on Narnia by C.S.Lewis
This is one of my all-time favorite series as a child, and I still love it as an adult. C.S. Lewis creates a fantastical world with compelling characters and adventures in the Narnia book. There is also lots of great spiritual allegory that make for fun discussion if you read the book aloud. The books in this series get deeper as they go along. Younger kids will probably enjoy all of them, but it may take multiple readings before they really “get” the later books.

The Golden Goblet by Eloise Jarvis McGraw
Set in ancient Egypt, this is the story of Ranofer, a brave boy who is standing up to his cruel and evil brother when he suspects him of theft. Besides being an interesting story, this book has a good portrayal of life in ancient Egypt, so it’s a good one to add to your study of the ancients.

Kingdom Tales by David and Jaren Mains
This is a trilogy of books that are allegorical. They are full of exciting stories, and they are a picture of the world before Christ, during the life of Christ, and after Christ’s return to Heaven.

The Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder
I can remember reading the Little House books aloud with my mom when I was young. The books, written by Laura Ingalls Wilder, are a fictional account of her real life as a pioneer in the days of Western expansion. These books, like The Chronicles of Narnia, get deeper as they go on. Laura gets older and the situations in her life are sometimes more complex.

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare
Set in Israel during the time of Christ. Daniel is a boy who is bitter about the Romans killing his father, and he’s determined to fight and drive them from the land. Daniel’s heart changes, however, when he meets Jesus of Nazareth. We especially liked this one because there aren’t many kids’ books set in this time period, and it was interesting to get a view of what the people in Israel were living like at the time of Christ.

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This is a timeless tale about how a sullen 10-year-old girl, sent to live with her uncle in Yorkshire, discovers a walled garden that changes her life and those around her. Your child will love this story of loss, love, and what makes a family.

Animal Farm by George Orwell
This story is something everyone should read at least once in their lifetime. Justice, equality, and political freedoms are all tackled in this legendary novel— something especially important in today’s world.

The Hobbit by J.R.R Tolkein
The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings series are awesome classics you don’t want to miss. The Hobbit which describes the journey of Bilbo Baggins, the hobbit, and his discovery of the fateful ring, is a little bit easier read than the Lord of the Rings series- which are actually three volumes in one. But your older or more avid reader will love the immersive world Tolkein masterfully creates in the heavier series.

Looking for options, or do you have older or younger kids than this age group? Check out this reading list for teens, and this one for elementary ages!

***Be sure to join our How To Homeschool For Free Support Group for daily encouragement and more great resources for your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Core Subjects, Literature Guides, Reading, Reading Lists

Teach Your Monster to Read – FREE Learning Game!

September 3, 2024 Leave a Comment

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It’s always refreshing to find fun, effective learning games that are completely free! Teach Your Monster to Read is a learning game that teaches new readers everything from letters to sounds, all the way to reading full sentences. The game is completely FREE on computers and $8.99 for the app in the App Store, Google Play, and Amazon App Store.

Your little one can start playing for free HERE.

They also have other learning games including Reading for Fun and Numbers and Skills!

Be sure to check out all of our posts on free educational apps here at How toHomeschool for Free!

***Be sure to join our How To Homeschool For Free Support Group for daily encouragement and more great resources for your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Educational Apps, Educational Games, Phonics, Preschool, Reading, Young Readers

ALL of our Resources on Getting Started Homeschooling in One Place!

September 2, 2024 Leave a Comment

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I wanted to let you know that for those in the beginning stages of homeschooling or those looking for more ideas and continual growth as home educators our new page, How to Get Started Homeschooling for Free, is launched and ready! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide that walks you through the entire process—from understanding state laws to choosing the right curriculum—all without spending a dime.

This page is easy to navigate and filled with free resources, including curriculum options, printable planners, and educational tools to help you plan and manage your homeschooling journey effectively. Whether you’re a first-time homeschooler or transitioning from a traditional school, our guide offers practical tips tailored to different needs and learning styles. And you can always find this page easily by going to the “Getting Started!” tab on the far left side of the toolbar:

Head over to our How to Get Started Homeschooling for Free and find everything you need to begin homeschooling confidently and affordably! And feel free to share this with anyone you know that is new to their homeschooling journey or looking for more ways to more efficiently and effectively homeschool!

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Getting Started Homeschooling

Free Printable Homeschool Report Card!

August 31, 2024 Leave a Comment

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Free Printable Homeschool Report Card

Keeping track of your child’s progress throughout the homeschooling year can sometimes feel overwhelming. Between lesson plans, activities, and everyday learning adventures, finding a simple and effective way to record achievements and growth can be a challenge. That’s why this free printable homeschool report card from Highland Heritage Homeschool is such a fantastic resource. It offers a straightforward way to document your child’s academic progress, and best of all, it’s completely free! Read More

***And make sure to join our How to Homeschool for Free Facebook Support Group for daily help, freebies, encouragement, and more in your homeschooling journey!***

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Filed Under: Free Report Cards, Freebies, Getting Started Homeschooling, Resources

Deskjet vs. Laser Printer: A Closer Look at the Costs

Conclusion: When Is It Worth the Switch?

Breaking Down the Math

Printing 100 Pages per Month:

Printing 200 Pages per Month:

Printing 300 Pages per Month:

Other Important Considerations

Create Your Journal Together

Include Different Types of Creative Writing Activities for a Writing Prompt Journal

Narrative Writing

Expository Writing

Writing a Letter

Recalling Memories

Using Imagination

Opinion / Persuasive

Compare and Contrast

Reluctant Writer? Make Lists in your Writing Prompt Journal

Have Fun With It!

1 Google Earth

2. World Quiz: Learn Geography

3. Kids Atlas

4. GeoGuessr – Let’s Explore the World!

5. World Geography for Kids

6. World Geography Quiz Game

7. Seterra Geography

8. Maps of Our World

9. StudyGe – World Geography Quiz

10. GeoTrainer: Geography Map Quiz

11. Planet Geo – Fun Games of World Geography for Kids

12. Learn World Geography

Here are a few great apps that cost money but are worth taking a look at:

Stack the Countries

Geography Drive USA

10 Literature Classics to Read in Middle School

Free Printable Homeschool Report Card

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