Simple & Fun Fall Activity – Autumn Tree Painting with Cotton Balls!

September 7, 2023 Leave a Comment

Autumn is a magical time of the year when nature puts on a breathtaking display of vibrant colors. As homeschoolers, we have the unique opportunity to explore and celebrate the beauty of this season in creative ways. We can even spend the whole day on art if we’d like, and there’s no better time of year than the fall to explore artistic fun with your kids.

I found this simple and fun activity that captures the essence of fall from Projects with Kids: painting autumn trees with cotton balls! This artistic activity not only promotes creativity but also provides a great opportunity to teach kids about the changing seasons and the wonders of God’s creation.

Here are all of the materials you’ll need to get started, most of which you’ll already have on hand:

  1. Cotton Balls:  serve as our paintbrushes for the project.
  2. Acrylic Paints: Choose a variety of autumn colors, such as red, orange, yellow, brown, and green. Acrylic paints work well because they are vibrant and dry quickly.
  3. Paper: You can use heavy white paper or a canvas board for a more long-lasting artwork.
  4. Glue: White school glue or a glue stick will help adhere the cotton balls to the paper.
  5. Markers or Crayons: Optional, but these can be used to add extra details to your artwork.
  6. Paintbrushes and Water: If you want to add some background details or blending to your painting.

Be sure to check out ALL of the free homeschool art activities 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!***

Filed Under: Art, Electives

Free Printable Country Word Searches!

September 6, 2023 Leave a Comment

If you’re looking for creative ways to engage your children in geography, language, and culture, these printable country word searches from 123Homeschool4Me are a great way to do it!

Homeschooling is all about customization and flexibility, and these country word searches fit seamlessly into that philosophy. Here’s how you can maximize their potential in your homeschool classroom:

  1. Geography Lessons: Make geography come alive by introducing a new country through its word search. Identify its location on a map, discuss its neighbors, and explore its significance in global context.
  2. Cultural Immersion: Each country’s word search comes with relevant terms, landmarks, and cultural icons. Use these as a starting point for exploring the country’s customs, traditions, and way of life.
  3. Language Exploration: These word searches often include words in the country’s native language. Take this as an opportunity to introduce your children to new languages, even if it’s just a few basic words.
  4. Critical Thinking: As your children hunt for words within the grid, they’re honing their critical thinking skills. They’re learning to analyze patterns, differentiate between letters, and apply logic.
  5. Multidisciplinary Learning: Expand the learning experience by combining word searches with other subjects. Incorporate writing assignments, drawing activities, or even cooking recipes from the countries you explore.

Making It Personal

One of the beauties of homeschooling is tailoring education to your children’s interests. Involve them in the selection process – let them choose which country’s word search they want to explore next. This not only fosters independence but also ensures they’re genuinely engaged in the learning process.

After completing a word search, encourage your children to share what they’ve learned. It could be through a presentation, a creative project, or a simple conversation. This helps reinforce their understanding and communication skills.

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

Filed Under: Core Subjects, Geography, Printables

Free Geology Videos for Kids from Geology Kitchen!

September 5, 2023 Leave a Comment

The world beneath our feet is a treasure trove of mysteries waiting to be uncovered. Geology, the study of Earth’s structure, composition, and processes, holds the key to understanding the planet’s history and its incredible formations. One resource that stands out as a great tool for home educators is Geology Kitchen from Esteem Education. This website offers a collection of free geology videos tailored for young learners, making the exploration of Earth’s geological wonders both engaging and educational.

Geology Unveiled: The Importance of Geology Education for Kids

Geology might sound like a complex scientific field, but at its core, it’s the study of the Earth’s processes and the forces that shape it over time. Teaching kids about geology goes beyond naming rocks; it fosters a deep appreciation for the planet’s history, ecosystems, and the role humans play in preserving its beauty. Geology education for kids can:

  1. Spark Curiosity: Kids are naturally curious, and geology offers a wealth of intriguing phenomena to captivate their interest, from volcanoes and earthquakes to fossils and minerals.
  2. Foster Observation Skills: Geology encourages keen observation of the natural world. Learning to recognize different rock types, landscapes, and geological formations enhances a child’s observation and analytical skills.
  3. Connect Science to Real Life: Geology is tangible and visible in our surroundings. By learning about the Earth’s processes, kids can connect scientific concepts to their daily experiences.

Geology Kitchen: A Rich Source of Exploration

The Geology Kitchen by Esteem Education offers a diverse range of educational videos that make learning geology a delightful and immersive experience. Here’s why it stands out:

  1. Engaging Visuals: Geology can be visually captivating, and these videos use animations, real-world footage, and colorful illustrations to bring geological concepts to life.
  2. Kid-Friendly Approach: The videos are tailored to suit young learners, presenting complex ideas in a simplified and accessible manner without compromising on accuracy.
  3. Interactive Learning: The Geology Kitchen encourages interactivity. Through experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, kids can actively participate in the learning process.
  4. Varied Topics: From exploring different rock types and their formations to understanding geological phenomena like erosion and sedimentation, the Geology Kitchen covers a wide array of geology topics.

Accessing the Geology Kitchen: How to Get Started

  1. Visit the Website: Navigate to Esteem Education’s Geology Kitchen.
  2. Explore the Videos: Browse the collection of videos available on the website. Each video focuses on a specific geology topic and is designed to be engaging and informative.
  3. Enjoy and Learn: Sit back, watch the videos, and encourage your kids to absorb the knowledge presented. Consider taking notes or discussing the concepts together to enhance the learning experience.

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

Filed Under: Geology, Science

Exploring History through Fun: Free Christopher Columbus Facts Printable Coloring Pages!

September 4, 2023 Leave a Comment

History comes alive when we find creative ways to engage with it, and what better way to captivate your kids’ minds than through coloring pages that offer both entertainment and education? In this digital age, where screens dominate our attention, taking a step back to appreciate historical figures like Christopher Columbus through printable coloring pages can be a fantastic learning experience for children and even adults.

Kids Activities Blog has created these fun and free coloring pages as a great way to introduce kids to the man credited with discovering America. You can find them over here.

Christopher Columbus: A Brief Overview

Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer, is often credited with discovering America in 1492. However, his voyage was just one part of a larger series of events that shaped the world as we know it today. Engaging with his story through coloring pages can offer a simplified yet intriguing introduction to this historical figure.

The Educational Value of Coloring Pages

Coloring pages have been a staple of childhood activities for generations, and their educational value goes beyond just a fun pastime. Here’s how coloring pages, especially those centered around historical figures like Christopher Columbus, can benefit learners of all ages:

  1. Visual Learning: Coloring pages provide visual representations of historical events and figures. They allow learners to grasp complex concepts and historical narratives through images, helping them remember facts more effectively.
  2. Fine Motor Skills: The act of coloring helps refine fine motor skills in young children, contributing to their overall physical and cognitive development.
  3. Historical Engagement: When coloring pages are accompanied by interesting facts and information, they encourage children to engage with history in a way that goes beyond textbooks.
  4. Multisensory Experience: The combination of visual engagement, tactile interaction (holding crayons or colored pencils), and cognitive processing creates a multisensory experience that enhances learning retention.

Be sure to check out all of our history resources 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!***

Filed Under: American History, European History, History, Printables

FREE Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History eBook!

August 30, 2023 Leave a Comment

The Greenleaf Guide to Old Testament History is available to download for completely FREE! All you have to do is go through the checkout process here and you will receive an email with a link to download the PDF. (no credit card is required during checkout)

This looks like an amazing resource for anyone looking to educate their kids on the basics of Old Testament. Here’s a brief synopsis of what you get from the book’s description:

This book outlines a reading program which will take you through the history of Israel by reading through the historical books from Genesis to Nehemiah chronologically. Old Testament history is divided into 196 Bible readings (approximately 1 chapter each) along with some suggestions of how to cover the material and keep it interesting. For each reading there is a series of questions to help you focus on the significant details.

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

Filed Under: Bible, Core Subjects, History

FREE Animated Science Videos and Curriculum!

August 29, 2023 Leave a Comment

Math Science Nucleus has several FREE resources for homeschooling science!  They are a non-profit organization that is teaching science to kids.  You’ll find all kinds of fun resources like Interactive Storybooks, Lessons, Experiments, Labs, and tons more.

I love the interactive storybooks that teach kids all kinds of science lessons including the moon, electricity, and various cycles including the universe, life cycle, water cycle, and plate tectonics. They’re a fun, visual way to learn and reinforce certain important scientific subjects.

Go here to check out Math Science Nucleus. For more free online Science resources, check out our FREE Science Curriculum Options Resources page!

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

Filed Under: Elementary Science, Middle School Science, Science

Under the Home – FREE FULL Elementary Homeschool Curriculum!

August 26, 2023 Leave a Comment

What is Under the Home?

Under the Home is an all-in-one, free online curriculum that’s perfect for homeschoolers who love a classical education approach and is based on the Charlotte-Mason method of learning. It’s got all of the core subjects you will want to cover from literature and history to science and math, all wrapped up in a beautiful, easy-to-navigate site. What I love most about it is how it combines rich, classical content with a flexible format that lets you tailor lessons to your family’s needs.

The lessons are straightforward and engaging, making it easy to dive into subjects without feeling overwhelmed. Whether you’re working with a kindergartener or a middle schooler, Under the Home has something for everyone. The literature selections are particularly wonderful, filled with classic stories that spark imagination and deeper thinking. And the history lessons? They’re story-based, which makes learning about the past feel like an adventure.

One of the things that really sets this site apart is the art and music sections. If you’ve been wanting to incorporate more of the arts into your homeschool but weren’t sure where to start, Under the Home makes it so simple. The art lessons walk you through famous works, helping your kids (and maybe even you!) develop an appreciation for great art. And the music section introduces children to classical composers in a way that’s both educational and fun.

Another big win for me is that everything is laid out in a way that’s easy to follow, even on those days when I’m running on fumes. You don’t need to spend hours planning; just open up the site and go. Plus, it’s all free, which is a huge blessing when you’re homeschooling on a budget.

If you’re looking to enrich your homeschool with a classical curriculum that’s both comprehensive and accessible, Under the Home is definitely worth checking out. It’s been a great addition to our homeschool routine, and I think you’ll find it just as valuable.

You can visit them at their website here!

Be sure to check out our master list of free full online homeschooling curriculum here.

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

Filed Under: Full Curriculum

Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style!

April 29, 2023 Leave a Comment

If conflicts occur with curriculum it may be a wrong fit for your child’s learning style.  Understanding your child’s learning style aids you in teaching effectively and finding the proper materials.

Homeschool Christian

Homeschool Christian presents three basic categories of learning styles: visual, auditory, and kinesthetic. You will read that most young children are kinesthetic because the visual and auditory skills are underdeveloped. As children get older, you can observe and determine a specific learning style.

Sonlight

Sonlight presents a thorough 33 minute webinar on learning styles. From their website – “Do you and your child clash? Are you concerned about homeschooling because your student is just so different from you? You’re not alone! Each student is different and this can prove challenging to teachers. As a homeschooler, however, you have the unique opportunity to find tools that match your student’s unique learning style.”

Tips for studying

Here you will find tips for studying that are specific for 4 categories of learning styles: Kinesthetic, Visual, Audio, and Other Styles. They have a lot of great ideas that you can implement at home to help your children engage in the learning process.

FamilyEducation

FamilyEducation works to assess your child’s personality so you can use that information to design your homeschool program to suit your child’s strengths. The article is quite detailed and you have to click to continue on to read all 6 sections. It is based on the Myers-Briggs personality typing system, which is widely accepted. “In the Myers-Briggs scheme, there are four basic elements of personality preferences. Each of these preferences is measured on a scale that has two “sides.” Knowing where a person’s tendency resides on each of these scales determines the person’s overall personality type.”

How to Enhance Learning Styles

How to Enhance Learning Styles provides a visual to help you understand how to enhance your children’s learning style.

We hope this helps you better understand your children’s learning styles so you can be better equipped to homeschool your child! Be sure to join our How To Homeschool For Free Support Group for daily encouragement and more great resources for your homeschooling journey!

Filed Under: Getting Started Homeschooling, Resources

How To Teach Kids About The Stock Market!

January 28, 2021 Leave a Comment

It wasn’t until my first college finance class that I started to learn a little bit about investing and how the stock market works. Then it wasn’t until my 30s that I implemented some of that knowledge, and added to it, to create a strategy for investing our resources into different companies and ventures.

Now, as parents, we want to give our kids a leg up on where we were at their age and give them the tools that they need to have a basic (and preferably an intermediate) level of knowledge about how different types of investments work. And specifically, how investing in the stock market works.

Here are some resources that you can use for FREE to help your kids have a working knowledge of how the stock market works (click on each title to go directly to the website):

Wealthbase

Join a game and get $100,000 in virtual cash to invest. Pick stocks, ETFs, and cryptos to create your virtual portfolio. Track your performance on the leaderboard! Wealthbase also have a learning center to learn about investing and financial planning strategies to help you build and preserve wealth.

The Stock Market Game

An online simulation of the global capital markets that engages students grades 4-12 in the world of economics, investing and personal finance and that has prepared nearly 20 million students for financially independent futures.

Parents will need to register with the website to create a profile.

Investopedia Stock Market Game

Start with $100,000 in virtual cash and put your trading skills to the test! Compete with thousands of Investopedia traders and trade your way to the top. Join or create challenges with your friends and other investors. Compete to see who has the best investment results daily.

How The Market Works

HowTheMarketWorks is a FREE stock market game that allows users to create their own custom stock game and create educational lessons for their players. It is used by over 400,000 individuals and students each year. Users register for free and receive a virtual $100,000 and access to our Education Center. Users can then create their own custom stock market contest and invite their classmates, friends, family or co-workers to a friendly competition.

Market Watch

If you already have a basic knowledge of how the stock market works and want to put your skills to the test, check out Market Watch! Build your portfolio and react to the markets in real time. Compete against your friends or coworkers to earn your spot at the top of the leaderboards. Market Watch allows you to do virtual advanced trading (like limit and stop loss orders, partial shares, short selling, margin trading, and more!)

Finance and Capital Markets course on Khan Academy

We love lots of the Khan Academy courses! They are completely free and on the topic of stocks and investments they have videos on all the following:

Introduction to stocks
Shorting stock
Understanding company statements and capital structure
Corporate metrics and valuation
Life of a company–from birth to death
Dilution
Mergers and acquisitions
Leveraged buy-outs
Bonds
Corporate bankruptcy
Mutual Funds and ETFs
Retirement Accounts
Hedge funds
and more!

Youtube Playlist on How The Stock Market Works

There are several great video options at the link above for a variety of ages and learning styles.

BusyKid App

It’s not free, but there’s an app called BusyKid App that costs $19.99 per year and allows you to give your kids their allowance through the app. They can spend their money through a (provided) pre-paid debit card and they have the option to use part of their allowance to invest in the stock market and watch their money potentially grow if they invest well.

There are also several books to either check out from your local library or purchase!

Go! Stock! Go!

Go! Stock! Go! employs a cartoon-like “Dr. Seuss” style as it becomes the first truly user friendly book on stock and finance.

A storybook follows the Johnson family as they learn the fundamentals of stocks and bonds, the mechanics of investing, and important lessons on risk and reward. The humorous illustrated story is simple enough for children and teenagers yet is also directed towards adults and kids of all ages.

The book offers an advanced section “Let’s Talk Stock” that provides an added level of knowledge for older readers. While designed with children in mind, this book is sure to become an adult favorite.

The Motley Food Investment Guide for Teens

Budding tycoons and those with more worldly concerns will appreciate The Motley Fool Investment Guide for Teens: 8 Steps to Having More Money than Your Parents Ever Dreamed Of by David and Tom Gardner with Selena Maranjian. The editors of the Motley Fool Web site offer sound advice on everything from finding a job, investing in the stock market and avoiding financial pitfalls. “Take It from Me” and “Keep in Mind” sidebars offer brief advice from peers and the authors, respectively. Ages 12-up.

How to Turn $100 into $1,000,000: Earn! Save! Invest!

What are Stocks? Understanding The Stock Market – Finance Book for Kids

Filed Under: Consumer Math, Educational Games

Free Online Government/Elections Resources

October 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

photo government_zpsc3544b82.jpg

Through my husband’s work in local elections, my children gained educational experience in government.  However, I think they need a little refresher and the free resources listed are perfect.  If you are seeking resources to help teach your child about government than look no further.

Ben’s Guide To Government For Kids

Ben’s Guide to Government for Kids provides information and activities designed for educators, parents, and students in K-12 to help teach about our government and how it works. It is an educational site put on by the Government Printing Office, named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. You can also download a free activity book for lessons and fun activities.

Election Lapbook

Get everything you need from Homeschool Share for making an informative lapbook about Elections. You wil find printables of the Electoral College map, information on how to register, etc… very nice!

The Constitution For Kids

The Constitution for Kids gives a brief explanation of how the Constitution is the framing document of our country. There are 3 different levels of information and activities: ages K-3, ages 4-7, and ages 8-12. While this website is lacking in bells and whistles, it to has links for a student studying the Constitution and why it matters to each and every American.

Kids In The House

Kids in the House is designed to give children an idea of what the Legislative Branch of government is all about. There is also a section of teaching resources for your lessons. It’s not quite as entertaining as School House Rock, but you could always add that on a rainy day!

Congress For Kids

Congress for Kids has info on all parts of the Federal Government. “Congress for Kids gives you access to interactive, fun-filled experiences designed to help you learn about the foundation of our federal government and how its actions affect you.” For my family, this site could easily be a semester’s worth (or more!) of lessons just by itself.

The Oklahoma Homeschool Website

The Oklahoma Homeschool website has several unit study plans available to homeschool families. One of them is a 12-week study of American Government. The President & Elections lesson plan lists the current president as George Bush, so you will want to change that part of the lesson plan to make it accurate and current. There are  many ideas you can use from the lesson pages as independent lessons if you don’t want to make a unit study of this topic.

National Mock Election

Visit National Mock Election and see the vast collection of information on the voting process, why it matters to the future of our country, and how to get involved. A mock election is held and you are one of the candidates. It’s a great, hands on way to get involved in the process.

The CIA

If your kids are like my kids, they will LOVE the kids pages by the CIA. What better way to get kids to practice analytical skills and memory/concentration than with a game! I have to admit that I really like these kind of games. Break the Code is really fun, even for me! I have been known to leave my kids notes in a secret code, just for a little excitement. Try it!

Filed Under: Government
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