SALT LAKE HOME EDUCATORS

At our January meeting, we shared some of our favorite free or inexpensive resources.

www.discoveryschool.com You can create your own crossword puzzles and word searches. Also has free lesson plans and other things.

www.utahkidsclub.com Has a calendar of free events in the community.

www.ambleside.org  A free Charlotte Mason curriculum.

www.tobinslab.com The original source for lapbook information. You can also look up ?lapbooks? on google.

http://math.about.com Free printable math worksheets

www.learningpage.com Free K-3 math, science and language pages, mini-books, readers, etc.

www.amazon.com Has used books for sale

www.abebooks.com A source to buy used books

www.sitesforparents.com Lists many, many sites that may be interesting to homeschool parents.

www.mathfactcafe.com Free printable math worksheets, flashcards, etc.

http://www.krazydad.com/puzzles.php Free printable sudoku and kakuro puzzles.

www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm Or do a search for ?Mathematics Enhancement Programme,? a free British math curriculum for years 1-9. It has lessons plans and student practice sheets. There are also some online interactive (computer correcting) worksheets.

www.starfall.com Fun phonics games and beginning reading material.

www.librivox.org A source for free audio downloads

http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/  Another free audio download source.

www.edwardrhamilton.com Discount bookseller. They have a free catalog.

www.rainbowresource.com  A homeschool supply company with a huge phonebook-sized catalog. You can read reviews of almost everything in the catalog. The prices are good too.

www.homeschoolreviews.com Many homeschool resources reviewed by homeschool families.

www.cathyduffyreviews.com Cathy Duffy?s reviews of many homeschool materials.

www.donnayoung.org  Free planners and other forms.

www.k9webprotection.com Free and good quality internet filter. Provides different levels of filtering.

We also shared money-saving tips.  Everyone had a lot of great ideas. Thanks!

- Library. Get books, audiobooks, videos, magazines from the library. We have two great library systems in the valley. Interlibrary loan is also available if the two library systems don?t have a book that you really want to check out. You can also request that your local library buy books.

-Tap into wealthy grandparents or other relatives

-Give a list to grandparents and other relatives for the things you really want them to give you.

-Check DI, Thrift Stores and yard sales. Sometimes the dollar store has cheap flashcards.

- Redefine what you ?need.?

- Determine your educational goals. We can?t use every idea at once. Which subjects are most important to your family?

- Finish what you already have. ?Shop? on your own shelves.

- Lapbooks. Once you know how to put them together you can use them for any subject or topic. They are cheap or free to make. Plus they are fun!

- Use plastic slipcovers over worksheets with dry erase markers.

-Use studies or materials  that cover a lot of areas, for example unit studies, using the Cub Scout or Girl Scout program for family projects, making projects for homeschool that can be given away as Christmas presents, etc.

- Family memberships to museums, zoo, etc. usually pay for themselves in two visits. Focus on a different membership each year so that you get full use out of it.

-StartWrite software allows you to create your own handwriting sheets. Also Draw Write Now books (Some are available from the library.) have art lessons and handwriting copywork.

-Use friends to help teach lessons. Tap the passions and expertise of those around you.

- Do a web search for literature guides like Spark Notes. There is a great wealth of info about the texts.