Once again this week I am overwhelmed with both the quantity and quality of free educational web sites available. I enjoying finding and exploring these sites with my kids. I’m thankful for the homeschooling blog and social media communities for their time and efforts to share resources that add much to our homeschooling studies.
Below are a few of the links to free learning sites that I saved to my teaching resource files this week.
Human anatomy interactive (This was bit difficult to catch on to, as they do not have written instructions, but once I got the hang of it, I thought the technology was amazing and will be a great teaching resource) http://www.zygotebody.com/
It’s my hope that these links will be a little something extra that you can add to your homeschooling studies, and that you and your kids will not just learn from them, but have some fun as well.
September 17th (1787) is the anniversary of the United States Constitution and the start of Constitution Week. So often we hear or read about “Constitutional Rights” and freedoms being debated, taken away, or altered in various ways.
This week my kids will be reviewing, researching, and notebooking all things constitutional so it will be clear to them just what our constitutional rights are.
Below are some of the resources we will be incorporating into our Constitution Week homeschool studies.
This song is from my childhood (from Saturday morning cartoons) and it is how I’ve always remembered the preamble to the constitution. This is also how my older kids have learned it. Now it’s time to pass it down to the youngest two. School House Rock – The Constitution https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0EfnNUt_nwY&list=PLKt00sUUapAJAcxUs2rp75ymjPMki6noW
Mini posters of how a bill becomes a law, the Bill of Rights, and branches of government (you will need an account to get the downloads, but it isn’t complicated and it’s free) http://www.kidsdiscover.com/celebrate-constitution-day/
Fall will be starting in just ten more days! It is my favorite season. Also, autumn makes for some great learning opportunities. Below are some fall themed teaching resources I have had saved in my resource files. I hope you will find these helpful as you plan your fall themed lessons.
I doubt that anyone needs a special day calendar reminder that September 11, 2001 is the anniversary of a major historic event. As homeschoolers, we learn about important events. Usually it’s not stressful to teach history, even though some of the world’s past is tragic, we still learn about those times. But, teaching the history of 9-11 is the most difficult subject that I’ve ever attempted to teach. It was such a horrible and painful day and that horror and pain is still fresh for so many.
Home educating parents are asking, ” How much are we supposed to expose our children to about the events and aftermath of this day?” I’m asking that myself. Even the minimal historic account is overwhelming. However, I don’t think we should just continue with school as usual.
My older kids remember vividly watching the news and seeing the devastation. They have had this topic come up in their current event studies dozens of times throughout the years. However, that won’t make reviewing this day any easier for them. My J isn’t going to be able handle much of this topic, just the bare minimum facts and a coloring sheet. Z, at 8 years old is going to have questions that I don’t have answers to. And this time there is no link to follow for answers.
As I’ve researched for 9-11 study helps, I’ve found these links. I’ve reviewed them, and parts may be helpful, I’m not in complete agreement with any of them. I will not be recommending these or perhaps even using them in our 9-11 studies, but thought I’d share what I found. I do stress that as a parent you pre-view before just pressing the play button and leaving your kids to watch.
An animated documentary explaining the timeline of 9-11 events
I browse for educational sites that offer teaching resources both for my family’s homeschool and for others. Researching and collecting these free educational links is one of my hobbies. Below are my favorite finds from this week.
We have finally completed our pirate unit studies. Our lapbook board is full and ready to be put in file folders.
We attempted to make a treasure chest cake, but it didn’t quite turn out like it should have. Although it tasted great!
Still Learning Something New 