In keeping with a "free" theme I figured I'd share some free curriculum resources. These are all not only free via US mail, but they are also perfect for units or entire curriculum.

For many homeschooling families money is normally tight, as many of us are one income families. In today's economic times however, budgets are stretched to the maximum. Where can a homeschool parent find real resources for teaching at home? You will find the answers here, as well as other curriculum ideas that you can access for free any day!

The public library is a must when bringing up curriculum resources. If you have not ventured to your town library please do so. Many libraries offer online searches and borrower requests via online, so you have time to browse availible materials. Also, libraries can often share resources, so if your town library does not have a particular resource you are looking for you can request it from another library in the county. In addition to this, borrowing chapter books to go along with curriculum, as well as teaching resources, will enable you to teach effectively without any money out of your pocket.

Literature curriculum is a great unit of study to utilize free resources. Besides the library, check out Shakespeare in American Communities when embarking on a Shakespeare unit. (link at bottom of page) This fabulous toolkit offers a complete Shakespeare introductory curriculum, lesson plans, dvd's and more. Click on the online order form icon and submit your information. As a homeschooler you can put your homeschool group information, if you belong to one, as your "school" and share the material with others.

A fantastic resource for Science curriculum and teacher training is "Project Wild", sponsored by the Council for Environmental Education. The workshops are offered in every state, free of charge, and vary in length from three to eight hours. This is a wonderful way to learn about the curriculum based on animal and environmental topics, and then have a comprehensive resource to take home and teach your children with. Go to the Project Wild national site to view a schedule of free workshops in your state, or you can email the coordinator for your state to find out more.

Using dvds and vidoes can be wonderful curriculum enhancements. Your local library is an excellent source for educational videos. There are also two other sources where homeschool teachers can order free educational dvds and videos. Izzit is a great resource for a free video a year for all teachers. All they request is a brief review of the video you chose after you use it in your classroom. It is not mandatory, however. Video Placement Worldwide is another resource for free educational dvd's and videos, and there is no limit to the number you can receive. They even offer CDs on fascinating Science topics, like " A Journey Through Our Eyes". Visit them to choose your free materials.

However you choose to use the free curriculum ideas, be sure to share this information with fellow homeschoolers. Working together we can make homeschooling our children productive and educational, no matter what the cost.


www.shakespeareinamericancommunities.org/education/toolkit.shtml

www.projectwild.org/ProjectWILDCoordinators

www.izzit.org/login/login.php

www.vpw.com/educational/results.asp?SEARCH=ELEM