Every year our homeschool life evolves a little more. Many of the courses and curricula that we used with my oldest daughter are still a part of my youngest daughter's school day, though some have been changed or replaced--and some new materials have been added! Today I want to mention to you a homeschooling resource that homeschoolers with any age child will want to check out. That resource is an online subscription to SchoolhouseTeachers.com and their Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership. This is a website which is filled with different online or offline content and curricula to assist you with your home schooling.
I write a post about this program every year, and still never can really do it justice! It is such a compilation of courses on different subjects that you can use with your preschooler, your elementary student, your middle schooler, your high schooler, and even for yourself! (Here are some of my past posts about this great homeschooling resource, from 2017, 2018, and 2019). My family has used different parts throughout the years, and it is really a great site to have access to for so many reasons!
The site is not stagnant or old, it is constantly being updated, with new material added all the time. If you have used it in the past, check it out again! I'll bet there are new parts that you have not had the opportunity to use yet! And if you have never used it, DEFINITELY check it out and consider an Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership. For a year's access, the price is amazing.
So let me tell you about some things I'd like to highlight this year :) . I have said that the site contains courses for all different ages. My children are high school age now and we are kind of set in our curricula, but still like to use some parts of SchoolhouseTeachers.com.
Some of the things that I appreciate about this resource are the comprehensive course outlines and lesson plans for the courses.
(yes, I scribbled on it--didn't want to give away their info!) |
There are additional planning resources, such as suggested lesson schedules and transcript helps.
(oh, since I said "transcripts" I will quickly mention that there are ideas and tips for transcripts as well, complete with ideas for creating a transcript and downloadable samples!)
My children have used many of the courses in the past, some of their favorites were economics and geology. Though we have a "book" science curriculum that we use, I checked out some of the science courses offered on SchoolhouseTeachers.com just for fun and was impressed with what I saw. The advanced chemistry looks like a thorough course, with videos and worksheets, practice problems, tests (and answer keys, yay!) and more! The two-semester course looked very comprehensive and the videos were easy to listen to and understand (lots of explaining!).
Recently, the sections that we are using the most are the videos (brought to you through Right Now Video) and the World Book Encyclopedia.
There are so many videos, lectures, studies, courses in the video area. We have watched some leadership videos, some funny videos, some Bible study and theology videos. My husband is even planning to watch a series or two with them.
(I can even watch the videos on my phone!) |
My daughter's favorite thing currently is the World Book Encyclopedia section. She asked to be able to write her thoughts on that--so here's what she says:
"The student part of World Book is easier to use this year. It's pretty easy--you type into the search bar and it brings you to different articles, videos, tables, sounds, pictures, etc. They also have different sections on the main page that are cool. There are timeline things and interactive maps too!"
There are many things to love about this great resource. It has so many classes, some shorter than others, that you can easily use some to grab an area of interest or excitement with your child and help them learn more deeply about it. It is the kind of resource that you can use in the way that YOU want to!
Something that I haven't used (because my kids already read!) is the literacy center found on the site. It is full of great ideas and courses for a struggling reader or special needs reader (and their parents!) One part I checked out was some of the phonics lessons, which have an audio portion alongside worksheets. There are also some "Focused Learning Areas" which help students who are struggling in areas other than reading. I am just amazed at the scope of the offerings on this site!
Another thing you might want to check out (especially if you have middle/high schoolers) is the career exploration course! Fun, interesting, and educational!
The format of each course is different. Some are mostly videos with worksheets accompanying them. Some have powerpoints. Some are just worksheets or course outlines. They are easy to use, easy to jump right in without needing a lot of hand-holding.
Well, I've said a lot, but have just barely scratched the surface. I suggest you go over to SchoolhouseTeachers.com and look around a little--and seriously consider the Ultimate PreK-12 Annual Membership--right now they're running a special through the end of January 2020 of only $99 for a year!! There truly is something for everyone on it!
If you'd like to read some more review on this great product, please click on the link below!
I love using SchoolhouseTeachers.com for my teen. Makes it so easy to prepare his school year using all the materials they have. Plus I can find fun things for my younger children, too.
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