Homeschool Your Child for Free: More Than 1400 Smart, Effective, and Practical Resources for Educating Your Family at Home Book

Foreword by Kristine Farley ix

Introduction to the Second Edition xi

Conventions xiii

1 Why We Homeschool 1

2 Homeschool How-To's 8

Internet Safety 12

Teaching Tips 16

Motivators 22

Dealing with Difficulties 28

Legal Issues 32

Assessment Testing 36

That "Socialization" Question 42

Support Groups 46

Email Lists 50

The Boards 54

3 Curriculum Core: Scope and Sequence 56

Placement Testing 68

Lesson Plans 71

Worksheets 76

Unit Studies 79

Field Trips 83

Preschool 90

Special Education 95

Unschooling 101

Online Courses 106

Public School Partnering 110

4 Education Essentials 114

Community Involvement and Public Service 115

Listening Skills 121

Logic and Critical Thinking 124

Library and Media Skills 128

Information Literacy 132

Reference Materials 135

Research Skills 138

Study Skills 143

Values, Standards, and Ethics 146

5 Language Literacy 151

Etymology and Linguistics 154

Grammar, Usage, and Punctuation 157

Handwriting and Penmanship 161

Literature 163

Reading Skills 168

Spelling 174

Vocabulary 177

Written Expression 180

6 Mathematics Mastery 186

Basic Math 192

Pre-Algebra 196

Algebra 199

Geometry 203

Computer Math 206

Trigonometry 208

Calculus 211

Statistics 214

7 Art Appreciation 218

Art History and Appreciation 222

Crafts 227

Design 229

Drawing 231

Painting 234

Sculpture and Ceramics 237

Visual Arts 239

8 History Highlights 243

American History 248

American West 253

Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance History 256

Family History 258

Modern American History 261

State History 263

World History 267

9 Music Marathon 270

Music Appreciation 274

MusicTheory 278

Musicianship 281

Vocal Music 285

10 Social Studies Skills 287

Business and Industry 290

Civics 293

Culture and Society 297

Current Events 302

Economics 305

Geography 310

Psychology 314

Social Issues 317

11 Humanities Home 320

Dance and Performance Art 323

Drama 326

Foreign Language 329

Public Speaking 333

Journalism 336

Philosophy 340

Religious Education 343

12 Science Scholarship 349

Anatomy 355

Archaeology and Paleontology 358

Astronomy 360

Biology 364

Botany 367

Chemistry 370

Earth Science 374

Environmental Studies 377

Physical Science 380

Scientists and Inventions 385

Technology 387

Zoology 391

13 Health Handbook 395

Community Health 399

Drug Education 401

Human Development 405

Mental Health 409

Nutrition 411

Personal Health 414

Physical Education 417

Safety and First Aid 421

14 Graduation Guidance 424

Graduation 425

Personal Finance 427

Life Skills 430

Getting Ahead 433

College Prep 436

Financial Aid 439

Career Planning 441

Appendix: Curriculum: Scope and Sequence Recommendations 445

Acknowledgments 451

Index 453