Homeschooling for Free on the Internet
Links to Substantial Curriculum
Materials & Online Resources
compiled by Kathi
Kearney, M.A. Ed.
Homeschooling Consultant
This list of these sites does
not
imply an endorsement by HOME of these sites or
their materials.
Please use your discretion.
Free Firewood:
Free online courses, curriculum guides, textbooks & reference materials. Foreign language, English & Language Arts, and 19th Century Schoolbooks links have been posted.
Webteacher:
A complete, free computer course, originally designed as continuing education for teachers. This course more than meets the Maine computer literacy graduation requirements.
SCORE Cyberguides:
Free, extensive literature units for grades K-12
MIT OpenCourseWare
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology places most of their course materials free online
for anyone to use. Some of the course packages are very complete, and advanced high school homeschoolers would be able to study the materials on their own.
Free Online English Resources
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
This online course provides instruction and practice in the development of basic writing composition skills necessary for college-bound students. Each explanatory section comes complete with assignments. Also included is instruction in how to write four different types of essays: Informal, thesis/support, argumentative, and exploratory. This course could be used as a stand-alone course in composition, or the course segments distributed over several years of high school as part of another English course.
Principles of Composition
This is a complete course in English composition with interactive exercises and assignments, covering patterns and structures of composition. (Capital Community College, Hartford, CT)
Supplemental Resources: The Elements of style, by Strunk
The
Internet Grammar of English
This is an online course in English grammar originally designed for
university undergraduates. It incorporates interactive and
self-correcting exercises, and is a complete course in English
grammar, easy to use. Because this is a British site, grammar
terms may be slightly different than those commonly used in the
United States. (English Department, University College London)
Traditional English Grammar: Description and Use
This is an online text/course with built-in self-correcting
quizzes. This grammar course is in-depth, intensive, and for
advanced students. (Don Hardy, Colorado State University)
Grammar and
Writing
This is an interactive course in grammar applied to writing. Includes many
online interactive quizzes and complete explanations of English
grammar, with applications to written composition. (Capital
Community College, Hartford, CT)
SCORE
CyberGuides, 9-12
SCORE CyberGuides are model literature units based on the
California state standards. Each unit provides comprehension,
analysis, and extension activities based on literature. 43
different book units are available; select according to student
interest and reading level. All are appropriate literature
selections for high school study.
NOTE: You will need to locate a copy of each book. Some units use books that are available completely online. The following books from the SCORE CyberGuides unit series may be read online or downloaded free in their entirety:
Huckleberry Finn(also available on audiobook)
(also available on audiobook)
British Poetry of World War 1
A series of free online seminars exploring the poetry of World War
I. In addition to traditional literary analysis, teaches students
to evaluate original manuscripts (provided in digital format). For
advanced students. (Oxford University, England)
BBC’s Get
Writing Course
Beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of instruction and
practical application exercises. Explore the site, then click on
“mini-courses” to get started. (British Broadcasting Corporation)
The Basics of Screenwriting
A six-module course covering these topics: The Premise, Character Development, Screenplay Structure and Visual Storytelling, Setting the Scene, and Formatting Your Masterpiece. (American Film Institute)
News Writing
This is a video instruction series in the basics of journalism. 15 half-hour video segments, using online video-on-demand, with commentary by leading journalists.
NOTE 1: Requires DSL broadband connection.
NOTE 2: There is an optional a student text and teacher’s guide to accompany this video online course, but they must be purchased. The books are not absolutely necessary to use the video course. You may wish to listen to each segment, then design your own assignment to practice the video segment topic.
Debate Central
This will link you to many resources on debate, including a 13-part “Critical Advocacy” streaming video series on the how-tos of debate (you will need at least the free version of RealPlayer to view these videos). Also included is the free syllabus, course instruction videos, and free online debate textbook used for Dr. Snider’s Fundamentals of Debate course at the University of Vermont. Used together, these resources could comprise a full-year debate course for high school English. (University of Vermont)
Free Online Math Resources
Patterns, Functions, and Algebra
Basic Algebra course; interactive with online video. Originally designed for teacher training. (Annenburg/CPB)
Supplement this course with free online Algebra I textbook, Understanding Algebra (Boise State University)
Supplement this course with video lectures for Algebra
NOTE: Requires DSL broadband connection
Geometry
Basic geometry course;
interactive with online video. Originally designed for
teacher training. (Annenburg/CPB)
Geometry of Art & Architecture
This companion site to a Dartmouth College course provides an approach to geometry that may be particularly appealing to arts-oriented students. (Dartmouth College).
Supplement this course with Euclid’s Elements.
Elementary Statistics
A basic elementary statistics course complete with 12 thirty-minute
video lectures, assignments, quizzes, online calculator, and exams with answer keys. A complete statistics course. (Sofia Open Content Initiative)
Against All Odds: Introductory Statistics
This online video course includes 26 half-hour video modules and introduces the basic principles of statistics.
NOTE 1: Requires DSL broadband connection.
NOTE 2: Optional textbooks to accompany this course may be purchased.
Advanced Placement Statistics
This website offers the course outline, course materials, readings, teacher resources, assignments, projects, and sample tests for the Advanced Placement Statistics course taught at the prestigious Buckingham, Browne, & Nichols independent school in Cambridge, MA. You will need to purchase or borrow the required textbooks and calculator. (Buckingham, Browne, & Nichols School, Cambridge, MA)
Supplemental Resource: AP Statistics Course Description and Syllabi You must register (it’s free) first, then you may download any AP Course Description and sample syllabi
Free Online Science Resources
AP Biology Online Syllabus
This is a massive and
well-organized site, which includes reading assignments,
teacher's lecture outlines, a timetable for the course,
selections from online textbooks and hypermedia from
leading colleges and universities (including MIT), and a
large number of well-selected online activities to support
learning the course material, including links to virtual
labs. Although technically not an "online course," the
materials could be used as is, accompanied by the
recommended textbook, to more than meet the instructional
requirements of AP Biology. You will need to purchase or
borrow the required textbook,
Biology(4th ed.), by Peter Raven & George
Johnson. (McGraw-Hill, Publishers).
Laurie Callihan, science teacher and co-author of the book The Guidance Manual for the Christian Home School, writes:
"I followed the links on this page and almost forgot there was life outside the internet! An incredible maze of online texts, practice problems, cool sites and lots more – you could spend days here!”
(site by Chris Halloran, North Warren Regional High School, Blairstown, NJ)
Supplemental Resource: AP Biology Course Description and Syllabi You must register (it’s free) first, then you may download any AP Course Description and sample syllabi
General Chemistry I
and
General Chemistry II
(Less like a course and more like an online textbook) For advanced students with an excellent math background.
Concept Development Studies in Chemistry
An online chemistry textbook.
Physics I Online Course Outline
This site is actually a hyperlinked online textbook, not a full course. For advanced students.
Physics I, 8.01
This course is a first-semester college freshman level physics course available free in its entirety, including 35 videotaped lectures, from the MIT OpenCourseWare project.
“8.01 is a first-semester freshman physics class in Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics, and Kinetic Gas Theory. The website features lecture notes, problem sets with solutions, exams with solutions, links to related resources, and a complete set of videotaped lectures. The 35 video lectures by Professor Lewin, were recorded on the MIT campus during the Fall of 1999. Prof. Lewin is well-known at MIT and beyond for his dynamic and engaging lecture style.”
The entire course, including video lectures, may be downloaded. For advanced high school students who are ready for college-level work.
(Massachusetts Institute of Technology OpenCourseWare Project)
Nature Transformed: The Environment in American History
This is an extensive interdisciplinary, online, hyperlinked curriculum guide including essays, discussion helps, extensive links to related online resources and readings for each section. Students who complete all essay readings, participate in discussions if possible, and select several areas to explore further using the related online resources will obtain a strong foundation in environmental science as it has played out across American history. (TeacherServe, National Humanities Center)
From Stargazers to Starships
A complete course, physics and algebra-based. (U. S. Government, NASA)
Teacher’s Guide to From Stargazers to Starships
SOCIAL STUDIES
Digital History
This includes a free hyperlinked online U. S. History
textbook,
learning modules,
classroom handouts and worksheets,
active and problem-based learning activities, multimedia including
online e-lectures,
online virtual exhibits, and links to hundreds of primary sources and history reference materials. This site can be used to create either basic or AP U. S. History course content. (University of Houston)
Supplemental Resource:
AP U. S. History Course Description and Syllabi http://www.apcentral.collegeboard.com/ You must register (it’s free) first, then you may download any AP Course Description and sample syllabi.
HOME: The Story of Maine is a 13-part video series and accompanying website created by the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. This series is a complete exploration of Maine history and culture (including Native American contributions). Five of the videos may be viewed online at the website; Maine educators (including homeschoolers) are allowed to tape episodes for educational use when they are aired periodically on MPBN television stations, or they may be ordered for the price of a blank videotape from the Maine State Library's Educational Video Services (details here: http://www.mpbn.net/homestom/classroom1.html) The website also includes history timelines for each century; arts and culture timelines; Native American cultural resources; and detailed lesson plans and worksheets for teachers, to accompany each of the 13 video segments. This website and the accompanying video series provides a comprehensive, high school level Maine studies course. (Maine Public Broadcasting Network)
My Own Business
Course List an online course on starting your own business. Includes 12 session modules, short audio lectures, and specific assignments. NOTE: Be sure to select the “free course” option. (My Own Business private company, in cooperation with the U. S. Small Business Administration)
Supplemental materials: Find many other free online business and entrepreneurship courses, curriculum, materials, and templates at the Small Business Administration website.
The Western Tradition
Video instructional series; 52 half hour programs covering the scope of Western civilization. Uses video-on-demand, playable from the site.
NOTE 1: Requires DSL broadband connection.
NOTE 2: Site lists an optional textbook; if you choose to use this you will need to purchase or borrow it.
Divining America: Religion and the National Culture
Includes essays by leading scholars tracing religious issues and influences across American history. Extensive links to supplemental resources and primary source documents accompany each essay. Used together they provide a course of study in the history and influence of religion on American history and culture. (TeacherServe, National Humanities Center)
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Bowling
This course was originally part of BYU’s independent study program. This is a comprehensive one-semester college-level physical education class, appropriate for older high school students. (Brigham Young University)
NOTE: Requires access to a local bowling alley.
Intermediate Swimming
This course was originally part of BYU’s independent study program. This is a comprehensive one-semester college-level physical education class, appropriate for older high school students. (Brigham Young University)
NOTE: Requires access to a local swimming pool.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Beginners German
This provides a full German I course online, including extensive instruction in German grammar. 20 chapters of which 12 are currently online, practice exercises, online grammar lectures and reference section. Includes sound files. (University of Exeter, United Kingdom)
Icelandic Online: Modern Icelandic Language and Culture
Includes all instructional materials and sound files. (University of Iceland)
Oggi e Domani
A complete, online Italian I course with interactive instructional components, sound files, quizzes, and tests. (University of New York at Brooklyn)
Francais Interactif
This
is a complete college-level first year
French course (corresponding to French I and French II of high
school level French; one semester of college coursework usually
equals one year of high school coursework). This course includes
all the basics of language study -- vocabulary, grammar,
listening, speaking, culture, and practice. The site is complete
with sound files, grammar exercises, cultural information, videos,
and even internet explorations. Grammar explanations and practice
link to a clever sister site,
Tex's French Grammar,
which provides detailed grammar explanations for the entire French
grammar plus sound files and interactive exercises for grammar
practice. For high school French I, use chapters 1 through 6; for
French II, use chapters 7 through 13. (University of Texas -
Austin).
Ancient Greek with Thrasymachus
This extensive, complete curriculum guide includes detailed lesson plans for the teacher, materials for the student, and student exercises. The curriculum guide accompanies the textbook, Thrasymachus, by C. W. E. Peckett and A. R. Munday, and was written by a professor of classics at Duquesne University and a high school teacher of Greek and Latin at St. Paul's School (a private independent school). You will need to download a Greek font for your computer (directions are included). (Alison Barker)
NOTE: It is helpful to have the textbook Thrasymachus, published by C. W. E. Peckett and A. R. Munday, Bristol Classical Press, 1990. However, it is possible to use the curriculum guide as is if you do not have access to the book.
FINE ARTS
A basic music theory course; includes instruction, assignments, and sound files.
Sound Reasoning
This is a music appreciation course with built-in “listening galleries” and an interactive online workbook. (Anthony Brandt, Connexions)
COMPUTERS & TECHNOLOGY
Web Teacher
Substantial course (more than 80 hours of instruction) covering internet-based computer literacy. Includes instruction in web basics, communicating online, multimedia, homepage construction, & peripherals and utilities. (Tech Corps)
Web Page Authoring
This is a college freshman level course in the basics of html and web page design. Suitable for high school students. (Sofia Open Content Initiative).
Computer Applications Tutorials
Links to online tutorials for many major commercial software programs, including PowerPoint, JAVA, Eudora, SPSS, PhotoShop, PaintShop Pro, Illustrator, HyperStudio, and Excel. (emTech)
Free Advanced Placement Courses
The College Board's Advanced Placement Course Descriptions:
Complete course descriptions with sample test questions for all the Advanced Placement courses.
Free Unit Studies & Lesson Plans
Mr. Donn's Pages:
This site is enormous, and contains links to thousands of free unit studies and lesson plans for all subject areas. The history and literature unit study links are particularly impressive.
Science & Technology, K-6:
The New South Wales, Australia, science & technology curriculum, complete with lesson plans, experiments, and activities.
Free Classical Homeschooling Materials
Classical Homeschooling.org:
Extensive website on Christian classical homeschooling, including the free "1000 Good Books" booklist
The Perseus Project:
The Internet's largest digital library of classical and Renaissance texts and primary source materials. For advanced classical education students.
Free Textbooks
19th Century Schoolbooks: University of Pittsburgh Digital Research Library Demonstration Project:
Free full texts of 19th century schoolbooks.
Free Reference Materials
yourdictionary.com:
The most complete collection of dictionaries on the internet. Includes 250+ languages, plus 85 specialty dictionaries for various fields of study.
Free Test Materials
Saxon Math Placement Tests:
Free placement tests to determine in which textbook in Saxon math your child should be placed.
Texas Tech University's Credit By Examination Review Guides:
In Texas, you can test out of individual courses or entire grades through a special testing program. This website contains review materials and practice exams. It would be useful for homeschoolers who want to determine if a child has mastered the content of a particular grade or course of study.
(Note: Scroll to bottom of page, click on "CBE Review
Sheets" for the appropriate grade or subject. The sample
exam and answer key is enclosed).
New York State Regents Examinations:
In New York State public schools, students must pass subject-area Regents exams at the high school level. This site contains sample Regents exams and answer keys. This site may be useful for homeschoolers who want to use the materials informally to determine whether or not a high school subject has been mastered, or to use to test out of material the student already knows.
Free Organizers & Homeschool Helps
Young Minds:
The web's best site for free homeschool organizers, calendars, and other helpful materials.
The Original Charlotte Mason Homeschooling Series:
The Charlotte Mason books are in the process of being digitized and made available free online.
Homeschool
Tracker
This free record keeping system works well with any homeschool
method.