Each resource listed below could be found in any home, whether the most ‘schoolish’, the most ‘autonomous’ or anywhere in between. It’s not what we use that determines home education philosophy, it’s how we use it.

It would take years to write a definitive list of home education resources, there are simply too many available to do that. My list is just a small sampling of the resources I’ve heard talked about the most from the widest range of home educators.  Whenever possible, I’ve included links to the publishers or to sites that sell and write reviews about the materials so that you get as much info as possible.

Please remember that many of the resources are from the US (as there are an estimated 2 million homeschooled children there so the resource market is booming) and include references to ‘grade levels’. An easy way to equate them is just to remember that ‘Kindergarten’ is for kids who are 5, children in ‘Grade 1’ are generally six, and so on.

Math

Singapore Math

This is a program becoming increasingly popular with home educators because of it’s ‘concepts first’ approach. It does not stress rote memorization and has little in the way of repetition. It is advisable to look at sample pages or placement tests as this curriculum is advanced compared to Western math programs.

www.singaporemath.com – provides placement tests, sample pages, and ordering.

http://www.sonlight.com/math/singapore/index.html – provides placement tests, sample pages and ordering. Postage is
very reasonable especially when shipping by surface mail. There are also forums to discuss math.

http://www.upsidedownschoolroom.com/singapore_dir.html - another supplier of Singapore math. Lots of other neat resources. Canadian pricing.

Miquon Math

Another program that is a hit with home educators. Miquon is also concepts based, but it is more discovery oriented. It is a very flexible program that can be worked through sequentially, or according to particular concepts. It is a three year program used for grades 1 to 3 (ages 6 to 8).

http://www.sonlight.com/math/miquon/#miquon – provides forums to discuss math and ordering. Postage is very reasonable especially when shipping by surface mail.

http://www.upsidedownschoolroom.com/miquon.shtml - another Miquon supplier with lots of other neat resources. Canadian prices.

http://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/supplementals/Prod_Miquon.html - direct link to the publishers of Miquon.

http://www.singmath.com/SM_Miquon.htm - a chart showing how to combine Singapore and Miquon math. Many home educators have found that the two programs complement each other.

Math U See

This is becoming an increasingly popular program. It emphasizes computation skills and conceptual understanding equally and uses a multi-sensory approach with manipulatives. It can be ordered straight from the publisher and shipping overseas is charged at 20%.

http://www.mathusee.com/

Saxon Math

Saxon is another program that is very popular with some home educators. It is an incremental system, each skill builds on the next. It relies heavily on repetition, though some people adapt it by assigning every other question or just doing one page of questions.

http://www.sonlight.com/math/saxon/#saxon – provides forums to discuss math. Competitive prices and unbeatable shipping.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?T179250F1 – a direct link to the publishers

Books for Parents

Kaye, Peggy (1987). Games for Math. Pantheon House. – this was available in Amazon.co.uk, but it isn’t at the moment. It is available through Amazon.com at the link below.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0394755103/103-9413679-0304623

Stout, Katherine. Maximum Math. Design-A-Study. – design your own math program according to your child’s pace, interest, and ability.

http://www.designastudy.com/thebasics/maximummath.html

Picture Books About Math

Anno, Mitsumasa (1995). Anno’s Magic Seeds. Philomel Books. Also, Anno’s Math Games and Anno’s Mysterious Multiplying Jar.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?K289240F1

Birch, David (1993). The King’s Chessboard. Penguin.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?V299260F1

Demi (1997). One Grain of Rice: A Mathematical Folktale. Scholastic.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D2A9120F1

Lasky, Kathryn (1994). The Librarian Who Measured the Earth. Little Brown And Company.

Neuschwander, Cindy (1997). Sir Cumference and the First Round Table: A Math

Adventure, Sir Cumference and the Dragon of Pi: A Math Adventure (1999) and Sir Cumference and the Great King of Angleand: A Math Adventure (2001).

http://makeashorterlink.com/?J6B9120F1

Scieszka, Jon (1995). Math Curse. Viking.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?V2C9510F1

Books about Math for ages 6 to 12

Alder, Irving (1990). Mathematics. Doubleday.

Enzensberger, Hans Magnus (2000). The Number Devil: A Mathematical Adventure. Henry Holt.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?I2E9310F1

Pappas, Theoni (1997). The Adventures of Penrose the Mathematical Cat and Fractuals, Googols, and Other Mathematical Tales 1993).

I won’t list all of Theoni’s books, she has written a number of books about mathematics for children and adults. You can check them out at the Amazon link below.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/202-4354397-4181411

Sachar, Louis (1997). Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School: More than

50 mindboggling math puzzles, and (1995) More Sideways Arithmetic from Wayside School. Scholastic

http://makeashorterlink.com/?C42A160F1

Schwartz, David M. (1988). G is for Googol: A Math Alphabet Book. Tricycle Press.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?S13A210F1

Books about Math for Older Readers (12 and up)

Agnesi to Zeno: Over 100 Vignettes from the History of Math. Key Curriculum Press.

http://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/supplementals/Prod_Agnesi.html

Amadahl, Kenn (1996). Algebra Unplugged. Clearwater Publishing.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?E24A130F1

Isdell, Wendy (1993). A Gebra Named Al: A Novel. Free Spirit Publishing.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/202-4354397-4181411

Jacobs, Harold (1994). Mathematics: A Human Endeavor. W. H. Freeman And Company.

http://eho.org/reviews/individualreview.asp?authorlast=Jacobs&authorfirst=Harold+R%2E&revid=57 – a review on Eclectic Homeschool Online

www.whfreeman.com - direct link to the publisher.

http://www.upsidedownschoolroom.com/jacobsmath1.shtml

http://makeashorterlink.com/?J65A220F1

Hands-On Algebra

Borenson’s Algebra: Hands on Equations - this program is suited for 8 to 14 year olds

http://www.upsidedownschoolroom.com/borenson.shtml - this is a Canadian supplier so even after postage the price (once converted to GBP) is very reasonable.

Alge-Tiles – hands on algebra for age 12 +

http://www.upsidedownschoolroom.com/alge-tiles.html - read above for shipping/pricing info.

English

Learning to Read

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

This is a stand alone reading program that will have your child reading without any supplements. At less than £12 it’s much less expensive than most reading schemes out there.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0671631985/qid%3D1030343338/026-9869527-2998066 - for ordering and reviews.

Teach Your Child in Just Ten Minutes a Day by Sidney Ledson

http://makeashorterlink.com/?X16A540F1 - they don’t carry this book at Amazon.co.uk, only at Amazon.com. With shipping it works out to being about £18 from the US. There are many reviews as well as an option to read excerpts from the book. Sidney Ledson (the author) has been teaching young children to read for over twenty years and founded a school in Canada. He claims to have never had a child fail to read by his method and, for Sidney, success is contingent on the child enjoying reading. His method is games based and flexible.

Games for Reading by Peggy Kaye

http://makeashorterlink.com/?S47A260F1 - games to encourage reading and comprehension

Bob Books

These are small enough for a young child to handle easily and are written for the earliest of readers. They increase in difficulty and include a parent’s booklet. Many people have combined these with Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. The most difficult set of Bob Books is perfect for those who have just finished 100 Easy Lessons.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?C3DA360F1

http://www.whsmith.co.uk/whs/Go.asp

Reading Comprehension

Critical Conditioning

Some words from the author:

Read aloud to young children using an approach that directs their thinking, conditioning them to eventually read this way on their own.  Teach older children to use this method in order to read for insight. Develop language skills that enhance the ability to think beyond the literal level.  Provide insights that help children learn to analyze fiction and nonfiction.

http://www.designastudy.com/thebasics/conditioning.html - for an extensive description of the book by the author and ordering. Shipping is calculated at 20% of order (US funds).

http://www.home-hearth.com/lareadingcomprehension.htm - can be ordered here as well. Shipping calculated by weight and is in CDN dollars.

Reading Detectives

http://www.home-hearth.com/lareadingcomprehension.htm - use a wide variety of writing styles and genres to develop comprehension and critical thinking skills.

Suitable for ages 9 to 14. CDN pricing on this site.

Reading Strands

http://www.writingstrands.com/readingstrands.htm - designed specifically for home educators to help you help your child get more meaning from what is read. This includes ideas for discussions to delve deeper into books you read as well as a list of recommended books. The webpage contains a sample and ordering info.

Shipping to the UK is $4 (US) per book, $12 minimum.

Writing

Writing Strands

www.writingstrands.com – program designed specifically for home educators. You can order online from the site. Level 1 is for beginners aged 4 to 8 and is full of games and projects to introduce children to the fun of language. Level 2 is written for parents, but subsequent levels are written for the children to follow independently. You can download samples of each level online. There are also reviews posted on the site. Shipping to the UK is $4 (US) per book, $12 minimum

http://www.writingstrands.com/curriculum.htmm - a chart showing when to start each level in writing strands by age and ability

The Write Source

www.thewritesource.com – a set of handbooks for children. These are very comprehensive and great for independent learners. They are written for children, not for parents or teachers. Here is what the publisher says about their grade 1 (age 6 to 7) book:

‘The new edition of Write One is packed with everything first graders need to nurture their writing skills. Expanded with more information to help students become effective writers, thinkers, and learners, the new Write One handbook covers all the steps of the writing process and so much more. From the forms, rules, and traits of effective writing to reading and word-study skills, from writing e-mail messages and reports to creating poems and alphabet books, Write One is an ideal resource to get students started on the road to clear and effective writing.’

You’ll have to click through to the catalog section and then click on the book you’re interested in in order to get a clear description of it. Sample chapters in Write Away (for ages 7 to 8) include: writing first drafts, checking for errors, writing friendly letters, writing business letters, writing mysteries, mapping ideas, drawing to learn, and learning to interview. It also has a proofreader’s guide and a student almanac in the back.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?M1EA610F1

Amazon carries most, but not all, of the titles.

Comprehensive Composition

Design your own writing activities based on interest or on whatever you’re studying at the moment. Lots of ideas for writing activities and how to create your own program in as flexible or as structured a way as you’d like. Suitable for ages 5 and up and can be used independently by older students.

http://www.designastudy.com/thebasics/composition.html - a complete description of the book by the author. Shipping is 20% from this site and is in US dollars.

http://www.home-hearth.com/lawriting.htm - Shipping is calculated by weight and pricing is in CDN dollars.

Games for Writing – Peggy Kaye

http://makeashorterlink.com/?V21B520F1

Vocabulary

English from the Roots Up

http://www.home-hearth.com/lavocabulary.htm - put more meaning into the English language, expand your vocabulary and become a better speller by learning 100 Greek and Latin root words.

http://www.literacyunlimited.com/corepage.htm - info from the publisher

Rummy Roots

http://www.home-hearth.com/lavocabulary.htm - card game building from Latin and Greek roots

Spelling

Natural Speller

http://www.designastudy.com/thebasics/naturalspeller.html - a complete description by the author.

The author says, ‘absolutely the only book you’ll need to teach spelling’. There are word lists arranged by both sight and sound patterns. It also includes tons of ideas for activities to practice spelling through dictionary, grammar, and composition exercises. This book placed second in the 1999 Practical Homeschooling Reader

Grammar

Easy Grammar and Daily Grams

Easy grammar is a comprehensive grammar program, Daily Grams gives extra daily practice. Each book covers two grade levels and can be ordered from the site.

www.easygrammar.com – complete description of the books plus samples and ordering.

Winston Grammar

This is a multi-sensory approach to grammar which does away with rote memorization. Definitely worth a look.

http://homeschoolreviews.com/reviews/winston.html - a review of Winston Grammar

http://www.homeschoolhelps.com/WinstonGrammar.html - complete description of the program plus ordering

Simply Grammar

A Charlotte Mason approach to grammar.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?N32B220F1 - review of the book and ordering in the UK

Complete English Programs

Learning Language Arts Through Literature

http://www.cspress.com/learn.htm - you’ll find a complete description of each level as well as sample pages, a scope and sequence, and FAQ’s.

http://www.rainbowresource.com/search.php - for ordering. Rainbow resources is touted as the best priced home education resource store around. Shipping to the UK is reasonable if shipped via surface mail.

http://www.home-hearth.com/lacomplprogrm.htm - also available through Home and Hearth, a Canadian store, where shipping may be less expensive.

Integrated Curriculums

There are way too many complete curriculums to list here. I’ve only listed two, but they are both programs that I’ve noticed are popular with a wide range of home educators.

Five in a Row

This is a literature based curriculum that works on a unit study basis. The books have been chosen very carefully and many of them have won book awards or have passed the test of time. The study starts with the book that is read aloud each day and builds on it by adding in relevant activities from different subject areas. So after five days of study you have covered the basic subjects and then some. This program is very flexible. It can be used exactly as it’s laid out for those with a Charlotte Mason background, those who want to do unit studies, or those who are just looking for something fun and easy to implement. But, it can also be used to enhance autonomous education – simply leave the books on the shelf and use the scheduled activities as suggestions when your son or daughter shows an interest in reading one of the FIAR books.

FIAR does not teach a child how to read and they recommend using a separate math curriculum as well.

www.fiveinarow.com – sample pages, book lists, ordering ($28 US no matter how many books you order)

Sonlight

Sonlight has everything you need if you’re looking for a complete, comprehensive curriculum. Their ‘Basic’ package includes an instructor’s manual plus all of the books that go with the study. You’ll need to add science, math, and English – but they offer them all at the Sonlight site. Sonlight designs their own science and English programs and they offer a choice of math curriculums. This program is ideal for those who are looking for one program that can be used for different ages.  The Sonlight site has all the information you’ll need on exactly what is included in the Basic package, what ages each Basic package is suited for, and what to add in order to have a complete curriculum. Sonlight can be as much or as little as you like. Some people just order the Basic package and stock their shelves with the books, using the instructor’s manual as a list of suggestions and projects when their child’s interest is piqued. Others use the Basic package but do their own thing for English, science and math. One thing to keep in mind is that following the instructor’s manual to the letter can get tiring.  It’s designed to have enough of a variety of activities that you can pick and choose the ones your child will enjoy and just leave the rest. Like FIAR, Sonlight is based on good, quality literature.

www.sonlight.com – everything you need to know about all of Sonlight’s products including Singapore, Miquon, and Saxon math. Shipping is free if you order a certain amount and don’t mind surface shipping (takes about 6 weeks).

Parent Resources

Customizing your own Curriculum

How to Homeschool Year by Year by Rebecca Rupp

This is a comprehensive year by year scope and sequence that includes many suggestions for activities as well as resource lists. One drawback is that it is American so it has some references to American history and government, but the rest of the book really makes up for it.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?P23B420F1

Design-A-Study Series by Kathyrn Stout

Everything you need to design your own curriculum and customize it to your child’s interests, abilities, strengths and weaknesses. Each book covers a different ‘subject’ but Kathyrn also includes many suggestions on how to weave the subjects together. You could use them alone to customize a certain subject, or use them together to design a complete course of study around a central theme.

www.designastudy.com – for complete descriptions and ordering.

Unschooling

And the Skylark Sings With Me: Adventures in Homeschooling and Community-Based Learning by David H. Albert

This is one of the most inspiring books I’ve read yet. It is the story of how a family with two gifted children unschools.  They’ve had some amazing opportunities, such as volunteering in a Nature Reserve and making their own telescope.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?P54B210F1

The Unschooling Handbook: How to use the Whole World as Your Classroom by Mary Griffith

Full of creative and resourceful ideas for learning from life.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?W25B120F1

Classical Education

The Well Trained Mind: A Parents’ Guide to Classical Education – by Jessie Wise and Susan Bauer Wise

This is a guide to classical education. Even if you’re not interested in classical education, there are an abundance of resources listed in the book, as well as suggestions for reading, writing, history and discussions on the importance of the study of logic and Latin.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/ - for sample pages and complete description

http://makeashorterlink.com/?D46B250F1 - the best price in the UK

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/childsworldhistory.html - Story of the World is their book on World History to be used as a complete history curriculum for ages 6 to 9 or for supplemental reading for older students. I’ve heard from home educators across the spectrum on what a great read aloud this is. You can read the first five chapters online at the above link and decide for yourself.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/activitysample.html - this is the Curriculum/Activity Guide to go with Story of the World.  Ordering is available from the site.

Miscellaneous

Creative Homeschooling for Gifted Children by Lisa Rivero

This book is nearly 400 pages long and stocked full of internet links, book suggestions, and stories from different homeschooling families. It talks about four main approaches to homeschooling (unit studies, unschooling, classical, and studying individual subjects) and shows how each can be approached in a self-directed manner putting the child in the lead. This is a resource that has something for everyone and definitely is not restricted to gifted kids.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q18B630F1

The First Year of Homeschooling Your Child: Getting Off to the Right Start by Linda Dobson

Linda Dobson is one of the most respected voices in the home education community. She has written a number of different books on home education. This one is a great ‘how to’ manual for figuring out what approach to homeschooling you’d like to take and how to get started.

http://makeashorterlink.com/?K29B320F1

Sarah Bennett - August 2002