Internet home schooling resources are almost too easy to find. New home schoolers often get caught up in webs of internet home schooling sites that seem to be as complicated to navigate as the Bermuda triangle. With so many sites offering free printables and homeschool tests, parents must be purposeful and diligent in their evaluation, to avoid wasting time with sites that aren't working for their family.
Home School Worksheets
Some sites have all of their home school worksheets split up into grade level. Grade levels, though, can be a handicap for homeschooling families who enjoy letting kids work at their own pace. Many homeschoolers believe that arbitrary grade leveling actually hinders learning and for this reason, sites that divide learning into grade levels aren't often recommended by veteran homeschoolers. Experienced homeschoolers prefer sites that split the educational worksheets, tests and activities into unit studies, or by topic.
Activities for Homeschooling
Some homeschoolers follow a philosophy of “teaching the child” instead of “teaching a curriculum.” It is this child-led approach that makes some people think homeschooling is more efficient than a classroom education. Using websites that offer homeschool materials in a topical format (Whales, Mummies, Chocolate...) allows parents to print worksheets and activities that their children are interested in, knowing that children will learn from the things that they enjoy.
Free Printable Tests
Many homeschooling families aren't keen on the merits of arbitrary end-of-chapter and other testing habits that promote memorization instead of real learning. These families trust that children are learning what matters and rely mostly on constant conversations and discussions. In a conversation, if someone doesn't “get it” it's usually obvious. Some state laws, however, require an annual assessment.
Some virtual schooling programs allow children to use an online standardized test. During these tests, a proctor from the school district logs onto the computer at the same time as the child, and sometimes uses audio and webcam features to administer the test. This works well for children living in a rural area.
Another option for standardized testing is the sample tests from the testing companies. Even the SAT and the ACT distribute sample questions that can be used to assess whether or not a high schooler is ready for the “real thing.” Through internet vendors, parents can order standardized testing documents in many varieties, including the ITBS, the CAT, the WJII and the CTBS. Many parents prefer an impartial testing, and opt to participate in a group testing environment every year, but if you feel that your child will be able to test more accurately without the stress of an unfamiliar situation, then ordering them at home would be a better idea.
Knowing what to look for when you begin searching for internet home schooling resources will help cut down on the amount of trial and error that you experience. As you browse through different websites looking for printable worksheets and homeschool tests, keep in mind the learning environment you want to create and don't waste your time with websites that aren't in line with your homeschooling philosophy.
Resources:
Standardized Testing for homeschoolers
Managing Free Printable Worksheets
Best Laptop for Online Homeschooling
Lisa Russell - Lisa Russell is a freelance writer and mom of six daughters. She blogs about their life at lisarussell.org
