No-Cost Homeschool

[MindoverMatter]

Is there anyone ... who HS using only 'free' items? Is this at all possible? That is, items not purchased ... but rather you use the library or internet to HS ?
Can this be done all through the High School years using freebies?

I find that the High School years seem pretty expensive. I basically feel discourage, looking at the high cost to HS all the way through high school.

Can it be done? Is this doable? Can I HS only with about $50 or less for supplies a year ?

If so please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

[ELaurie]

to swap with on the S&S boards or in a local HSing group. Then you would only need to purchase office supplies (paper, pencils, etc.) and consumable materials.

[Kimber]

Homeschooling for free, or at least very, very cheaply--Old Fashioned Education. (http://oldfashionededucation.com/index.html)

[Cadam]

It is possible but I wouldn't be able to give the education I want them to have simply because I don't have the skills necessary to do so on my own. The lower my skills in a subject, the more I rely on curriculum and generally the more I spend for it.

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks for the suggestions: ELaurie and Kimber ! I will definitely explore those options.
(http://oldfashionededucation.com/index.html)

[MindoverMatter]

It is possible but I wouldn't be able to give the education I want them to have simply because I don't have the skills necessary to do so on my own. The lower my skills in a subject, the more I rely on curriculum and generally the more I spend for it.

You raise a good point... The ideal thing would be ... if Home Schoolers were provided with at least a free Curriculum, to begin with as a base from a Private or PS... if a family chose to Homeschool. And, also if they were are allowed access to use the school resources, freely and collaborate with Teacher there. That would my ideal !

[Sue in St Pete]

You raise a good point... The ideal thing would be ... if Home Schoolers were provided with at least a free Curriculum, to begin with as a base from a Private or PS... if a family chose to Homeschool. And, also if they were are allowed access to use the school resources, freely and collaborate with Teacher there. That would my ideal !
I have a friend here in FL who is hs'ing through Connections Academy. It's free and her children are considered ps students, so they have to take the state tests. I think they use K12 curriculum. You may want to check the availability in your state:
http://www.connectionsacademy.com/ourschool/passthroughMap.asp?loc=bottomImage&pageName=home.asp

[Veritaserum]

Is there anyone ... who HS using only 'free' items? Is this at all possible? That is, items not purchased ... but rather you use the library or internet to HS ?
Can this be done all through the High School years using freebies?

I find that the High School years seem pretty expensive. I basically feel discourage, looking at the high cost to HS all the way through high school.

Can it be done? Is this doable? Can I HS only with about $50 or less for supplies a year ?

If so please point me in the right direction. Thanks!

My sister homeschools for free through one of our state's school districts (not the one we live in). They use K12. She likes it.

I prefer something without government involvement, which costs me several hundreds of dollars each year (3 homeschooled children). That's still thousands less than they spend on public schooled kids. Oh, what would I do if I had thousands to spend..... :tongue_smilie:

[Peela]

I have always thought it would be possible- but I would be going to thrift stores for discarded highschool text books.
If I had to do it, I could. If it seemed like the best thing to do, I would do it. But I think it would take a lot more work on my part, in actually teaching- possible working ahead of my kids or alongside them. So if I was time rich but money poor- yes. But if I was time poor as well- I think school may be a better option.

[MindoverMatter]

I have a friend here in FL who is hs'ing through Connections Academy. It's free and her children are considered ps students, so they have to take the state tests. I think they use K12 curriculum. You may want to check the availability in your state:
http://www.connectionsacademy.com/ourschool/passthroughMap.asp?loc=bottomImage&pageName=home.asp


:( I just checked the website... Its not offered in my state. Maybe I'll try contacting a life person just in case if the web info. is not quite updated.
Thanks for another resource!

[3blessingmom]

I think it's a lot more work to do it for free, but if I had no $ for curricula I would make the time to make it work for us.

www.amblesideonline.com is another website to check out for (almost) free HSing. www.mainlesson.com is a site with free public domain books.

IMHO - science and history are more easily done for free in the younger years. Reading and writing and math are are far too important to "short change." (which all depends upon your ability to teach those things apart from curric) Even so, if you have a good library you can find books on teaching your children to read/write/math there and write your own curriculum. In fact, I check out lots of HS curricula from our library before I decide to buy or not;)

I have 3 dc, and a limited budget for HS. I look for *non-consumable* and *reproducible*;)

Look around your area for other HSers. I know in my town there are places to find cheap 2nd hand curricula. Ask around for those local places.

[Free Indeed]

I have not completely homeschooled for free, but I know I could do it pretty close to free if I had to. There are free math programs online, www.homeschoolshare.com has tons of free unit studies, The Old Schoolhouse just had an edition with several articles devoted to Highschool, and there is Ambleside online with the public domain books, etc... It would take some leg work, but I do believe you could do it for free.

[Kelli in TN]

I think I could do it if I had to. Math would be the worst for me. I like to use math that does not ask too much of me! But I feel like I could do it. I am glad not to have to, though. Everything costs something; time or money. Nothing is really free. But if it were to come down to a choice between homeschooling with almost no resources or public school, I would get busy getting creative.

[Cadam]

:( I just checked the website... Its not offered in my state. Maybe I'll try contacting a life person just in case if the web info. is not quite updated.
Thanks for another resource!

There is more than one online ps. Try searching with your state name and "virtual school" and see what you get. We have 2 totally different virtual schools in my state.

[Crimson Wife]

If you have a good library and used book stores available, you could HS for a pretty low cost per year. For me personally, I would find some other way to cut back in my budget before giving up on HS.

Do you have cable/satellite? A landline plus a cell phone? Giving up just one of those things would save you more than enough to cover a bare bones HS budget for a year. Aren't your children worth the personal sacrifice?

[Lori D.]

- Textbooks can be found used pretty cheap even through amazon.com.
- Some local libraries have an amazing variety of books -- even textbooks!
- See if your local library has Teaching Company lecture series available for check out -- lots of topics to choose from!
- Check out Hoagies Gifted Education Page for FREE online high school courses and curriculum materials = http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm

Below are more websites for free highschool resources. BEST of luck! Warmly, Lori D.



CURRICULUM BOOK LISTS / IDEAS
- Ambleside Online Curriculum = http://www.amblesideonline.org/
- Hippo Campus (free online high school helps; variety of subjects) = http://www.hippocampus.org/


MATH
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305259.html
- Homeschool Math = http://www.homeschoolmath.net/online/algebra.php
- Highschool ACE = http://highschoolace.com/ace/math.cfm
- Extreme Intellect (free online math tutorials) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/math.html



LITERATURE
- MIT (free writing and English course materials online) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/intro-courses/writing/
- Sparknotes (free lit. guides) = http://www.sparknotes.com/home/literature
- Glencoe (free lit. guides) = http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/
- Bookrags (free lit. guides) = http://www.bookrags.com/browse/Book%20Notes/
- Cliffs Notes (free lit. guides) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305321.html
- Awesome Library (books available to read online) = http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/English/Literature/Middle_High_School_Literature.html
- Extreme Intellect (books available to read online) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/literature/literature.html


GRAMMAR
- English•Grammar Online = http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar
- Owl Online= http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/
- The Beehive = http://www.thebeehive.org/external_l.../archive.shtml
- Cliffs Notes (punctuation, capitalization, word usage) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Grammar.topicArticleId-29011.html
- Cliffs Notes (parts of speech) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/English.topicArticleId-28962.html
- list of online grammar resources = http://www.dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/S...glish/Grammar/


WRITING
- MIT (free writing and English course materials online) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/intro-courses/writing/
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Writing.topicArticleId-29035.html
- The Five Paragraph Essay (instruction; prompts; etc.) = http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/index.html
- narrative essay prompts = http://members.accessus.net/~bradley...eprompts2.html
- expository essay prompts (Writer's Web) = http://mh034.k12.sd.us/expository_essay_prompts.htm
- persuasive essay prompts (About.com) = http://712educators.about.com/od/ess...uasprompts.htm
- practice timed essays for SAT/ACT testing = http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/sat-essay-prompts.html


FREE ONLINE WRITING LESSON PLANS
- K-12 Lesson Plan index (writing lesson ideas by grade level) = http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/index.asp
- Writing Fix (writing lessons) = http://www.writingfix.com/
- Writer's Web (list of links to writing lessons/assignments) = http://mh034.k12.sd.us/lessons%20and%20ideas.htm


SCIENCE
- MIT (free online course materials from MIT) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/home/teachers/
- Free High School Science Texts = http://www.fhsst.org/
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305260.html
- Highschool ACE (biology) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/biology.cfm
- Highschool ACE (chemistry) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/chemistry.cfm
- Highschool ACE (physics) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/physics.cfm
- Highschool ACE (earth science) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/science.cfm
- Extreme Intellect (science homework helper list of free online resources) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/science.html


HISTORY
- Cliffs Notes (U.S. colonial to 1850s) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/U-S-History-I.topicArticleId-25073.html
- Cliffs Notes (U.S. 1850s to present) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/U-S-History-II.topicArticleId-25238.html
- Highschool ACE (U.S.) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/government.cfm
- Highschool ACE (world) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/history.cfm


AMERICAN GOVERNMENT / ECONOMICS
- Cliffs Notes (government) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/American-Government.topicArticleId-65383.html
- Cliffs Notes (economics) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Economics.topicArticleId-9789.html


COMPUTER
- Free online tutorials in various computer topics = http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Jefferson_HS/lscomp.htm


REFERENCE
- Wikipedia (free online encyclopedia) = www.wikipedia.org
- Extreme Intellect (list of free online reference materials) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/referencedesk/encyclopedias.html

[ElizabethB]

A good university library should have almost everything you need to homeschool through high school.

If you don't live near one, you could try intra-library loan.

There are also lots of great books on Google books, anything before 1923 is free online.

[Willow]

For maths try

http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm

MEP covers K-12 (but they don't call it that as its a UK programme!) and is excellent. My teacher dh uses it from time to time with his school kids.

And yes I do think you could do it for free....but it wouldn't be as much fun!

MEP for maths
Unit studies using the library
there are free languages on the net.

I even think there is a book called How to Homeschool your child for free. Its basically a lot of websites.

I don't think i could do it without an internet connection.....;)

[fortheboys]

You raise a good point... The ideal thing would be ... if Home Schoolers were provided with at least a free Curriculum, to begin with as a base from a Private or PS... if a family chose to Homeschool. And, also if they were are allowed access to use the school resources, freely and collaborate with Teacher there. That would my ideal !
This is absolutely the program that I am involved in here in Idaho. We are given an allotment to use to buy curric we have a contact teacher, but ultimately I am the boss I make the calls. IT IS GREAT!!!

[mdmurray]

Another resource for curriculum is http://www.booksamaritan.com You can request specific resources or just give them grades and subjects needed. They have been able to help me out the past two years when $$ have been tight. I don't always get exactly what I request, but I have received material that I can use.

[training5]

Connections Academy uses Calvert. Run far far away...Try the K12 site directly.

[kwiech]

And yes I do think you could do it for free....but it wouldn't be as much fun!

I think that depends on your personality. I do most of our school for free and I think its lots of fun. I have many friends who think it wouldn't be fun. We have different personalities. I'm also hs'ing young kids right now so that might make a big difference.

Kelly

[Closeacademy]

My friend does it for nearly free and it is possible to do but you need to be very organized and be willing to get creative or use things that are a little out of date.

For high school, you could do something like this:

Grammar: http://home.pct.edu/~evavra/KISS.htm

History/composition: find an online timeline. Use this timeline to decide on what you want to research each month. I would have the child write a 3 page paper each month on a person or event. As artists and writers come up try artwok or composition in that style. Sometimes the composition could just be a bibliography list or something else creative like a point of view narrative or something like that.

Math: you will probably need to buy an inexpensive text for this.

Science: again you can just research topics at the library and do experiments you find in books or create yourself.

Just some ideas.:001_smile:

[Lizzie in Ma]

It is arranged alphabetically by subject. Hope it helps. I know I could home school for free if I had to with what is on it and an internet connection.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6202439/Alphabetical-List-of-Websites-

[Tami]

Over the years, we have had an extremely limited budget at times to homeschool. However, educational materials are a necessity, and we treat them as such. Just as I don't expect groceries or heat to be free, I expect that education is not free. If you are not willing to invest your treasures as well as your time in your homeschool, I would wonder whether education is a high enough priority. I say that as someone who has been on a very limited income at times. :001_smile: Budget is always a consideration, but expecting "free" is a bit on the extreme side, at least long term. Educational materials cost money. If you are unable or unwilling to allocate at least a modest budget for your children's education, I think they may better off in a school setting.

[MindoverMatter]

- Textbooks can be found used pretty cheap even through amazon.com.
- Some local libraries have an amazing variety of books -- even textbooks!
- See if your local library has Teaching Company lecture series available for check out -- lots of topics to choose from!
- Check out Hoagies Gifted Education Page for FREE online high school courses and curriculum materials = http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm

Below are more websites for free highschool resources. BEST of luck! Warmly, Lori D.



CURRICULUM BOOK LISTS / IDEAS
- Ambleside Online Curriculum = http://www.amblesideonline.org/
- Hippo Campus (free online high school helps; variety of subjects) = http://www.hippocampus.org/


MATH
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305259.html
- Homeschool Math = http://www.homeschoolmath.net/online/algebra.php
- Highschool ACE = http://highschoolace.com/ace/math.cfm
- Extreme Intellect (free online math tutorials) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/math.html



LITERATURE
- MIT (free writing and English course materials online) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/intro-courses/writing/
- Sparknotes (free lit. guides) = http://www.sparknotes.com/home/literature
- Glencoe (free lit. guides) = http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/
- Bookrags (free lit. guides) = http://www.bookrags.com/browse/Book%20Notes/
- Cliffs Notes (free lit. guides) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305321.html
- Awesome Library (books available to read online) = http://www.awesomelibrary.org/Classroom/English/Literature/Middle_High_School_Literature.html
- Extreme Intellect (books available to read online) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/literature/literature.html


GRAMMAR
- English•Grammar Online = http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar
- Owl Online= http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/
- The Beehive = http://www.thebeehive.org/external_l.../archive.shtml
- Cliffs Notes (punctuation, capitalization, word usage) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Grammar.topicArticleId-29011.html
- Cliffs Notes (parts of speech) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/English.topicArticleId-28962.html
- list of online grammar resources = http://www.dmoz.org/Kids_and_Teens/S...glish/Grammar/


WRITING
- MIT (free writing and English course materials online) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/intro-courses/writing/
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Writing.topicArticleId-29035.html
- The Five Paragraph Essay (instruction; prompts; etc.) = http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Atrium/1437/index.html
- narrative essay prompts = http://members.accessus.net/~bradley...eprompts2.html (http://members.accessus.net/%7Ebradley...eprompts2.html)
- expository essay prompts (Writer's Web) = http://mh034.k12.sd.us/expository_essay_prompts.htm
- persuasive essay prompts (About.com) = http://712educators.about.com/od/ess...uasprompts.htm
- practice timed essays for SAT/ACT testing = http://www.onlinemathlearning.com/sat-essay-prompts.html


FREE ONLINE WRITING LESSON PLANS
- K-12 Lesson Plan index (writing lesson ideas by grade level) = http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/index.asp
- Writing Fix (writing lessons) = http://www.writingfix.com/
- Writer's Web (list of links to writing lessons/assignments) = http://mh034.k12.sd.us/lessons%20and%20ideas.htm


SCIENCE
- MIT (free online course materials from MIT) = http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/hs/home/teachers/
- Free High School Science Texts = http://www.fhsst.org/
- Cliffs Notes = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/Section/id-305260.html
- Highschool ACE (biology) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/biology.cfm
- Highschool ACE (chemistry) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/chemistry.cfm
- Highschool ACE (physics) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/physics.cfm
- Highschool ACE (earth science) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/science.cfm
- Extreme Intellect (science homework helper list of free online resources) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/homeworkhelp/science.html


HISTORY
- Cliffs Notes (U.S. colonial to 1850s) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/U-S-History-I.topicArticleId-25073.html
- Cliffs Notes (U.S. 1850s to present) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/U-S-History-II.topicArticleId-25238.html
- Highschool ACE (U.S.) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/government.cfm
- Highschool ACE (world) = http://highschoolace.com/ace/history.cfm


AMERICAN GOVERNMENT / ECONOMICS
- Cliffs Notes (government) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/American-Government.topicArticleId-65383.html
- Cliffs Notes (economics) = http://www.cliffsnotes.com/WileyCDA/CliffsReviewTopic/Economics.topicArticleId-9789.html


COMPUTER
- Free online tutorials in various computer topics = http://www.lausd.k12.ca.us/Jefferson_HS/lscomp.htm


REFERENCE
- Wikipedia (free online encyclopedia) = www.wikipedia.org (http://www.wikipedia.org)
- Extreme Intellect (list of free online reference materials) = http://www.extremeintellect.com/ei2007/referencedesk/encyclopedias.html


WOW! This is quite a list here! Thanks for taking the time to organize it. It is much appreciated!

[MindoverMatter]

Another resource for curriculum is http://www.booksamaritan.com ...

Thanks for this tip!It is arranged alphabetically by subject. Hope it helps. I know I could home school for free if I had to with what is on it and an internet connection.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/6202439/Alphabetical-List-of-Websites-

Thanks Lizzie!

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks to all for your help. So, I guess it can be done... 'with much hard work, of course!' :001_smile: Thanks again! Your time is much appreciated!

[Kelli in TN]

Over the years, we have had an extremely limited budget at times to homeschool. However, educational materials are a necessity, and we treat them as such. Just as I don't expect groceries or heat to be free, I expect that education is not free. If you are not willing to invest your treasures as well as your time in your homeschool, I would wonder whether education is a high enough priority. I say that as someone who has been on a very limited income at times. :001_smile: Budget is always a consideration, but expecting "free" is a bit on the extreme side, at least long term. Educational materials cost money. If you are unable or unwilling to allocate at least a modest budget for your children's education, I think they may better off in a school setting.

I disagree. You do have to invest, but if money is tight you simply invest more time and creative effort. Materials are out there; on the internet, at the library, etc. It is much easier to place your order with a curriculum catalog than it is to look for free versions of the courses your child needs. But it can be done.

With the economy going the way it is I think carefully about what I would do if I needed to homeschool with zero budget and I am convinced that I could still do it.

[Kelli in TN]

-

CURRICULUM BOOK LISTS / IDEAS
-rl]

Wow, Lori! I am warming up the printer right now! What a great list.

[Tami]

Yes, Kelli, that heaven for that creative effort! Did you notice that I added "long-term?" I can't imagine homeschooling high school for free with the world languages, higher math, and science labs required. Maybe you are brainier than I am, however! :tongue_smilie:

When the kids are younger, it's very do-able.

[MindoverMatter]

Over the years, we have had an extremely limited budget at times to homeschool. However, educational materials are a necessity, and we treat them as such. Just as I don't expect groceries or heat to be free, I expect that education is not free. If you are not willing to invest your treasures as well as your time in your homeschool, I would wonder whether education is a high enough priority. I say that as someone who has been on a very limited income at times. :001_smile: Budget is always a consideration, but expecting "free" is a bit on the extreme side, at least long term. Educational materials cost money. If you are unable or unwilling to allocate at least a modest budget for your children's education, I think they may better off in a school setting.

I am sorry if I gave you the wrong impression that I do not care about my dc educational future.

[Chloe]

Robinson Curriculum. Even if you can't spend the money for the cds and print your own books, you can put together your own list of quality books to use from the library. All you would really need to purchase is math (Saxon is recommended). Basically your dc would do two hours of math, two hours of reading, and one hour of writing daily. History and Science comes from the reading. Grammar can be covered from the writing, or you can use one of the free grammar lesson sites that are online. You can also cover vocabulary with the SAT lists that are online. There are also many spelling lists online broken down by grade level. I don't think you are sacrificing your dc's education at all by using the RC method. From my research, it seems RC students do very well.

[MindoverMatter]

Robinson Curriculum. Even if you can't spend the money for the cds and print your own books, you can put together your own list of quality books to use from the library. All you would really need to purchase is math (Saxon is recommended). Basically your dc would do two hours of math, two hours of reading, and one hour of writing daily. History and Science comes from the reading. Grammar can be covered from the writing, or you can use one of the free grammar lesson sites that are online. You can also cover vocabulary with the SAT lists that are online. There are also many spelling lists online broken down by grade level. I don't think you are sacrificing your dc's education at all by using the RC method. From my research, it seems RC students do very well.


Thanks so much Chloe!

[Starr]

You can get college textbooks that are not very old quite cheaply on line. Our school district is willing to let home schoolers borrow text books. You can go to all the sales, swaps, library sales etc. If you have more than one child the books can used again.

[dawn8500]

Although not free, I got PS textbooks off of amazon. I paid about $1 plus shipping ($3.99) for each. Some are more but you can usually find each subject for about $1. I can reuse all of them for the next child.

I was doing it for only the cost of paper and printer ink before but I was spending hours a day researching and planning plus a trip to the library 5x a week because I wasn't organized enough. Plus our library close to us isn't very good so I was having to go to 3 different ones in different counties. Science, history and geography are very easy to do free with the library.

[Vanna]

..."If I buy this book I would already NOT be homeschooling for free." LOL!;)

Seriously though, so many posters here have given excellent recommendations and I felt Tami got to the heart of the matter so I quote her here:



Over the years, we have had an extremely limited budget at times to homeschool. However, educational materials are a necessity, and we treat them as such. Just as I don't expect groceries or heat to be free, I expect that education is not free. If you are not willing to invest your treasures as well as your time in your homeschool, I would wonder whether education is a high enough priority. I say that as someone who has been on a very limited income at times. :001_smile: Budget is always a consideration, but expecting "free" is a bit on the extreme side, at least long term. Educational materials cost money. If you are unable or unwilling to allocate at least a modest budget for your children's education, I think they may better off in a school setting.:iagree:

[Homemama2]

[quote=Vanna;673521]..."If I buy this book I would already NOT be homeschooling for free." LOL!;)


LOL! I thought the same! I'd only get that one from the library! ;)
Another great site I don't think was mentioned is :
www.ourlosbanos.com (http://www.ourlosbanos.com) (go to the homeschool section) for free science and history.
And you can get great deals on the used homeschool curr. sites like the one here or homeschoolclassifieds.com or the swap meet on homeschoolreviews.com.
I also love the booksales at our public library. Sundays are $2 per bag at my library and boy can I pack that bag well!! :001_smile:

[Lori D.]

WOW! Liz, what a super list! Thanks!

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks!

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks to all, so much, for all the help: the advice and links included!

[chanda7]

I think I read in the Mary Pride homeschool series that as long as you had access to a library, pencil and paper, that you had all you "needed" to homeschool. Store-bought curriculum can make it incredibly easier (and sometimes better), but it is not impossible to go without. Another important factor is your personal level of education. If you barely got by in school or received a poor education, it is going to be harder to teach concepts you struggled with or are unfamiliar to you. If you are a college graduate with a high GPA, odds are you're going to have a greater knowledge base from which to draw (I only use this as an illustration, as I know you can be well educated without going to college).

I spend much, much less on curriculum than a majority of the people on this board. I follow the original WTM recommendations more than the more recent ones, because they are based less on curriculum packages. I have several reference books (for free through a couple of Usborne parties or from the used bookstore) and some used curriculum I've found either at local sales or on Ebay. We check out a ton of library books, and we use the Internet when applicable. I am completely confident that the education my daughter is receiving from me is far superior to what she would receive in public school.

Tip: Our used bookstore has a free bin outside, which is where lots of older edition textbooks end up. If you know any teachers in the school system, you may be able to pick up old texts for free as well. Textbooks are useful reference books, even if you don't prefer that style of teaching.

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks for taking the time to add your 2 cents - Chanda7. Thanks for the tip as well!

[Jenny in Florida]

. . . when my kids were younger, we certainly schooled on the cheap.

In our pre-WTM days, I used the "typical course of study" from World Book [ http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum ] as our rough outline. I would then look around at the library and online to find resources to teach those subjects/concepts. Especially when kids are young, it's really not terribly difficult.

Another resource we used was the discarded books department of our local school district. I don't know if this is done everywhere, but in our county they have hours a couple of times a week when anyone who is interested can come into the warehouse and take whatever they want off the shelves. Often, the books have been barely used and are only a couple of years old. Obviously, whether this is an option for your family will depend largely on how you feel about secular resources and textbooks in general. We never made it the backbone of our curriculum, but we did use portions of various books when they fit into our general plan.

For high school, you might take a look at these sites:


University of California College Prep Open Access [ http://www.ucopenaccess.org/ ] My son's doing the Algebra One course this year, and we're liking it very much.
Annenberg Media's site [ http://www.learner.org/ ] My daughter did their introductory archaeology course a few years ago. I found a used copy of the book at www.half.com (http://www.half.com) for just a few dollars. But many of the courses you could do without the text just by substituting other books.
Many universities offer "open courseware," which offer lectures and sometimes reading assignments and exams online. It would be very possible to use these for high school students. I know Tufts offers some courses [ http://ocw.tufts.edu/TuftsOER ] , but the one I hear mentioned most frequently is MIT [ http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm ]
Some states offer virtual schools to their residents. For example, we use Florida Virtual School for some classes each year. These are free of charge. Some of these schools allow students to take just a class or two, while others require full enrollment. Definitely worth checking out, though.

[Quiver0f10]

When the kids are younger, it's very do-able.

I think the younger ones could definitely be done for just about free without much effort. A math work book ,home made manipulatives, grammar book and a library card. Once you get into the upper grades, I think you would need to start spending money, but I dont think you have to spend a lot.

[MindoverMatter]

. . . when my kids were younger, we certainly schooled on the cheap.

In our pre-WTM days, I used the "typical course of study" from World Book [ http://www.worldbook.com/wb/Students?curriculum ] as our rough outline. I would then look around at the library and online to find resources to teach those subjects/concepts. Especially when kids are young, it's really not terribly difficult.

Another resource we used was the discarded books department of our local school district. I don't know if this is done everywhere, but in our county they have hours a couple of times a week when anyone who is interested can come into the warehouse and take whatever they want off the shelves. Often, the books have been barely used and are only a couple of years old. Obviously, whether this is an option for your family will depend largely on how you feel about secular resources and textbooks in general. We never made it the backbone of our curriculum, but we did use portions of various books when they fit into our general plan.

For high school, you might take a look at these sites:


University of California College Prep Open Access [ http://www.ucopenaccess.org/ ] My son's doing the Algebra One course this year, and we're liking it very much.
Annenberg Media's site [ http://www.learner.org/ ] My daughter did their introductory archaeology course a few years ago. I found a used copy of the book at www.half.com (http://www.half.com) for just a few dollars. But many of the courses you could do without the text just by substituting other books.
Many universities offer "open courseware," which offer lectures and sometimes reading assignments and exams online. It would be very possible to use these for high school students. I know Tufts offers some courses [ http://ocw.tufts.edu/TuftsOER ] , but the one I hear mentioned most frequently is MIT [ http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/courses/courses/index.htm ]

Some states offer virtual schools to their residents. For example, we use Florida Virtual School for some classes each year. These are free of charge. Some of these schools allow students to take just a class or two, while others require full enrollment. Definitely worth checking out, though.


Thanks so much, Jenny. I really appreciate the time you took to do this - to spell things out for me!

[MindoverMatter]

I think the younger ones could definitely be done for just about free without much effort. A math work book ,home made manipulatives, grammar book and a library card. Once you get into the upper grades, I think you would need to start spending money, but I dont think you have to spend a lot.

Thanks for your input!

[Tami]

You can homeschool on a modest budget, you can homeschool on a shoestring, but you must be willing to do what it takes to obtain at least a modest amount of materials. We are personally not made of money, but I observe that we all afford the things we truly want to afford. If I take a look at my bank statement, and what was spent last month, I will see what is truly important to me. Yes?

When you buy used math and language books, and use the library for everything else, it can be extremely affordable. However, low cost is not the same as free. We budget a small amount per month and buy materials used.

Just trying to be realistic and answer your question honestly. Low cost, yes -- free, no. You have to add homeschooling expenses into your monthly budget, even if it is a modest amount.

Let us know how it goes.

[anissarobert]

Mind over Matter-Thanks for asking this question. I have pages of notes printed off!

[St. Theophan Academy]

you can usually get standards and scope and sequence info from a public school system - some even have it online - along with curriculum used (and even a few private ones will do that) but as for access to school resources and collaboration - scary!!! Any time the govt. gives you money (in form of resources and access) they get a say in what you do - and there is no way I want to open that door.

[MindoverMatter]

Thanks ... Tami
Mind over Matter-Thanks for asking this question. I have pages of notes printed off!
Sure... I don't want to be presumptuous and speak for others ... but I'd like to think that we are all in this together.

[MindoverMatter]

you can usually get standards and scope and sequence info from a public school system - some even have it online - along with curriculum used (and even a few private ones will do that) but as for access to school resources and collaboration - scary!!! Any time the govt. gives you money (in form of resources and access) they get a say in what you do - and there is no way I want to open that door.

Thanks ... I see your point!

[Punks in Ontario]

I'll second amblesideonline. It's not quite free since I can't find all the books in the library, but it's still pretty cheap. Next year, I'll still buy a science course, but other than that, I'll only spend about $150 for two grades in books I can't find elsewhere. Now, I do want to spend more money on Institute for Excellence in Writing. . .

Karen

[attachedto4]

This is absolutely the program that I am involved in here in Idaho. We are given an allotment to use to buy curric we have a contact teacher, but ultimately I am the boss I make the calls. IT IS GREAT!!!

Do the hsing laws there require that you do this? Can you opt out of the money and have no contact teacher? Basically, what are the hsing laws there like? (Trying to convince dh to move there).

[fortheboys]

Do the hsing laws there require that you do this? Can you opt out of the money and have no contact teacher? Basically, what are the hsing laws there like? (Trying to convince dh to move there).

Well currently there are no laws regarding hsing. Hs'ers don't have to answer to anyone, or take any testing. The academy that we are in is a state charter school. I chose it for our first year of hsing so that I could get some help from the contact teacher if I needed, so we will have to do the state testing. However, if you didn't want to enroll in the academy (it is called IDEA or Idaho Distance Education Academy if you wanna look for it on the web) you wouldn't have to. Idaho is a great state to hs in, no regulations of any kind. (I guess that could also be seen as a bad thing).

As for a potential move here...I would highly recommend it. It is an amazing place to live. The recreational options are great, the pace of life is great, BUT there is also some "culture" if you want it. I love it here!

[attachedto4]

Well currently there are no laws regarding hsing. Hs'ers don't have to answer to anyone, or take any testing. The academy that we are in is a state charter school. I chose it for our first year of hsing so that I could get some help from the contact teacher if I needed, so we will have to do the state testing. However, if you didn't want to enroll in the academy (it is called IDEA or Idaho Distance Education Academy if you wanna look for it on the web) you wouldn't have to. Idaho is a great state to hs in, no regulations of any kind. (I guess that could also be seen as a bad thing).

As for a potential move here...I would highly recommend it. It is an amazing place to live. The recreational options are great, the pace of life is great, BUT there is also some "culture" if you want it. I love it here!

Thanks for the info, that helps a lot. DH is attached to TX, where we currently live, due to the cost of living and availability of jobs, but when I started looking around, Idaho looked similar, and the summers aren't over 100 for months! There is no hsing regulation here, so it sounds like Idaho would be an easy transition.

[Calming Tea]

my friend contacted a local christian school asking for textbooks and they gave her over 300 Abeka textbooks!! They just happened to be getting rid of them. They were very, very old (private schools use the books till they are almost falling apart) but in the lot I would say 90% of them were still together, and only 10% needed tape, etc.

So don't forget to contact local Christian and Catholic schools- especially the smaller ones. They don't mind helping people.

Another resource is the Book Depository. In our state each county is a school district, and each school district is required to have the public schools drop off all their old books into a warehouse where they are held there for any private schools, individuals, general public or business to pick up- basically anybody.

The timing of it is usually just at the end of the school year you should start calling, and then keep visiting all summer long for new books. The lady I spoke with in my county said the best time is right after school ends, and then there are some new stuff throughout the summer, and they close between December and March because there isn't anyone really dropping off or picking up enough then to keep it open and staffed.

[Martha]

Over the years, we have had an extremely limited budget at times to homeschool. However, educational materials are a necessity, and we treat them as such. Just as I don't expect groceries or heat to be free, I expect that education is not free. If you are not willing to invest your treasures as well as your time in your homeschool, I would wonder whether education is a high enough priority. I say that as someone who has been on a very limited income at times. :001_smile: Budget is always a consideration, but expecting "free" is a bit on the extreme side, at least long term. Educational materials cost money. If you are unable or unwilling to allocate at least a modest budget for your children's education, I think they may better off in a school setting.

I disagree. You do have to invest, but if money is tight you simply invest more time and creative effort. Materials are out there; on the internet, at the library, etc. It is much easier to place your order with a curriculum catalog than it is to look for free versions of the courses your child needs. But it can be done.

With the economy going the way it is I think carefully about what I would do if I needed to homeschool with zero budget and I am convinced that I could still do it.

Well, I'm going to agree with Tami for the most part.
I don't think the child would be better in a school setting, but I do think that free isn't a realistic option in the upper grades.

I've yet to see free. Even the internet stuff really isn't free, imo. In fact, several times I've tried a free whatever online and found that I could have spent LESS money buying a subject item (sometimes a BETTER product) than what I spent in ink, paper, and such.

For example, those MCP math workbooks are only about $15 new. There is no way I could print off an entire grade level of math for that price.

Also, the internet/computer can be fickle. If your entire curriculum is online and your computer crashes or you can't afford internet or the site goes AWOL or the site materials update and aren't compatible with your computer - you are sans any educational materials! I know of families where this has happened and it's happened to me to a minor degree, but enough to keep me from relying too much on the internet. If money is tight already, it really puts one up creek b/c they probably can't afford the sudden expense to repair the computer and certainly not to buy a new one or other curriculum.

Then there's the issue of computer time. Now, for someone with only 1 or 2 kids, it's probably not that big a deal. But in my home, if the majority of my children's education was via internet (online or printing off) it would be a logistics nightmare. Not to mention I have several children that simply do not learn well in front of a screen. (In fact, we do not permit children under 10 on the computer AT ALL.)

In the younger grades, I do think one can homeschool free or very nearly so. paper and pencil and buttons cover the basics just fine.:)

But in the upper grades, I can't imagine free being possible in attaining a quality education. Esp if the child is highly interested in the subject and needs it to be very in depth.

We are also on a very tight budget. And it's getting WAY tighter.

I think one can do it very cheap, but I think free is not a real possiblity.:grouphug:

[mommahawk]

This is a thread that I have bookmarked that has loads of ideas for free curriculum K-6th grade, and probably some that would do for higher levels as well.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45173

HTH!

[anissarobert]

Niclole-You should move to Idaho, as it is a great state for homeschoolers. Homeschoolers in Idaho do have a homeschool law. Home educators are required to provide education "comparable" to that offered in the public schools. This does not mean identical, so we do have a lot of freedom. Fortheboys is right, we don't have to test or register, and we work hard lobbying the legislature every year to keep it that way!

If you do ever move here, contact me. I publish a homeschool newsletter that goes out to hundreds of homeschoolers in Idaho.

[Hilary in MI]

And, here's a great list of free on-line high school courses and curriculum materials:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm

[Calming Tea]

If we can do it for free in the younger years we may be able to save small amounts of money to prepare for later years. We can purchase, say 50.00 savings bonds, and cash them out ten years later when our dc are in high school. Say someone is truly a frugal person on a truly fixed, tight income. ...the kind of person who is literally living on a few hundred dollars per month...

That person could save 50.00/year from 1-8th grade and come up with 400.00 to help defray expenses in 9-12th grade.

But if you look at OFE, she's got almost everything spelled out almost all the way to 12th grade already and it's almost completely free.

But the key word there is almost. I think it would be unrealistic to say that you could homeschool all the way through 12th grade for free, and then my fear is that you would get to the higher grades unprepared and feel frustrated and overwhelmed. It makes more sense to get a game plan going of saving or earning a little tiny bit of money now while you really CAN hs for free.

AND BTW I think using the library is a far better resource than printint stuff off the internet, whenever possible, because printing costs a lot of money, ink, paper and FRUSTRATION. I would rather get a half used workbook for free and spend 3 hours watching an old movie while whiting out or erasing than try to print stuff out all the time.

AND don't forget the Christian/Homeschool community- our support group is constantly sending out emails about stuff needed or free stuff available, and there are give aways every year of curriculum items. Heck I have a closet full of stuff!

[anissarobert]

This is a great thread, and rereading parts of it this morning reminded me of something that we have not discussed. Curriculum is widely available for very little money. There are numerous used curriculum sales, used bookstores, thrift stores and yard sales every year. Since I do most of my shopping at these places I make a habit of buying whatever I think I might need if it is a good price. Then if I decide against it later, I resell it. This is our 10th year of homeschooling and I have shelves upon shelves of books. Because I also save things from my oldest to use with my younger two, I only had to buy a couple of workbooks for the younger two this year. All of our limited homeschool budget went to buy a used microscope and books for my oldest.

For high school, my best bet is library sales and the ongoing sale at my library. I try to check it every time I go in, as the paperbacks are .25 and hardcovers are .50. This includes many college textbooks. While I can't easily use these for math without a teacher's edition, the history and social science books make great reference reading.

Almost anything you want can be found used, unless it is brand new. (So I may have to splurge to add the 3rd ed. of TWTM to the other two on my shelf!)

By buying things ahead of when I might need them, I often have them on my shelf when we are ready for them. For example when my friend's son went off to college, she offered to sell me her Apologia texts. I bought both Chemistry and Biology, for $35 each (with all the supplemental materials) even though at that time my oldest was in 8th and would not need them immediately.

So even if I don't homeschool for free. I am able to reduce the costs by shopping ahead of time.

[MindoverMatter]

If we can do it for free in the younger years we may be able to save small amounts of money to prepare for later years. We can purchase, say 50.00 savings bonds, and cash them out ten years later when our dc are in high school. Say someone is truly a frugal person on a truly fixed, tight income. ...the kind of person who is literally living on a few hundred dollars per month...

That person could save 50.00/year from 1-8th grade and come up with 400.00 to help defray expenses in 9-12th grade.

But if you look at OFE, she's got almost everything spelled out almost all the way to 12th grade already and it's almost completely free.

But the key word there is almost. I think it would be unrealistic to say that you could homeschool all the way through 12th grade for free, and then my fear is that you would get to the higher grades unprepared and feel frustrated and overwhelmed. It makes more sense to get a game plan going of saving or earning a little tiny bit of money now while you really CAN hs for free.

AND BTW I think using the library is a far better resource than printint stuff off the internet, whenever possible, because printing costs a lot of money, ink, paper and FRUSTRATION. I would rather get a half used workbook for free and spend 3 hours watching an old movie while whiting out or erasing than try to print stuff out all the time.

AND don't forget the Christian/Homeschool community- our support group is constantly sending out emails about stuff needed or free stuff available, and there are give aways every year of curriculum items. Heck I have a closet full of stuff!

You've made valid suggestions... Thanks!

[MindoverMatter]

Well, I'm going to agree with Tami for the most part.
I don't think the child would be better in a school setting, but I do think that free isn't a realistic option in the upper grades.

I've yet to see free. Even the internet stuff really isn't free, imo. In fact, several times I've tried a free whatever online and found that I could have spent LESS money buying a subject item (sometimes a BETTER product) than what I spent in ink, paper, and such.

For example, those MCP math workbooks are only about $15 new. There is no way I could print off an entire grade level of math for that price.

Also, the internet/computer can be fickle. If your entire curriculum is online and your computer crashes or you can't afford internet or the site goes AWOL or the site materials update and aren't compatible with your computer - you are sans any educational materials! I know of families where this has happened and it's happened to me to a minor degree, but enough to keep me from relying too much on the internet. If money is tight already, it really puts one up creek b/c they probably can't afford the sudden expense to repair the computer and certainly not to buy a new one or other curriculum.

Then there's the issue of computer time. Now, for someone with only 1 or 2 kids, it's probably not that big a deal. But in my home, if the majority of my children's education was via internet (online or printing off) it would be a logistics nightmare. Not to mention I have several children that simply do not learn well in front of a screen. (In fact, we do not permit children under 10 on the computer AT ALL.)

In the younger grades, I do think one can homeschool free or very nearly so. paper and pencil and buttons cover the basics just fine.:)

But in the upper grades, I can't imagine free being possible in attaining a quality education. Esp if the child is highly interested in the subject and needs it to be very in depth.

We are also on a very tight budget. And it's getting WAY tighter.

I think one can do it very cheap, but I think free is not a real possiblity.:grouphug:


Hmmmm food for thought. Thanks!

[MindoverMatter]

And, here's a great list of free on-line high school courses and curriculum materials:

http://www.hoagiesgifted.org/online_hs.htm

This is a thread that I have bookmarked that has loads of ideas for free curriculum K-6th grade, and probably some that would do for higher levels as well.

http://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45173

HTH!


Thanks!


This is a great thread, and rereading parts of it this morning reminded me of something that we have not discussed. Curriculum is widely available for very little money. There are numerous used curriculum sales, used bookstores, thrift stores and yard sales every year. Since I do most of my shopping at these places I make a habit of buying whatever I think I might need if it is a good price. Then if I decide against it later, I resell it. This is our 10th year of homeschooling and I have shelves upon shelves of books. Because I also save things from my oldest to use with my younger two, I only had to buy a couple of workbooks for the younger two this year. All of our limited homeschool budget went to buy a used microscope and books for my oldest.

For high school, my best bet is library sales and the ongoing sale at my library. I try to check it every time I go in, as the paperbacks are .25 and hardcovers are .50. This includes many college textbooks. While I can't easily use these for math without a teacher's edition, the history and social science books make great reference reading.

Almost anything you want can be found used, unless it is brand new. (So I may have to splurge to add the 3rd ed. of TWTM to the other two on my shelf!)

By buying things ahead of when I might need them, I often have them on my shelf when we are ready for them. For example when my friend's son went off to college, she offered to sell me her Apologia texts. I bought both Chemistry and Biology, for $35 each (with all the supplemental materials) even though at that time my oldest was in 8th and would not need them immediately.

So even if I don't homeschool for free. I am able to reduce the costs by shopping ahead of time.


Thanks for your input ... once more!

[Martha]

Almost anything you want can be found used, unless it is brand new. (So I may have to splurge to add the 3rd ed. of TWTM to the other two on my shelf!)

By buying things ahead of when I might need them, I often have them on my shelf when we are ready for them. For example when my friend's son went off to college, she offered to sell me her Apologia texts. I bought both Chemistry and Biology, for $35 each (with all the supplemental materials) even though at that time my oldest was in 8th and would not need them immediately.

So even if I don't homeschool for free. I am able to reduce the costs by shopping ahead of time.

:iagree: Research well ahead of time and create a rough course plan for highschool! It's saving me a bundle.

For example, I've researched math. I know I feel LoF, Lials, Jacobs Geometry, Jacobs Human Endeavors would be quality resources. Because I've looked at them and know the used prices and that I'd feel comfortable using them - I've kept my eyes open. And I found both Jacobs Geometry and HE complete sets like new for FREE used! I figure that saved me at least $150 if not more. I also have heard great things about Abeka and PH Chemistry. I found both of those in fairly new editions as complete sets used for FREE! Again that probably saved me a good bundle. BTW, I'm still hunting for biology w/ lab if anyone cares.;)

I've been keeping my eyes on literature studies too. I really want to use Kolbe's Literature Guides for middle school with my 3rd boy. I know I'm not going to get that used or for free. But I have the list of required books and I'm getting them as I find them free or cheaply used at the library book sales and used book stores. The library probably has them, but I figure I'm saving money not driving there all the time or not being able to attain the right book when we are ready for it and I view our home library as an investment. But I have 9 children, so it's not like anything I get won't be used again. Someone with a smaller family might find their library a better use of funds.

Also, planning ahead allows you more choices. You can be a bit picker about what you get because you don't need it NOW or int he next month. For example, I don't know which of those chemistry sets I'll use, but I figure if one doesn't work out, then I have another choice. Or if one works great with my oldest but not the next up. Normally, whatever we buy WILL BE USED because we flat out just cannot afford to ditch it mid year and buy something else. Sometimes that's fine, maybe even character building to a some degree, but other times it's really hard to see a kid struggle doing their best and knowing that the problem isn't them it's just a poor curriculum fit and worry that I'll have to redo some or all of the subject at some point.

Just my thougths so far. From a totally not doing highschool for another year perspective!:D