Resource Guide for the Coronavirus Homeschool Parent

Like many of you, I have been thrust into schooling my kids at home. Homeschooling is something I have seriously considered in the past, but good public schools have always been available. We’ve been pleased with public school, but part of me is excited about this extra time I get to spend with my boys.

I know the idea of adding schooling to your workload may seem very overwhelming. Time is an issue. Some schools are not giving out specific curriculum– it’s more resources and it’s left to parents to pick and choose. This can be very challenging. Even for myself and I’ve got an undergraduate degree in Elementry Education. Homeschooling can seem daunting.

Homeschooling Resources

To help with my own sanity I have decided to create this list full of all the resources I’ve heard about or come across. I try to list free or inexpensive items although some do require payment. The organization of this list helps my brain and I hope it helps you as well.

I’ll be updating this as I discover new resources.

ORGANIZATION AND PLANNING

What to do with kids at home, help!

Tips for schooling at home – Solid advice from an educator to help in the transition from school to home learning.

3 At-Home Rhythms – If having a schedule is not your thing this may help.

Another perspective – Homeschooling is not possible or desired by all.

The Measured Mom – A great resource full of tools for teaching. There are sample schedules, outlines based on grade, informative podcasts (like this episode – 10 tips for instant homeschoolers), free printables and practical help for parents as teachers.

Creative Distancing Community – Ideas on having fun at home with your kids.

ART

LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems! – Draw alongside the author of Elephant and Piggie books.

Art for Kids Hub – Drawing for almost any age with very few supplies needed.

Hodgepodge – 100 free art lessons!

BUILDING BIBLICAL FAITH

Adventures in Odyssey (4-week free trial, no credit card needed) – Podcast, faith-based audio drama.

Biblical Character Qualities Chart

CIRCLE TIME IDEAS

Pam Barnhill – Ideas for intentional morning time with your kids.

Circle time activities

CORONAVIRUS

Informative Comic for Kids on the Coronavirus

Tips for Talking to Kids about Coronavirus (Christian perspective)

An experiment in the importance of washing hands.

CURRICULUM

Other Goose – ages 2-7 (3-week free trial, credit/debit card required) – 20-minute lessons that are more project-based with things you already have around the house. Not a lot of writing but learning for sure. I’ve been using this with Dean and really like it.

Ambleside Online (Free) – From their website, “Free homeschool curriculum that uses Charlotte Mason’s classically-based principles to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: God, humanity, and the natural world.”

Sonlight (Cost) – Christian homeschool curriculum that uses literature. User friendly and comes with everything you need. I’ve heard their book list is excellent. May need additional math, handwriting and phonics.

FINANCE

Foundations in Personal Finance (Cost but currently discounted) – High school age.

HANDWRITING

Cursive writing videos

MATH

Prodigy (free) – Interactive math game that matches the curriculum level of your child.

IXL.com (cost) – Research-based skills with personal recommendations. Great for math but also covers other subjects.

Khan Academy (free) – Grade level math video lessons and practice problems. They also offer computer programing and grammer lessons for elementry aged children.

The Math Learning Center – This is a curriculum for teachers but they offer at-home resources to help children with math based on grade level.

PHONICS

ABCmouse (First month free, credit/debit card required)

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

GoNoodle (Free) – Silly songs with movements to get the wiggles out.

How to video for the Sid Shuffle.

READING

Scholastic Learn at Home (Free) – From their website, “Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading thinking and growing.” Books, audiobooks, videos, activities, and questions. I like these and have been using them with Dean.

Libby App (free) – This app connects with your local library to check out ebooks and audiobooks.

Honey for a Child’s Heart – Book Lists based on age to help in choosing books for children. They also have a teen edition.

Read Alouds – Lots of authors and celebrities are posting videos of themselves reading books to kids. Oliver Jeffers, #SAVEWITHSTORIES, Mac Barnett every day at noon (PST) via Instagram Live.

Read Aloud Revival – A treasure trove of book recommendations, book lists, podcasts and articles about books. It’s written by a mom that loves connecting with her kids through books. There’s even a quiz to find out what book you should read aloud next!

Common Sense Media – A parent’s guide to what kids read and watch. We use this for books and movies. It’s a quick overview and review that helps us be aware of what is in a book or movie before our child consumes it.

SCIENCE

National Geographic Kids

Exploratorium – A museum that also offers online experiences to teach inquiry-based science.

TECH

Typing (Free) – Grant uses this and enjoys it.

Coding app for young kids aged 5-7.

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

Field Trips to awesome places like the Great Wall of China and Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Disney Rides virtually!

Calendar of daily field trips

WRITING

Writing prompts to get your kids started.

Brave Writer (free and cost resources) – From their website, “Designed to enhance the parent-child relationship through the teaching of writing.”

Writer’s Workshop – A student-centered approach to teach writing in the classroom but could be adapted for homeschool use.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

More ideas are on my Pinterest Board.

How is the schooling at home journey going for you? What resources would you recommend?

If you purchase from a link on this blog a small percentage of the sale may come back to me. You are never charged more for the product. It’s a way to keep this site going and I’m very selective about the things I list. It’s mostly things we already own and love or things I think you would enjoy. Thank you for reading!