This is a monthly posting of policies for the 0-homeschoolreviews list.

These policies are designed to keep the list clean, efficient, and helpful. We
really are friendly people, but try to keep our personal conversations private,
and off list. So here goes:

1. We invite your contributions. When you contribute to the list, it helps if
you put your contributions into this format:
  SUBJECT
  Name of resource
  <http://address>
  Review of site, including a description of how you use/will use this resource
in your own homeschool. Rating (one to five *'s).

2. When responding to a message, please do NOT repost the entire message. Delete
all but the pertinent line(s) to which you're responding.

3. Thank you notes and personal notes are great...but please send them privately
to the person you're thanking. Send your thank you's and questions directly to
the person you're thanking. The moderator will not forward them to the list, and
probably won't have time to forward them privately. (We'll send thank you's to
the entire list if they're slipped into a regular contribution. Hint, hint. (See
number one, above).)

4. If you forward messages from this list, please obtain permission from the
author. When you forward messages, please include the footer that explains how
others may subscribe to this list.

5. No commercial promotions. This list is primarily for free resources.
(Sometimes we let through a commerical product if there's a compelling reason to
do so. But it's VERY rare.)

6. We hold a bimonthly drawing from the names of people who have been
particularly helpful contributors. The winner of the drawing receives a
complimentary copy of the current edition of the book "Homeschool Your Child for
Free!" <http://www.hsfree.com>

7. By subscribing to the list, you have agreed that 1) your contributions may be
edited as required for format, grammar, punctuation, etc., and 2) your
contributions may appear in a future edition of one of the author's
homeschooling books, including Homeschool Your Child for Free!

We thank you for your willingness to help your fellow homeschoolers!

--The Moderator
   LauraMaery Gold
   <mailto:lmg@...>









.

RESOURCES: LESSON PLANNING
Easy Fun School
<http://www.easyfunschool.com/Blessed.pdf>
Hi ... just to let you know that part of the URL was left off of the address for
"A Blessed Christmas" unit study on Christmas symbols.

[MOD:  Sorry about that, folks.  I got so busy condensing all the similar posts
into one that I didn't notice the URL on the one with which I started was
incomplete.  If you need to access the original post (to read the info on the
unit's contents), it's number 6036 in the archives.  --mdb]

--Kathy in FL     <mailto:mamkmm2@...>
<http://www.easyfunschool.com>
Free Newsletter:  <mailto:EFSNewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com>

HISTORY: U.S.
American West
<http://www.americanwest.com/>
provides information on everything to do with the American West including the
expansion with trails and transportation. I personally used this site as a
source of information used in a term paper for college in regards to the
Westward Expansion. (Once you get deeper into the site you will be redirected to
other websites for further information).

--Brenda

LANGUAGES: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Lesson Tutor:  American Sign Language/Signed English Home Page
<http://www.lessontutor.com/ASLgenhome.html>
Perhaps [this site] will have something to help you build a unit study on sign
language.

[MOD:  This is part of an educators' lesson exchange site.  Indexed here are
user-contributed articles, vocabulary lists, series of lessons, and printables,
all related to ASL and SE.  (The differences between the two and their uses are
addressed in one of the articles.)  --mdb]

UNIT STUDY: HELEN KELLER
Homeschool Learning Network Biographies:  "Helen Keller:  The Light in the
Darkness"
<http://www.homeschoollearning.com/units/unit_09-27-01.shtml>
Perhaps [this site] will have something to help you build a unit study on sign
language.

[MOD:  "This is a free thematic unit provided by the Homeschool Learning
Network."  It includes a brief biographical essay, links to further resources,
and a bibliography, plus six lessons emphasizing various subject areas at
various grade levels (K-12).  --mdb]

--Susan Hook
The MOM Team
Working at Home and Loving It!
<http://gr8ful2bhome.themomteam.com>

LANGUAGES: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
A Basic Dictionary of ASL Terms
<http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html>
HAs a dictionary that you can look up over 100 words.  You need Quick Time to
view the animations.

--Susan

LANGUAGES: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
Learn Sign Language
<http://learnsignlanguage.com/signlinks.htm>
This is the links page which includes a link for the history of sign language,
movies with deaf people, learning finger spelling, ASL, deaf culture and more. 
****

--Lolita

LANGUAGES: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
American Sign Language Browser
<http://commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb/browser.htm>
This site has little video clips of a person actually doing the signs. Very nice
to watch and easy to understand.

["Welcome to Michigan State University's ASL Browser web site, an online
American Sign Language (ASL) browser where you can look up video of thousands of
ASL signs and learn interesting things about them.. . .This web site was
designed for a browser that supports frames and the ability to embed quicktime
movies. If your web browser does not support these, the Personal Communicator
web site will not work properly for you."]

--Cheryl

LANGUAGES: AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE
A Basic Dictionary of ASL Terms
<http://www.masterstech-home.com/ASLDict.html>
This site is a basic guide to American Sign Language. This site teaches you to
sign words by providing the directions to sign, and a video clip of someone
signing. It has a fairly comprehensive dictionary of words that you can learn.
For fun, the home page has a secret message that you can decode once you know
the ASL alphabet. Just below that they also have a link to a page of resources
that may also be helpful. You may find a unit study there. Otherwise perhaps you
could take sentences from some of your reading or conversation and translate
those to ASL using this site. Good luck!  In order to view some of the animated
signs, you must have Apple's QuickTime PlugIn installed in your browser's
PlugIns folder. (I don't remember ever installing that, but the video clips work
fine on my computer.)

[--Dot Olonovich]

RESOURCES: REFERENCES
Ethnologue Report for Deaf Sign Language
<http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=1>
Ethnologue is a linguistic database.  "For each language entry, its alternate
names, number of speakers, location, dialects, linguistic affiliation,
multilingualism of speakers, availability of the Bible, and other demographic
and sociolinguistic information is given if known. The information is given in
concise form rather than in detail because of limited space."  Indexed in this
appendix are 114 sign languages used by the deaf, with notations as to to which
country or region each is native.  "The deaf sign languages listed are those
used within deaf communities, rather than those which spell out the spoken
languages used in those countries, like Signed English." If you're interested in
learning to sign in order to communicate with your fellows, this is a good place
to start looking for information. (You can't do a Google search for information
on the language you want to learn if you don't know which language that is.) ***

LINK FARMS
About Deafness:  International Sign Languages
<http://deafness.about.com/cs/internationalsign/>
Annotated links are offered here to over 20 "[s]ign language dictionaries and
online sign language resources, from around the globe." ****

PRC International Sign Language Links
<http://prc.csun.edu/Content/Links/isl.asp>
Links to over a dozen sites on sign languages used by deaf people in various
countries are indexed here.  Most of the site names are self-explanatory; no
annotation is given. ***

LANGUAGES: BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE
British Sign Language
<http://www.british-sign.co.uk/>
". . .British Sign Language, also known by the abbreviation BSL, is the language
used by over 50,000 deaf people within the UK."  This site includes an animated
BSL alphabet, a "Spelling Machine" which will render phrases you type in the BSL
alphabet, and a dictionary of common words and phrases, as well as links to
other BSL-related sites.

LANGUAGES: AUSLAN
Auslan 101: Navigation Page
<http://www.auslan.org/navpage.asp>
Auslan is a sign language native to Australia.  "This website is designed for
family, friends and work colleagues of people who use sign language. This site
caters for both Auslan and Signed English with future plans to include ASL.
There are numurous resources available with complete dictionaries of the
different sign languages, however, learning a new language from a dictionary can
be a very tedious task. Here we hope to teach you the basics within three weeks
to entice you into studying Sign Language further.  This teaching system is
based on learning a set number of signs per day. Feel free to try and learn more
or even less signs each day, the important thing is that you can pace yourself
to your learning ability."  Signs are presented through still photos with arrows
and markings indicating movement.  A total of over 200 are included.  ****

LANGUAGES: ALTERNATIVE ORTHOGRAPHIES: NZ FINGER SPELLING
Deaf Association of New Zealand: New Zealand Finger Spelling
<http://www.deaf.co.nz/fingerspelling.html>
Line drawings representing the letters of the New Zealand Finger Spelling
alphabet are offered here, along with some commentary on the issue of
"universal" sign language.  The alphabet is available as a font for Microsoft
Windows users.  The parent site also gives some recommendations on where and how
New Zealand Sign Language can be learnt.  ***

--Misty
<mailto:athterath@...>

RESOURCES: PRINTABLES
Book Hugs
<http://www.bookhugs.com >
"BookHugs... the free personalized online story club for children, featuring
gentle stories starring your child and his or her relatives and friends. Each
story in the BookHugs library is designed to help your child appreciate the
value of patience, orderliness, love of nature, family, sharing, safety, etc."

[MOD:  Your and your child's first names and your e-mail address serve as your
login ID for the site.  The information used to create stories (child's gender,
age, birth month and year, street of residence, guardians' names and nicknames,
and relatives' and friends' names) is stored and associated with them.  "All
names and email addresses are kept strictly confidential. To reward you for your
participation, we will automatically notify you when we create a new fun
BookHugs story like this one! You will always receive removal instructions with
each notification."  --mdb]

--Laurie  :>

I am looking for information on Native American Ancestry.  I want to be able to
pass some of our heritage onto my children.  I am not sure where to begin.  Most
of my extended family is deceased.  Those still living don't seem to
have much information.  I remember my Uncle going to pow wows in full regelia. 
He has since passed away.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Thank-you

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid Mary should be sent via
direct e-mail to <mailto:wind32@...>.  --mdb]

--Mary

LINK FARMS
About Genealogy: Native American Genealogy
<http://genealogy.about.com/cs/nativeamerican/>
This index is subdivided.  "How to Research Native American Genealogy" covers
"[g]uidelines for tracing and documenting your American Indian ancestry, message
boards for posting queries on your Native American ancestors, information on
Indian citizenship, information on naming practices, several free online lessons
and classes, and more."  "Native American Records and Databases" includes "Dawes
rolls, Native American archives, and many other records for researching your
Native American ancestry."  There's a third sub-index, for pages on specific
tribes.  All links--and there are dozens--are fully annotated.  ****

Native Culture FAQ:  Finding Your Native American Ancestors
<http://www.nativeculture.com/lisamitten/indian_genealogy.html>
"This list of links was compiled and annotated for people interested in tracing
their Native American Ancestry. Some of the sites are specifically focussed on
American Indians; others are broader, but have links to specific resources for
Native American genealogical research. Some give background information on how
to get started with family history research."  All (roughly 20) links are fully
annotated. ****

Native American Genealogy
<http://www.accessgenealogy.com/native/>
Links to a number of primary source documents, tribal homepages, and other
resources are offered here, with minimal annotation.  Several mailing lists are
associated with the site, which is part of a Native American webring through
which you could access other relevant material.  ***

Native Genealogy Webring Hub
<http://B.webring.com/hub?sid=&ring=nativegen&id=&list>
"This ring will be a circle of knowledge for all those seeking information about
their Native American Genealogy heritage."  In order to add your site to the
list, you must, "have something about genealogy on your webpages and have Native
American Indian ancestors or have information that could be useful to those
researching their Native American Indian Heritage."  Annotation varies (site
owners submit the information for their own sites).  ***

SOCIAL STUDIES: NATIVE AMERICA
Canku Ota
<http://www.turtletrack.org>
"'Canku Ota' (Many Paths) is an e-zine for and about Native America ... the
native people of North America ... Native Americans, Alaskan Natives, and First
Nations People. It is a celebration of the traditions and cultures of these
wonderfully diverse people. Each biweekly issue contains news articles, about
events and issues, contributed by some premier writers and artists. We also
share stories, recipes, nature articles, opportunities, school news, projects,
and anything else of interest to our readers, young and old. We focus on
positive, yet factual information. Our extensive resource pages offer links to
some of the best, legitimate Native Web sites as well as many other Web sites of
interest to students, educators and the general public. We also house all of our
past issues and a coloring book."  The coloring pages range from simple
"cartoon-style" drawings of animals to sophisticated educational sheets. 
There's also a kids' page, with articles written by kids and teachers--many of
them about how to do "Native American education".  ****

Turtle Tracks
<http://www.turtle-tracks.org/>
"Our newsletter offers a wide assortment of activities for children of all ages.
Each issue contains Native American History, Science Facts, Native People
Empowered, Simple Science Projects, Homeschooling Center, World News, Native
Crafts, Music and Antiquities, Games, Stories and numerous other activities. In
the future we hope to add more areas of interest.  Our website contains the
archives that house every issue we have ever published so that you can go back
anytime you want to reread and enjoy our back issues."  Recently, they've been
using a single Nation as the theme for each issue, ". . . so you can keep them
as a reference for future studies " ****

--Misty
<mailto:athterath@...>

Help please somebody. I have an 8th grader and one in kindergarden. I have no
idea where to start, what to use, what's best and what to avoid. Can someone
please tell me where to start, for the lowest price of course:) thank you for
your help.

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid Elise should be sent
via direct e-mail to <mailto:goaldie68@...>.  --mdb]

--Elise

RESOURCES
"Homeschooling 101:  The Basics for Beginners", from About Homeschooling
<http://homeschooling.about.com/library/bl101.htm>
Fully-annotated links to dozens of sites are offered here, along with articles
on how to get started, various approaches to homeschooling, and curriculum
sources.  If you really don't know how to start, you'll find many of the tools
you need, including info on how to connect with the homeschoolers most able to
help you, listed here.  The site has more info on almost every conceivable
detail of homeschooling at all grade levels.  Use the sidebar to browse around
or the search engine to hunt down specific information as you need it.  This is
a great place to go for answers to almost any homeschooling question. ****

A to Z Home's Cool :  Beginning to Homeschool
<http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/directory/Beginning.htm>
The roughly 30 articles indexed here (with annotation) are related to the very
earliest stages of homeschooling--planning and conceptualizing, especially. 
Don't fail to note the sidebar's links to further info on homeschooling methods,
"concerns", and regional information, as well as a wide variety of other topics.
From the main site index you can browse throughout the site, linking to
information on all sorts of homeschool-related subjects.  There is also a site
search tool.  This is among the most comprehensive homeschooling sites
available.  ****

Home Education Magazine Homeschooling Information and Resource Guide
<http://www.home-ed-magazine.com/ORD/mtrlst.html>
HEM's guide is 17 pages long and includes information on choosing curriculum, a
recommended reading list for new homeschoolers, contact information for support
groups and organizations, links to online resources, and a homeschooling FAQ. 
You will be invited to join HEM's mailing list when you download it, but it
isn't required. (Just click the hyperlinked name of the publication to open it
without submitting the subscription form.) They also offer a Pocket Field Guide
to Homeschooling--a single two-sided quick-reference sheet designed to be
tri-folded and used as a handout.  It "hits the high points" covered in the
Information and Resource Guide, so to speak.  Both are in PDF format and full
color.  ****

Homeschool Site Reviews Yahoo! Group:  Message Archives
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/0-homeschoolreviews/messages>.
All past posts to this list are archived on our site.  It's a rich resource, not
to be overlooked. Unfortunately, Yahoo!'s latest round of "upgrades" seems to
have stuck us with a much less effective search tool, but persistence will pay
off.  Try a variety of terms in combination to locate the real gems, or, if
you'd rather, just browse posts in chronological order.  You will have to sign
in with your Yahoo! ID before you can access this private archive.  ***

--Misty
<mailto:athterath@...>

Hi.  We are looking for college scholarships specifically for homeschooled kids.
Either a scholarship offered by a 4 yr college themselves or a
group/organization.  Please email me off list if you have a specific college
your child attended that worked out well as far as homeschooling and $$$ went.
We have already used the local community college.  Thanks!!

[MOD:  Only reviews of homeschooling resources on the Internet should be sent to
the list.  Any other information intended to aid Mary should be sent via direct
e-mail to <mailto:mydbmen@...>.  --mdb]

--Mary

I am new to this list as well as home schooling.  Im trying to teach my son the
phonics  I am searching for a set of worksheets and lesson plans that follow the
phonics rules one at a time. We are having a time with this. This list has been
very helpfull and i thank you.

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid Justin should be sent
via direct e-mail to <mailto:j0kerzplace@...>.  --mdb]

--Justin

SCIENCE: PHYSICS, METHODOLOGY
Molecular Expressions Microscopy Primer: Introduction to Microscopy
<http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/index.html>
Online Activities for Students:  and another section for teachers  The
activities are provided to help you investigate light, optics, and color. They
were written by educators with input from scientists, researchers, students, and
teachers. Students, teachers, and parents are encouraged to work together to
begin an exploration of concepts that help us learn about how we see our world.

[--C.Boulanger]

LANGUAGE ARTS: READING INSTRUCTION
PBS Kids:  Between the Lions
<http://pbskids.org/lions>
PBS is the U.S.' public television network.  "Between the Lions" is their
popular literacy program, aimed at kids with the skills of an average
4-to-7-year-old and using a whole-part-whole approach.  The website is built
around the series but could be used independent of it.  It contains a
story-book-style adaptation of the main plot of each episode, with interactive
and printable games and activities to reinforce the main concepts covered and a
list of 5 recommended related books.  Video and song clips from the show allow
Web-based access to some of its most memorable elements.  You'll also find
browsable-and-printable guides to teaching reading, links to literacy resources
on the Web, and special units on teaching reading to deaf and hard-of-hearing
children among the resources offered.  A comprehensive explanation of the
theoretical basis for the show and site's approach is available in the "parents
& teachers" area.  My son taught himself to read, and watching this show played
a significant part.  It's VERY well-done--engaging, full of music and action,
and highly effective.  If you can access it (you can find out whether and where
through a form on the site) and you've got a pre- or early reader in the house,
I highly recommend you give it a try. If not, the site alone is an excellent way
to reinforce and liven-up your curriculum.  Shockwave, QuickTime, and RealPlayer
plug-ins are required for some of the interactive elements, but there are
printables (including games) for those who don't use them.   *****

--Misty
<mailto:athterath@...>

RESOURCES: HOMESCHOOLING PERIODICALS
Freedom-in-Education: December 2002 Newsletter
<http://www.freedom-in-education.co.uk/newsletter/december_newsletter.htm>
Hi.  The latest edition (December) of the Freedom in Education free, monthly
e-newsletter is now out and available on-line at [the above address, in HTML or]
a pdf version.  This month's theme is home education with older children. As
well as the editorial, it contains articles by our two daughters giving their
perspectives on home-education (it also has a new cartoon, and letters from
readers.)  We are happy to use our newsletter to promote anything that supports
greater freedom in education and welcome any information, letters, articles etc.
for inclusion in future issues.  Best wishes.

--Lin
<http://www.freedom-in-education.co.uk> -  the website for alternatives to
school-based learning

COMPARATIVE TRADITIONS: CHRISTMAS
PageWise: "The History of Christmas Trees", by Elise Hecht
<http://ms.essortment.com/historyofchris_rlhb.htm>

["A brief history of the origins of the Christmas tree in pagan lands, to it's
current status as the symbol of Christmas."]

PageWise:  "The History of the Christmas Tree", by Christina Wilson
<http://ks.essortment.com/historychristma_rfra.htm>

["History of the Christmas tree & an explanation on where one of the most focal
points in celebrating Christmas originated and how far it has come."]

Did You Know?:  All About Christmas
<http://www.didyouknow.cd/xmas/xmas.htm>

[MOD:  A number of "history and facts" essays about Christmas are indexed here,
among them those on the Christmas tree, mistletoe & holly, cards, carols, elves,
reindeer, and the exchange of gifts.   --mdb]

PageWise:  "Holy Mistletoe Magic:  The Gateway Between the Worlds", by Sue
Kendrick
<http://mi.essortment.com/hollymistletoe_ryqo.htm>

["The holly magic of the mistletoe was well known to the druids, whose
ceremonial rites are remembered in the traditions of Yule and other seasonal
festivals."]

PageWise:  "Mistletoe History", by Eleanor Sullo
<http://momo.essortment.com/mistletoehistor_rljx.htm>

["Learn about mistletoe's history; this notorious little plant has a fascinating
and somewhat morbid background."]

PageWise:  "What is the History of Santa Claus?", by Lorraine C Gallagher
<http://nh.essortment.com/whatisthehist_rkaj.htm>

["Who exactly is Santa Claus and why do we give so freely during the Christmas
Holiday?"]

PageWise:  "Legend of the Christmas Spider"
<http://gaga.essortment.com/christmaslegend_rvao.htm>

["The German legend of the Christmas Spider recounts the origin of the use of
tinsel to decorate Christmas Trees."]

Jerry's Christmas Wonderland:  The Symbols and Traditions of Christmas
<http://wilstar.com/xmas/xmassymb.htm>

[MOD:  Brief information is given on the origins of the date of Christmas,
mistletoe & holly, poinsettias, the Christmas tree, "Xmas", the candy cane, and
Santa Claus as elements of the holiday celebration.  --mdb ]

"Is Christmas Pagan?:  Why I Still Celebrate Christmas", by Skylar Hamilton
Burris
<http://www.literatureclassics.com/ancientpaths/magazine/pagan.html>

["The candy cane, Santa Claus, the Christmas tree, holly -- these are all part
of our secular, cultural vocabulary, whatever our religion.Ê However these
symbols came to be, they cannot be easily eradicated.Ê They can, however, be
reinterpreted, and they can be used to express the significance of the birth of
God into an anxious and dying world. "]

HISTORY:  U.S.:  VIRGINIA
Colonial Williamsburg:  "Colonial Christmas Customs", by Emma L. Powers
<http://www.history.org/almanack/life/xmas/customs.cfm>

["Christmas in colonial Virginia was very different from our twentieth-century
celebration."]

[--Robyn Wright]

LINK FARM
Native American Home Pages - Nations
<http://www.nativeculture.com/lisamitten/nations.html>
This site has links to many tribes.  Some tribes have information about how to
research family history.  I hope this helps.

[MOD:  Almost 300 sites, related to about 130 nations, confederacies, and
clusters, are listed here, some with minimal annotation.   They're arranged
alphabetically by group name.  --mdb]

--Carol Hughes
Osage/Cherokee

RESOURCES
Tri-County Home Educators Association Information Pack
<http://users.erols.com/philkent/HomeSchoolInformationPack.htm>
You can find many articles on my website for HSers. . .I would recommend
starting with [this page.] Blessings

[MOD:  This page offers information on resources for Christian Homeschooling. 
Publication information is given for about 40 magazines, catalogs, and books,
some of which are reviewed as well.  Unannotated links to almost 3 dozen search
engines, Christian organizations & ministries, homeschooling websites, and
"sources for news from a conservative perspective" are listed, along with a
commentary on the Home School Legal Defense  Association and a link to their
site.  A reprint of parts of a FAQ from the Christian Interactive Network's
Christian Homeschool Forum rounds out the information.  --mdb]

--Phil Kent
<http://users.erols.com/philkent>

RESOURCES
Heart of Wisdom Homeschool Information
<http://homeschoolinformation.com/>
"You'll find this is a great place to visit if you're looking for Bible based
homeschool information."  look through all the links which are on the left.
Change category by clicking on colored squares at top of page.  I LOVE this
site! MY TOP homeschooling site  This site has many excerpts(several whole
chapters!) from excellent homeschooling resource books (particularly "The Heart
of Wisdom Teaching Approach" and "What your Child Needs to Know When").  Links
to magazines, websites, and other newbie helps. Explains the differing styles of
homeschooling. (unschool, textbook, unit studies,etc)  Homeschoolers can wade
through all the information on all of her accompanying pages as well...other
free excerpts, info, and articles(of them, all color coded by category) GREAT
stuff. Info on the history of education, free Bible woksheet links, scrapbooking
and portfolio information etc,free daily planners, weekly planners, lots of
great stuff to begin(and end) with!  (AND if you need/want to buy- she offers
curriculum in e-books which are very inexpensive)

--Karla

I am trying to find curriculum online for 8 grade h.s.  please let me know where
to look

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid crzplace should be sent
via direct e-mail to <mailto:crzplace@...>.  --mdb]

[--crzplace]

RESOURCES: CURRICULUM PLANNING
World Book Parent Resource Center: Typical Course of Study: Grade Level 8
<http://www2.worldbook.com/parents/course_study_curr8.asp>
"As a source of information, World Book offers the results of ongoing research
into curriculum requirements and standards. The learning levels include
preschool through grade 12. Naturally, there are regional and local variations
that cannot be accounted for in every detail. But the typical course of study
reflects general curriculum requirements across North America. The information
is categorized by grade level and general skill type or discipline." For 8th
grade, listed skill types include social studies, science, language arts, health
and safety, and mathematics.  Despite the "across North America" assertion, the
courses in social studies are clearly geared toward students in the U.S.   If
you're putting together a plan for your child's studies--especially if you're
unsure what you should be covering--it might help to have an idea of what would
be covered in a typical classroom at this grade level.  Of course, there's no
reason to limit yourself just to what's listed.  Once you decide what you're
going to teach, you can use your favorite search engine or browse lesson plan
banks to locate lessons and units or write your own.  ****

Education World: National and State Standards
<http://www.education-world.com/standards/>
"In response [to the U.S. Department of Education's call for 'challenging and
clear standards of achievement and accountability for all children, and
effective strategies for reaching those standards'], national education
organizations and state departments of education have begun implementing sets of
standards or guidelines. Education World presents the objectives of the
voluntary National Education Standards for the major subject areas. . .[and]
provides access to the state standards by subject as well. . ."  Presented
"major subject areas" include fine arts, language arts, mathematics, physical
education and health, science, social studies, and technology.  The summary of
national standards is ideal for quick reference.  If you want more details on
certain objectives or guides to teaching them, follow the link to the
organization that published them (which is listed for every subject area).  You
may naturally choose not to follow the standards exactly, but they make a good
starting point if you're trying to plan your curriculum.  ****

LINK FARMS
A to Z Home's Cool: Choosing Curriculum
<http://www.gomilpitas.com/homeschooling/materials/HelpChoose.htm>
About 40 fully-indexed links to materials related to curriculum choice are
presented here.  They include info on how to put together your own curriculum,
adapt curricular materials to your child's specific interests and strengths, and
decide whether and how much you want to rely on any prepared curriculum, among
other things.  Don't miss the links in the sidebar; "Study Materials" leads to a
lot more on curriculum, including links to online lessons and units. ****

JFT SchoolZone: Search
<http://www.schoolzone.co.uk/pip/search/default.asp>
Link to "[o]ver 40,000 educational websites - all reviewed by UK teachers. Plus
books, software, evaluations and lessons.  [Rated] for educational website
content." You can search the listings by subject, type (book review, online
resource, etc.), and age range. ****

RESOURCES: LESSON PLANS
The Lesson Plans Page
<http://www.lessonplanspage.com/>
Over 1500 user-submitted lesson plans on a wide variety of topics in math,
science, language arts, computers & Internet, social studies, art, and P.E. &
health, among others, are grouped here first by subject area and then by grade
level.  ***

Discovery School Lesson Plan Library
<http://school.discovery.com/lessonplans/>
"Find hundreds of original lesson plans, all written by teachers for teachers.
Use the pull-down menus below to browse by subject, grade, or both."  Subjects
covered include astronomy/space, contemporary studies, Earth science, economics,
forensic science, geography, health, history, ancient history, U.S. history,
world history, life science, animals, ecology, human body, the microscopic
world, plants, literature, mathematics, physical science, technology, and
weather. Lessons are offered for grades K-12. ****

LessonPlanz: Middle School
<http://LessonPlanz.com/middleschool.shtml>
Indexed here are lessons and themes for students in grades 6-8.  (The parent
site includes other grades preschool-12.)  Lesson plan subject areas include
computers & technology, book activities & literature units, health & nutrition,
language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies.  There are also
printables and songs and poetry "for all ages".  ***

TeachersNet Lesson Bank
<http://teachers.net/lessons/>
Thousands of lesson plans, submitted by the teachers who wrote them, are offered
here.  Browse by grade level or subject area (arts & crafts, science, history,
social studies, geography, mathematics, reading/writing, literature, "4 Blocks
Literacy", "Building Blocks (EC/K)", music, computers, language, special
education, physical education, and health) or use the site search engine to
track down specific topics. You can also use a form on the site to submit
requests for lessons on specific topics; a teacher who has one may offer it. 
****

TeachNet Lesson Plans
<http://www.teachnet.com/lesson/index.html>
Lessons are offered here on art, music, language arts, math, science, social
studies, career development, the Internet, health & physical education, and
parents.  There's also an index of seasonal lesson plans and a collection of
miscellaneous lessons that don't fit in any of the listed categories.  You can
use an on-site tool to search the plans. ***

Lesson Plan Central
<http://lessonplancentral.com/>
This site offers thousands of "free lesson plans, Webquests, worksheets, student
links and clipart", related to the following subject areas:  arts, computers &
Internet, economics, geography , health, language arts, math, physical
education, science, social studies, space, vocational, weather, and Web design. 
It also has tips on assessment and lesson planning, interdisciplinary units and
themes, and a "fun and games" section.  You can browse by subject area or do a
site search.  ****

--Misty
<mailto:athterath@...>

I have a special needs son who we have found works best with a sight words
approach to reading, rather than phonics.  I'm award of the Edmark program but
it's extrememly cost prohibitive.   Does anyone know of some whole word reading
curriculums or materials?

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid Julie should be sent
via direct e-mail to <mailto:KJfamily@...>.  --mdb]

--Julie 8^ )

Hi everyone, we are new to the group and also to homeschooling. We have a soon
to be teenage son that we have pulled from the public school system because of
violence, bulling, suicide, drugs and so on.. . .Now we have him home with us
and he is very happy being homeschooled but doesn't want to be around other
kids. Our problem that we need everyone's advice on is that since he's been out
of school, he is filled with resentment and anger. He doesn't act these out, but
he tells us about all these violent thoughts because they bother him. How can we
help him? We went the therapy route and they told us we should have not ran away
and he needs to be in school. How can we possibly put him back in school with
animals that beat him up and teachers and principals that don't do anything?. .
.Please if any one out there can help us and our only son, we'd appreciate it so
much as we love him so dearly. Thank-you.

[MOD:  Only reviews of free homeschooling resources on the Internet should be
sent to the list.  Any other information intended to aid WickedGoodMom should be
sent via direct e-mail to <WickedGoodMom@...>.  --mdb]

[--WickedGoodMom]

RESOURCES: PRINTABLES
Gifts in a Jar:  Kids Journal Jar
<http://holidayorganizer.com/gifts/giftsjar/kidsjournal.html>
Journal topics that can help the reluctant writer get started.  It also can be
thought provoking for you and your child/ren.  You can learn a little more about
them.  I made up two complete sets, one for my family and one for my sister's
family.  I decided to separate them into jars depending on the amount of
children in the family.  One jar assigned per child.  Once they have finished
the one jar, they will exchange with the other child so that they still each
have their individual topics but all get a chance to do each topic.  Saves a lot
on paper and ink.

[MOD:  Nineteen pages are presented here in GIF (twenty are indexed, but numbers
13 and 17 are identical).  Each page is marked out into six decorated question
strips.  Four questions are directly related to school, and two are relevant
only to residents of the U.S.   "To assemble your Kids' Journal Jar, print the
colorful journal slip pages. . .Fill the jar with journal slips, and attach the
free printable gift tag."  The tag reads, "Here's a jar that tells a story! 
Each day, select a journal question.  Paste it in a blank book, and write an
answer.  My Journal will tell the story of you!"  --mdb]

[--C.Boulanger]

SOCIAL STUDIES: INDIA
Scholastic Teacher: Global Kid:  Meet Kids in India!
<www.teacher.scholastic.com/glokid/india/index.htm>
This is a wonderful site for Kindergarten to Middle school students.  Offers
other sites about India, learn about the children (you are taken on a tour by
two Indian children), has a slideshow, games and sports.

[MOD:  There is a related teacher's guide which includes national (U.S.)
standards correlations (for social studies and English language arts), lesson
planning suggestions, tips on assessment, extension recommendations (for grades
3-8), and pointers to further resources (related to the entire project--which
covers about a dozen countries--rather than to India specifically).  --mdb]

--Cheryl
Baltimore

RESOURCES: LESSON PLANNING: READING
America Reads: Archived Information
<http://www.ed.gov./inits/americareads>
[This] seem[s] to be a wealth of information. Hope [it] help[s].

[MOD:  "[T]he America Reads Challenge [was] a four-year grassroots national
campaign challenging every American to help all our children learn to read. From
college students and citizens of all ages tutoring children, to seniors starting
lending libraries, to businesses donating time, money and books and from policy
makers and elected officials focusing on literacy, to parents reading to their
children every night, to children themselves promising to read thirty minutes
per day in the summer....everyone had an important role in meeting the
Challenge.. . ."  This archive contains information related to the Challenge and
the participation of colleges & universities, families, kids, community
partners, and educators.  It is part of the U.S. Department of Education
website.  --mdb]

RESOURCES: COLLEGE PLANNING
FinAid
<http://www.finaid.org>
[This] seem[s] to be a wealth of information. Hope [it] help[s].

["FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This
award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive annotated collection of
information about student financial aid on the web."  Major categories addressed
include loans, scholarships, military aid, and "other types of aid".  The basic
facts about how each works are given, along with links to further information
and resources through which you can locate and determine your eligibility for
it.  --mdb ]

--Cheryl
Baltimore