Science Buddies

by Shelly Mathis

Science Buddies is a wonderful resource for students and parents who love STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) learning. Compiled by STEM professionals, students can access science project ideas, guides, help, and activities. Teachers (and homeschooling parents!) are equipped with lesson plans and tools. 

My favorite tool is the Career Discovery Tool where you can explore different STEM-related professions and learn about the job, its required education, job pay and demand, and more.

Website: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/ 

Nature-based Curriculum

Beyond the "Classroom" Walls

Nature-based Homeschooling

Outdoor and nature-based learning (aka wildschooling) is legitimate! If you and your children love learning in the outdoor classroom, here are some resources for you to explore. (Some are recommended by local Grand County homeschoolers):

The Good and the Beautiful

Blossom & Root

Wild Learning: Reading & Math

Childhood by Nature

Top FREE Nature-Based Learning Curriculums for Schools and Homeschools

Wild Kin Wandering

The John 10:10 Project - Short Films with a Christian Worldview

The John 10:10 Project

Short Films. Big God. Abundant Life

Shared by a fellow homeschooler who enjoys watching the short videos with her children.

The John 10:10 Project

Early Chapter Books

Early chapter books help children make the exciting transition from primers to chapter books.  These transitional books are a great tool for boosting the confidence of young - and even reluctant - readers!

Subject content is appropriate for 7 to 10-year-olds, and the vocabulary is accessible for children reading at the 2nd-3rd grade level. There is one main plotline with main characters between the ages of 8 and 10. Books are around 60-100 pages and printed in a reader-friendly font size with lots of white space, making them easier to read.

Click here to see a list of early chapter books at your local library!

Early Chapter Books @ Grand County Library District

Getting Started with Homeschooling

So, how does one start homeschooling anyway?

The Home School Legal Defense Association offers a great list of simple steps here:

7 Simple Steps to Start Homeschooling

Fun Resources for Kids

Resources for Kids from the CO Department of Education

Free Resources for Kids Available Anytime

• StoryBlocks --this one is local! This project from CLEL features short videos of CO librarians demonstrating rhymes and songs with early literacy tips. Videos are available in 7 languages.
• Story Preservation Initiative-- find a selection of audio stories from three master storytellers on the K-3 Storytelling Learning Lab, found at www.storypreservation.org. To access click K-3 Learning Lab on blue banner. A one-time registration is required and then click on “storytellers” and listen and enjoy at no cost
• One Hundred Museums Transformed Their Collections Into Free Coloring Pages
• Storyline Online from the Screen Actors Guild, featuring actors reading picture books
• Google Arts & Culture Collections--teamed up with over 500 museums and galleries around the world to bring anyone and everyone virtual tours and online exhibits of some of the most famous museums around the world
• Virtual concerts, plays, museums and other culture--list of worldwide cultural activities to engage in online
• Free resources from Pop Culture Classroom--this one's local! This Denver-based nonprofit provides some of its comics-literacy based materials free.
• Read, Wonder, and Learn! Favorite Authors & Illustrators Share Resources for Learning Anywhere --webpage featuring authors reading their own kids' books, with the videos embedded in the page
• "Talking is Teaching: Talk, Read, Sing" Family Staycation Resources --from Too Small to Fail
• Story Time From Space -While in space, astronauts videotape themselves reading picture books to the children of Earth. These videos are being edited and placed on this website -- look under the heading 'Story Time Videos.'"
• KidLit TV --multimedia site celebrating all things children's literature
• Book Authors Reading their Books --YouTube playlist of kids' authors reading their own works
• Jarrett Lerner’s Activities Page --lots of printouts/activities that encourage creativity and story creation 
• Virtual School Activities --great list of free virtual tours and activities from around the world

History and Government

History and Government Resources
Online Resources

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, a service of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), is designed to inform students, parents, and educators about the Federal Government, which issues the publications and information products disseminated by the GPO’s Federal Depository Library Program.

Library of Congress: Educational Resources

The Library of Congress is a great resource for primary historical documents for topics such as the Civil War, the New Deal, Women's Suffrage, and the Westward Expansion.  Lesson plans and primary source sets for specific topics are also available.