Evaluation Station!

Links and Resources

These are a collection of sites and resources that we have found to be helpful. (Okay, We'll be honest... We LOVE these choices!) BUT, before you dive in, make sure you read the "Seven Secrets to Finding the Best Homeschool Curriculum" by Carletta Sanders. (Just click on the title!)

When you're ready, for your convenience, we now have an ONLINE STORE where you can get the great resources we recommend, and MANY others. (Click on "Online Store" in the navigation bar at the top of this page, or just click on the sidebar on the right!) You can also find what you're looking for at ChristianBooks.Com (We have these, and links to other great vendors and resources on the right side of this page!)

Please check on our "SERVICES" page for our power-point:

"How to Prepare for a Portfolio Evaluation... without losing your mind!"

and download our "Homeschool Portfolio Checklist."

HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT

1. http://fpea.com/

2. http://www.homeschool-life.com/fl/ppea/

3. http://www.hslda.org/Default.asp?bhcp=1

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

1. Apologia Science series by Dr. Jay Wile (Search various sites for best price.)

Precede with God's Design for Science series for those in grades 1-8. (You CAN buy one book at a time. The Human Body is a great place to begin!)

2. Math- Saxon Math (Search various sites for best price.) D.I.V.E. DVD's available to support this program with additional tutoring. DiveDVDs

If you love those online programs... Check out this GREAT math resource...

Welcome to the KHAN ACADEMY! This site can keep track of your student's progress and take him/her all the way from 2+2 through Calculus and Trig... for FREE. (It even includes automatic reviews, and you can sign up for a "coach" who will monitor and encourage you.) The YouTube video below will let you see what the program can do. Then you can get started by going to KhanAcademy.Org (It looks a little different than what it shows in the video, but it works the same, supporting your student with an endless supply of equations and helpful videos as they climb the ladder of math success!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uUZXj8ugCM

3. History- There are a couple of very nice core programs worth considering. The first is more self-contained in that you don't really have to use any outside sources (extra library books are an option to enhance learning.) The second program allows for more flexibility and customization as you do choose books from your local library to enhance and steer your study according to your interests. (Book lists are included along with great narratives and "Thinkwrite Questions"!) So take your time and explore both of these two main options and then there are some supplementary things below as well.

The first program I recommend exploring is the, "Mystery of History" series. It is a chronological study which blends Biblical and secular history. It is also "classical" because the activities at the end of each reading are designed to appeal to the appropriate learning styles for each age group as defined by the "Trivium." (Grammar Stage- Which is mostly memorization, Logic Stage- Middle Grades, and Rhetoric- for those High Schoolers.) Consequently, this curriculum can be used with all age levels. (Even Kindergarteners like a good story!) And, of course, I like the fact that this curriculum stems from a Christian world view. Tests and quizzes are included. Timeline and map study are important elements. Wish I had this when MY kids were little!

You will love the focus of this other excellent program I recommend to you called, "TruthQuest History"...

The study guide allows for a lot of flexibility while still providing some solid direction. Two basic questions are always considered while studying each culture/ period of history: Who is God? (as that culture understands Him to be) and Who then is mankind? "Think Write" questions are offered along the way to bring everything into focus. Use your library website to request, in advance, any books you'd like to use to enhance your study. The author provides extensive book suggestions for all ages. This program is patterned after the very well respected series by Francis Schaeffer, "How Should We Then Live?" and is infused with a Christian world view.

Some supplemental treats:

Blending very well with either of these curriculums... The "Drive Thru History" series with Dave Stotts. Developed with the help of MASTER Historian, David Barton!

Drive Thru History begins with really fun videos that are like a field trip to exciting places in our history with an entertaining and very knowledgeable tour guide, Dave Stotts. The "Foundations of Character" series has a guide with very excellent, thought provoking questions. (For example, it explores the importance of using primary resources whenever possible instead of secondary resources that only contain a person's opinion of history. What an important lesson to teach our children!) The "American" series has guides that you can download, with answers. DTH also covers the ancient civilizations just as well.

Get a clue as to WHY we need to know who our FOUNDING FATHERS really were.
This VERY informative talk by David Barton is worth watching with your kids!
(And... counts as a day's history lesson in my book.)
http://www.ccstpete.com/living-word-media/teaching/index.cfm?tape_id=GS3278

4. "The Timetables of History, A Horizontal Linkage of People and Events" by Bernard Grun A great resource book to be used with ANY program.

5. "Rose Book of Bible Charts, Maps & Time Lines" Rose Publishing

6. God's World News (These are GREAT News products for kids through adults from a Christian world view)-http://www.gwnews.com/products.cfm Teaches your kids how to interpret current events in light of God's word. (WORLD Magazine is the adult version. http://www.worldmag.com/index.cfm ) Interested in getting WORLD magazine or quality student periodicals? Check out the affordable rates God's World News is offering.

7. Student News Daily- A fantastic (FREE) CURRENT EVENTS resource for High School students which coaches them (through daily activities using current articles/ cartoons/ commentaries, etc.) to be aware of different types of biases in reporting. It also teaches them the difference between Conservative and Liberal beliefs, how to spot a misleading quote, and how to be an educated voter. It accomplishes all this while increasing comprehension and critical thinking skills, and gives students a basic understanding of current U.S. and World events! You can spend as little as 10 minutes a day on this or use an entire class period. The Resources tab on this site is a gold mine including such things as a treasure trove of historical documents. This site is connected to the fine folks at World Magazine. StudentNewsDaily.Com

8. Alphagator Al ! You will love teaching your child the alphabet with Alphagator Al and all his friends. http://www.praisehymninc.com/alphagator_al

9. Handwriting- "A Reason for Handwriting" Scripture based assignments produce a wonderful keepsake treasure to keep OR share at the end of the week.

10. Institute for Excellence in Writing! Can't say enough about the solid structure of this tried and true method. Andrew Pudewa makes teaching/learning writing a joy. We CAN do this, and we can do it WELL! Click on this link "Teaching Writing: Structure and Style" and watch Andrew's video on this page! You will be able to use this year after year, AND incorporate these skills into almost every other academic subject! (In other words, these assignments can count for two subjects at once... for example- writing and history.) Contact me if you'd like to borrow a DVD of the overview of the program.

11. Need help choosing a career? Students learn how their favorite subjects transfer into careers they might like!
http://www.bls.gov/k12/ See career requirements, demand, and earnings at a glance.

12. www.EnchantedLearning.Com An all around good resource!

EDUCATIONAL TOOLS

1. Transcript Template - Very professional end product. A MUST HAVE for 9 - 12 graders. To edit Info at very top of transcript, (so you can have the name of your homeschool and your contact info at the very top of the page) click on "View" in your toolbar at the top. Scroll down and click on "Header and Footer..." Click on "Customize Header" and fill in your info!

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2. Here is a great breakdown of BLOOM'S TAXONOMY of the learning stages, IF you are really interested in taking your child to higher levels of learning, click on this triangle!

3. This is a calendar you can use to document student attendance for your portfolio. Just pick one that shows the whole year. (Of course you'll use two to cover the entire school year.) Mark the day you begin homeschooling, the day you end, and any sick days or vacations in between.

http://www.homelifeweekly.com/calendars/free-printable-calendar-2010/

4. Printable Paper... of all types, uses and styles... FREE!

http://www.printablepaper.net/

RESOURCES OF FAITH

1. Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg- View live services on line, enjoy archived messages, get into the Word and connected with the Body of Christ! http://calvarystp.org/index.cfm

2. "Parenting with Scripture, A Topical Guide for Teachable Moments" by Kara Durbin

3. "The Power of a Praying Parent" by Stormie Omartian

4. "Faith Training, Raising Kids Who Love the Lord" by Joe White, Ed. D