Websites & Conferences I use in Homeschooling

Using resources and tools in homeschooling helps not only the child, but also the parents. There is a wealth of information available from organizations, museums, veteran homeschoolers, and curricula writers. The following websites and conferences are ones I use in homeschooling my daughter, and they have proved themselves invaluable.

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, which means I receive a commission, at no cost to you, for purchases you make on the links. I have indicated which ones are affiliate links. Your support helps provide food on my table, keeps this website up and running, and provides for my daughter's homeschooling. I am eternally grateful. Now, let's jump in and check out these incredible websites and conferences. 

Spelling 
As my daughter has dyslexia, we utilize many different ways for her to learn spelling words. One way she loves to study her spelling assignments is through word searches. This word search creator, available on Education.com, uses words you input to create word searches that you can download and print. There are a lot of resources available on Education.com, and it also features online games, progress trackers for children, and worksheets. I use this website all the time. 

Another resource combines spelling with cursive writing practice. This handwriting wizard (which can also print non-cursive writing worksheets) takes words you input, your handwriting choices (I like cursive D'Nealian style), and various size choices, to create dynamic worksheets you print. I always choose the "Block, Dot, Space" line pattern option to give Laura as much writing practice as I can. 

Science
For kids who love animals, explore.org features live cams of animals all over the world, including dog and cat rescues (watch puppies being born!). It also has underwater reef live cams, ocean shots, and views of busy ports. 

The Smithsonian Institute's website offers a cornucopia of interesting and educational pages. Their Science and Nature page, for one, features exciting online exhibits and peeks into real-life exhibits at the museums in Washington, DC. You could spend an entire day teaching from this one website and still not see everything (kindof like the IRL museums!). 

History
Recently we visited the Kings Mountain National Military Park, site of the Revolutionary War battle which turned the tide. While there, we discovered that most national parks have a junior ranger program. Laura is currently working through the Kings Mountain book, which we're using to jumpstart her unit on the colonial time period.  As we will be going through St. Louis in March, I emailed the Ulysses S. Grant National Park there and they're mailing her a booklet to work through prior to visiting the park. That way, when we visit, she needs to watch a film, turn in her booklet, and she will receive a badge or patch. The Junior Ranger program also has offshoots like Junior Cave Scientist, Junior Angler, Spaceflight Explorer, even a Junior Paleontologist program! 

I've been looking for a way to teach my daughter about liberty and the proper role of government. Books from The Tuttle Twins (affiliate) are an exciting way to do it! With fun illustrations, engaging story lines, and common sense ideas, The Tuttle Twins books help kids understand why freedom is important. 

Grammar/Writing
Grammarly.com (affiliate) offers downloadable grammar checkers as well as a plagiarism checker. This is important for homeschoolers who are in high school and writing essays and term papers. Access their plagiarism checker here. 

Curriculum
SchoolhouseTeachers.com (affiliate) is a website I use a lot, and their quarterly print magazine is a source of great information by itself. Give your homeschooling family a Fresh Start in 2020. Join SchoolhouseTeachers.com by January 31 to save over 50% on an Ultimate Membership (PreK-12). Lock in at $99/year (code: ONLY99) or $12/month (code: ONLY12) before prices go up in February. Over 400 courses for the family! 

Like Education.com, Teachers Pay Teachers is a powerhouse for worksheets, unit studies, compilation studies, and everything in between. It is not membership-based. Simply searching for the grade level, subject, and free pricing nets you tons of worksheets or supplemental work to increase understanding for your curriculum. You can pay for materials, and the bigger packages are worth it. 

In addition, 7Sisters Homeschool (affiliate) offers high school level electives, co-op/group information, high school transcripts, and, best of all--no busy-work ebook curriculum from 20+ year veteran homeschool moms. The ladies that make up the 7Sisters Homeschool are dear to my heart--give them a try today, you will not be disappointed! 

Conferences
Teach Them Diligently (affiliate) is the granddaddy of all homeschool conferences. Featuring nationally-known speakers, a huge exhibit hall, incredible children's and teen's programming, it's a homeschooling feast for the whole family. This year, TTD conferences will be held in Nashville, TN; Rogers, AR; Waco, TX; Mobile, AL; Denver, CO; Columbus, OH; and Atlanta, GA. Jam-packed with workshops, powerful keynote speakers (Tim Tebow in Nashville, anyone?), exhibitors, and community -- you cannot lose! Here's a teaser for you: I'm scheduled to speak and exhibit at the conference in Atlanta (Athens)...I'd love to meet you! 

The Homegrown Generation Online Family Expo is a one-of-a-kind event. Live and fully interactive, the conference will feature some of today’s most popular speakers addressing the most important issues that homeschool families face. Sign up today for lifetime access to this event. The Expo will be held Monday, February 17th to Friday, February 21, 2020. Live workshops will be held between 12 PM and 7:30 PM EST (9 AM and 4:30 PM PST). Speakers include Kirk Cameron, Sam Sorbo, Israel Wayne, Ginger Hubbard, Leigh Bortins, Rachael Carman, Durenda Wilson, Connie Albers, Aby Rinella, Karen DeBeus, Ana Willis, and Danielle Papageorgiou, with many more to come! All Homegrown Generation Homeschool Conference workshops will be available for live viewing and participation on a private Facebook Group and in the attendees area here. Every attendee will receive a Swag Bag featuring gifts and resources from our sponsors and speakers. Additionally, attendees will have access to a vendor’s hall, resource recommendations, and life-time access to the course materials and conference videos. All that, for the low per-person rate of $20! 

Friends, I would never recommend anything that I don't use myself. If I like it enough to be an affiliate, that means it worked for me. I had the opportunity this year to be an affiliate for a homeschool company, and when all was said and done -- neither Laura nor I liked the product. So I ended the affiliate relationship. Not so with the above! Check out the above resources--you will not be sorry! 

Happy Homeschooling! 
Love y'all,
Terrie

(C) 2020 Terrie Bentley McKee ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 

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