Has anyone done thier own curriculum based on free resources?

I think with DH out of work, I can't afford to buy curriculum right now, so I'm thinking about using the free resources I have found to create my own.

Just wondering if anyone has done this?

 

I did a lot of our stuff for free(ish) this year.
I did not want to commit to anything pricey before I figured out what we were doing.
There is a ton of stuff out there, especially for the younger set.
Also, if you lean toward relaxed or unschooling of course curriculum decisions are easier.
We used grammar101 for a bit, but it was to difficult for ds.
Scott foresman has free stuff up to 6th grade...there are all sorts of videos on youtube, although most should be prescreened.
I am thinking about doing online stuff for Science. I plan on getting the contents page from a text and then looking up the topic online, that way I don't have to start from square one...although I am still looking at curriculum. But we did a lot of this last year...I used a (free gift) old textbook and when we got to something interesting we went online to find out more. (including experiments)
I like Librivox...We listened to Famous Men of Rome, and I plan on using it for much of our literature next year although there is a certain amount of slogging through things. I found some fairy tales I really liked but the boys did not.
I definitely think it is doable.

 

For the entire first 18 months. It's totally doable.

 

Hi
I've used relatively free resources. I've printed out free worksheets from the internet, used internet games and used games and books from our public library. I've also found some fairly inexpensive unused workbooks and games at rummage/yard sales. I've done this for my son's 1st grade and 2nd grade year. I've used the local schools' (two different districts) websites as a guide on what they do in 1st and 2nd grade too. One teacher even had his weekly spelling list posted, so I used that. There are a ton of free resources out there if you look hard enough.

Oh ya...YouTube has some great things (like the pp said-prescreening is a good idea).

For next year I plan on getting my son some type of curricula (I'm still searching though).

 

What grades will you be doing?

There are a lot of free or really inexpensive resources...it'd help to know what grades you need.

LMK

 

We'll be working in 2nd and 3rd grade

 

Okay!

YES...you can do TONS for free for those grades. Or for very cheap ($20/year). Now...you will have to pay for ink and paper...but that's it!

Here's what I got for ya:

www.superteacherworksheets.com - TONS OF STUFF, we've used for spelling for my 2nd grader, and will again next year when he's in 3rd grade. They have other stuff, too.

www.handwritingforkids.com - free handwriting stuff.

www.worksheetworks.com - lots of stuff, free for now, they will eventually go out of beta and into live, but they've been beta for 2 years already! JUST BE CAREFUL when you print to only print page 1 so you don't print the "sales" page.

I have more but hubby's home for dinner...I'll be back!

...I'm baaaack...

www.learningpage.com - this one is a GREAT springboard for unit studies. Enhance with the library and you've got Language Arts, Science and Math...all themed. REALLY NEAT. AND there's Tommy Tales which are great too, and have worksheets and all sorts of stuff you can do with them.

www.schoolexpress.com - for $20/year you get access to over 150 Unit Studies. They do give out one a week for free, too if you sign up for their newsletter.

www.homeschoolshare.com - lots of lapbooks and unit studies, all free resources.

www.starfall.com - this is a learning to read/enhance reading skills - this may or may not be beneficial, depends on where they are in the reading curve....maybe too young for them.

USE YOUR LIBRARY if you are able to, at all. SO MUCH FREE there!

Hope this helps some.

 

My first two years I was in the same boat as you. We totally made it work, and I had fun and felt a sense of acomplishment pulling it all together. Enchantedlearning.com is wonderful and only 20 a year. Also, spellingcity.com is free and WONDERFUL

 

I havent personally but you can. Here is a site that has a free curr all ready planned out for you. http://oldfashionededucation.com/fullcurriculum.htm

 

Thanks guys for the help. I'm going to check out those websites and get working on things. I want to start next year around the first of July so I have some work to do.

 

refering to your signature.. what are illuminations study guides?


And in regards tothis thread, I totallythink its do able!
There are people here who do it!

 

science:
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/matrix.cfm
http://msnucleus.org/curriculum/curriculum.html
http://www.eequalsmcq.com/Thank you for downloading Life Science.htm (this is a complete book with a teachers manual you can download for free, and would be great for your ages!!)

Social Studies:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/matrix.html

Spelling:
http://www.zaner-bloser.com/spellingconnections/practice-pages.html

Grammar:
http://www.sfreading.com/resources/ghb.html

Music:
www.classicsforkids.com

Art:
http://www.homeschoolarts.com/privacy.htm
www.dltk-kids.com
http://gardenofpraise.com/art.htm

 

Sorry.. didn't finish my thoughts..lol

We totally homeschool on the cheap. I won't say free, because I buy lots of paper (watch for staples to have cases buy one get one!), ink (I buy generic for my brother on ebay for less than $2 a cartridge compared to $30 at Staples), pencils, crayons, notebooks, glue, etc. (Walmart's back to school sales, I majorly stock up, you can't beat 10 cent crayons!!)

This year I did buy a few things... but looked for super bargins and sold other things off to buy them. We buy lots of books.. but never new... I love yardsales for books, and also the thrift stores. If I really want something I hit ebay, half and amazon.. oh and paperbackswap too.

 

My main expense is paper and toner right now since I found all the books online. I raid the library too - this week they checked out 50 books (and I only got 1)

There are tons of worksheets and free books out there.

For old fashioned education: http://www.orbitfiles.com/users/baabaamilker
The books are formatted and ready for printing.

You can use Ray's Arithmetic which is on Google Books for free for both ages. (I'm using it right now for my 9 year old to strengthen her math skills and we are doing it all orally)

Ambleside online is awesome and there are yahoogroups that have everything formatted and ready to go by week and term. You would just need a few supplements which can be picked up at the library in most cases.

 

We totally have been doing this year for free! 2nd grade.

We got an incredible deal on a black and white laser printer on Amazon.com (only $30 after rebates!) and we've been using the toner cartridge fillers which are cheaper than the cartridge.

We also use the write on, wipe off stuff if we can find it. It saves paper!

We've used all the resources provided here at homeschoolspot by these lovely ladies

Good luck!

 

Great websites!!
Angela

 

Hey Sommer
great websites.
I could not get the classics for kids to work...maybe I will try with the other computer. ugh.

 

Teacher Mom...
http://www.bookpeddler.us/category/Illuminations

Looks like they are books that go along with Mystery of History...

Narrative stories of the Bible History.

 

cool thanks! checking it out now!

 

Here is a link to a similar thread that was started here in April. It has many links in it and some great info also!

http://www.homeschoolspot.com/showthread.php?t=17298