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Jan 01

Homeschool Library : Free Educational Resources

Posted on January 1, 2012 by hslibrary

This site features an extensive Library of Links in a wide variety of subject areas to support all of your learning needs! Each link is classified according to the Melvil Decimal System named after Melvil Dewey, the famous librarian.

Homeschool for FREE, with the convenience made possible in this age of information. Homeschool Library provides quick and easy access to thousands of educational websites, curriculum, lesson plans, online books and courses, web-based learning activities, videos and games!

The helpful post categories, and pages organized by subject and grade, will enable you to quickly find just what you’re looking for! Use the drop-down menu at the top of the page, or the list of categories in the sidebar, to find a subject of interest. You can also type a keyword in the search box or browse the most popular tags.

Subscribe to receive a free Link of the Day via e-mail! Sign up in right sidebar…>>>

Bookmark this site and check back often – I’m continually adding new web links as I find them! Do you know of a free online resource that would be helpful to the homeschool community? Submit your favorites to: 

About Me: I’m a homeschool mom with a degree in Library & Information Technology, and an interest in many different subjects. I enjoy reading, writing, and doing research on the internet. I’m always on the lookout for new links to post!

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May 23

Free Math Program for Grades 1-5

Posted on May 23, 2013 by hslibrary

FreeMath is an exceptionally high quality math program covering every math skill that should be taught for Grades 1 through 5. Its unique design will make your job as a teacher easier while dramatically increasing the efficiency of the math learning process for your students. While all math programs teach nearly the identical content, FreeMath uses a unique layout that you will absolutely love! The practice materials are printed on a skill by skill basis and unlike textbooks, each problem is already printed on the paper (no tedious  re-writing) while leaving plenty of room for calculations. Use FreeMath as your primary math curriculum or to supplement your current program. After trying FreeMath you will definitely agree that the best things in life truly are FREE! http://freemathprogram.com

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May 22

Topology: Have Fun With Geometry

Posted on May 22, 2013 by hslibrary

Topology is the mathematical study of 3-D surfaces, shapes and spaces; specifically it is the branch of geometry that deals with distorted shapes. Topologists look at the properties of shapes that are preserved even when deformed by stretching, twisting, and bending. The way they see it, if an object can be distorted without being torn, cut, or glued, it maintains the same topology even though it may look completely different. A traditional joke is that a topologist cannot distinguish a coffee mug from a doughnut, since a sufficiently pliable doughnut could be reshaped into a coffee mug (see animation). Topology also deals with visual conundrums such as knot theory (endless loops) and non-orientable surfaces (on which you can move from outside to inside without crossing an edge). Examples include: Mobius Strip, Trefoil Knot, and Klein Bottle. Learn more about topology at the following links:

http://www.mychildmalaysia.com/topic/777/Topology+for+Kids – Topology for Kids

http://2000clicks.com/MathHelp/BasicSetTopologyKidsintro.aspx – Kids Intro to Topology

http://www.dadcando.com/default_DOING.asp?project=MobiusStrip&catagory=Experiments&lhs=Experiments – Mind Bending Adventures in Topology with a simple-to-make Mobius Strip.

http://toomai.wordpress.com/2008/05/25/more-experimental-topology-and-experiments-in-topology/ – Math With My Kids: More Experimental Topology and Experiments in Topology.

http://britton.disted.camosun.bc.ca/jbrubbergeom.htm – Rubber Geometry

http://www.math.wayne.edu/~rrb/topology.html – What is Topology?

http://www.math.osu.edu/~fiedorowicz.1/math655/ – Math 655 is an introduction to the history of topology and the basic concepts of modern topology.

Finally, for an interesting take on some topological topics, check out “Math That Makes You Go Wow,” an innovative multi-disciplinary project by a group of Yale undergraduates: http://www.carliner-remes.com/jacob/math/project/

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May 21

American Red Cross Anniversary

Posted on May 21, 2013 by hslibrary

The American Red Cross organization was started by Clara Barton on May 21, 1881. You can read her biography at FamousHomeschoolers.net .

Since its founding, the American Red Cross has been the nation’s premier emergency response organization. As part of a worldwide movement that offers neutral humanitarian care to the victims of war, the American Red Cross distinguishes itself by also aiding victims of devastating natural disasters.

Although it is headquartered in Washington D.C., the American Red Cross is not a government agency; it relies on donations of time, money, and blood to do its work. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood products in the United States, and an average of 92 cents of every dollar the American Red Cross spends is invested in their humanitarian programs.

Over the years, the organization has expanded its services, always with the aim of preventing and relieving suffering. Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers compassionate services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; support and comfort for military members and their families; the collection, processing and distribution of lifesaving blood and blood products; educational programs that promote health and safety; and international relief and development programs.

Visit the American Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org.

Check out the American Red Cross ratings at Charity Navigator.

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May 20

Weights and Measures Day

Posted on May 20, 2013 by hslibrary

An international treaty was signed May 20, 1875, providing for the establishment of an International Bureau of Weights and Measures. Headquartered in France, the task of the BIPM is to ensure world-wide uniformity of measurements and their traceability to the International System of Units (SI).

Want to compare the sizes of different things? Check out Sizes.com! Browse common furniture dimensions, clothing sizes, tools and hardware, food and drink, natural objects, manmade materials, sports equipment and playing fields, etc. (Note: While this is a very interesting site, if you are looking at it with your children you may want to steer clear of the “People” tab under which they measure certain body parts.)

Also, on their homepage you can get a random quote related to the concept of measurement. (Keep refreshing the page to see more quotes.)

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May 19

Infographic: A World Without the Post Office

Posted on May 19, 2013 by hslibrary

An inscription on the main post office building in New York City reads: “Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” Sadly, it may be a steadily declining revenue that one day causes the demise of an institution that has been around since Ben Franklin’s day. If you like to get letters, cards, and magazines in your mailbox, or if you collect stamps as an enjoyable and educational hobby, imagine what the world would be like without the U.S. Postal Service!

Life without the United States Postal Service
Source: NumberSleuth
The NumberSleuth website exists for the purpose of exploring the world of numbers and statistics in interesting and useful ways.

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May 18

Armed Forces Day

Posted on May 18, 2013 by hslibrary

President Harry S. Truman led the effort to establish a single holiday for citizens to come together and thank our military men and women for their patriotic service in support of our country.  On 8/31/1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force Days. The single day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. Read more about the history of Armed Forces Day at http://www.defense.gov/afd/history.aspx.

In addition to Armed Forces Day, the month of May is National Military Appreciation Month, American Military History Month, and Memorial Day. Besides honoring fallen patriots of the past, let’s also recognize the heroes of the present. In general, military people do not choose to serve because they have great expectations of fame or reaping huge rewards from military service. Most are ordinary people with simple motives – honor, duty, and love of country. Here’s how you can show them your appreciation and support: send a card or letter of thanks to the troops, send a care package to service members overseas, adopt a soldier, help homeless veterans, donate to military charities, fly the American flag, and teach your kids about military history. For even more ideas, go to: http://www.nmam.org/participate.htm. And finally, whenever you see a person in a military uniform, shake their hand and say “thank you for serving our country.”

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May 17

Celebrate Art Museum Day on May 18

Posted on May 17, 2013 by hslibrary

On May 18, Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD) member museums across the United States, Canada, and Mexico will offer free or reduced admission, special programs, and other initiatives as part of their annual celebration of Art Museum Day.

View a comprehensive list of museums participating in the 2013 Art Museum Day at the AAMD website: https://aamd.org/our-members/from-the-field/art-museum-day-2013. (Note that while Art Museum Day is formally held on May 18, some institutions shift their celebrations to adjacent dates.) The AAMD member museums will emphasize the lasting impact art museums have on their communities, highlight the value of the visual arts in society, and provide opportunities for audiences to participate in wide-ranging programs and share their encounters with works of art.

“Whether through exhibitions that connect us to other cultures or public programs that introduce new ideas, museums draw communities together in a shared experience of human creativity and expression,” said Christine Anagnos, Executive Director of AAMD. “This Art Museum Day, AAMD encourages everyone to discover their connection to the arts by visiting their local museum and sharing their experiences in a public forum.” Museum visitors can use social media to share their Art Museum Day experiences through special events on Facebook and Foursquare, and with the hashtag #ArtMuseumDay.

AAMD’s Art Museum Day is an opportunity to focus attention on the role of art museums in North America as part of a larger worldwide initiative. Art Museum Day coincides with International Museum Day, organized annually around the world by the International Council of Museums (ICOM). ICOM’s International Museum Day (http://icom.museum/imd.html) has been celebrated globally since 1977, to encourage public focus on the museum as “an institution in the service of society and of its development.” Each year a theme is selected for International Museum Day that highlights the social significance of museums. ICOM’s theme for 2013 is “museums (memory + creativity) = social change.”

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May 16

Science and Technology Resources from the Franklin Institute

Posted on May 16, 2013 by hslibrary


Check these resources for learning about science and technology, from The Franklin Institute website:

http://www.fi.edu/learn/index.php – Science learning home page features Science
Headlines, activities and ideas for inspiring scientific curiosity at home, in
school, or wherever you are.

http://www.fi.edu/learn/learners.php – Science learning and classroom resources
like The Human Heart, The Human Brain, and Ben Franklin FAQ.

http://www.fi.edu/learn/sci-tech – History of Science and Technology.

http://www.fi.edu/learn/case-files/index.php – Interesting stories about
individuals from the history of science and technology.

http://www.fi.edu/pieces – “Pieces of Science” is an online gallery of sixteen
educational units related to a collection of historical science objects. The
learning units, ranging from primary to secondary grade levels, include: the
Lightning Rod, Bicycle Hero Major Taylor, Ben Franklin’s Armonica, the Electric
Tabulating Machine, Powered Coin Press, Daguerreotype Cameras, Apollo 8,
Maillardet’s Automaton, Apollo 10, Bicycle Technology, the fastest Solar-Powered
Car, Grumman Lunar Module, Motion Photography, Genetic Engineering, Priestley’s
Physics, and Penicillin.

http://www.fi.edu/kitchen-science – Kitchen Science: Explore Cooking Like a
Scientist!

http://www.fi.edu/msp – Resources for 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade teachers
that support the core curriculum for science.

http://www.fi.edu/teacherresources – Curriculum connections and educator’s
guides for Franklin Institute exhibits.

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May 15

The History of Bicycles and Bicycling

Posted on May 15, 2013 by hslibrary

Bicycles in one form or another have been around for more than 200 years. Even though the bicycle is a rather simple form of transportation, many advances have been made in bicycle technology over the years. Learn about the history of bicycles at these links:

http://www.fi.edu/pieces/payton/story1.htm (“Bicycles: getting a handle on technology,” presented by The Franklin Institute. Includes teacher and student guides, slide show, treasure hunt, and a quiz.)

http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi1468.htm (This page has an AUDIO history of bicycles that you can listen to, from the University of Houston’s College of Engineering.)

http://www.pedalinghistory.com/PHhistory.html (A Quick History of Bicycles, from the Pedaling History Bicycle Museum.)

http://www.gosford.nsw.gov.au/road_safety/cycleways/documents/A%20Brief%20History%20Of%20Bicycles.pdf (Printable PDF: “A Brief History of Bikes”)

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfk/bike.html (An article about Bikes & Bicycling, from KnowledgeHouse.info)

http://bicycling.about.com/od/thebikelife/ss/History.htm (An Illustrated History of the Bike, from About.com)

http://www.jimlangley.net/ride/bicyclehistorywh.html (Bicycle Myths and Milestones, by William Hudson.)

http://www.ibike.org/library/history-timeline.htm (Bicycle History Timeline: “Chronology of the Growth of Bicycling and the Development of Bicycle Technology,” by David Mozer.)

http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/?doc_id=1889 (“A Short Illustrated History of the Bicycle,” by Carsten Hoefer.)

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May 14

May is National Bike Month!

Posted on May 14, 2013 by hslibrary

Bicycling is a popular pastime for all ages, from preschoolers to seniors. Bikes are fun to ride, whether traveling around town, touring the countryside, participating in races, performing bike motocross stunts, or simply using them for exercise. Bicycling is a sport the whole family can enjoy together. For youth, biking is the way to adventure; for older folks, it keeps them young in heart. Bicycles also have an interesting history dating back to the 1700s. Read all about the history of bicycles at KnowledgeHouse.info.

Bicycling is an excellent cardiovascular exercise that works different muscles than walking or running. Going for an outdoor bike ride also has some advantages over indoor stationery cycling. Indoor bikes have a heavy flywheel, which means that once you get the momentum going, you’re getting more help from the bike and burning fewer overall calories. When you’re outdoors, you’re pedaling against the friction of road and wind resistance, and this motion requires more work on your part. Livestrong.com has some great outdoor bike exercise ideas.

Bikes can be used as transportation, and many people ride their bikes to work or school. All you need is a bike and a helmet, and you’re good to go! Biking is also an enjoyable way to explore your community by cycling to different neighborhoods or in parks, on bike paths, or along trails. Even a 15-minute bike ride around the block is a great way to clear your head and get some focus.  When you have more time and a way to transport your bikes if necessary, plan an afternoon’s excursion once a month or so. Lots of cities have fantastic bike trails. Check out Rails to Trails to see what’s near you.

Both children and adults should wear a helmet when bike riding. A properly fitted helmet will greatly reduce the risk of serious head injury, brain trauma, and death in the event of an accident. Be sure that the helmet fits your child now, rather than expecting them to “grow into” it. A loose helmet cannot protect the head as well as one that fits properly. Amazon.com has a helpful Bike Helmet Buying Guide. You might also like to get some cycling gloves, which have palm padding to absorb vibration and cushion your hands in a spill. And if you’re going to be riding very often or for a long distance, it would be a good idea to learn basic bike repair and maintenance.

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