July’s resource list
Our most-used resources in one handy post
This isn’t everything we read, used, or did, but a selection of the things we came back to again and again.
Maths
Khan Academy (free)
Family Math (a book of maths games that are instant to set up and usually require little more than a pen, paper, dice etc)
Lift the Flap Multiplying and Dividing (makes maths so fun the children sometimes ask for it as a bedtime story)
Oxford Owl printables (free)
Literacy/literature
Jolly Phonics workbooks (these combine handwriting, phonics, and spelling so I love them as a one-stop-shop for literacy). Available in both print and cursive, levels 1-3 (and after level 3 you can move on to Grammar 1-6!)
Time Chronicles books (18 carefully-graded reading books for children in the awkward gap between reading books and chapter books. Really expensive new but bargains sometimes available secondhand.)
Usborne Illustrated Norse Myths
Kevin Crossley-Holland’s Norse Myths
Usborne Illustrated Myths from Around the World
History
The Humans (if you’ve missed my multiple rave reviews, this book introduces dozens of different early civilisations, continent by continent. I love it. Suitable for a wide range of ages.)
Science
National Trust beaver webcam
The Natural History Book (a big encyclopedia full of pictures of every living you can think of and many more that you can’t)
In London
My husband took the children to a Family Fun Day at the Royal Institution and it was fantastic. They spent at least 4 hours there and my husband tells me we need to become members. The next Family Fun Day is in October but they have lots of different activities and sessions running throughout the year.
We visited the Ragged School Museum, recently reopened after a major refurbishment. I’m not exaggerating when I say we were the only ones in there, and it’s a wonderful place. Lots to learn about Victorian London. The children loved the Victorian schoolroom complete with slates, a cane etc, and it’s right next to the Regent’s Canal. Also a nice cafe.
Everything else
Ketchup videos (and other food production videos from the same channel)
National Geographic (£35 for 12 print issues plus digital access to their entire archive)—the latest issue has photographs of zooplankton, a feature on Terror and Erebus, a photographic feature on Black American equestrians, and a piece on the Chinese workers who built the Transcontinental Railroad. I wish it came out every fortnight.
If you’re a new sign-up, here are my July posts you might have missed:
Navigating Homeschool Anxiety: reflecting on the particular panic that can strike when you’re responsible for your child’s education, and suggesting a way through it.
Everything we borrowed from the library this weekend, if you love a book list.
How to teach children to love reading, not just how to read, Part 1 and Part 2
And there were three Special Guests who gave us a glimpse into their own homeschooling lives:
Allyse Hopkins in New Zealand
Mary-Ann Horley educating at home and on holiday
Renee and her son Johannes, who has autism
If you’d like to be my next Special Guest, get in touch!
Thank you for reading, and I hope you find something useful. If you’re not already subscribed sign up for free and never miss a post.