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For the whole family
The goal of RealExp (real experience) is to help families intentionally engage in experiences outside the classroom for their children and to prepare them for life after school. This includes nature walks, camping, fishing, volunteering, and more. Please download the PDF for details. If you want to jump to examples, they start on page 10 of the PDF at this link.
Family or group activities (like boy scouts or girl scouts a bit): http://keepersofthefaith.com/keepers-of-the-faith-girls/ and http://keepersofthefaith.com/contenders-for-the-faith/ Each ebook is FREE for personal use and filled with skills to learn.
Family or group activities (like boy scouts or girl scouts a bit): http://keepersofthefaith.com/keepers-of-the-faith-girls/ and http://keepersofthefaith.com/contenders-for-the-faith/ Each ebook is FREE for personal use and filled with skills to learn.
Early Years
Handwriting practice with silly simple sentences. It's an Excel sheet that builds random sentence based on a word bank you can change. Click here for the file.
Links to Excel sheets to create endless printable simple addition, simple subtraction, simple multiplication, and simple division practice sheets. These are meant to be printed with their answer keys. Good for early grades.
Links to Excel sheets to create endless printable simple addition, simple subtraction, simple multiplication, and simple division practice sheets. These are meant to be printed with their answer keys. Good for early grades.
By Subject
Agriculture
Victory Garden PDFs from 1943: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7.
English/Writing
Proofreading app www.paperrater.com/free_paper_grader
Another proofreading app is https://app.wordtune.com/ Sign up for a free account and enjoy basic proofreading features.
Free English Quizzes at https://www.grammarbook.com/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University is free to everyone http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Tween/Teen story writing lab (costs about $30 a student). They also have free writing tips sheets https://storyquestacademy.com/
Check your entire website using: https://www.websiteplanet.com/webtools/spell-checker/ This is a powerful tool to use if you've created a website. It checks spelling and grammar.
English High School/Any Subject Research Paper
Steps for a senior research project.
History
WWI History www.gwpda.org/photos/greatwar.htm
Ohio History www.ohiomemory.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p267401coll32
More than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery in the United States https://www.loc.gov/collections/slave-narratives-from-the-federal-writers-project-1936-to-1938/about-this-collection/
Languages
Many languages (have to search for your library to start)! http://www.findmango.com/
Desktop and phone apps for www.duolingo.com/ (hearing from parents there's some content they don't approve of in Duolingo now)
Math
mathantics.com is free videos from 3rd-8th grade math.
Khan's Math Knowledge Map https://www.khanacademy.org/math
Graphic Calculator for Free https://www.desmos.com/
WolframAlpha Knowledge Engine: www.wolframalpha.com
Helping students understand algebra: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm
Music
Create your own music http://www.noteflight.com/login
Science
Daily News on Science www.sciencedaily.com
Fly around the solar system, click on objects to learn more https://www.solarsystemscope.com/
Social Studies
Country Freedom Index www.heritage.org/index/
All facts about a country https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/
World countries interactive quizzes: https://online.seterra.com/en/vgp/3163
Radio Stations of the World: https://radio.garden/search
Grades 3 and 5, one lesson on neighborhoods: https://www.habitat.org/sites/default/files/youthprograms-what-is-a-neighborhood.pdf
Sites that cover multiple subjects
Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
Even more
Considering homeschooling? Here's a discussion on the topic that may help get you started at this link (it's a Word document).
Free high school text books! Here's a resource for free high school and college-level text books: https://openstax.org/
A great all in one site is allinonehighschool.com. It has entire high school courses for free! Also use it to find specific topics or areas within a subject for examples and instruction. Same creators also have allinonehomeschool.com for grade school and middle school.
If you've still not found what you need, there are hundreds if not thousands of links to resources at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W4r0eLjSxkh-pqXbPqAgDESlFuNTqxGZd2ywJpI0_ME/edit#gid=772432616 It's a Google sheet with many tabs full of resources. You may have to sign in to Google to access.
Victory Garden PDFs from 1943: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7.
English/Writing
Proofreading app www.paperrater.com/free_paper_grader
Another proofreading app is https://app.wordtune.com/ Sign up for a free account and enjoy basic proofreading features.
Free English Quizzes at https://www.grammarbook.com/interactive_quizzes_exercises.asp
The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University is free to everyone http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Tween/Teen story writing lab (costs about $30 a student). They also have free writing tips sheets https://storyquestacademy.com/
Check your entire website using: https://www.websiteplanet.com/webtools/spell-checker/ This is a powerful tool to use if you've created a website. It checks spelling and grammar.
English High School/Any Subject Research Paper
Steps for a senior research project.
- Pick a broad topic.
- Write research questions (narrowing down the topic) https://writingcenter.gmu.edu/writing-resources/research-based-writing/how-to-write-a-research-question
- Write a research proposal https://uwc.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Writing-Research-Proposals.pdf
- Get sources approved by your teacher (this should help remove any less reputable resources).
- Create an annotated bibliography https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/common_writing_assignments/annotated_bibliographies/index.html (I know you're thinking this is a lot of work, I've not even written my paper yet. However, this is most likely how upper level college courses will require papers to be done, so high school is good place to practice.)
- Write an executive summary. This is like a mini version of the main points/arguments and conclusion, since you're already annotated the sources you know the conclusion. Plus, this can be expanded to be your outline for your paper in the next step.
- Write a rough draft of the paper. Be sure to follow good tips like: https://www.unr.edu/writing-speaking-center/student-resources/writing-speaking-resources/quote-integration and https://owl.purdue.edu/owl_exercises/grammar_exercises/index.html Also, be sure to use a grammar checker, like Wordtune.
- Have peers proofread, like others in your class, friends, etc.
- Review again with peer feedback, make changes, and turn in a final copy.
History
WWI History www.gwpda.org/photos/greatwar.htm
Ohio History www.ohiomemory.org/cdm/landingpage/collection/p267401coll32
More than 2,300 first-person accounts of slavery in the United States https://www.loc.gov/collections/slave-narratives-from-the-federal-writers-project-1936-to-1938/about-this-collection/
Languages
Many languages (have to search for your library to start)! http://www.findmango.com/
Desktop and phone apps for www.duolingo.com/ (hearing from parents there's some content they don't approve of in Duolingo now)
Math
mathantics.com is free videos from 3rd-8th grade math.
Khan's Math Knowledge Map https://www.khanacademy.org/math
Graphic Calculator for Free https://www.desmos.com/
WolframAlpha Knowledge Engine: www.wolframalpha.com
Helping students understand algebra: http://www.purplemath.com/modules/index.htm
Music
Create your own music http://www.noteflight.com/login
Science
Daily News on Science www.sciencedaily.com
Fly around the solar system, click on objects to learn more https://www.solarsystemscope.com/
Social Studies
Country Freedom Index www.heritage.org/index/
All facts about a country https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/
World countries interactive quizzes: https://online.seterra.com/en/vgp/3163
Radio Stations of the World: https://radio.garden/search
Grades 3 and 5, one lesson on neighborhoods: https://www.habitat.org/sites/default/files/youthprograms-what-is-a-neighborhood.pdf
Sites that cover multiple subjects
Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org
Even more
Considering homeschooling? Here's a discussion on the topic that may help get you started at this link (it's a Word document).
Free high school text books! Here's a resource for free high school and college-level text books: https://openstax.org/
A great all in one site is allinonehighschool.com. It has entire high school courses for free! Also use it to find specific topics or areas within a subject for examples and instruction. Same creators also have allinonehomeschool.com for grade school and middle school.
If you've still not found what you need, there are hundreds if not thousands of links to resources at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1W4r0eLjSxkh-pqXbPqAgDESlFuNTqxGZd2ywJpI0_ME/edit#gid=772432616 It's a Google sheet with many tabs full of resources. You may have to sign in to Google to access.
Test Prep
- Magoosh - a site dedicated to providing the most up-to-date college test preparation resources for students taking the SAT, ACT, and AP exams. magoosh.com/hs/act/act-practice-test/ and magoosh.com/hs/sat/sat-practice-test/
- Virginia State Standard Tests (easy to use, and personalized) education.jlab.org/solquiz/
- OGT Science Vocab: http://quizlet.com/715682/ogt-science-flash-cards/
- SAT/ACT Practice Tests and Games (requires registration) The game is called Zero Hour Threat www.march2success.com
- Khan's SAT Practice https://www.khanacademy.org/college-careers-more/college-admissions/making-high-school-count/standardized-tests/a/full-length-sats-to-take-online
- UNDERSTANDING THE ASVAB TEST http://www.goarmy.com/learn/understanding-the-asvab.html
- Practice ASVAB (short test) is here (requires registration for online practice) http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/help-choosing-a-career-job/army-career-explorer.html
- Accuplacer offers tools and resources to help you prepare for the test: accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
- Need to practice terms for a class? Find an interactive quiz at http://quizlet.com/
- Test Taking Tips:Eat Right Visit This Link
- Top 15 Tips Visit This Link
- Tips for Parents Visit This Link
- Also don't do anything crazy, like energy drinks, exotic foods, or other unfamiliar activities. You don't want to have a reaction to a new food or hurt yourself the day before the test.
For Seniors
Congratulations! You made it. To keep going, here's some helpful resources!
Manage your health, wealth, and time
Life balance explained in a short fun animated video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snAhsXyO3Ck
Learn about functional medicine and how it completes the puzzle of health. Also learn tips for sleeping better, having less stress, and balance in life: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/table-talk/id1596917999
Learn the best ways to deal with daily chaos and get organized at http://www.flylady.net/. Written for women, but good for everyone to read and follow. There's a subscription to use the app, but there's also free guides, like the one for college students http://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/student_coj.pdf or the one for finances http://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/face_coj.pdf.
Lists of resources for work, family, and life. Note, some are for Federal employees only, but most of the ideas are general for anyone. https://feea.org/our-programs/fedlifehacks/
Find a local Bible teaching church and learn the Bible using some resources in the "Christian Ministry Bound" section below
Learn about money and banks while playing in Minecraft: https://www.allyfintropolis.com/
College, military, or career bound? This is a good read too: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/3-actions-every-high-school-grad-should-take/lifeandmoney_college/
How do you manage your credit? What is spending psychology? The answers are here: https://www.greenpath.com/learninglab/courses/
Spend your time and efforts wisely by learning the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Plans are great and you should have one, but you should also check the results you're getting and adjust the plan if needed. This applies to a lot of areas of life and takes some practice. http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_89.htm
The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom is for everyone to read. It's a practical and easy starting guide on all things about money, spending, and investing, all while sharing mistakes to avoid. This is a must for your collection. The e-book is $7 right now. That's a deal with 199 pages of advice! https://pariswoods.samcart.com/products/book/
Here's a workbook from Black Enterprise to start thinking about money and living in general: click here or download the file below.
Learn about functional medicine and how it completes the puzzle of health. Also learn tips for sleeping better, having less stress, and balance in life: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/table-talk/id1596917999
Learn the best ways to deal with daily chaos and get organized at http://www.flylady.net/. Written for women, but good for everyone to read and follow. There's a subscription to use the app, but there's also free guides, like the one for college students http://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/student_coj.pdf or the one for finances http://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/face_coj.pdf.
Lists of resources for work, family, and life. Note, some are for Federal employees only, but most of the ideas are general for anyone. https://feea.org/our-programs/fedlifehacks/
Find a local Bible teaching church and learn the Bible using some resources in the "Christian Ministry Bound" section below
Learn about money and banks while playing in Minecraft: https://www.allyfintropolis.com/
College, military, or career bound? This is a good read too: http://www.daveramsey.com/article/3-actions-every-high-school-grad-should-take/lifeandmoney_college/
How do you manage your credit? What is spending psychology? The answers are here: https://www.greenpath.com/learninglab/courses/
Spend your time and efforts wisely by learning the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle. Plans are great and you should have one, but you should also check the results you're getting and adjust the plan if needed. This applies to a lot of areas of life and takes some practice. http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_89.htm
The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom is for everyone to read. It's a practical and easy starting guide on all things about money, spending, and investing, all while sharing mistakes to avoid. This is a must for your collection. The e-book is $7 right now. That's a deal with 199 pages of advice! https://pariswoods.samcart.com/products/book/
Here's a workbook from Black Enterprise to start thinking about money and living in general: click here or download the file below.
2010-be-wealthforlifekit2.pdf | |
File Size: | 9367 kb |
File Type: |
College Bound
If you're college-bound, here are some ideas on making it more affordable:
- Union Plus update: a lot changed in 2023! The union benefit has more degree options and school options, but the cost per credit hour is similar to a community college now. If you are related to a union member (your parents or spouse), you might be able to take college classes. If the union member registers with Union Plus (just about any union member is eligible), then head over to https://www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/associate-degree-programs to start.
- Let your employer pay for college. Ask if your employer will pay some or all of the college costs.
- Have you considered the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, or Reverses)? They all have options to pay for college once they join. https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/
- Find local scholarships (optimist club, civics clubs, rotary clubs, etc.) and apply. My mom's local civics group had no one apply for their speech contest this year. The prize was $300. Let that sink in; one person could have applied, given a 5-min speech, and won $300.
- Then there are student loans. Think of these as a last resort and consider them with caution. Please make sure your future career will pay well enough to support your living expenses and pay off your student loans. For example, if I'm going to be a teacher with a starting salary of around $24,000 a year, then going to a private school on loans for $40,000 a year, 4 years with a total debt of $160,000 is going to be a huge headache to pay off and live on my own. If loans are my only option, I would consider a state college for about $10,000 a year, 4 years, with $40,000 in total debt. It's still huge compared to my starting salary of $24,000, but it is more manageable.
- If you have student loans at the end of your degree, consider loan consolidation carefully. It could lower your interest rate and payment. However, be careful again to read all the details and understand the responsibilities. One such consolidation company is https://www.elfi.com/
Trade Bound
Congratulations! There's a huge need for the trades. Here are some tips. Many are similar to college-bound. In my state, the trade schools and the 2-year colleges have merged. While earning a trade certificate, you'll most likely be enrolled in the same school as those going to college.
- Clark Howard speaks on careers in trades. 6-min video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=mtUMk1i51IQ&feature=youtu.be
- Learn what's needed for each trade career at https://www.learnhowtobecome.org/vocational-trade-schools/ and also https://www.apprenticeship.gov/
- Let your employer pay for school. Ask if your employer will pay some or all of the trade school costs.
- Have you considered the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, or Reverses)? They all have options to pay for trade school once you join. https://www.va.gov/education/about-gi-bill-benefits/how-to-use-benefits/non-college-degree-programs/
- Find local scholarships (optimist club, civics clubs, rotary clubs, etc.) and apply. My mom's local civics group had no one apply for their speech contest this year. The prize was $300. Let that sink in; one person could have applied, given a 5 min speech, and won $300. Be sure to ask the club if the scholarship can be applied to trade school before entering.
- Ask your future employer about trade schools they recommend.
- Research trade schools. The following example is real with costs from 2022, but using fake names. In the town of Gotham, AAA Medical Education Center, a private for-profit school, offers three vocational programs and has about 100 students. Tuition is $19,365 per year. In the same town BBB Community College, with about 18,000 students, offers the same vocational certificates as AAA at a drastically lower cost. BBB Community College tuition is $2,275 per year. Imagine spending about $17,000 more than needed! If a student enrolls in AAA Medical Education Center, I sure hope they have well founded reasons, like a full scholarship or recommendation from a future employer.
- There are student loans. See the college bound point on student loans.
Christian Ministry Bound
I suggest churches train their next generation of pastors and leaders right now (written in 2020, but still applies today). In that case, the local pastor would mentor the students while they completed some of the below courses. Here are some high-quality resources to assist, of course, using your judgment on the material and offering institution.
Free resources:
Blue Letter Bible App: Use this app to research the original languages of the Bible, compare translations, keep notes, and read other's commentaries. Look for BLB app in your app store.
eSword: This Windows PC software allows Bible version comparison, searching multiple dictionaries, looking at cross-references, and the ability to create your own commentary (advanced feature, required assistance from support) and share it to other eSword users. https://www.e-sword.net/
Blue Letter Bible Courses: Take 22 courses in central Christian belief and practice areas. Each class is designed to be used for either self-study, home Bible study, or the classroom. Their goal is to make BLBi the most comprehensive course of study possible. https://study.bible/courseList Some courses can even count for credit at Lancaster Bible College. Nice!
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study that helps people know God and equips them to serve the Church throughout the world effectively. https://www.bsfinternational.org/
Cedarville University: Their goal is that all class lectures/recordings in the Bible minor are free. They have the Old Testament course complete. https://www.cedarville.edu/news/2019/bible-minor-class-videos-available-for-free-online
Very affordable resources:
Urban Ministries' Digital Precepts materials. The digital subscription is $7/month per person and is found at preceptsdigital.com. The digital material includes a weekly self-paced Bible study, teaching videos, quizzes, and daily Bible readings. It also includes printable and downloadable content for teachers so that a whole Bible study group could be organized with a single subscription. If you're not leading a class, then skip the teaching aids.
Urban Ministries' Precepts for Living materials. These are affordable workbook-based materials covering the same content as the Digital Precepts material. They can be found on this page https://store.urbanministries.com/collections/precepts-for-living
Selection of small Bible colleges:
Small Bible colleges may not be regionally accredited (you can't transfer the credits earned to other colleges), but transferable credits aren't necessary if your career/ministry field, local church or denomination, accepts degrees from the schools. Each is different in its materials, strengths, and costs. (All costs listed in March 2022)
https://www.summitbiblecollege.com/ English and Spanish Bible classes. Pay by degree, not by course. Ex: Associates of Biblical Studies Tuition = $8,400
https://globaluniversity.edu/ English and Spanish Bible classes. $90 - $135 per course. Ex: Associate of Arts in Church Ministries = $5,400 to $8,100 plus books and fees (I didn't find a total cost, I recommend requesting a list of fees and how often they apply the fees.)
https://www.ibaptistcollege.org/ English Bible classes. $150-$300 per course. Ex: Associates Of Pastoral Ministry = $9,600. I suggest discussing the classes with your pastor. It appears there's a large discount if your pastor establishes a remote Bible Institute location/website for your church.
Last thought: if the courses you can afford are not from your church denomination but otherwise close in beliefs, then why not take the course? Compare the statement of beliefs of both denominations and make a decision then. The differences might not even come up the course.
Free resources:
Blue Letter Bible App: Use this app to research the original languages of the Bible, compare translations, keep notes, and read other's commentaries. Look for BLB app in your app store.
eSword: This Windows PC software allows Bible version comparison, searching multiple dictionaries, looking at cross-references, and the ability to create your own commentary (advanced feature, required assistance from support) and share it to other eSword users. https://www.e-sword.net/
Blue Letter Bible Courses: Take 22 courses in central Christian belief and practice areas. Each class is designed to be used for either self-study, home Bible study, or the classroom. Their goal is to make BLBi the most comprehensive course of study possible. https://study.bible/courseList Some courses can even count for credit at Lancaster Bible College. Nice!
Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) is an in-depth, interdenominational Bible study that helps people know God and equips them to serve the Church throughout the world effectively. https://www.bsfinternational.org/
Cedarville University: Their goal is that all class lectures/recordings in the Bible minor are free. They have the Old Testament course complete. https://www.cedarville.edu/news/2019/bible-minor-class-videos-available-for-free-online
Very affordable resources:
Urban Ministries' Digital Precepts materials. The digital subscription is $7/month per person and is found at preceptsdigital.com. The digital material includes a weekly self-paced Bible study, teaching videos, quizzes, and daily Bible readings. It also includes printable and downloadable content for teachers so that a whole Bible study group could be organized with a single subscription. If you're not leading a class, then skip the teaching aids.
Urban Ministries' Precepts for Living materials. These are affordable workbook-based materials covering the same content as the Digital Precepts material. They can be found on this page https://store.urbanministries.com/collections/precepts-for-living
Selection of small Bible colleges:
Small Bible colleges may not be regionally accredited (you can't transfer the credits earned to other colleges), but transferable credits aren't necessary if your career/ministry field, local church or denomination, accepts degrees from the schools. Each is different in its materials, strengths, and costs. (All costs listed in March 2022)
https://www.summitbiblecollege.com/ English and Spanish Bible classes. Pay by degree, not by course. Ex: Associates of Biblical Studies Tuition = $8,400
https://globaluniversity.edu/ English and Spanish Bible classes. $90 - $135 per course. Ex: Associate of Arts in Church Ministries = $5,400 to $8,100 plus books and fees (I didn't find a total cost, I recommend requesting a list of fees and how often they apply the fees.)
https://www.ibaptistcollege.org/ English Bible classes. $150-$300 per course. Ex: Associates Of Pastoral Ministry = $9,600. I suggest discussing the classes with your pastor. It appears there's a large discount if your pastor establishes a remote Bible Institute location/website for your church.
Last thought: if the courses you can afford are not from your church denomination but otherwise close in beliefs, then why not take the course? Compare the statement of beliefs of both denominations and make a decision then. The differences might not even come up the course.