Homeschooling Library

Geography Bee-Each year thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society. The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic knowledge.

Intel Science Talent Search (Formerly Westinghouse Science Talent Search)-science competition

International Mathematical Olympiad--World Championship Mathematics Competition for High School students and is held annually in a different country.

The Knowledge Master Open-Teams in the Knowledge Master Open receive curriculum-based contest questions (200 at secondary levels; 100 at elementary levels) on a disk and compete using a computer

MathCounts (grades 7-8) - A national math coaching and math competition program

Math League Press-The Math League is dedicated to bringing challenging mathematics materials to students. The Math League specializes in math contests, books, and computer software designed to stimulate interest and confidence in mathematics for students from the 4th grade through high school. Over 1 million students participate in Math League contests each year. Contest problems are designed to cover a range of mathematical knowledge for each grade level. All of the problems on each contest require no additional knowledge of mathematics beyond the grade level they test.

National Geography Bee (grades 4-8) --geography competition

Odyssey of the Mind (grades K-12) -creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Kids apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics.

Promising Young Writers Program (grade 8) --writing competition

Scripps National Spelling Bee (under 16, before 8th grade)--spelling competition

USA Computing Olympiad--The USACO supports pre-college computing around the world through computer programming competitions. A team of four students is selected to represent the United States in the annual International Olympiad in Informatics.

USA Mathematical Talent Search--A free math competition open to all United States high school students.

Christian Support Groups

Homeschool Train Up A Child (HSTUAC)--relaxed, informative, pleasant mail list. No theological or political debates.

Homeschooling for Home, Inc.--a homeschooling educational consulting business which focuses on identifying and facilitating God-given talents of parents-teachers and children in an effort to maximize education from preschool to college

Contests

Coloring Contests:

Free Kids Coloring Contest--choose your own picture, mail it in, and you may be the lucky grand prize winner of 100 Chuck E. Cheese tokens!! Three different age categories from preschool to upper elementary

Drawing Contests:

Free Kids Drawing Contest--from preschool to upper elementary, send in your drawings for your chance to win 100 Chuck E. Cheese tokens!!

Writing Contests:

Mystery Writing Contest--for teens. Write a mystery story and have the chance to win a publishing contract with a $10,000 cash advance. April 2004-July 1, 2004

Distance Learning

Distance Education--page with links for elementary and secondary distance education

Indiana University School of Continuing Studies--online distance education classes for high school

Keystone National High School--homeschooling assistance with teacher support, high quality textbooks, and course materials. No need to freshen up on Trigonometry or Chemistry to home school

United States Distance Learning Association--serves the needs of the distance learning community by providing advocacy, information, networking, and opportunity

The Alberta Distance Learning Center--distance learning for grades K-6. Some financial assistance may be available

US Charter Schools--website of information, explanation, links, and resources

Events

Homeschooling Conferences by State--Site listing conferences and events by state with details on content and registration information.

General Support Groups

African American Homeschoolers Network: established for families seeking educations resources such as educational materials, assistance in finding support groups, and cultural activities. Free membership.

American Homeschool Association--organization sponsored in part by the publishers of Home Education Magazine. The AHA was created in 1995 to network homeschoolers on a national level. Current AHA services include an online news and discussion list which provides news, information, and resources for homeschoolers, media contacts, and education officials.

ERIC--Educational Resources Information Center--funded by the Department of Education to provide access to literature and education resources and is available for use by homeschoolers.

Escondido Tutorial Service--online tutorial support

Federal Resources for Educational Excellence--free resources and links that can be utilized by homeschoolers

Gateway to Educational Plans--support search engine for FREE high quality lesson plans, curriculum units, and other educational resources on the web

Homeschool Anyone--e-list for ideas, help, support, questions, and sharing experience on homeschooling anyone in any situation: from onlies to single parents to work-at-home moms. Click on link to send e-mail to subscribe.

Homeschooling Library--entire site devoted to resources, crafts, games, and homework help (including rental of educational DVDs)

Homeschool Links Page--Homeschool Links on a variety of topics and school subjects

Homeschool Social Register--Get in touch with other homeschoolers in your area or anywhere in the world. Browse hundreds of links to homeschool support groups and other resources and recommend your favorite links. Build your own custom "homeschool home page" with links to the latest homeschool content from all over the web.

Laurel Springs School--nationally accredited independent Study Program

National Association For the Education of Young Children-- "NAEYC exists for the purpose of leading and consolidating the efforts of individuals and groups working to achieve healthy development and constructive education for all young children. Primary attention is devoted to assuring the provision of high quality early childhood programs for young children"

National Home Education Network--changing the way the world sees homeschooling. Publications, Public Relations, Media, Legislative and Legal Networking, Volunteer Support. Plus research on why homeschooling works

National Home Education Research Institute--produces high quality research on home education, serves as a clearinghouse of research for policy makers, and educates the public on findings regarding homeschool education

Typical Course of Study-as provided by World Book Encyclopedia for K12 to have general guideline for what a child should be learning for each grade

What you need to know About Homeschooling--see what's in the spotlight and also many links on a wide variety of topics

International Homeschool

China/Chinese

Chinese Homeschoolers--this is a very friendly group that also has a an e-list to join. I actually came across the e-group first when helping someone who needed a contact for Chinese Homeschooling; and I've got to tell you, this seems like a great group.

France

Choisir d'Instruire Son Enfant-this site is in French

Les Enfants D'Abord-website both in French and English version-Les Enfants d'abord is a French national organisation for homeschooling families and people interested in home-based education.
It was started in 1988 by a few families who wanted to get together to exchange ideas about homeschooling or unschooling, and to organise activities and meetings for people interested or already learning without school. It is a non-confessional organisation and does not advocate any particular educational method.

Guam

Homeschoolers of Guam--the purpose of this group is to To provide mutual support and encouragement to those in the community who choose to home school their children. Participation in the group is voluntary. The leadership of the group is made up of conservative evangelical Christians.

Legal Support Groups

Home School Legal Defense Association: a non-profit advocacy organization established to defend and advance the constitutional right of parents to direct the education of their children and to protect family freedoms

Research Supporting Homeschooling

A List of Selected Research On Homeschooling: by Patrick Farenga, 1996

Answers to Objections To Homeschooling: by Fred Worth

Socialization/Activities/Lesson/Field Trip Opportunities

Classics for Kids--learn about classical music, online game, compose music online, and see if there are programs or performances in your area

Natural History Museums-comprehensive list of Natural History Museums throughout the United States, many with virtual exhibits

Young Eagles--Develop aviation interest

Liberty Science Center--just minutes from Manhattan in Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ — is a major public institution devoted to lifelong, interactive education about science and technology. The Center is home to more than 250 hands-on exhibits on three theme-specific floors: Invention, Health, and Environment. Liberty Science Center hosts numerous science-related activities and demonstrations, as well as the nation's largest IMAX dome. Since the Center opened in 1993, more than five million guests have come to Liberty Science Center, making it one of the region's most visited family attractions

Martial Arts Websites-list of websites teaching martial arts to find a location in your area

Special Needs Support Groups

ADD--Attention Deficit Disorder Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

ADHDNews--newsletter for parents and teachers dealing with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder)

Attention Deficit Disorder--Education Planning for home school child with ADD

California Reading Association--"The California Reading Association (CRA) is an independent, self-governing organization dedicated to increasing literacy and instilling a love for reading in children and adults alike, with special attention to California residents"

Can Teach--website for attention deficit disorder and hyperactivity. Informational Articles and Help Links

Homeschooling the ADHD Child--issues dealt with in home school for the home school child with attention deficit disorder (ADD) along with helpful links

What you Need to Know About--website with links on the subject of attention deficit disorder and homeschooling

Autism Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

Autism Resources--information and link to E-List of families homeschooling an autistic child

Little Homeschool in the Rockies--Tammy Glaser personal site on home schooling autistic children

What You Need To Know About--Home School Links for Home Schooling an Autistic Child

Blind and Vision Impaired Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

Blindhomeschoolers--small but active e-mail list of families home schooling vision impaired or blind children

Core Curriculum for Blind and Visually Impaired Students--information on core curriculum and what needs to be mastered by graduation

National Library Service for the Blind and Handicapped--information on who is eligible and how to sign up

Cerebral Palsy Special Needs Home School Support Groups (Homeschool)

Cerebral Palsy Grassroots Organization - Message board for parents who are homeschooling their disabled children.

Developmentally Delayed Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

[Yahoo Groups] DevDelay6andUnder: Email list for parents of special needs and developmentally delayed children aged six and under.

Downs' Syndrome Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

Love and Learning--Birth to 3 Reading and Language Development, with information and additional links

Dyslexia Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

Audiblox-a resource for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyspraxia-A system of cognitive exercises, aimed at the development of foundational learning skills. Effective for dyslexia and other learning difficulties

Dyslexia-My Life--web page with tons of informational and resource links for dyslexia

Dyslexia Resources--Dr. Vaz discusses various topics regarding Dyslexia in his articles along with resources and other information (along with a teacher's informational booklet)

Dyslexia, The Gift--exploration of positive talents arising from Dyslexia and the best way for dyslexic people to learn

Joyce Herzog.com--Learning products and services and help for homeschooling and home school

General Home School Special Needs Support Groups (Homeschool)

National Association for Child Development--enter your special needs search term for a myriad of links

National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network (NATHHAN): Christian homeschooling for challenged or disabled children. Articles, lending library, newsletter, and links

NLD Line--website for support of homeschooling parents of a child with nonverbal learning disorder

[Yahoo!Groups] HomeschoolLI--The Homeschool Language-Impaired forum is open to people who have an interest in educating language-impaired or learning-disabled children. This mailing list is a place where you can contribute your ideas & practical educational techniques which you've found to be successful & fun for your children. It is also a place where you can find support & share your ideas & concerns.

[Yahoo! Groups] Homeschooling Kids with Disabilities - Email list for parents/grandparents/guardians who are homeschooling children with special educational needs, and professionals in the disabilities field.

[Yahoo! Groups] hskids-specialneeds - Email list for homeschooling parents who are educating their kids with special needs.

[Yahoo! Groups] hkwd--homeschooling kids with disabilities--e-mail list focused on homeschooling children with special educational needs. The list is unmoderated but strongly encouraged to remain on-topic

Gifted Special Needs Home School Support Groups (Homeschool)

Gifted and Home School Resources--many links for books on the gifted and educational links on identifying and helping the gifted child

GT Special Mailing List--links for e-mail list for families with the gifted

Internet Resources for Homeschooling Gifted Students--legal resources, educational resources, curriculum appropriate for the gifted home school child, and general links to websites of interest to home schoolers of the gifted

What You Need to Know About--links from about.com on gifted children

Hearing Impaired Special Needs Home School Support Groups (Homeschool)

Another Path--A comprehensive guide to home schooling (homeschooling) your deaf, hard of hearing, hearing impaired child

Deaf Christian Homeschool--home school e-mail YAHOO group--A group of Christian Homeschool of deaf or hard of hearing parents share their teaching tips, ideas, views based on biblical principles.

Deaf Homeschool--home school e-mail YAHOO group--This is a support group and information clearinghouse for parents who are homeschooling deaf or hard-of-hearing children. Membership is restricted. (A short intro explaining your reasons for joining the list is required for subscription approval.)

Unschooling

Resources for Unschooling--info on unschooling and tons of links on homeschooling