Carschooling

If you want to make the most of your family driving time, you would probably enjoy Carschooling by Diane Flynn Keith. She has written about 350 fun and enticing activities, resources, and games designed to improve your kids’ skills in math, science, history, reading, grammar, and more. Put it to use as you make your way across town or while on a road trip.

The following are ideas that my family has created for learning in the car:

Current Events
Find a radio station that reports on current events. Listen while you are driving in the car and you can discuss the stories you find interesting.

Print and Read

Print an educational article off the Internet and take it in the car. The kids can practice taking turns reading it out loud. You can find good articles at:

Stop by the Library
You can stop by the library at the beginning of your errands. That way the kids will have something new and exciting to read in the car.

What I Learned Today
Everyone in the car takes turns sharing something new that they learned.

Oral Report
I've found that riding in the car is a good time to ask one of the kids - "How did you like that show on PBS last night?" The child gets to think through and explain what he has learned from the show. The other kids, in the car, get to listen and learn.

Brochures
While traveling, collect and read local brochures. You can find them at the chamber of commerce and hotels.

Eat New Foods
While traveling, go to restaurants and eat foods that are unique to the area.

I Heard...
I like to take time in the car to tell the kids about something I heard on a radio show or TV show. It is usually an inspirational story or interesting fact. This can also lead to a discussion.

Counting Change
I taught my son how to count change in a grocery store parking lot. I had decided to stay in the car, with him, while my husband ran in to the store for some groceries. We discovered that the ash tray was filled with change. So, I taught him the value of each coin and then gave him a handful of coins. He got to count the coins and then chose some for me to count.

Act Out a Scene
The kids can practice drama in the car. My girls have memorized lines from Little House on the Prairie episodes. They enjoy impressing me with how well they can do the scene. If you have enough people in the car, you can also read a play aloud.

PE While You're Out

If you're out doing errands, going to lessons, shopping, or going to an appointment - you can plan for some PE time. Here are some easy to do ideas:

  • Stop at a park to exercise on the play equipment.
  • Use the walking path at a hospital, park, or college.
  • Bring along the bikes to ride in the park or on a bike path.
  • Bring items to run and play with like - balls, hacky sack, beach ball, softball and bat.
Nature Collection
When my girls jump out of the car, they love to collect things like - leaves, flowers, rocks, and acorns. You can give each child a plastic zipper bag and encourage them to collect natural things. There are usually plants, trees, and flowers around buildings and stores.Your child may also enjoy a magnifying glass and nature notebook for sketching.

Paper Crafts
  • origami
  • complete the picture
  • cooperative drawing (take turns drawing a line or shape on one piece of paper)
  • draw a map (from home to the destination)
  • shape collage (with pre-cut colored paper shapes and glue stick)
  • learn how to draw (with a book from the library)
Read-a-loud Book
I try to remember to carry our read-a-loud book with me. Whether we are going for long road trips or waiting in a parking lot for 10 minutes a book has helped to pass the time, educate, and keep fights from breaking out.





Frugal Homeschooling

The following ideas will help lower your cost of homeschooling. These ideas and more are all located at Frugal Homeschoolers.com

Homeschool Your Child for Free

Our family has used some of the ideas from Homeschool Your Child for Free. Fortunately, our library had a copy of the book. The book has ideas for... more

How Can I Do it Cheaper?
I ask this question whenever I need to buy something... more

Saving Bucks Through Bartering
Homeschooling parents can save a lot of money by sharing their time and talents... more

Think Long Term
Here are some ideas to help you make your curriculum last... more


CurriculumMoney Traps
Many homeschooling parents overspend, buying curriculum for the wrong reasons. Here are some of the Money Traps concerning homeschool curriculum... more

Unschool to Save Money
There are many reasons why homeschoolers turn to the unschooling method. One reason is that it can be done for hardly any money... more

Use What You Already Have
Use materials you already have around the house... more


Question What You See, Look Up the Answer
We’ve added something new to our homeschooling. It’s not a new idea, but new to our family. When we have a question about something, we look it up on the Internet... more

Big Money Saving Tips
7 tips about curriculum, cable, and distance learning schools...more

Curriculum Fair Suggestions
Some suggestions for when you attend your local curriculum fair... more

How Adults Learn
Adults are always learning, and we don’t buy ourselves $50 curriculum to learn about a subject... more

Reading Tip
Some people spend $30 a year on a Reading Text and I’m not sure why. You probably do not need a Reading program beyond Phonics. Instead - read library books. Here are some helpful reading lists... more

Art at the Library
There is no need to buy an art curriculum when you have all of the free resources of a public library... more

Low-Cost Math
It has been a big financial help to our family using Spectrum Math . The workbooks cost only $8.50 each. There is about 1 page for each day of the school year and an answer key in the back... more

Frugal Phys Ed
It doesn’t take special curriculum or an exercise program for your children to stay physically fit. Here are some ideas... more

Educational Christmas Gifts
At Christmas, the kids ask relatives for educational fun stuff. Some of their favorite gifts have been... more

Learning Spelling for Free
I noticed that I was getting frustrated with the Spelling lists that my kids were using. They consisted of words that people seldom ever write. Here are some ways to learn Spelling without having to buy a curriculum... more

Free Field Trips
You can go on field trips with a group of fellow homeschoolers. Or, arrange your own field trip for just your family. Here are many ideas... more

Church - a Great Place to Learn
They use teaching methods that kids enjoy. There aren’t any tests given or assignments due. I made a list of learning experiences my kids have had at church... more

Free Bible Curriculum
Here are some free ways for kids to learn about the Bible... more

Homeschool Classified Sites
Here are some classified ad sites where you can buy used curriculum... more

6 Years of Grammar Book
Simply Grammar is a non-consumable book that you can use with all of your children during the 3rd - 8th grades. It has... more

12 Years of Spelling Book
Spelling Power is a non-consumable book that you can use with all of your children during the 1st - 12th grades. Some points about Spelling Power are... more

13 Years of Writing/Composition
Comprehensive Composition by Kathyrn Stout will help you teach children in grades K-12 the writing process. This book teaches the following writing skills... more

12 Years of Vocabulary Book
Roots and Fruits: A Comprehensive Vocabulary Curriculum You can use this one book with all of your children in grades 1 - 12th. This curriculum teaches... more

A Survey of History for Grade School Students

The Story of the World Series - by Susan Wise Bauer contains 4 books that cover World History from Ancient Times to The Modern Age. They can be read aloud as a family, or read independently by older children...more

Play Your Way Through Language Arts
If you have many kids, it may be more affordable to buy Language Arts games rather than Language Arts workbooks. There are many games that teach children phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills... more

Design-a-Study Series
If you want a very economical approach to homeschooling, you may be interested the Design-a-Study Series by Kathyrn Stout. These books are valuable in helping you make your own lessons and unit studies... more

Homeschool History and Geography Ideas

A Survey of History for Children
The Story of the World by Susan Wise Bauer contains 4 books that cover World History from Ancient Times to The Modern Age. They can be read aloud as a family, or read independently by older children... read more

American History through Historical Fiction
Using historical fiction books, your family can read through American History.

World History Through Historical Fiction
Using historical fiction books, your family can read through World History.

History and Geography DVDs
Here are some ideas for learning from DVDs...read more

Games to Buy
Made for Trade
Hail to the Chief
Name That Country
Geo Derby
Snapshots Across America
The Lewis and Clark Adventure Game
Trailblazer
World Dash

Homeschool Science Ideas

Real Life Science
It is surprising how much science we learn about everyday. I've noticed that my kids have a natural desire to learn about science, especially if it is hands-on. Here are some real life ways to learn science... read more

Refrigerator Science List
I noticed that my kids hadn't been doing a lot of science lately. So, I thought up a bunch of ideas and taped the list to the refrigerator. Here's what I put on the list...read more

Question What You See, Look Up the Answer
We’ve added something new to our homeschooling. It’s not a new idea, but new to our family. When we have a question about something, we look it up on the Internet... read more

Science Games on the Internet
FunSchool Math and Science Games
Prongo
Room 108 Science Games
IKnowThat
PrimaryGames
Scholastic Kids
KidsKnowIt Games

Science Games and Kits to Buy
Grow a Flower Board Game
Herd Your Horses
Bioviva
Mars 2020
Planet Quest
Ultimate Rocket Kit
Microscope Set
Ultimate Robot Kit
K'Nex Building Set

Homeschool Language Arts Ideas

Real Life Writing Ideas
Here are some ideas for real life writing that don't involve a text book... read more

Real Life Spelling Ideas
I noticed that I was getting frustrated with the Spelling lists that my kids were using. They consisted of words that people seldom ever write. In real life... read more

A Frugal Reading Tip

Some people spend $30 a year on a Reading Text and I’m not sure why. You probably do not need a Reading program beyond Phonics. Instead - read library books. Here are some links to Reading Lists of Library Books... read more

Play Your Way Through Language Arts
If you have a few kids, it’s probably more affordable to buy Language Arts games rather than Language Arts texts and workbooks. There are many games that teach children phonics, spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and writing skills... read more

6 Years of Grammar in One Book
Simply Grammar is a non-consumable book that you can use with all of your children during the 3rd - 8th grades. It has... read more

12 Years of Spelling in One Book
Spelling Power is a non-consumable book that you can use with all of your children during the 1st - 12th grades. Some points about Spelling Power are... read more

12 Years of Vocabulary in One Book
Roots and Fruits: A Comprehensive Vocabulary Curriculum You can use this one book with all of your children in grades 1 - 12th. This curriculum... read more

13 Years of Writing/Composition in One Book
Comprehensive Composition by Kathyrn Stout will help you teach children in grades K-12 the writing process. This book teaches the following writing skills... read more

Homeschool Math Ideas

Low-Cost Math
It’s been a big financial help to our family using
Spectrum Math . The workbooks cost only $8.99 each. There is about 1 page for each day of the school year and an answer key in the back. We use these workbooks through 8th grade and then switch to Alpha Omega Math for the High School years.

Real Life Math
My kids do math workbooks, but we don't go overboard with the thick textbooks. I let them do the assignments at their own pace. They keep up with the lessons, because they want to get ahead in Math. I don't want them to dislike math. It's such an important and necessary part of life.
Here are some real life ways to learn math...read more

Use What You Already Have
You don't really need to buy math manipulatives, counters, and fancy clocks. You can use things around your house, things that you already have. read more

10 Easy Steps to Multiplication Memorization
After struggling with 3 kids through multiplication, I came across an easy way to memorize the times tables. It's set up and explained in 10 simple steps. read more

Personal Finance Skills

I think that one of the most important things for a child to learn about is personal finance. If a lot of adults had successfully learned this, there wouldn't be so many of us in debt and financial frustration. Crown Financial is a Christian ministry that teaches God’s financial principles so that Christians may know Christ more intimately, be financially free to serve Him, and help fund the Great Commission. Their website material and radio advice is free. Here are some ideas for helping your children learn about good personal finance skills... read more

Math Games on the Internet
FunBrain
KidsPlayGames
FunSchool
Prongo
Room 108 Math Games
Primary Games