Homeschool Freebie of the Day

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Though we haven’t mentioned it here on the site for a few weeks, we wanted to remind you that the absolutely wonderful Ultimate Homeschool Expo is still available in its entirety online. It is simply one of the very best, most motivating and refreshing collections of resources for homeschoolers you’ll find ANYWHERE – online or off.

Every speaker, workshop and presentation from the weeklong “live” UHSE was recorded and is available for you to enjoy at your leisure – either online or downloaded to your computer, iPod, etc. There are dozens and dozens of freebies, samples, ebooks, bonus workshops, audios and curriculum resources available in the “Mommy Goodie Bags” and in the dozens of booths throughout the virtual Vendor Hall. In fact, Cindy Rushton told me a few days ago that she is STILL adding to the resources to the UHSE lineup, with new speakers and workshops being held through the rest of the summer – a sort of “Summer School” for moms who are planning for the new homeschooling year this fall, and are needing a refill of encouragement, energy, and guidance.

If you missed out on this previously, or missed your local homeschool convention this year (heck, even if you DID get to go), you owe it to yourself to take another look at this amazing site.

Click here to check out the 2009 Ultimate Homeschool Expo

July 15th: Air! (PDF ebook) – Today’s resource is this classic introduction to the air of our atmosphere, originally published in 1917. Though a few of the references are dated in this text, there is a great deal of excellent information in this well written text, plus some interesting hands-on activities. Check it out!

Excerpt:
We are usually not conscious of the air around us, but sometimes we realize that the air is heavy, while at other times we feel the bracing effect of the atmosphere. We live in an ocean of air as truly as fish inhabit an ocean of water. If you have ever been at the seashore you know that the ocean is never still for a second; sometimes the waves surge back and forth in angry fury, at other times the waves glide gently in to the shore and the surface is as smooth as glass; but we know that there is perpetual motion of the water even when the ocean is in its gentlest moods. Generally our atmosphere is quiet, and we are utterly unconscious of it; at other times we are painfully aware of it, because of its furious winds. Then again we are oppressed by it because of the vast quantity of vapor which it holds in the form of fog, or mist. The atmosphere around us is as restless and varying as is the water of the sea.

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Brownie Phonograms (PDF ebook) -The classic Palmer Cox Brownie characters are featured in this simple and easy to use vintage phonogram teaching guide for beginning readers and primary students, designed for individual work. An outline of how to conduct the lessons is included.

Note: Though these are definitely Cox’s Brownies, the illustrations in this guide were done by another artist (Hilda Smith) who offers an interesting – but definitely different – interpretation of these classic characters.

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Getting Kids to Help by Jill Cooper (PDF ebook) - It is one of those Age Old Questions: “How do I get my kids to help around the house?” It doesn’t matter whether you stay at home or work outside of the home, there is no one out there who can work long enough and hard enough to keep your house in perfect shape or even semi livable without the help and cooperation of your family.

In this great 29 page ebook, Jill Cooper of LivingOnADime.com shares a wealth of advice and suggestions for getting your kids – from toddlers to teens – to do their fair share (and then some) in your household. Sections include: Training Your Kids; How to Be a Good “Boss”; Incentives to get the job done; Age appropriate skills & chores, and much more!

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Today’s resource is this wonderful cornucopia of American History resources courtesy of Teri Ann Berg Olsen at www.HomeschoolPatriot.com. Included are downloadable, printable PDFs of:

> The Declaration of Independence
> “Give Me Liberty or Death” Patrick Henry’s famous speech.
> American History Quiz – Test the kids (and yourself!)
> George Washington’s 110 Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior (This compilation includes Washington’s original rules as well as selected examples for copywork and memorization, plus a writing activity.)
> Washington Word Find
> A Presidents Day Quiz
> Benjamin Franklin’s Virtue Chart
> Benjamin Franklin’s Day Organizer Chart
> 1623 Pilgrim Thanksgiving Proclamation
> The Gettysburg Address
…and more!

Click here for today’s resources!

With Bow and Arrow: The Story of Robin Hood Retold (PDF ebook) – Today’s resource is this classic retelling of the legend of Robin Hood (suitable for younger readers or for reading aloud) by Agnes Grozier Herbertson & Helen Stratton. In addition to the color illustrations accompanying the story, we’ve also included several black and white COLORING PAGES to keep little hands busy while they are listening to this classic tale or imagining they are battling the evil Sheriff of Nottingham in Sherwood Forest.

Click here for today’s resource!

Everything You Ever Really Needed to Know About Personal Finance on Just One Page” (PDF ebook) - The first page of this great personal finance book is a great diagram/chart/picture that really does cover everything you really need to know about personal finances. The balance of the 40+ page book goes into each point in greater detail, in a conversational, insightful (and humorous) manner.

While this was written for a general audience and not specifically for homeschool use, this is an excellent financial primer for parents to go through with their tweens and teens – especially in these tough economic times. Please note also that we have not investigated all the recommended resources mentioned in this guide, so cannot vouch for or endorse those links.

Click here for today’s resource!

The Man Without A Country (MP3 audio) – Since so many folks have asked to hear a sample story from our new “World’s Greatest Novels” Collection,today we bring you one of the excellent programs from that CD, Edward Everett Hale’s “The Man Without A Country”.

There are few tales charged with stronger patriotism than breathes from this narrative of a man who “loved his country as no other man has loved her; but no man deserved less at her hands.” — Henry Seidel Canby

“The Man Without A Country” is Edward Everett Hale’s haunting and patriotic tale of Philip Nolan, a young man enamored of the charismatic Aaron Burr. He participates in Burr’s mystery shrouded empire building scheme, for which Burr was charged with treason. But while Burr and the other leaders escape punishment, Nolan is convicted. When the presiding judge offers him an opportunity to prove his loyalty to the United States, Nolan replies in fury: “D—n the United States! I wish I may never hear of the United States again!”

…and…

for the next 50 YEARS he gets his wish.

This is a powerful and poignant tale — the ultimate “think before you speak” story — that you will long remember.

PROGRAM NOTE! Parents, we’re telling you this upfront, because we don’t want any emails fussing at us: Be aware that the protagonist of this story at one point does indeed yell out “D**n the United States!” This is a crucial turning point in the story, portrayed exactly as written in the original book. It is not done for sensationalistic reasons — it is a vital part of the story being told. (You may wish to “preview” this yourself at three minutes and again ten minutes into the story if you are so inclined.) We could have spliced this out of the story, but it is a key point in the plot and the original book, so we have allowed it to remain. Obviously in 1954 the producers of this program – made specifically for family listening – felt the same way. If this is not acceptable to you, PLEASE DON’T DOWNLOAD THIS STORY!

And a Note to HomeschoolRadioShows listeners: This is a new version of this classic story, and is not the one we offered in the past. Check it out!

Click here for today’s resource!

A Treasury of Tried and True Tonsil Tangling Tongue Twisters to Torment Trusting Tots, Tweens, Teens (& Parents Too)! (PDF ebook) - This could easily be one of the funnest family collections ever – if you use it! Challenge your whole family with these delightful wordplay tongue twisters. Aside from being fun wordplay for all ages, tongue twisters can also be quite helpful in developing speech skills, and are often used in speech therapy and as a way to improve pronunciation. So while you are having fun with these, you’re also helping your kids improve their enunciation and communication skills. How neat is that? Have fun!

Click here to download today’s resource!

Our brand new HomeschoolFreebieOfTheDay.com Resource Vault CD contains an incredible * 175 * of the best resources we have featured during the first year of Homeschool Freebie Of The Day! If you have just recently discovered our site, or just want a convenient archive of past resources we have featured here, this is it!

Our Resource Vault CD is FREE to the first 500 320 folks who order our newest mp3 audio collection!

Click HERE to see what all is on the Resource Vault CD… or Click HERE to get the full info on our newest collection!