Many virtual academies are funded through the school system and are actually public schools. The only difference is that the child is attending school “virtually” by using educational software on their home computer. A parent plays the role of teacher by providing instruction and supervising learning activities. Enrollment requirements include the child being of age by the fall enrollment date and living within the virtual school boundaries. Enrollment is done online and immunizations are required.

Free Home School Tuition and Materials

Publicly funded virtual academies offer learning materials that are free of cost to parents. The K-12 Academy provides exceptional online learning materials, the usual textbooks and helpful online teaching guides and worksheets. Online tools help parents plan and track their child’s progress. K-12 also offers fun learning materials such as workbooks, science equipment, art supplies and maps. The K-12 Academy provides curriculum and learning materials for public virtual academies in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Illinois (Chicago),Kansas (Lawrence.), Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Washington D.C. (CAPCS), Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Connections Academy is a public, free tuition, virtual school provider that will actually customize a learning program around your child’s educational needs. Teachers stay in touch with parents and adjust lesson plans according to the child’s learning abilities. They offer fun interactive lessons called “Brainpop” and the Hooked on Phonics reading program. The Connections Academy offers grades K-10 and is nationally accredited by the Commission on International and Trans-Regional Accreditation (CITA). The Connections Academy is available through the public school systems in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

Some online academies go a step beyond providing the traditional learning materials. The Branson Academy is a K-14 online public school offered in the state of Colorado. Branson is one of a few online schools that are striving to bridge the gap between students who have access to technology and those who don’t. All of their students receive a computer and printer package as well as internet reimbursement of up to $20 per month. Branson also reimburses students for paper and ink supplies. Parents get a home school education for their child and the funds and technology needed for home schooling! Branson also has an annual fall picnic and other extra curricular activities that allow teachers and students to socialize beyond the computer screen.

Fast Track for College for High School Students

Older students can benefit greatly from the flexibility of a virtual middle, or high school. The middle or high school student can get a fast track to college by fitting in some extra courses. Students who are struggling in school can take make up classes and still graduate with the rest of the class. Many older children enjoy the virtual school program as they can choose classes and lessons that fit their school and work schedules.

Some virtual high school programs come with definite perks that would appeal to any teenager. The IQ Academy offered to the high school students of Wisconsin is a no-cost online program that offers a Macintosh ibook with all the latest software. They also offer a free student e-mail account. Wisconsin also offers a middle school program with excellent course materials. Virtual high school and/or middle school programs are available through chartering or state-funded programs in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming. Virtual high schools and middle schools are not limited to state funded programs and there are many tuition-based programs available. With some research you can find the right online academy program for your home school student.

If a publicly funded online academy is not available in your area, you can investigate an independent study program or a tuition-based online academy. The K-12 Academy has a cost-effective independent study program that offers month to month payments based on how many courses a child is taking. Parents can sign a one or two year contract and receive a discount on the outstanding curriculum. Lessons and materials are designed to effectively meet the needs of each grade level and an online school comes with the program to help parents manage their child’s education.

At every child’s range of learning, online academies have the plans, lessons, instruction help and materials for everyone in home schooling. Online academies are the future of learning and parents now have the ability to give their child an even better home school education.

Share your free or low-cost discoveries with other home school parents!

Do you know of a, free or low-cost, virtual academy or other online home school sources that we missed? Find information in this article that needs correction? Let us know! E-mail us today at contact@childnparent.com

We recommend the following resources for home school families.

K12 Online Home Schooling Information on school district-run virtual academies in your area offering the outstanding K-12 ® curriculum.

Connections Information on Connections virtual academies in your area. Also, has information on curriculum and learning materials.

virtual high schools Information on Virtual High Schools and how to choose one that is right for your student!

“I can’t do this” is a phrase that makes every parent inwardly groan as they watch their child struggle to master a math or grammar concept For home schooling parents, it hurts even more trying to fill the role of both parent and teacher. Teachers are supposed to have answers! But before you hit the panic button, home schooling help is here. These exciting new home school programs can help turn your child’s “I can’t” into “I can!”

Childnparent.com and the author have no commercial interest in these programs. They are presented only to help home school parent/teachers.

It’s “Math*U*See!

Math is a tricky subject, and most Moms have trouble keeping track of their car keys, so asking them to remember a math concept from yesteryear is just plain pointless. Thankfully, mom can put her brain at ease with Math*U*See, a home school instructional math program designed to teach children math so that it “finally makes sense.” The program has eleven categories with each category teaching a variety of math concepts that build upon each other in a firm and steady progression. Starting at the basic level with an introduction to basic math concepts, the program works up to more difficult math subjects such as geometry and pre-calculus. Children can take a placement exam online to determine which category is best for them.

Fun, multi-colored, manipulative blocks help younger and intermediate children understand math concepts through play. Teenagers preparing for college and real world experiences can benefit from the Stewardship course which teaches math and how it works in the real world. Subjects covered are Taxes, Real Estate, Banking, Interest and many others. A devotional topic is also part of the Stewardship course geared toward teaching teens the value of work, giving, contentment and consideration for others. There is even an Honors Book level for the child who enjoys math and needs more challenging, enriching material. Math*U*See is an exceptional product which can help both parent and child catch the vision of how fun math can be!

There’s Nothing Punky about Grammar Punk

Grammar Punk is a rebellious little program that has thrown out the lectures and note taking when it comes to grammar. Forget about having your child spend oodles of time memorizing all those picky grammar rules. Pick up a Grammar Punk package and watch them learn through fun dice games and creative writing processes. Created by an English teacher fed up with traditional grammar curriculum, this system teaches proper grammar in such a way that kids have fun learning and doing. The learning and doing regime actually helps kids retain more of what they learn.
Doing is more fun than memorizing, and Grammar Punk dice games require kids to “to create their own sentences, dictated by the Grammar Punk dice and story cards.” Grammar rules are practiced with each written sentence and grammar rules become part of the child’s natural writing ability. There are five Packages which cater to different age groups and each one is packed with quality curriculum materials. The K-9 package offers 6 sets of specialized grammar punk dice, 66 story cards, worksheets, and 180 pages of “lesson a day, exercises, activities, games and challenges.” There is a Creative Writing Course for older children and a Writer’s kit complete with all kinds of “writing how to’s.” They even offer a homework package so that children participating through traditional schools can reinforce their grammar skills at home. When it comes to learning grammar, this fun “punky” program really has it together.

Music is so cool with Classical Cool

Bach, Beethoven, Brahms; it’s not the usual selection to be found on an I-pod, but Classical Cool is a music program that just might change your child’s opinion. Developed by pianist Debbie Rowe and published composer, Dr. Rulon Christiansen, this unique program teaches lyrics filled with composer facts to the tunes of the composer himself. Children sing facts about Beethoven, while listening to Beethoven. By listening and singing, children are able to retain more information about the music and the composer.

Classical Cool is designed with the home scholar in mind. Courses come with singable, fact-based, fun lyrics with matching games. Also included are “performance scripts, a book with full piano accompaniment, facts at a glance sheets on each period and composer, a CD package with classical music set to learning lyrics.” The lyrics help each child master facts about the composer. Teaching music at home can be very scary for a parent, especially for those who are not musically inclined. Classical Cool makes teaching easier for the parent/teacher. Teenagers can plug in their I-pod and sing along to find out all about Bach, Mozart and Beethoven. Having a classical experience in the home, even teenagers can come to see that classical is really cool!

Get Your Game On with the Pocket Professor

Okay, so you gave in and bought your child a Nintendo Game Boy. Chances are that your child plays it so much you fear any minute they’re eyes are going to glaze over with video game addiction. Well Super Mom to the rescue with Pocket Professor KwikNotes, designed to help your child learn world history, geometry, algebra and other tricky subjects on a game boy. Yes, you did hear right, actually learn something on a game boy. The Pocket Professor offers cartridges on Basic Math, Algebra, Geometry, United States Government and many other educational subjects. It gives home and traditional schooled children the “ability to quickly and efficiently solve those day-to-day schoolwork problems.” It also allows you to get surprising value out of that expensive game boy. There are even special features for adults such as Adult Education and GED Preparation. For those who are military bound, the Military Entrance Exam Preparation feature can help any future soldier get a boot in the door. So get your child’s game on, and when the game is over, have your child plug in the Pocket Professor. After all, he’s no good just sitting in your pocket.

Getting into college is a cinch with Zinch!

Want your home schooled grad to get into Yale or Princeton? Well, it can happen with Zinch! Zinch is an online collage portfolio package designed by Mick Hagen, a Princeton Tiger himself. With Zinch, your graduating child can create a custom portfolio complete with pictures, GPA’s, extra-curricular activities and other eye-catching information. College recruiters can log on to the site and view your grad’s awesome abilities. Recruiters can target those students who are a good fit for the school. Students can target colleges, with a cool Shout Out feature that enables the student to send their personal portfolio to colleges of they’re choice. Students can view college profiles on Zinch to determine which ones are best for their educational goals. There is even an e-mail feature that helps your grad organize college admission offers. The personal part of the custom portfolio is designed to help students shine by showcasing their extraordinary talents and skills. Collage recruiters get to know more of a person behind the portfolio face. All of the data is private with passwords to protect and guard. Only college admissions officers are allowed passwords to search the Zinch database for future students. This online product is very organized and so easy to use.
It really is a cinch with Zinch!

Home schooling your child is easier with quality programs that help teach, guide and inspire. Creative learning games, fun stories and singing songs should be part of your children’s curriculum. Every child deserves a quality education and with great programs and a caring parent/teacher your children will become all that they can be.

Check out Math U See programs prices and order online!

More on Grammar Punk .

More information on the authors of the Classical Cool Music Program and how to order it!

All about the Pocket Professor

Find out more about how Zinch can open college doors and create your own custom profile today!

Does your child have a tendency to daydream? Is your child struggling with 7 X 7 or 5 X 5? With home schooling, you can discover your child’s learning abilities and then help them in the areas where they need it most. You can also help your child stay focused, on task and assist in moving them forward with concepts they more quickly understand. With home schooling, no one child has to wait for the rest of the class to master a concept.

Parents and children who home school also have the ease of a flexible schedule. Imagine clearing the breakfast table and then settling down for a math lesson. The child doesn’t have to rush to get to a public school and can have more sleep time. Adequate rest can help a child be more attentive to their lessons. Less transportation stress can provide a better start to the school day. Parents save on driving time and can schedule their child’s lessons around doctor’s appointments, and special interest classes like dance, or karate.

As your child’s teacher, you can also provide more positive learning experiences. Children can get bored just sitting in a classroom trying to learn from a book. You can provide nature walks and trips to interesting museums. You can also provide more hands-on-learning experiences. Many children would enjoy constructing a home-made volcano and watching it erupt more than learning about the eruption process using only a book. Using your kitchen, you can go the extra mile and show your child that learning can be fun!

Parents who are considering home schooling often wonder “Where do I begin?” The best place to begin is within your own state. Home schooling is legal in all fifty states. The internet makes it easy to establish what your state laws are. You can find many state forms online. For information on state home schooling laws see the link below.

Home School Legal Legal information on home schooling laws by state.

You will also want to consider which teaching method best suits your preferences and your child’s needs. You can do unit studies with everything revolving around a theme, like Egypt. You can also include your family’s religious beliefs as part of your child’s education. You can choose the teaching method which will help you teach your child effectively. You can find more information on home schooling and teaching methods at the link below.

Home Educate Good information on home schooling and the different teaching methods.

Choosing a good curriculum that doesn’t cost a small fortune is also important. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from and through the internet, you can investigate curriculum and online academies at your leisure. Some school districts actually contract with online academies to offer FREE home schooling. The connections academy is a free online program that is offered to the residents of the state of Minnesota. The K-12 academy is another such online organization that is offered through districts in Utah and Idaho. The K-12 academy provides textbooks, note pads, testing assessment, and lots of fun learning materials. And it’s all free of charge!

Another important aspect of home school curriculum is making sure that you have a support system. Many online academies offer back up teacher support for those times when a parent is struggling to teach a particular concept. Parental support groups are wonderful to share teaching ideas and information. See the links below to find a support group in your area.

Online Academies Your link for information on support groups and online academies available in each state .

Homeschooling Recommended for support groups available in each state.

Home schooling is successful largely because a parent cares and wants to be more directly involved in their child’s education. With home schooling you can have a positive impact on your child and help them shape a successful future.

HOMESCHOOLER WINS NATIONAL GEOGRAPHY BEE!!!!

Nathan Cornelius, a home schooled seventh grader from Cottonwood, Minn., won the 17th annual National Geographic Bee competition, with remarkable knowledge about cities, countries, rivers and places around the world. The competition started with five million students nationwide. For beating out all of them, Nathan received a $25,000 scholarship.

This question is being asked all over the country by more and more parents each year. The number of parents making the decision to home school is increasing by almost 15% each year. This states clearly that parents are seeking a better education than they experience with public schools or traditional teaching establishments. Many parents find that their child needs personal attention that traditional schools fail to provide.

In public schools, children are too often taught not to think. They are told what to do, how to do it, when to do it and why to do it. Textbooks and tests are determined by the requirements of the school system and the publishers. The program doesn’t encourage children to have confidence in solving their problems as adults.

By home schooling, you can teach your child to think for herself, to make her own decisions. Home schooling will be a valuable experience for both you and your child. You will not be alone. Support groups are springing up all over the country and you should be able to find one to fit your needs in your own area.

Home schooling is not a plan you will be locked into. If your situation changes and you decide not to home school, you can easily enter your child into public school or a private school.

Try these three useful home schooling resource websites:

Jon’s Home school Resource Page A private non-commercial resource of subject matter, and study guides

Home Education Magazine Continuing resource and networking support for your home school program.

Home School Central Covers most subjects and materials with many home school helpful links.