Canadian Home Based Learning
Resource Page

These are links to non-Canadian sites that provide either useful learning resources or general information and discussion about home based learning relevant to all HBL families regardless of where they live.

Be aware that resources based in the U.S. use non-Canadian spelling (e.g. "color" for "colour"), which may confuse or misteach your child, especially when the lessons are for learning to read and spell. You may want to screen the lessons and adapt them before your child does them, or else always be there when your child is using such resources so that you can provide the correct Canadian spelling.

(For Canadian sites, resources and information, go to the Resources page.)

Some of the following non-Canadian sites contain Canadian-specific info as well.

• A to Z Home's Cool is an extensive directory of homeschooling links, including a section for Canada.
• Education Otherwise -- UK based membership organisation. The website has articles and resources of interest to all home based learning families, and there is a section on international home education links (we're listed).
• Jan Hunt's Natural Child Project  The Natural Child Project includes articles on empathic parenting, homeschooling, and child advocacy.
• School is Dead, Learn in Freedom
• Unschooling.com --"unschooling" is also known as child-led learning or natural learning.
• Home Education Magazine
• Homeschool associates

• FUN Books
  www.FUN-Books.com
  1688 Belhaven Woods Court, Dept. W., Pasadena, MD 21122-3727
  Voice Mail/Fax: 1-888-386-7020 or (410) 360-7330
  Email: FUN@ (add FUN-Books.com to complete the email address)
  -- call and ask for their catalogue; can order books online; books on homeschooling; information on learning resources for reading/writing, mathematics, science, arts/crafts, music, geography, foreign language, world and ancient history, genealogy, and much more. Note: The John Holt's Bookstore operations have been transferred to FUN Books.

• Primary Leap - downloadable worksheets for primary grades in all subjects (U.K.)
• Mindware - "brainy toys for kids of all ages"
• The Games Galaxy contains hundreds of unique educational games that stress reading, writing, spelling, arithmetic, and so on. Though they are geared for children aged about 7 - 15, most will be enjoyed by parents and teachers, too. If you order the 150-game package, you will get an additional ten booklets, which contain 362 pages of more games. You can download 6 games for free as a sample (6 pdf files). As with any non-Canadian resource, be aware that any spelling in the instructions or content will be American, not Canadian, so you will have to adapt where needed.
• Games for Fun, Fitness and Learning is a resource book of games for children between the ages of 7 and 16. Written by Kathi Wyldeck, an Australian homeschooling mom who is also an ESL teacher, the book includes physical and mental games, life skill games, and educational games. On the website there is a pdf file of free sample games from the book so you can check it out before you purchase. The website also provides a free Game of the Week, some Writing Topics of the Week, and Knowledge Quizzes.
• ThatQuiz is a free online resource for math practice and testing. The money section includes Canadian coins. Students can access all of the tests without registration. Immediate feedback is in terms of right or wrong only (the correct answer is not given after a mistake is made). Free registration for teachers allows customization of quizzes and record-keeping of students' scores.
• Christian Cottage serves home based learning families through either full enrollment in the Colorado-based school or just the services and products they provide. The website includes an online catalogue, a description of services, and articles from their newsletter.
• MINDsprinting is a K-12 tutoring program for mastering Math and Reading Comprehension that assigns specially tailored lessons based on a student's starting skills and subsequent achievements. Programs are provided in a printable worksheet format through the Internet. Appropriate for both enrichment and remedial purposes. When registering, enter the Group ID Code HSJ-120804 to receive the program at a 7% discount (US$14.00/month instead of US$15). Based in the U.S.: Be aware that the lessons use non-Canadian spelling (e.g. "color" for "colour"), which may confuse or misteach your child, especially when the lessons are for learning to read and spell.
• Xtel Set. Visitors to the site can find detailed on-line plans for building a beginner's crystal radio.
• Morse code translator allows you to translate text to morse or morse to text.
• CourseServer is a Web-hosted math problem generator. It allows you to select from thousands of different problem types and then automatically generates problem sheets and answers sheets which appear in your browser and can be printed.
• Virtual University. Free and low cost courses open to everyone.
• MEDLINEplus has tons of medical journal article abstracts useful for studying Life sciences in the upper or college years.
• Clonlara School Home Based Education Program - A US based program that follows a child-directed approach.
• Funbrain --online arcade-style games for kids (math, language arts, etc) and resources for teachers. Based in the U.S.: Be aware that the games use non-Canadian spelling (e.g. "color" for "colour"), which may confuse or misteach your child, especially when the games are for learning to read and spell.
• Neopets --earn Neopoints by playing online puzzle and arcade games (math, logic, words, arcade skills, etc) or multiplayer games, then spend your Neopoints on food, shelter, accessories and toys for your virtual pet. Select up to 5 Neopets to take care of. Parental consent form required for certain features. Based in the U.S.: Be aware that the language games use non-Canadian spelling (e.g. "color" for "colour"), which may confuse or misteach your child, especially when the games are for learning to read and spell.
• Spanish Programs/ Learn Spanish Today
  www.learnspanishtoday.com
  www.spanishprograms.com
  Quite a few free sample audio-visual Spanish lessons on-line, plus a newsletter you can subscribe to for more tips on the Spanish language and its usage. They also sell Complete Visual Link Spanish Program CD-ROM.