Homeschool for Free - Math

There is so much information and homeschool material on the internet free for the taking. For years I have been researching free homeschool curricula. I have never been brave enough to try most of it, I like having a plan laid out for me. This is why we have pretty much stuck with Sonlight. I do dream of homeschooling my children for free, or virtually free though, and I though you might be interested in trying some of the free curriculum I've found. Math will be our focus for today.


MEP Math was designed by the Center for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching at Plymouth University in the UK. This curriculum goes from K or 1st grade all the way to advanced mathematics. While I have never used it, it seems very thorough. You are provided with the student workbooks, lesson plans and answer keys. There are also printable manipulatives for the younger levels. You can print overhead transparencies if you want to use them. They also have an online test maker. The test is computer generated and timed. You work the problems offline and then enter them online to get your score. For just the cost of ink and paper, you can have a quality math program for all your children for all years.


One caveat, this program is made in the UK for use in European schools, so you will encounter European money and metric measurements. There will also be occasions when your child will encounter unfamiliar words. For example: in the year 1 student book, you are asked to circle all the "lorries", for Americans this is "trucks". I don't really think you will have much of a problem with this aspect of the curriculum.


You do need a password to access some of the files - teacher lesson plans, answers, etc. If you e-mail them and honestly explain who you are and why you need the password, you should have no problem. I had no trouble obtaining it.


Free Printable Flashcards - These are"make-your-own" flash cards. You can choose any information to go on these. Therefore, they are not limited to the subject of mathematics. I tend to cringe at flashcards, but I know that they can be very useful. We use flashcards for foreign language and phonics as well as math facts. You could also use them for vocabulary.


Basic Math Fact Worksheets - This is on the Saxon math website. This allows you to make timed drill sheets for free. You can choose which function you want to review (+, -, x, /), which facts (2 times table, addition +10, etc.). You can choose the number of problems per page. You can also choose whether to time them or not. These would be great for math drills or basic fact quizzes or tests. (Edit - this is an online drill, not printable worksheets. Sorry for the mix-up!)


Worksheet Works - This is another site where you can make practice worksheets. Again this is not limited to math (although I have only linked to the math portion). Some of the worksheet topics include: money, time, geometry, fractions, etc. There are many things to choose from and they are currently working to add new sections.


This is just a sampling of the free math curriculum available on the internet. I'm sure there is much more to be found. If you find something you'd like to share, please leave a link in the comments.



Until next time,

~Linda~