A mum once asked on a homeschooling bulletin board if it is possible to homeschool without a library in town. I said it is because *I* homeschool without a library in town :) I told the sister that when I am in Singapore, I am the crazy lady with equally crazy kids dragging suitcases of books from the neighbourhood library. In Islamabad though, I make do and alhamdulillah, it really has not been a hardship. We are blessed with second-hand bookstores which have allowed us to build our own library of award-winning literature and reference books.
There are also lots of free online resources. I’ve been busy surfing (can’t sleep – must be all that paracetamol in my system) so I’ll be sharing links over the next few days in shaa Allah. (Aren’t you guys glad I’ve sworn off Facebook and Farmville?? :P)
So, to kick off my Freebie Frenzy, here is a site that I’ve found useful.
Lesson Pathways is a FREE online educational resource for grades K-5. It contains high-quality, pre-screened online units (Pathways) that are designed to serve as either a full curriculum or as a supplement to your existing lesson plans.
You can choose how to use their resources:
A Guided Journey is a 36-week learning plan in one of the core subject areas, for a specific year or grade level (ie. Year 1 Science). A Guided Journey is made of individual Pathways. You may follow our recommended Guided Journeys or mix and match Pathways to create your own 36 week course.
A Pathway is a single unit on a given topic (e.g. Animal Life Cycles). Each Pathway contains content for one week of instruction, depending on how often you teach a given subject. Each Pathway is made of multiple Stepping Stones.
A Stepping Stone is a single resource. This may be a lesson, video, worksheet, hands-on project, ebook, online game, or other activity (e.g. Create a Spider Life Cycle Poster). Multiple Stepping Stones make up a Pathway.
The site has a planner that allows you to assign, customise and track pathways for each child. If you already have a curriculum, then Lesson Pathways can supplement it by providing you with free online links and materials.
Assalamu Alaikum,
Mashallah this is a really good website. There’s so much stuff on it that most other sites would charge a monthly fee for. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. And yes, your absence from FB was noticed but alhamdulillah you’re back to blogging! I’m also finding out how much more I can accomplish when I am not farming ;)
wa `alaykum as salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh Sister Khadijah :)
So nice of you to drop by :) I feel bad for not logging on to FB but there is just too much fitnah and I am just weak! I miss my farm but hey, I have to remind myself it’s all virtual :)
Oh don’t feel bad about it really :) You’re right about the fitnah and you’re not the only one who’s weak :) By the way, I stop by this blog all the time. It’s one of my favs…I just haven’t commented. Mashallah you are an inspiration to us Mom’s that are just beginning our own homeschooling adventures. I just want to let you know that your efforts are appreciated. May Allah reward you for your efforts sis Ameen :)