Top 5 Homeschooling Resource: Online Learning Games

by Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger

27 Dec 2007 09:49 AM

It has been awhile since I've posted a resource blog and I must apologize. My goal is to do resource blogs often during the week and yet somehow with the craziness of Christmas, it just didn't happen.

Today's resource includes our favorite places to go for online learning games. I use online learning games as a means to keep one child busy while I'm working with another child. However, I know some homeschoolers that use them to teach and of course that's great too!

1. I Know That

I just discovered this site. It is simply full of online learning games, art activities, science activites, and other cool stuff. There is an option to register for free. . .and another option to subscribe. The subscription is $49.95 for the entire family and includes extra content and ad free pages. However, you can make good use of this site without the subscription. On the other hand, I would suggest that if you really like the content. . .you support the site.

2. Webkinz

I feel like I would be remiss to not mention Webkinz, although I've already written a blog on it. I have found that for my kids the whole experience of saving "money" and then getting to spend it is very educational. . .although there is also a quizzing section to test your child's knowledge in other academic areas. The games section includes logic building games as well. (And who can resist a cute little cuddly puppy to hold while playing?)

3. Funbrain

Funbran is yet another fantastic game site for kids. It must have close connections to Disney, because its ads are heavily populated by the loveable characters. However, they have a math link and a reading link that you can't miss to provide hours of edutainment!

4. Primary Games

This great site has games divided by subject area. It is one of my favorites because it's geared towards the younger set--preschoolers and young elementary students. My younger kids like it because well, it's fun.

5. Sesame Street Workshop

I would be remiss to not talk about the tried and true Sesame Street Workshop. Again, completely free educational games geared towards preschoolers. And who doesn't love furry little monsters? The site, like all of sesame street is top notch and has been a standard favorite in this house for years!

Learn more about Valorie Delp

Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line.

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hometeacher08 (15) 29 Dec 2007 06:07 PM

Do you think this service is worth the money? Myskillzone.com They're offering skills tutor. The program assess prescribe lessons. The activities are fun and engaging. Has anyone else looked at this more thoroughly?

Valorie Delp (49340) 30 Dec 2007 06:03 AM

No frankly, I don't think that this is worth the money. First of all, I would never use an online tutoring service. If my child needs tutoring that I can't provide, then I'll hire a real person. Secondly, this aligns to state standards. My children and most children I know who are homeschooled left the state standards in the dust a few grades back. Finally, this is not a website geared towards homeschooling but rather geared towards parents who are in public schools whose children are behind. Sites that aren't geared towards homeschoolers may actually prove harmful to them.

hometeacher08 (15) 30 Dec 2007 12:31 PM

What's the harm with using resources aligned with state standards in addition to everything else we use on our own. I respect what you said, but what if one needs to supplement what they are doing with an online course such as the one offered by myskillzone.com. Thanks for your feedback though and I will consider it.

Valorie Delp (49340) 30 Dec 2007 06:50 PM

The thing is. . .there are numerous types of outfits that offer this type of stuff and then gear it specifically to hs'ers. I find that things that are geared towards ps tend to be geared towards helping them pass tests. . .which IMO is next to useless learning. There are tons of decent online tutoring programs out there. . .like what about k12.com where you can take one course. . .or time4learning. . .clever island etc. Furthermore, I just think there are too many resources of this nature for free. Why pay? ;-)

Valorie Delp (49340) 31 Dec 2007 10:19 AM

I also have to ask what's the benefit? There really isn't one IMHO. ;-) But I do appreciate your comments on my blogs. ;-)

Andrea Hermitt (5512) 02 Jan 2008 08:15 AM

hmmm.. the comments that mention the sites seems more like a plug than a legit questions. We have used all of the sites that you Valorie have mentioned... I wish there were some similar sites for older kids, as my kids have outgrown most of them...Funbrain still gets some use though.

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Jan 2008 09:30 AM

Thanks Andrea for the idea. . .I'll have to think about/work on that. One of my favorite sites that would likely be right up your son's alley is the site for Sony Wonder Technology Lab (if you google it, it will come up). But unfortunately right now they're under construction so there's not much to do on their site. ;-(