If you are new to home education, please read our overview of resources before searching here.

We have links to a variety of resources which cover one or more subject areas, and many are free/low cost.

HEN also has Pinterest boards for many topic areas with links to learning resources such as websites, games and hands-on activities you can view here.

We also share resource suggestions every week in our Facebook group HEN Vic.

The suitability of resources is very individual. This list is a starting point for your own research, as only you can assess what is suitable for your family. Links are to the homepage, but you may be able to purchase secondhand or from Australian suppliers.

HEN members have access to discounts on programs and subscriptions.

Home ed students are able to participate in many competitions, awards and challenges. Please see our Competitions page for more information.

ABC Reading Eggs

Reading lessons and phonics games.

 

Phonics Hero

Teaches reading and spelling through systematic, synthetic phonics.

 

Fitzroy Readers

  • Primary
  • Australian, Hardcopy

A tried and tested approach to reading and spelling. App version of readers now available.

Little Scribe

Writing Masterclass Workshop for homeschoolers – content is strongly Australian (authors/topics)

Experience a writing festival with 15 literary masters – authors, illustrators, journalists, and poets.

Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW)

  • Primary, secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Teaching DVDs, that teach how to “write with structure and style”. For beginning writers to upper level high school writing. A few products (clearly marked) have Christian content.

 

Clearwater Press

  • Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Innovative English Curriculum. Cover Story (magazine writing), Byline (journalism) and OYAN (novel writing).

 

Brave Writer

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Brave Writer is designed to help you coach your children from fluent speech to powerful written self expression.

 

Ziptales

Online literacy library filled with stories, lessons, fun activities and over 600 modules of educational content. Online resources are broken up into a Preschool section (ages 3-5), a Developing Literacy section (Foundation/Prep to Year 2, ages 5-8), and an Extending Literacy section, (Years 3 to 6, ages 8-12).

 

Hartley Knows

  • Primary
  • Australian, Online

Handwriting resources and self-regulation resources for students in kinder to year 2 level. $25/year for home ed families.

 

Getty Dubay Italic

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Italic handwriting series for all ages.

 

Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons

  • Primary
  • American, Hardcopy

A research-based reading program for home use.

 

Jolly Phonics and Jolly Grammar

  • Primary
  • British, Hardcopy

A child centred multi-sensory method approach to teaching literacy through synthetic phonics.

 

Reading Reflex

  • Primary, Secondary
  • British, Hardcopy

As sucessful for older learners as for younger children, not ‘babyish’ and popular with parents whose children have struggled with other methods.

 

LEM Phonics

  • Primary
  • Australian, Hardcopy

A Christian intensive phonics program specifically designed for Australian English.

 

Shakespeare Birthplace Trust resources

  • Primary, Secondary
  • UK, printables

Free education resources related to Shakespeare. The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust is the independent charity that cares for the world’s greatest Shakespeare heritage sites in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Readiwriter Spelling

Independent learning and spelling awareness.

 

Touch Type to Read and Spell

Combine spelling and typing in a programme which works as well for teens as it does for younger children.

 

All About Spelling

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American (Australian modifications may be available), Hardcopy

A scripted program that uses the Orton-Gillingham approach. Very thorough, but time intensive for the parent.

 

Megawords

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Covering spelling and context of multisyllabic words. A good resource for older children who find spelling difficult.

 

Handwriting copywork

  • Primary
  • Australian

The student using their best penmanship to copy writing that is well spaced with proper capitalization and punctuation marks.

 

Literacy Planet

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

A gamified curriculum aligned program which is available free through many libraries.

 

Write Away With Me

  • Primary
  • Australian, Online

Story telling and writing workshops as well as holiday programs.

 

Homeschooling Downunder

  • Primary
  • Australian

Charlotte Mason program with copywork, spelling, dictation, narrations, picture study, observations, poetry, writing and grammar.

 

Excavating English

  • Secondary
  • American

An introduction to the nature and history of the English language and its linguistic connections.

 

Learning Language Arts Through Literature (LLATL)

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Using an integrated approach to learning, students learn the skills appropriate for each grade level in the context of real literature – Christian.

 

Beowulf’s Grammar

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Including comics, colorful illustrations, hands-on activities, gentle review, memorable characters, and a combination of approaches to help students not only retain what they are learning, but to actually enjoy grammar!

 

Read Write Think

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online, Printables

Provides free access to high quality material in reading and language arts instruction.

 

Wild Learning

  • Primary
  • American, Downloadable

A year-long story about an adventurous mouse named Matilda, covering word families/phonics, sight words, and other key literacy skills. Activities such as sound scavenger hunts, and word hopscotch make learning active, hands-on, and fun.

 

TRUGS – Teaching Reading Using Games

  • Primary, Secondary
  • UK (has Australian stockists), physical product

Games progress through stages of reading, with lots of reinforcement to allow children to boost reading ability through quick, fun games.

Singapore Math

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Hardcopy

A highly effective teaching approach that instills deep understanding of mathematical concepts.

 

Math U See

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, but Australian versions available through AU distributor. Hardcopy

Skill focused workbooks using hands on manipulatives, with DVDs explaining concepts. Quite a different sequence of learning maths, as it focused on particular skills for each year. 

 

Life of Fred

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

From first grade to university maths, these books aim for conceptual understanding through stories based on the life of 5 year old genius Fred.

 

Teaching Textbooks

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Self teaching program from grade 4 up, with automatic grading.

 

Mathletics

Earn rewards through gamified learning – activities and challenges for every level.

 

Primary Australian Literacy Mathematics and Science (PALMS)

  • Primary
  • Australian
  • Free

This program aims to enrich and support the teaching of earth science from Foundation to Year 6 across Australia. This will be achieved by providing, within the mandated Earth and Space Science curriculum, hands-on activities integrating aspects of Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences as well as relevant components of English, Mathematics and other subjects.

 

Fitzroy Maths

  • Primary
  • Australian, Hardcopy

These workbooks use minimal English and allow students to work at their own pace, fostering both competence and confidence in numeracy in the formative years.

 

Dr Dwyer

  • Secondary
  • Australian, Hardcopy

A traditional textbook with good clear explanations, inexpensive and easy to use.

 

Maths Pathway  

HEN member discount available

  • Year 5 – Year 10
  • Australian

Maths Pathway was created to guide every child through their whole maths journey, from primary school onwards. Your child’s unique learning path will fill in their gaps, extend their knowledge, and give them the feeling of joy that comes with success and growth.

 

How to Learn Math

How to Learn Math is a free self-paced class for learners of all levels of mathematics. It combines really important information on the brain and learning with new evidence on the best ways to approach and learn math effectively. Many people have had negative experiences with math, and end up disliking math or failing.

This class will give learners of math the information they need to become powerful math learners, it will correct any misconceptions they have about what math is, and it will teach them about their own potential to succeed and the strategies needed to approach math effectively.

If you have had past negative experiences with math this will help change your relationship to one that is positive and powerful. The course will feature Jo and a team of undergraduates, as well as videos of math in action – in dance, juggling, snowflakes, soccer and many other applications. It is designed with a pedagogy of active engagement.

 

Ultimate List of Printable Math Manipulatives & Games

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A great list with links to free maths manipulatives and games.

 

Art of Problem Solving Academy

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, online, hardcopy

Innovative textbooks and online courses for primary (Beast Academy is a comic book based maths curriculum) and secondary.

 

Southern Cross University numeracy resources

  • Secondary/university level
  • Australian, online

Numeracy resources that have been designed to provide support for many topics in mathematics at university level.

Mathspace and Wootube with Eddie Woo

  • Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Australia’s well known mathematics teacher. Eddie’s learning resources are used by students worldwide. Secondary maths curriculum.

 

Financial Basics Foundation

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Registered home educators can access several engaging programs for free: Operation Financial Literacy,  Financial Literacy in Practice and ESSI Money (a simulation game). 

Information on how to get teachers access to this can be found here (PDF) Set up information can be found here (PDF).

 

Mathwire.com

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

A great source of free maths activities and games for every topic.

 

Math for Love

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A curriculum that combines play and rigor. Strengthen student understanding while making math the best part of the day.

 

Maths Online

Maths tutoring program, which uses short tutorials to teach maths concepts, followed by worksheets and activities to practice those concepts.

 

Wolfram MathWorld

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

The web’s most extensive mathematical resource, excellent for higher level maths.

 

Cool Math/Kids/Games

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Three linked sites for primary, secondary and games.

 

MathTrackX

  • Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A self-paced program which covers methods and applications of differentiation, integration, probability and statistics

 

MEP Maths Enhancement Program

  • Primary, Secondary
  • British

Printable workbooks for all grades. Options for three different ‘streams’ to tailor to each child (standard, academic and express). NOTE: email MEP to obtain access to passworded files – say you are a home educator.

 

KhanAcademy

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

Free and useful website with videos on high school maths as well as science subjects. The presenter uses a video format with virtual blackboard and a casual approach.  Also has Android and Apple apps, as well as apps on other devices such as roku.

 

Moneysmart

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Resources for teaching financial literacy.

Bridge the Gap Maths AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND EDITION

WHO FOR?

• home learners

• Now being used in schools for intervention G7 & 8.. KS 2/3

• adult use

• International students

• ESL / E2L

• special ed: learning differences/dyslexia/dyscalculia/autism/ADHD

• math anxiety

Great for Intermediate students, or older (including adults) who need to back track a little (but retain dignity).

‘JUST-the-often-missing-but-really-need-to-know-bits from the Intermediate Math curriculum’… a SINGLE book, with parent (teacher) SCRIPT and only ONE PAGE per concept.

 

Natural Math 

  • All Ages
  • Books, PDF’s, Courses
  • American

Activities, courses, books, and games by and for the Natural Math community.

We are interested in creating rich, multi-sensory experiences for our children. We want to introduce them to the complex and exciting world around them. Everything can be a learning tool, a rich toy, and a conversation starter.

 

Town Squared

HEN Member discount available

  • Primary
  • Australian, Online

Town Squared is a beautiful multiplayer world for kids aged 7 to 12, that weaves maths concepts into exciting gameplay to build maths confidence and enjoyment. Developed in collaboration with the Mathematical Association of Victoria, Town Squared helps children overcome maths anxiety and improve their willingness to tackle maths problems. Free access for one child!

 

For science places to visit in Victoria see our pamphlet Covering Science in Victoria.

Ellen McHenry’s Basement Workshop

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Fantastic site with lots of free activities and games as well as thorough, engaging and inexpensive science curricula.

 

Science Odyssey

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Bring science alive by engaging young people’s minds while they are actively participating in learning. The student text is written to the student so that they can learn independently.

 

Gene Technology Access Centre (GTAC)

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

GTAC allows home educating parents to sign up as teachers for their online educational materials. Just leave the VIT field empty on the registration form. GTAC often run meetings in Melbourne.

 

Stile

A suite of online interactive science lessons for upper primary and high school students. Enables students to connect with science by providing exciting science lessons based on breaking science news.

 

Next Level Homeschool

Science themed classes and more, done online in your own time. A choice of weekly projects with feedback and optional grading.

 

Experimentary

Created by Dr Rob ( CSIRO and Network Ten’s science show ‘Scope’). The motto is ‘online and hands-on’ because it is all about getting kids learning about science by doing it.

 

The Lab of Mr. Q

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Complete units of study in various science topics, which are highly praised by home educators. A 36 week life science curriculum, including a student and teacher pack is available for free.

 

TOPS

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A nonprofit educational corporation which provides resources for hands-on science with simple things. Covers a wide range of topics in science and maths.

Tiny Science Lab

HEN discount available

Manufactures science equipment which enhances the practical hands-on experience for all students

PhET

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Enable students to connect with science by providing free exciting science lessons based on breaking science news.

 

Frontiers for Young Minds

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

An open access scientific journal aimed at kids.

 

American Chemical Society

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

A good selection of free materials and experiments.

 

Great Science Adventures

Enable students to connect with science by providing exciting science lessons based on breaking science news.

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

A Christian curriculum with an easy to follow format complete with concepts, vocabulary words, clear directions, questions to ask, writing assignments, and assessments.

 

Guest Hollow

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Non-traditional curriculum incorporating great reading options. Christian, but offers secular options. Extra books will add to cost. Free archived chemistry and biology options available.

 

Australia’s Science Channel

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A free platform for Australian educators providing a regularly updated collection of videos, articles, and resources to support STEM teaching.

 

EarthHow

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Simple explanations of concepts in Earth Sciences: Astronomy, Biology, Geology, Meterology and Oceanography plus advice on Earth Science careers.

 

Nature Study Australia

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian

Engaging nature science studies covering a variety of topics, specific to Australia. The nature study guides can be used by all home educators regardless of your home ed style. Christian influenced, but you can tailor the materials to suit your personal preferences. Popular with home educators.

 

The Home Scientist titles by Robert Bruce Thompson

  • Secondary (but can be used by younger kids who are very keen)
  • American, Hardcopy and PDFs

Popular with home educators worldwide, the Biology, Chemistry and Forensics books provide in-depth discussion and detail about setting up a home lab and performing the many experiments in the books. Lab supplies and materials are required and each book provides a list. Please check the website for what can be shipped overseas. Australian customers should be aware that the Forensics book contains a number of materials that are very difficult to come by and some Australian home educators have not been successful in obtaining everything on the list.

 

Primary Australian Literacy Mathematics and Science (PALMS)

  • Primary
  • Australian
  • Free

This program aims to enrich and support the teaching of earth science from Foundation to Year 6 across Australia. This will be achieved by providing, within the mandated Earth and Space Science curriculum, hands-on activities integrating aspects of Chemical Sciences, Physical Sciences and Biological Sciences as well as relevant components of English, Mathematics and other subjects.

 

Woodside Australian Science Project

  • Year 4 – 12
  • Australian
  • Free

The Woodside Australian Science Project (WASP) produces support packages for the Earth Science component of the Australian Curriculum. These packages are filled with hands-on activities for students, with teacher support materials. Further to these packages WASP has developed a number of interactives such as an app for iPad, quizzes and animations. Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) learning packages have also been developed to engage students with real problems in earth science and the STEM approach that is required to solve them.

Zoos Victoria

HEN has been in communication with Zoos Victoria, and they have confirmed that registered home educators are entitled to Teacher memberships.

Benefits include:

  • $84 annual membership (which includes your children) compared to standard adult membership of $120 per year.
  • Access to PD opportunities, many of which are applicable to home ed settings.
  • An education newsletter and teacher Facebook group with links to additional opportunities and useful information. 

To sign up visit the teacher member benefits page.

If you wish to apply, select ‘Other’ in the ‘Your Details’ section, and use your VRQA registration letter to prove your status as a home educator

2023/2024 Newsletter update from Zoos Victoria – information on what is available to home educators

 

Museums Victoria – Teachers

Free, giving many benefits, read them here

Museum Teachers is Museum Victoria’s free online subscription. Is designed to give you easy access to all our museums and education services in order to help you plan school group excursions to our venues. FAQ’s

Queensland Museum

 

Astronomical Society of Australia

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Links to astronomy resources and activities.

 

Chem with Amanda

  • Secondary+
  • American, Online

Introductory general, organic and biological chemistry topics. The subject matter covers topics from any high school chemistry course (USA), any introductory general chemistry course, and any introductory general, organic and biological chemistry course (also known as allied health chemistry).

 

Bring Science Home

  • Primary
  • American, Online

Fun science activities, which parents and their kids ages 6-12 can do together with household items in just a half hour or less.

 

Apologia

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A popular Christian science resource, written for home educators and very appropriate for multi-age teaching. Each book focuses in depth on one area of science, and concepts and vocabulary are at a high level.

 

Woodside Australian Science Project

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A website that has earth science lessons for multiple year levels.

 

HighSchoolScience

  • Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Free Science YouTube Channel by a Victorian teacher.

 

Science by Doing

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

This website presents science in an engaging, guided inquiry based approach to lift student interest and understanding. Resources for students and teachers.

 

Skeptical Science

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

An excellent resource on climate change. The Scientific Guide to Global Warming Skepticism looks at both the evidence that human activity is causing global warming and the ways that climate ‘skeptic’ arguments can mislead.

 

Physics Central

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

A physics website that offers a lot of free content including videos, podcasts, articles, and even physics based comic books (read online) as well as an eductator’s area.

 

The Homeschool Scientist

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

This site aims to equip and encourage homeschool parents by taking the fear out of and putting the fun into science education. Christian. Many of the resources and experiments are suited to secular home educators, but biology is based on Apologia.

 

Kids Vet Club

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian

Kids Vet Club (KVC) is a Veterinary Education programme provided by informal Distance Education. The course is presented as written work & available to kids anywhere in the world.

 

Have you got what it takes to be a Veterinarian?

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

This course is for anyone interested in learning more about Veterinary Medicine, giving a taster of courses covered in the first year of a veterinary degree and an idea of what it is like to study Veterinary Medicine.

 

Homeschool Science Geek

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

A home ed parent and physics professor posts details of her classes in all science subjects for anyone to use.

 

Exploratorium

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Science resources, videos, experiments and online storytime.

 

Richard Louie: science teacher

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

Free videos and notes for chemistry and physics, created by a high school science teacher.

 

Ash and Indigo

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Hardcopy

During the second week of each month Ash and Indigo will send a beautifully written and illustrated letter filled with inspiration for nature connection.

 

Toys From Trash

An Indian website with hundreds of toys and contraptions you can build from everyday materials.

 

Southern Biological

Primarily as school supplier, home educators can buy most things – though some chemicals are not available.

 

Science Supply Australia

A good range of chemistry and general science products for your home experiments.

 

Mad About Science

Science toys, kits, gizmos, novelties, supplies and teacher resources.

 

Haines

Primarily as school supplier, home educators can buy most things – though some chemicals are not available.

FIRST Australia

FIRST® Robotics is an internationally acclaimed robotics program. Australian home ed teams have competed at state, national and international levels. FIRST is a great way to learn as it combines almost all of the different key learning areas. There are junior and senior competitions in Victoria, and the number of home educated teams is growing every year. First.org is a worldwide organisation that fosters STEM learning by offering four streams of international level competitions.

 

The Digital Technologies Hub

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A resource developed by Education Services Australia for the Australian government to help get your kids engaged and also keep you as parents and educators informed.

 

Grok Learning

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online
  • Currently FREE to all students

Coding courses and challenges that home ed kids can enter. Choose individual products or subscribe. Free parent subscription that allows them to tracks student progress.

Sign up to a free trial with them.

  • You will be set up as an institute, which will allow you to enrol your child(ren).
  • They will be able to enrol themselves in courses of interest, you will be able to enrol them – and/or yourself in courses of interest AND you will have access to all of the answers etc (as the teacher of the institute)

Email : help@grokacademy.org , let them know you are a home educating family and that you’re interested in signing up as an institution. They will then get in touch with you with what you need to do then.

Grok – FAQ’s

Code.org

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Offers free introductory coding courses/activities, including ‘Hour of the Code’ (a global initiative to get kids into coding), for all ages, plus links to further coding courses (free and paid).

 

CS50 – Introduction to Computer Science

  • Secondary
  • American,
  • Free Harvard online course

This free course teaches students how to think algorithmically and solve problems efficiently. Topics include abstraction, algorithms, data structures, encapsulation, resource management, security, software engineering, and web development.

 

MIT OpenCourseWare: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

  • Secondary
  • American, Massachusetts Institute of Technology online course

Free university level subjects on computer science from introductory onwards. Work at your own pace. No certificate, but great for learning uni level content.

 

Compuscholar

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

Offers online courses (and some downloadable courses) in coding using a variety of languages. Was designed by a home ed parent for independent learning at home.

 

Scratch

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

Free coding community where kids can program their own interactive stories, games, and animations — and share them with others in the online community.

 

CS First

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

A free computer science curriculum, offered by Google, that makes coding easy to teach and fun to learn. Uses Scratch.

 

Kidzcourse

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

Subscribe for free to access a variety of STEM courses suitable for ages 6-13. From paper circuits to augmented reality.

 

A Beginner’s Glossary of Coding and Programming Terms

A glossary of programming terms filled with a list of additional resources.

Autodesk

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Free access to 100+ products for educators and students. CAD, architectural design, animation, 3D art and more. Details on how to set it up here.

 

TinkerCAD

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

Free, online 3D modeling program that runs in a web browser. A popular platform for creating models for 3D printing as well as an entry-level introduction to constructive solid geometry.

 

Makecode

Connect to Makecodes to use Microbit, Minecraft, Adafruit and Mindstorms for learning. You need Windows 10 consumer (Microsoft store), connect to Makecode with Code Connection compainion app, Click on Minecraft.

 

Minecraft Education (Facebook group)

Minecraft Education Edition New Zealand (ANZ) – Australians welcome
(Some members may find this an affordable way to access Minecraft Education as well as Microsoft Office 365 using an .edu email address given by this group– around $20 per year)

 

Australasian Homeschoolers Minecraft Community

There are also some great ways to use the commercial version of Minecraft for learning, including connecting it to the MakeCode site and using their coding tutorials. Here is some specific information to get you started:

Download the Windows 10 consumer edition from the Microsoft Store –
Download the Code Connection companion app to connect Minecraft to the MakeCode system.
Click on the Minecraft box on the MakeCode page for more information about coding Minecraft with MakeCode

Cloud Astronauts

  • Secondary
  • Online
Offers STEM training products for the CLOUD using SPACE as a theme. A tool for both teens (ages 12+) and adults to learn how technologies like Cloud, AI, and Machine Learning really work.
Curated, downloadable guides that come in mission packs. Each mission engages the participant with a story set on a journey to Mars with a problem to solve and is an exploration of technology on the cloud from deploying a website on a global content delivery network to creating a machine learning model and making predictions. These missions are easy to learn, require no technical background, and do not involve coding. They have been designed to be very low cost, using mostly free services on the cloud, and are structured to use industry recommended safeguards to be as secure and safe as possible.

Moore Educational

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

LEGO Educational Resources including robotics.

 

Paper Pilots and RAAF

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

To mark Centenary in 2021, the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) is partnering with The Paper Pilots to create STEM resources. Using paper planes, students learn about various concepts in physics, aircraft and more.

 

Blacksmithing at Jesse’s Stump

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Activity in person (Melbourne)

Home Ed families qualify for the concession rate which is a significant saving ($85 for a one off sessions, $450 for a set of six sessions). Inner west of Melbourne. Rob can be contacted via the website https://www.jessesstump.com.au/

 

How to Smile

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Worldwide, Online

STEM activities handpicked from science museums, public television stations, universities, and other educational organizations.

Apple 

  • Apple’s education scheme offers excellent discounts on a range of products, including iPads, iMacs and MacBooks.
  • Save 10 – 15%
  • You may be asked for proof of registration.

For places to visit in Victoria see our pamphlet Covering Humanities in Victoria.

The Economic Way of Thinking

  • Secondary
  • Australian, online

A senior highschool or university level economics course taught by a home-ed dad and taken by many home educated teens. One of the top rated economics courses on Udemy. The course is broken into 10 minute modules and includes optional ‘homework’ questions and answers. Email the instructor for a discount coupon.

The Thinking Traveller

A podcast series that draws on the passions, expertise and interests of Academy Travel’s academic tour leaders, to bring a wealth of additional knowledge to your travels, one topic at a time. Our tour leaders talk on a range of topics and interests related to travel, covering history, culture, archaeology, architecture, the visual arts and the performing arts.

History Odyssey

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Comprehensive history curriculum at three age levels. Incorporates history, geography and English as well as activities and crafts. Some products available as audio books.

 

Mapping the World with Art

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A video course on drawing the world, with history lessons relatated to cartography and exploration, as well as games and activities.

 

Mr Donn

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

Free games, activities, lessons, and PowerPoints for World History.

 

Ellen McHenry

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

High quality free games and activities for humanities.

 

Next Level Homeschool

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Online

A variety on online courses the student can do in their own time, with weekly projects. Feedback is given on projects and grades are optional.

 

History in the Making

  • Primary
  • Australian, Online, printables

A free collection of teaching and learning programs based on the Australian Curriculum for primary students to wonder about the past by actively engaging in the historical inquiry process.

 

Homeschool in the Woods

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Beautifully illustrated unit studies and timeline figure incorporating games and activities. Some Christian content, but popular with secular home ed families too.

 

Big History Project

  • Secondary
  • American, Online

A self-guided journey through 14 billion years of history. This six-hour version of Big History has activities to keep you entertained and test your learning in every chapter. There are also education resources to support the program.

 

Story of the World

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

This history curriclum reads like a story. There are additional materials available, or supplement with your own activities.

 

Trail Guide to World Geography

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

This resource has 3 levels for different ages, and is comprehensive in its coverage. You really need the suggested atlases for each level.

 

Galloping the Globe

  • Primary
  • American

A Christan unit study for lower primary, interactive and fun.

 

Historical Timeline Figures

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Attractive timeline figures, with suggestions for use, a notebook template and game suggestions

 

Guest Hollow’s Geography & Cultures Curriculum

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

A literature based geography and cultures study, using great books. Purchasing required books not available at the library would add to the cost.

 

Ritchie Cunningham: geography education

  • Secondary
  • British, downloadable

Free resources for geography in the secondary school years, created by a geographer and educator.

 

Museum Websites

The National Museum of Australia, Australian War Memorial, Shrine of Remembrance, British Museum and other museums have great websites with many educator resources.

 

Ridgy Didge Resources

  • Primary
  • Australian

Primary Australian Curriculum resources, including lapbooks and timelines. 50% discount for home educators (proof required of home ed registration).

 

Refugee Council of Australia

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, online, printables

Classroom tools listing that links to a number of free resources including teaching guides, posters, films, stories and more.

 

Children’s Ground First Nations resources

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, online

Learn more about First Nations history, culture, language and world views by consuming media produced by First Nations people. This is a listing pointing to great resources.

Museums Victoria – Teachers

Free, giving many benefits, read them here

Museum Teachers is Museum Victoria’s free online subscription. Is designed to give you easy access to all our museums and education services in order to help you plan school group excursions to our venues. FAQ’s

 

Queensland Museum

 

Australian History Mysteries

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Case studies are designed to stimulate students’ interest in and engagement with aspects of their history, landscape and heritage, and to develop the skills needed in pursuing historical studies.

Australian History Pictures

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian

This set of pictures and book of stories have been designed so that children will enjoy discovering Australia’s history! The pictures are fully reproducible for colouring, enlarging, reading and learning. The pictures go hand in hand with the book which is full of chapters inspired by the journals, diaries and newspapers of the time. This A4 sized book is a journey through Australian history, discovering the stories of the people and the places of early colonial history.

Djillong

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A website  about the Aboriginal history, culture and people of the Geelong region.

 

Aussie Educator: Indigenous Education Resources

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Contains links to different resources for learning about Indigenous history and more.

 

Rum, Rebels and Ratbags

  • Secondary
  • Australian, Online

History podcast from the ABC which uncovers the characters and events left out of your high school history class.

 

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Australian documentaries, videos, audio clips, digital resources more.

 

Horrible Histories

  • Primary, Secondary
  • British, Online

The funniest, yuckiest and most gruesome bits of history in one bestselling series. Books and TV show.

 

Australian Parliament

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

The best place to learn about Australian government and civics. Note: the PACER scheme assists students with the cost of visiting Canberra to learn about parliament.

 

Victorian Parliament

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

Good resources on civics, citizenship and the political process.

 

Passport to Democracy: Victorian Electoral Commission

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Australian, Online

A resource which looks at how young people can make positive change in their local community and can be active citizens in our democracy.

 

Tapestry of Grace

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American

Downloadable manuals for multi age teaching; books can be bought directly, or from other sites.  A Christian curriculum for Classical home educators.

 

Newsademic

An easy-to-read, informative introduction to world news. Published every second week, Newsademic and its accompanying worksheets are a fantastic resource for families who would like to learn more about world events.

 

Letters from Afar

  • Primary, Secondary
  • American, Hardcopy

Isabelle is traveling the globe and exploring the most spectacular destinations our world has to offer. At every stop, she writes you a letter to tell you all about it.

 

Hellenic Museum Melbourne: Argonauts Club

  • Primary
  • Australian, Online

The club aims to engage explorers from 5- 13 years of age in an online cultural program full of art, history, mythology, music, science, drama and geography. Activities and workshops to challenge members’ creativity and imagination.

 

Curiosity Chronicles

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Hardcopy, downloadable

Available as books or downloads, the dialogue based format presents alternative views and competing historical facts, breaking complex ideas into chunks. This secular curriculum consciously discusses the roles of underrepresented people. Accompanying activities available.

 

Cool Australia: The Final Quarter resources

  • Primary, Secondary
  • Printables

52 lessons designed for Years 5-12 that investigate racism, privilege, truth-telling, cultural pride, resilience, values and dignity. These lessons are designed to support students in exploring the key themes of Australian documentary, The Final Quarter.

Boulder Lab – Ferntree Gully

Bouldering is climbing that is done on smaller walls, without the use of ropes. There are large crash mats covering the ground that will absorb your fall. Boulders are divided into individual climbs or ‘problems’ that require a combination of problem solving, technique and strength to complete.

Home Educators special: $18 including shoes.

School Sport Victoria

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian

Students can access SSV Swimming, Cross Country, Golf and Track and Field inter-school and interstate programs by providing a copy of their VRQA registration letter to SSV. Families are responsible for the costs involved.

 

Kids Health in the Classroom

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian

Lesson plans for the Health key learning area, teachers guides, videos, activities, experiments, quizzes, handouts.

 

Cosmic Kids Yoga

      • Primary
      • British, Online

Cosmic Kids Yoga is dedicated to teaching young kids to do yoga in a fun and engaging way.

 

Gayby Baby

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

LGBTIQA+ resource that includes support for creating safe and inclusive spaced for all students & their families. Has school specific content that likely can be translated to other environments.

Duke of Edinburgh International Award

A leading structured (non-formal education) youth development program, empowering all young Australians aged 14-24 to explore their full potential and find their purpose, passion and place in the world, regardless of their location or circumstance. The Award is a fully inclusive program and has no social, political, or religious affiliations. Great for building and improving skills that the participant chooses, and in some cases may count favourably when applying for university or employment. Join HEN Teens to connect with others who are doing the award

 

Park Street Orienteering (VIC)

Improve your orienteering skills and have fun while exploring your neighbourhood with a map. Check the website for a group near you and go along as a family for a trial.

 

Geocaching

Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity, in which participants hide and seek containers, called geocaches or caches at specific locations marked by coordinates all over the world. Geocaching can be enjoyed by families or groups (though it may become competitive with a lot of kids!). You’ll need to install a geocaching app and have an Internet connection when out searching for caches.

Inspiring Kids program by Josh Langley –

      • Primary
      • Australian

Inspiring Kids is a unique program for home-schooling families to include valuable social and emotional learning into their individual lesson plans. It’s a series of fun videos and activities over 4 modules aimed at developing self-acceptance, confidence, self-belief, emotional regulation, and resilience in children aged 6 to 10. Inspiring Kids is also designed to be accessible for kids who have autism, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, physical disability, a chronic illness or learning difficulty.

Discount available to HEN members

Life Education

      • Primary
      • Australian
      • Free for HEN members

Provides valuable lessons exploring healthy eating, personal safety, physical activity, cyber safety and the impact of alcohol and other drugs. Each module which you can see in this PDFcontains three sub-sessions each containing video content, downloadable worksheets, and educational activities. Foundation to year 7

 

ArtVenture

An online arts program popular with home educators. 24 hour free trial available.

 

Art Eye Deer

An online arts program created by the people who made Artventure. 24 hour free trial available.

 

ARTistic Pursuits

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Hardcopy (some online)

Lessons at age level to give your children learning opportunities that fit their needs as growing artists and expand their visual experiences. Products will eventually be available in digital format.

 

Arts Edge

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

A website from the Kennedy Centre that has small lessons on various topics that mostly revolve around the Arts.

 

Music Ecademy

Online learning resource that teaches music theory and aural skills in a fun and engaging way through interactive lessons, quizzes and games. It follows the curriculum of the music examining boards used in Australia.

 

Drawspace

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Canadian, Online

A comprehensive art education website, offering lessons, courses, books and more.  About 15% of the site is free to use, but the rest costs money.

 

The Virtual Instructor

Individual video lessons and courses available in drawing and painting as well as live lessons and lesson plans. Some are free others require membership.

 

MPOPS Art School

  • Primary, Secondary
  • UK, Online

Free online courses created by a homeschooling mum and teacher. Covering things like Colour Wheel, Value, Saturation and Drawing

Storyboarder

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Makes it easy to visualise a story as fast you can draw stick figures. Quickly draw to test if a story idea works. Create and show animatics to others. Express your story idea without making a movie. Free download.

 

Mark Kistler Drawing Lessons

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Fun series of drawing books and online lessons.  Free lessons available on YouTube channel, and there are paid subscriptions for more complete collections of lessons.  Look for discounted subscriptions on homeschoolbuyersco-op.org website.

 

Artroom Britt

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

An art teacher blog with inspiration for all ages.

 

For the Love of Art

      • Primary
      • American, Online

Primary art ideas.

 

Cassie Stephens

      • Primary
      • American, Online

Primary art inspiration, particularly for collaborative projects. What the Art Teacher Wore posts showcase Cassie’s wonderful art inspired outfits.

 

The Arty Teacher

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Register to download three free high quality projects per month, additional purchases available.

 

The Artful Parent

      • Primary
      • American, Online

Inspiration for art at home.

 

ZartArt Supplies

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Store

Educational art supplies store with a physical gallery of student works that changes every term. Online gallery with ideas and curriculum links. Quarterly newsletter and catalogues available. Huge variety of art supplies, great for specialty art resources.

FluentU

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Worldwide, Online

Learn words from real world context, using video clips. Many languages to choose from.

 

Duolingo

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Worldwide, Online

Bite size lessons feel more like a game than a textbook, and that’s by design: learning is easier when you’re having fun. Available as an app and on desktop PC.

 

Rosetta Stone

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Rosetta Stone is a paid program for learning languages other than English. An immersion method that works:  no translation required.

 

Ellinopoula

Modern Greek language learning, via a model of immersion.

 

Victorian School of Languages (VSL)

A government school which provides language programs for students in years 1 to 12 who do not have access to the study of those languages in their schools. Delivered through face-to-face teaching in language centres across the state and through Distance Education mode – home educated students may join.

 

Gambay: First Languages Map

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

First Languages Australia is working with regional language centres nationally to develop a map of Australia’s first languages that reflects the names and groupings favoured by community. Teachers’ notes have been compiled to assist teaching about Australia’s first languages.

 

iTalki

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Worldwide, Online

Choose from over 10,000 teachers for 1-on-1 lessons based on your goals and interests.

 

Muzzy Language Program

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Worldwide, Online

Developed by the BBC, MUZZY’s simple and effective program works by teaching through fun and animated stories featuring Muzzy and friends. These stories use the natural immersion method.

 

Homeschool Languages

      • Primary
      • Hardcopy, digital

Open and go languages kit for kids aged 4-10. Everyday language taught in multidisciplinary way – culture and games included. Available as physical or PDF products.

Languages and Multicultural Education Resource Centre

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian

 LMERC is a specialised library for teachers in the areas of EAL, Languages and Intercultural capability.

 

Languages Online

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Interactive tasks and printable worksheets that introduce, reinforce and recycle vocabulary. Activities are self-paced, self-correcting and help students practice listening, speaking, reading and writing. Many languages.

 

Bibly Publishing – Sign Language

      • Multi Age
      • Australian

Sign Language Resources for teaching and learning. These include a range of dictionaries for both Adults and Children. Childrens story books, Home learning courses and material on DVD. Flash Cards and Games. Deaf culture and Awareness resources; novelties, Gifts and Teaching Guides.

 

Lisa Mills Online – Sign Language

      • Multi Age
      • Australian/British

Helping people learn sign language online – the fun, easy and accessible way. Very popular with home educators.

 

The Auslan Company

      • Multi Age
      • Australian

Offer a wide and flexible range of Auslan courses and products, designed to meet the requirements of workplaces, the community, and families.

 

Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children – an App

      • Multi Age
      • Australian

RIDBC Auslan Tutor is a multimedia tutorial which has been designed for use on mobile devices to help anyone wanting to learn Australian Sign Language (Auslan) and communicate with someone who is deaf. It is designed for families of young deaf children to assist them to learn Auslan and promote early communication between parent and child.

 

ABC Education

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Thousands of free curriculum-linked resources for school teachers and students.

 

Outschool

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American/Worldwide, Online

Online classes from thousands of independent teachers via group video chat.  Some classes are live, some are in your own time.

 

Cool Australia

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Cool Australia is an online resource that provides ready to go lessons and units based around various subjects and topics.  Mostly science, environment, history and geography.  Includes videos, worksheets, lesson plans and more.

 

Teachers Pay Teachers

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online store with downloadables

Teacher created resources for every area, projects, games and interactive notebooks.

 

Skwirk

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Skwirk caters to different teaching and learning styles across the curriculum, with a variety of content including videos, animations, activities, worksheets and assessments (currently seems to be experiencing issues)

 

KhanAcademy

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Courses for most subjects. Students practice at their own pace, first filling in gaps in their understanding and then accelerating their learning.

 

Crash Course

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Teen and Kids courses in every area. Engaging and high quality.

 

TED and TED-Ed

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Engaging videos and online lessons in many different areas.

 

MIT OpenCourseWare

      • Secondary
      • American, Online

College/uni level course content placed online for free. No credit/certificates but great for self directed study.

 

Instructables

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Learn how to make anything, one step at a time, from the stove top to the workshop. Home educators can register as teachers to be able to download PDFs.

 

Evan Moor

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Resources for every area, most are available as e-books.

 

Freely Educate

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Lots of suggestions for free resources.

 

Scholastic Book Club

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online store

Magazines with a selection of books designed to appeal to all ages, as well as teacher resources. Home ed families can sign up as a school.

 

Homeschool Buyers Co-op

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Home ed collective who organise educational subscriptions. Generally only available for a period of time at substantial discount. Only digital materials are available in Australia.

 

Twinkl

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

High quality worksheets and resources for every area, some free content.

 

E is for Explore

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Activities for kids with a strong focus on inquiry, problem-solving skills and imaginative / creative thinking

 

Iman’s Homeschool

      • Primary, Secondary
      • British

Free lapbooks and resources. Muslim, but some resources are suitable for all.

 

The Educating Parent – Beverley Paine

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Hundreds of links, and downloadable resources and items in hardcopy format. Lots of information about unschooling.

 

How Stuff Works

      • Secondary
      • American, Online

College/uni level course content placed online for free. No credit/certificates but great for self directed study.

 

Smithsonian Open Access

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

You can download, share, and reuse millions of the Smithsonian’s images.

 

Environmental and Zoo Education Centres

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

A variety of resources for primary and secondary levels, covering science, geography and wellbeing. Produced by the Environmental and Zoo Education Centre network in NSW.

WaterBear

      • Online
      • Full of amazing documentaries

The first interactive streaming platform dedicated to the future of our planet. Whatever you feel passionately about in the world of climate action, biodiversity, sustainability, community, diversity and more, WaterBear provides access to award-winning and inspirational content that empowers members to dive deeper, learn more and take action.

EdAlive

  • Online
  • Australian
  • Maths and English
  • Ages 4 – 15+
  • Available for purchase to HEN members via the shop

The EdAlive Online Learning website contain a vast quantity of high quality educational content. Together they give comprehensive coverage of maths, word skills, reading and typing for students 

Typing Tournament, Maths Invaders, Baggin’ the Dragon Maths, Volcanic Panic Reading, Words Rock. More information and access to a 10 day free trial can be found on this link.

* Baggin’ the Dragon Maths is currently free for everyone. More info here.

IXL

      • Online
      • Australian
      • Maths and English
      • P – Yr12

In the Hands of a Child (HOC)

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Lapbooks and notebooking pages for hundreds of different topics.

 

Common Core Sheets

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Free worksheets for all areas of maths, and some other topics.

 

BBC Bitesize

      • Primary, Secondary
      • British, Online

BBC contains an educational section incorporating English, maths and science.  Generally comprising of small bitesize videos followed by an activity such as a game or answering some questions.  Fairly basic, but perfect as a mini-supplement.  Also has pieces on Welsh language.

Curiosity Stream

      • All Ages
      • American, Online

With thousands of documentaries, including exclusive originals, CuriosityStream delivers shows across the full spectrum of the non-fiction genre to demystify science, nature, history, technology, society, lifestyle and more.

Thought Co

      • Secondary
      • American, Online

Lifelong learning in humanities, science and languages.

 

Hippocampus

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

An open resource for educational learning, courses in maths, humanities, nature, religion and English.

Simply Homeschool

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian

This program, created by home educators uses real life and quality literature as the base for learning. Multiple children can learn together as the program is flexible.

Pascal Press

R.I.C Publications

Black line masters and other materials for teachers.

 

Cleverpatch

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Store

Well priced craft and STEAM materials.

 

The Educational Warehouse

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Store

The Educational Warehouse is an online supplier of educational supplies, including some which are difficult to get from overseas because of international postage costs.

 

Bellbird Kidz Educational Resources

      • Primary
      • Australian, Store

Primarily a school supplier, Bellbird sell Montessori materials, natural wood products and art materials.

 

The Good and the Beautiful

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Curriculum supplier – Christian.

 

Oak Meadow

      • 20% Discount for HEN members on materials ordered through their bookstore (hardcopy or digital)
      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Eclectic with Waldorf influences, this is an established curriculum supplier. The Oak Meadow curriculum introduces subjects and skills in a carefully designed sequence to foster natural, healthy development. Academic lessons challenge the intellect through creative arts and hands-on projects, and more abstract concepts are added as the grades advance. The curriculum can be customized to meet student interests, strengths, and individual learning styles.

 

Easy Peasy Homeschool

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Free Christian curriculum for all ages.

 

Sonlight and Bookshark

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Hardcopy

Literature based curriculum to cover all subject areas.  Sonlight is Christian, Bookshark is the secular version.

 

Southern Cross Education

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Hardcopy

ACE paces. Christian paper based curriculum for all areas.

 

Australian Christian Homeschooling

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Structured Christian homeschool program.

 

Homeschool World

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

The original site of Practical Homeschooling magazine. Links to many home ed resources and advice.

 

Australian Home Education Advisory Service

      • Australian, Online

AHEAS offers consultancy services to home educating families in Australia.

 

Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA)

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Victorian home education regulator. Information on registration and reviews, and resource suggestions.

 

Victorian Distance Education materials from 2015

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian

Not particularly engaging, but free. Can give you an idea of what’s covered in each school year. Printing costs will be high, so read first to find the important pages.

 

ARC

      • Primary, Secondary
      • Australian, Online

Arc is the Department of Education’s digital platform that provides Victorian teachers with access to curriculum-aligned resources, professional learning opportunities, and safe and reliable software and technologies.

With Arc, teachers can plan, teach, and assess student learning more effectively
and create engaging learning experiences for their students.

 

LOGICO the learning game

      • Primary
      • Australian

Independent learning activity with a board and collection of books to develop literacy and numeracy skills and much more. Educational game for the age group 5-9 years old.

 

Collingwood Toy Library

The Collingwood Toy Library is a community-run organisation that operates to support families to play at home. We understand that play is not just a source of fun and entertainment but an essential aspect of a child’s development.

Play helps children develop social and emotional skills by fostering cooperation, communication, and empathy. It also promotes physical development and coordination and enhances cognitive abilities.

​Members of the toy library are able to borrow from our collection of 6,000 toys and games, with a broad range of options for children, aged 0 – 12. To see the full range of toys available to borrow and learn about our different membership options, please visit our website.

Additionally, we would like to offer homeschooling families two months of free membership when they sign up as a homeschooling family. Please let us know you heard about us through the HEN website, and the two free months will be applied to your account.

For children with diverse learning needs, we don’t usually recommend an all-in-one curriculum package as many children may be asynchronous learners. Instead, it is often more helpful to piece together individual resources that you can tailor to your child’s individual needs.

Home educating parents often ask for home ed friendly professionals, such as paediatricians and psychologists. Please see this listing where recommendations have been provided by home educating families: Home Ed-Friendly Professionals.

 

Reading Reflex

      • Primary, Secondary
      • British, Hardcopy

As successful for older learners as for younger children, not ‘babyish’ and popular with parents whose children have struggled with other methods.

 

Touch Type to Read and Spell

Combine spelling and typing in a programme which works as well for teens as it does for younger children.

Natural Reader

Discount subscription available for members in shop

NaturalReader Plus is a text-to-speech online program that has amazing, smooth, natural-sounding voices.

It would be particularly helpful for people with dyslexia or low vision, those learning languages, or any kids who are starting to read – anyone with different access needs for written text.

They provide lots of different, very natural-sounding voices that read smoothly and are good to listen to. The reader works on many platforms, devices and file types including photos of text. It also reads in different languages.

Nessy: Reading, Writing and Spelling Help for Children with Dyslexia

      • Primary, Secondary
      • British, Online

Nessy programs are designed to help students of all abilities learn to read, write, spell and type.

 

Fun-Schooling resources: Dyslexia, ADHD and Dyscalculia

      • Primary
      • American, hardcopies with some printables

Games and lessons designed to work well for playful children with dyscalculia, dyslexia, ADHD, memory problems, math fears, and ‘bad’ calculating habits.

 

Sue Patrick’s Workbox System

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online with Downloadables

A structured and visual system to help children with organisation and completion of ‘work’, where the work is broken up in to boxes. Note that some families report that they do not use the schedule strips or picture cards, but the boxes are the core component of this system.

 

Inspiring Kids program by Josh Langley –

      • Primary
      • Australian
      • Paid

Inspiring Kids is a unique program for home-schooling families to include valuable social and emotional learning into their individual lesson plans. It’s a series of fun videos and activities over 4 modules aimed at developing self-acceptance, confidence, self-belief, emotional regulation, and resilience in children aged 6 to 10. Inspiring Kids is also designed to be accessible for kids who have autism, anxiety, ADHD, ADD, dyslexia, physical disability, a chronic illness or learning difficulty.

Discount available to HEN members

The C-Pen Reader Pen scanner at Scanning Pens

Introducing C-Pen Reader 2™, the next generation of assistive reading tools designed to put even more control into the user’s hands. Whether studying or simply reading for pleasure, this new and improved reading pen features enhanced AI to improve accessibility, and boost reading confidence.

Bridge the Gap Maths AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND EDITION

WHO FOR?

• home learners 

• Now being used in schools for intervention G7 & 8.. KS 2/3

• adult use

• International students

• ESL / E2L

• special ed: learning differences/dyslexia/dyscalculia/autism/ADHD

• math anxiety

Great for Intermediate students, or older (including adults) who need to back track a little (but retain dignity).

‘JUST-the-often-missing-but-really-need-to-know-bits from the Intermediate Math curriculum’… a SINGLE book, with parent (teacher) SCRIPT and only ONE PAGE per concept.

 

MathTrackX

      • Secondary
      • Australian, Online

A self-paced program which covers methods and applications of differentiation, integration, probability and statistics.

 

Open Colleges

      • Australian, Online

Online TAFE courses, more convenient for some people than attending TAFE.

 

TAFE NSW

      • Australian, Online

Online courses for students in NSW, prices vary depending on level/funding.

 

Open Universities Australia

      • Australian, Online

Single Subjects and Complete courses from universities across Australia, all in one place. Fees vary. Single subjects can sometimes be used to gain entry into University. Information about minimum ages for various Open Universities.

 

Coursera

      • Worldwide, Online

Created by leading universities and organisations, lectures and non-graded course materials is free. You can choose to pay for certification.

 

MIT OpenCourseWare

      • American, Online

College/uni level course content placed online for free. No credit/certificates but great for self directed study. No interaction with staff.

 

Open University UK

      • British, Online

Free courses at high school and university level from 1-50 hours in length.

 

Google Applied Digital Skills

      • Worldwide, Online

Learn practical digital skills using this free project-based video curriculum.

 

Futurelearn

      • Free
      • Ebooks

A diverse range of subjects. Most courses are six to ten weeks long but some short courses are available. Pay for certificates if you wish.

 

edX

      • Worldwide, Online

A non-profit, massive open online course (MOOC) provider, partnering with the world’s leading universities and organizations to offer high-quality online courses. Great for self directed study in preparation for higher education, career, or personal interest.

KhanAcademy

  • Secondary
  • Free
  • American, Online

Free and useful website with videos and lessons on various subjects such as Maths, Science, Arts, Humanities and others.

Openculture

      • American, Online

This site links to multiple online providers, as well as having interesting articles.

Udemy

      • Paid
      • Secondary
      • Worldwide, Online

Choose from 155,000 online video courses

Alison

      • American, Online

2000 free online courses for teens and adults.

 

Training.com.au A hub of online learning courses from universities, training providers, and trade schools across Australia. It offers users thousands of upskilling options to pick from based on the subject or qualification that they wish to study, including a number of courses that are fully or partially funded by the respective state governments. There’s also plenty of content offering users career advice, study tips, and the like which can be found via their website.

 

https://www.tafecourses.com.au/

Browse and compare courses from Australia’s leading TAFEs, universities and registered training organisations (RTOs) all in one place.

We’re a privately owned website and not an education institute, so we can offer transparent, practical advice to help you find the right course for your goals. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current job or start a new career, we have a wide selection of TAFE courses and nationally recognised qualifications to cater to your needs. When you find your ideal course, we connect you with the right provider.

Tax Super and You

      • Australian, Online

Free online resource by the ATO to help students improve their understanding of the Australian tax and super systems.

 

Emerging Sciences Victoria

      • Australian, Online

Broadcasting from a purpose-built studio on the campus of John Monash Science School. Emerging Sciences Victoria (ESV) makes it possible for Year 9 and 10 students in Victoria to access specialised STEM subjects through a virtual classroom. Has graded homework and assessments.

 

World Science U

      • American, Online

Online courses, masterclasses and videos on advanced science themes.

 

Stanford Online

      • American, Online

Free course, lectures and seminars covering many areas of learning.

CAREERS HELP

Homeschool Careers and Further Education Community Australia (Facebook)

This is a community site where:
1. People share tips and insights they have discovered on gaining entry for home educated kids into tertiary study
2. Parents share about their own careers (past or present) to teenagers who want to learn about it, and may offer work experience opportunities.
For those based in Victoria – not home ed specific, but still helpful.
Find your closest one via this link.
Skills and Jobs Centres offer free career, employment and training support services.
The centres are open to all members of the community. Whether you’re a recent graduate, an experienced worker looking for a change, or someone who has been out of the workforce for some time, Skills and Jobs Centres can help you achieve your training and career goals.

MyFuture

  • Australian, Online

myfuture provides resources to explore career pathways and tools to develop self-knowledge to help with career decision-making.

Career Bullseye Posters

  • Australian, Online

The Bullseye posters reflect possible career options and training requirements for 33 school subjects.

 

Skills Road

      • Australian, Online

Virtual Reality career advice platform lets you explore different workplaces in a new and exciting way.

 

Grandshake – We have officially partnered with Grandshake, a national online skills platform that provides meaningful virtual work experiences & upskilling opportunities to students 14-24.
Since we are a ‘school partner’, our members get to enjoy Grandshake’s catalogue completely FREE. This means our students can: (details on how to access in the members menu under discounts)

  • Gain real-world industry skills: Work on real-world projects designed by leading national companies
  • Get exposure and recognition: Have their work recognised and the potential for it to be showcased by employers
  • Give a small commitment, for a big reward: Join a virtual experience anytime and anywhere for only a few hours a week
  • Earn an industry microcredential: Build a credible portfolio by completing Grandshake virtual experiences & Upskilling microprograms
  • Join a nation-wide community: Grow your network. Join an inclusive community; full of professionals, students and mentors who are there to support your passions.

CQ University have the SUN program. It is a program that allows secondary school students to study up to 4 undergraduate units for minimal cost (in fact the first unit is free). If students successfully complete one or more units, they may use these for direct entry into selected CQU courses.

Home educating students are eligible to apply (disregard requirements of reports from schools, letter from principal, etc outlined on the website).

 To apply home school students need to:

  • Complete the SUN application form
  • Provide evidence of home school registration
  • Write a letter outlining why completing a SUN unit will help further their education/achieve their goals
  • Home educated students will most likely need to complete skills testing for English and Maths to ensure these are at a sufficient level for tertiary study.

 Students can do up to 4 undergraduate units as part of SUN.

Study is 100% online.

 Cost: First unit is FREE, subsequent units cost $375/unit.

 Direct Entry – successful completion of SUN unit/s allows direct entry into select CQU undergraduate degrees.

 

 

APPRENTICESHIP LEARNING HELP

Free Practice Aptitude Tests: Automotive, Building & Construction, Electrical and Electronic, Engineering, Hospitality and Plumbing

Free Tools & resources to assist students researching apprenticeship & traineeship career pathways. Job & Training Descriptions, Find my work type, Pathway charts, Literacy & Numeracy Quizzes

A+ National Pre-apprenticeship Maths and Literacy for various trades are write-in workbooks that help to prepare students seeking to gain a variety of apprenticeships and traineeships. It combines practical, real-world scenarios and terminology specifically relevant to their chosen industry, and provides students with the mathematical and literacy skills they need to confidently pursue a career within that trade.

Peacehill Press

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Hardcopy

Products for the Classical home educator.

 

Homeschooling Downunder

      • Primary
      • Australian, Hardcopy

Charlotte Mason style program with copywork, spelling, dictation, narrations, picture study, observations, poetry, writing and grammar.

 

Ambleside Online

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American

Free Charlotte Mason curriculum which aims to prepare children for a life of rich relationships with everything around them: God, humanity, and the natural world.

 

Mater Amabillis

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

A complete, free Charlotte Mason curriculum for Catholics. It covers all year levels.

Living Math

      • Primary
      • American, Online

Free Charlotte Mason Maths ideas, book reviews, and email list, as well as paid lesson plans.

 

Living Science

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Yahoo Group specifically for discussing and sharing information about living science books. It is secular but inclusive.

 

Pinay Homeschooler

      • Primary
      • Worldwide, Online

Montessori blog with free and paid printables.

Steiner Education Australia

 

Waldorf Without Walls

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Free articles, and paid booklets about different subject areas and a guide to getting started.

 

Christopherus

      • Primary, Secondary
      • American, Online

Curriculum well-regarded by HEN steiner members as a comprehensive manual providing a grade-by-grade description of the curriculum. Free and paid.