Best free homeschool programs online for 2009

Sometime back (December 2006) I gave the gift of five free homeschool resources that you can use. That was a long time ago. While these programs are still great for the homeschooler, and four out of five are still active, in the past few months, I have come across some homeschool programs that have literally blown my mind. For that reason I present to you the best new free homeschool programs online for 2009. MEP math: If you wanted your child to get the kind of math education as children do in countries that lap us in rankings you will … Continue reading

Avoiding Classic College Weight Gain

If your child just started classes at the University of California-San Diego he or she has a better chance of avoiding the dreaded “Freshman Fifteen.” At least that’s what school administrators maintain. For the first time ever the popular college is pulling out all the stops to help students avoid packing on the pounds while on campus. The school recently unveiled its Weight Loss Solutions program–a new wellness, weight-management and counseling program designed to get freshman moving. The program addresses the problems most students face when entering college and living on their own for the first time in their lives. … Continue reading

Families.com Homeschooling Blog Week In Review

This has been a fun week for at the families.com homeschooling blog. I returned to families.com after a long absence and was welcomed back with open arms by Valorie Delp who will still guest blog for families.com as she has time. Meanwhile she is busy with the baby blog and food blog. I have wasted no time jumping back into my work as the homeschool blogger. Sunday 09 Mar 2008 Edventures Online by Valorie Delp This is one of the best kept secrets of the kid-friendly website world. It is a subscription service, but I have to say I think … Continue reading

Disney College Program

How would you like to take a semester off from college and spend it Walt Disney World or Disneyland? How would you like to also have a place to live, interesting roommates and an income to go along with it? The Disney College Program is a unique opportunity for college students to gain work experience at the most magical place on earth. College students in the Disney College Program have the opportunity to work at Disney Theme Parks and Resorts while living in a multicultural and multinational community. They also have the opportunity to take classes which may transfer into … Continue reading

Ask a Homeschooling Blogger: Why Are You So Against Government Involvement Part 2

Note: As I have explained in my previous blog this morning, I have received an e-mail that I think articulates the opinions of many who do not home school and don’t understand why those of us who do might see government intervention as a bad thing. I generally ignore these letters because they are often riddled with poor language and have clearly not been thought out. For the original question in part, please see the first blog. This is a continuation of my response. Those Who “Claim to Homeschool” Every so often, we hear of a news story about a … Continue reading

Cut the Cost of College

Is college in your near future? Then start thinking about ways to cut your overall costs now. Half of the problem is saving for college, the other half is figuring out how to get the most education for your money. Consider some of these steps to cut the overall cost, without degrading the degree. 1. Junior or Community College Even if you only go one or two years the final cost of a junior college is far less, and often a better opportunity to learn. Transitioning from the smaller classes of high school to a large college can be stressful. … Continue reading

Tips on Saving and Raising Money for College

The following are some ideas and tips to help you make college a reality for your children. Whatever their ages, if you want to ensure your kids receive a quality education, consider the following options. 1. State Sponsored 529 Plans: This is a profitable scenario if your kids are still quite young. With these plans, not only can you save for college, you can also gain tax breaks as well as receive investment earning that are tax-free. 2. Monthly Savings Plans: Any amount you save will be helpful. Try to get in the habit a setting aside a set amount … Continue reading

More College Courses for High Schoolers

Yesterday I wrote about FEMA’s Emergency Preparedness classes, and the ability to convert the independent study to college credit. Today’s tip is a little different. It’s only for high school juniors and seniors. California State University Dominguez Hills has a young scholars program. For $3.50 each (yes, that’s $3.50, not $350), your highschooler can take distance-learning courses from a fully accredited California State University. Two classes are offered each semester. That’s the only real downside. You get what you get. The two that just ended were Critical Reasoning and Television, Film & Theater. They’re three credit classes each. Six credits … Continue reading

Free College Level Classes

With two kids in high school in the fall, I’m starting to think about college credits. We’re probably going to be in that middle area when it comes to loans and grants. Too poor to pay their tuition outright, too wealthy (ha!) to quality for financial aid. Of course I have hopes that there will be scholarships, but since I don’t really want my daughters leaving home to go away to college, the opportunities will be a little more limited. Our state has a program for high schoolers to take community college classes in their junior and senior years. That’s … Continue reading

Attending College and Living Peacefully with Your Parents

In a previous article, I discussed the results of a study that concluded that college freshmen living at home with their parents had a better mental health than those that did not live with their parents. So you are going to college and living at home? Your mental health is great right? Not necessarily. While enjoying the privacy of your own room and bathroom and not forking out for living expenses, your parents may be driving you crazy! College is an adjustment without factoring in living arrangements. You have graduated from high school and you feel independent. So how do … Continue reading