Welcome to Homeschool-Curriculum.org’s “2020 Winter Gift Guide”!
We searched through hundreds of educational products to bring you the top picks for this holiday season. They’re the kind of products that are going to make learning fun. The top picks in our Winter Gift Guide will alleviate your worries about making sure your kids receive gifts that are not only fun but also educational. That will engage them past the holiday season. That will inspire creativity. That will have your kids asking for just one more quick lesson, chapter or game.
Every product on the list, we’ve either tested, tried, played ourselves or had recommended by other homeschoolers. We’re not just pulling whatever comes up first in Google. Our goal was to come up with fun, engaging and educational (emphasis on the educational) resources that you might not have already heard of, but that you should definitely know about.
Whether you’ve been homeschooling for a few years or are new to homeschooling and looking for great educational products for your kids this holiday season, you’ll want to check out our top picks in our 2020 Winter Gift Guide!
Browse the entire guide or select one of the categories below.
To group products by age, click here.
7 Generation Games
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School
From bilingual VR apps that teach counting to games set in immersive 3D worlds that teach fractions and multiplication, 7 Generation Games keep kids engaged. The company makes educational video games and interactive apps designed to teach math in context, while incorporating elements of social studies and language arts. Math challenges are presented within the games’ storyline, and wrong answers lead to in-game modules that explain how to solve the problems.
The 7 Generation Games website includes an extensive collection of free educational resources. For kids interested in creating video games, check out their just launched Game Design Curriculum for Grades 5-12.
TouchMath
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5
TouchMath now has multisensory TouchMath Homeschool Programs available just for you. The complete pre-K through second-grade activity sheets are downloadable by grade level in convenient, cost-effective packages. Each grade level contains hundreds of student activity sheets specifically designed to meet the Common Core State Standards. We’ve also included complete teacher guides with lesson plans, real-world activities, and testing materials for every topic. And for older homeschoolers, we have made available our Upper Grades downloadable activity sheets for use as a supplement in a home environment. The inexpensive upper grades homeschool activity sheets are broken down by topic and are extremely easy to navigate, select, and purchase. For ESY programs, TouchMath Flex allows you to build a custom toolkit to target areas you need when homeschooling.
RightStart™ Mathematics
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8
This unique, award-winning, hands-on program de-emphasizes counting, uses visualization of quantities, and provides strategies and visual pictures for learning the facts. Understanding and problem solving are emphasized throughout the curriculum.
The RightStart™ Mathematics homeschool program is set up with levels, rather than grades, so that your child can begin at the proper level and advance at their own pace. Placement testing is available here. Objectives, Table of Contents and sample lessons can reviewed here. The elementary and intermediate program lessons guide the teacher day-by-day and year-by-year, helping children understand, apply, and enjoy mathematics.
Modern Curriculum Press Mathematics
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8
MCP Mathematics is a seven-level, comprehensive math program to help your K-6 child develop a solid mathematics background. It is designed to encourage critical-thinking skills, active participation, and mastery of skills within the context of problem-solving situations. The program features a developmental sequence, to introduce and extend skills taught in most mathematics curricula – such as number sense, operations, algebra, geometry, data collection and analysis, logic and probability. The MCP Mathematics homeschool bundle includes a student workbook and a teacher’s edition.
Andamio Games
Grade Level: High School
Andamio Games is bringing life sciences content to life. These educational apps make teaching these more advanced science topics easier and more engaging. iNeuron app teaches neuroscience through combining scaffolded lessons and game-based learning. Cell Energy tackles photosynthesis, cell respiration and the carbon cycle within virtual biology labs where players learn through experiments and interactive activities. Both games start with the fundamentals and build from there while reinforcing the concepts taught within the game. There are options for single player learning as well as group activities that you can do with your student or great for homeschool coops.
Insect Lore
Grade Level: PreK-2
The perfect project for budding entomologists! Insect Lore kits include everything you need to build your own butterfly garden or ladybug kit – including the caterpillars and larvae. Observe the butterfly life cycle firsthand as you learn about the stages of metamorphosis from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. Did you know that ladybugs undergo metamorphosis as well? You can study the process up close with a ladybug kit. Kits can be purchased with the larvae/caterpillars included or with a voucher to redeem later. Products also includes a useful guide with activity journals, informational books and more available through the site.
Squishy Circuits
Grade Level: 3-5
Squishy Circuits teaches about electronic circuits through play dough! Kits can be purchased through their site (or places like Amazon). You can even make your own with the recipe they provide. See firsthand how circuits work while being introduced to conductive and inductive principles as you draw power from a battery to activate an LED light using only play dough. You never expected learning about circuits to be like this – or to be this fun! The possibilities of what you can create an infinite, but the Squishy Circuits site and app have some great resources to get you started.
SunWind Solar
Grade Level: 6-8, High School
SunWind Solar invention kits are a great way to turn spending time in the summer sun into an educational activity. Learn about solar power by building devices that harness and run on solar energy with one of five individual kits that empower kids to create and customize. Complement your constructing with informative solar energy materials and a variety of solar lesson plan ideas available from SunWind online.
ASD Reading
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5
ASD Reading is a patented, research-based method for teaching students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other significant learning disabilities to read, write and comprehend at a 3rd grade level (Lexile 750). Current reading education relies on methods that often do not work for students on the spectrum with the result that the majority never gain the ability to read with fluency or understanding. However, the innovative content and methods of ASD Reading enable students to achieve success – even when they are non-verbal (i.e., non-speaking). Get a free 30-day trial when you sign up.
Reading Kingdom
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5
Reading Kingdom teaches students to read and write with comprehension at a 3rd grade level (Lexile 750). It is the program that we recommend for mainstream students, as well as ELL and RTI classes. Reading Kingdom’s innovative techniques are extremely effective because they are based on a new “Phonics-PLUS” six skill model of reading instruction and do not rely solely on phonics-based decoding approach which is problematic because most words in English cannot be sounded out. Get a free 30-day trial when you sign up.
FarFaria
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5
FarFaria is an award-winning reading app with thousands of e-books for children in grades Pre-K to 3. With unlimited access to a curated library of intricately illustrated children’s e-books and new titles published every week, FarFaria keeps kids engaged and learning. Popular e-books include classics, like Princess and the Pea and Rapunzel, as well as the original hit series, The Monster Club and Zombie Elementary. FarFaria e-books offer professional audio narration with word highlighting and standards-aligned reading levels featured on every book cover. FarFaria is available in the App Store and Play Store, as well as for Kindle Fire. For its expansive library and more, FarFaria was chosen as a Top Pick in our 2020 Winter Gift Guide!
The Lab Learning Space
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5, 6-8
The Lab Learning Space is an innovative new approach to education based on the Khan Lab School’s highly successful personalized learning model. Students learn through a combination of teacher-supported online platforms, Writer’s and Reader’s Workshops, and experiential, hands-on project-based learning. Due to the pandemic, The Lab Learning Space now offers an on-site learning pod form of learning as well as virtual classes. Classes at The Lab are open to any student K-8th grade.
Eyeball It!®
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8
Eyeball It!® is a real, hands-on studio art program for 7-13 year-olds. Flexible schedule and DIY structure for working with individual students, cohorts and pods, both in-school and out-of-school time (OST) programs. Unique in its field, Eyeball It!® is individualized, scalable, available by Internet, guidable by any adult in individual or group settings, and completely free. Well-tested in both contexts. Nearly 100 photos on its new website show artworks done by kids in response to the Projects. Video demonstrations, Projects, Read-along recordings, and lesson plans. Project-based learning that’s generous and fun!
ArtAchieve
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5, 6-8
ArtAchieve’s online art lessons are easy to teach. Children at reading age can follow the lessons by themselves. But that’s not the only advantage. . . ArtAchieve is affordable and flexible, starting at just $6 a lesson. No memberships. No obligations. Each lesson comes with resources that help you connect art to other subjects. Art becomes a window on the world! Lessons begin with guided drawings—students succeed in drawing, one line at a time. Each lesson guides students in using art media and encourages creative expression. Try their FREE lessons—enjoy art as you explore connections from around the world!
Art Class Curator
Grade Level: 3-5, 6-8, High School
Trying to figure out how to pull together the perfect arts curriculum? The Art Class Curator has you covered. Topics include everything from integrating art and math to how to analyze photography to an entire year’s worth of art appreciation all mapped out, this site is a great go-to. Get free worksheets, affordable ready-to-go lesson plans, recommended reading and more from the Art Class Curator.
Artistic Pursuits
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School
Artistic Pursuits is one of the simplest home school choices available. Designed to suit all ages from preschool through high school, it helps students to create their own artwork instead of just copying the ideas and works of others.
It is also designed to encourage homeschoolers to develop the artistic work that they are most interested in doing, whether that involves drawing, painting or sculpting. From 11/23 to 12/1, take advantage of 1/2 off on art lessons for beginner artists, 4th grade and up!
STORYWORLD
Grade Level: PreK-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School
STORYWORLD teaches language learning through stories. Beautifully illustrated, narrated myths & legends, non-fiction and themed stories are the anchor for learning a language. STORYWORLD’s bilingual platform integrates reading with listening, writing and speaking, using interactive games where children win points and record or write original answers to open-ended questions. Click any word for pronunciation and translations. Digital worksheets in the app or downloadable allow learners to practice online or offline. A Dashboard enables parents to review all student work and monitor progress. STORYWORLD research demonstrated extremely high engagement and positive literacy outcomes. Over 100 titles in English, Spanish, Mandarin.
Babbel
Grade Level: 6-8, High School
Babbel is the world’s first language learning app. A leader in the online language learning industry, Babbel is an international success with millions of active subscribers and ranked as the world’s #1 innovative company in education. Their language experts obsess over how to bring you the best quality in modern language learning, covering more than 10,000 hours of content in 14 languages, from Spanish to Indonesian. Babbel is the only product to offer courses tailored to your native language, building on grammar and vocabulary you already know.
Homeschool Spanish Academy
Grade Level: Pre K-2, 3-5, 6-8, High School
Homeschool Spanish Academy (HSA) is a unique program that connects students with certified Spanish instructors in Guatemala via the Internet. They have over 50 teachers, each hand-picked to turn your education into something amazing. They educate teachers in house, and HSA works tirelessly to ensure they give you the best Spanish education possible. HSA offers Spanish curricula for all ages. Schedule classes on any day of the week – you can take them on your own, or share a class and save money! Homeschool Spanish Academy makes it easy to learn at your own pace.
Preply
Grade Level: 6-8, High School
Preply is an educational platform for finding online and local tutors, and for providing services in the educational sector for teachers from all over the world. Preply helps people prepare to speak confidently with professional tutors from around the world. Language learners can easily find a tutor who matches their learning goals, and begin taking lessons within minutes. 25,000 Preply tutors offer their services to more than 70,000 students: 27 world languages classes,
13 school subjects lessons, as well as acting, music, and art lessons.
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