Best Back-to-School Resources By Age

Welcome to Homeschool-Curriculum.org’s “Best Back-to-School Resources” Guide for 2019!

We searched through hundreds of educational products to bring you the must-try resources for the back-to-school season. They’re the kind of products that are going to make your new school year goals easier to achieve. That will alleviate your worries about making sure your kids are on track. That will inspire creativity. That will have your kids asking for just one more quick lesson.

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 resources for the new school year, you’ll want to check out our Best Back-to-School Resources picks!

Select one of the age groups below.

To view products by category, click here.

7 Generation Games

7 Generation Games, games to teach math

From bilingual VR apps that teach counting for preschoolers 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.

ASD Reading

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

Reading Kingdom gives you the tools to turn kids into successful readers with its innovative online reading program! Reading Kingdom teaches students to read and write with comprehension at a 3rd grade level (Lexile 750). 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.

We Craft Box

We Craft Box is one of the top kids craft subscription boxes. Each month we send your family a We Craft Box that features a unique theme and story about the crafts. When it arrives at your doorstep it’s a complete creative unit! No need to run and hunt down the markers or glue stick… all the materials needed are inside the box – and can be shared between two children! With 3 or more crafts and easy-to-follow photo directions parents can enjoy a stress-free creative experience with their children. After all, with We Craft Box it’s the monthly gift that helps families craft, connect and create together!

Up-Words Reading®

Up-Words Reading® is an early literacy instructional program designed to teach children to read and spell the English language. The program, developed by Lorie Delk, M Ed., CCC-SLP, Laura Scheer, M. Ed., and Jessica Kersting, Ph. D., CCC-SLP, carefully follows research-based best practices in literacy education and incorporates time-tested techniques proven to enhance the learning experience. The program provides a complete, self-contained package with everything you need! Comprised of four levels, each level includes Teachers Manuals, Student Workbooks, Decodable Readers and a Resource Kit. Up-Words Reading® promotes wholesome values and is effective for all students across the learning spectrum.

ArtAchieve

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!

Coloring Squared

Do you want to have fun while learning math facts? Practice math while you color with Coloring Squared: Multiplication and Division. Children love practicing multiplication and division in this entertaining and educational coloring book. Each of this book’s 40 puzzles provides at least 300 math problems to solve. Solve the problems in each square, use the key provided at the bottom of the page, and color the squares according to the key. When you’re done, an amazing ‘pixel art’ picture emerges.

Bon Voyage World Languages Academy

Live, online language classes in 12 languages, taught by certified, native teachers. Program meets standards for high school credit. The Bon Voyage World Languages Academy courses take place online in their virtual Zoom Classroom. These courses are designed for students ages 3 to 18 and adults. Their virtual classroom functions much like a traditional brick and mortar classroom, and offers many of the same benefits of a regular classroom, including the ability to group students into cooperative learning teams.

The Lab Learning Space

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. They provide dynamic classrooms with low teacher-to-student ratios where every child is equipped with their own laptop. They offer full day, partial day, drop-in and distance learning programs. Classes at The Lab are open to any student K-8th grade.

FirstWords by Learning Touch

FirstWords is a series of apps that reinforce letters while teaching basic spelling and sight word recognition. Children match letters to their corresponding place in a word – with each letter spoken aloud – to create words that come alive with animation. A free lite version of the app is available to try with expansion apps options that contain hundreds of words. With the pro versions, you can create your own lists.

There are also Spanish, German and Japanese FirstWords apps because there’s no better time to start learning a second language.

Homeschool Spanish Academy

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.