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A Free Database of New York Times Articles from 1851-1922

Times Machine is a database of New York Times articles that allows students to access exact digital copies of the famous newspaper from 1851 to 1922. With articles on the assassination of Lincoln to the sinking of the Titanic to the end of World War I, this is a valuable resource that can be used in history class or for many other homeschool and classroom uses.

View the TimesMachine database here. 

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Free American Sign Language Courses

The American Sign Language University offers both ASL I and ASL II on their site, free.  Each course equals .5 credit for American high school, 6 CEUs, or 4 University semester hour credits.  

This is a simply created course.  It may not be the best one out there (can you recommend another free one?), but it's a place to start.  This course does not require registration...you may get started right now, if you like.

How to Get This Freebie:  Visit the American Sign Language University to choose a free sign language course.

For all ages, even you!

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How I Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards: (& Our Exclusive Code for New Signups!)

I heard of SwagBucks for a long time before I started using it, but I kept ignoring it because things that sound good sometimes also sound gimmicky. Then I started noticing that a lot of you visit Freely Educate each day through Swag Bucks.   Since you trust it, I thought I'd try it, and now I'm happy to have redeemed hundreds of dollars in Amazon and Lowe's gift cards (you can earn other products or other stores' gift cards; Amazon & Lowe's were my choice)! 

I earned the swag bucks by doing nothing more than what I normally do. At SwagBucks, you receive gift cards or other prizes for doing what you're already doing:  searching on the internet.  If you do an average of 5 searches a day, you should earn around $15 a month just from doing what you already do. Toss in a few surveys, a few referrals, watching a video, and the occasional sign-up or coupon printout, and you'll soon earn enough for a tank of gas or trip to the grocery in no time!  450 SwagBucks = $5 Amazon Gift Card.  You may also use the bucks for PayPal cash, Starbucks gift cards, products, and more.

I have an exclusive 70 Swag Bucks bonus for new registrations!  Use registration code FREELYLEARN when you sign up.  You will then have 100 Swag Bucks instead of the usual 30 Swag Bucks that new registrations receive. 

How to Get this Freebie:  Visit Swagbucks.com.  Register to get started.  Click the text that reads "I have a sign up code", and use code FREELYLEARN for your first 100 Swag Bucks.  No credit card required!  Our exclusive code expires May 31, 2013 at midnight PST. 

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Disclosure: I'm telling you about SwagBucks because I genuinely like the program and use the site daily. I will receive Swag Bucks when you sign up, which I use to fill our family's bookshelves, and occasionally for giveaways on this blog. 

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Free Bowling for Kids All Summer Long

Over 5 million kids across America and Canada have bowled free in the Summer!  Registration has opened for Summer 2013. Your children may bowl two games per day for free (your bowling center determines whether or not shoe rentail is included).

"This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.

Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games a day, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers." 

Visit KidsBowlFree to watch videos about the program and to find a participating bowling center near you. 

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We're Heading to DisneyWorld to Learn

Three of our kids and I - the three who are too young for full-time jobs - are heading to DisneyWorld in Orlando today.  We were invited by Disney, along with about 174 other bloggers, to spend Mother's Day weekend being spoiled & pampered, but also to learn what Disney has to offer families. 

We were also able to attend last year, and made such incredible memories with my parents who joined us.

This year, I decided to focus on a theme:  how homeschooling families can benefit from going to DisneyWorld.  I'll be looking for all sorts of learning opportunities and collecting tips on for you!

I don't think I'll be able to blog while away, so look for the posts in the upcoming weeks.  But I will be able to keep up with social media!  Follow along with us through our photos on Instagram.  View the tweets here.  And read my Facebook updates here. 

p.s. The conference I'm attending is called the Disney Social Media Moms Conference, and you can follow along with the attendees tweets using hashtag #DisneySMMoms on Twitter.

Have you been to DisneyWorld?

Online, Customized Test Preparation for the ACT, GRE, GMAT, SAT, ACT, or PSAT

Since our 17-year-old, a homeschooler, is preparing to attend college next year, I am researching how to best prepare him for the exams he will need.  In my research, I have looked at many test preparation options. Recently, I was introduced to  Barron's Test Prep, which is the easiest to use and most customizable of the options I've considered.

Barron's has offered test prep materials for over 65 years, so they really know their stuff.  You have probably seen their test preparation manuals in bookstores.  Barron's has expanded what they offer by creating a professional, yet simple-t0-use test prep website.  There is both free and paid online test prep for each type of exam.

"It's our goal to provide top quality test prep content using state of the art technology. Our content is split into hundreds of individual "small bite" learning that allows us to personalize learning paths like never before. The size and duration of content also allows us to offer a truly immersive learning environment where you can learn practically anywhere for the shortest amount of time you can sneak out from your busy schedule."- Barron's

To me, the most exciting thing about Barron's is that the test preparation is customized based on your skills, your time, and what you need to maximize your score.  The video lessons and question solutions are tailored to your strengths and weaknesses.  

"Barron's online practice test isn't just adapted for some:

it's adapted for you."

The test prep is available on the iPad (as a free app) as well as on the computer - and the information is saved across the platforms - making studying that much easier! 

Barron's Test Prep offers exam and test preparation for the following tests:

• GRE
• GMAT
• SAT
• ACT
• PSAT

The test prep at Barron's is available free or at cost:

Visit Barron's Test Prep to create a basic or premium account

You may also visit:

• Barron's Test Prep on Facebook
• Barron's Online Prep on Twitter

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Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post written on behalf of Barron's. I only accept sponsored posts from companies I actually like and trust. I turn down far more than I accept! 

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Free Art Appreciation Lesson Plans Using Traced Outlines of Famous Art Works

A homeschool blogger who uses the Charlotte Mason approach, Practical Pages, teaches art appreciation by creating traced line drawings of famous artists' works.   Using tracing paper, she creates the drawing, then prints it out for the students to then fill with color.  

On her site, she has free printables of several traced outlines she has done, for Van Gogh's Starry Night (above, and her most popular download), and for several other artists.  She also teaches you how to create your own traced outlines.

Visit Practical Pages for many art lesson plans and free art curriculum printables.  

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