Freely Educate

From Amazon: A Free Game AND $5 in Free Music

The Bottom Line: Amazon.com is giving away a game called Big Kahuna Reef for FREE.  That "purchase" (free) qualifies you to receive a credit for $5 in mp3 downloads. 

The Method:

1.  First, order the game Big Kahuna Reef. You don't have to download or install it.

But you might want to: It might be a bit of a stretch to call this Bejeweled-like game "educational," but it, um, teaches fine motor skills?  Colors?  Okay, maybe it won't turn the kids into little Einsteins, but in any case, it's a pretty fun, n0-brainer game that's safe for the kids.  Above is a screenshot of mine.

2.  After you've placed your $0.00 order for the Big Kahuna game, you'll receive an email from Amazon letting you know that a $5 mp3 promotional credit is in your account.   Now, this freebie can indeed be educational!  Here are a few educational mp3s I found at Amazon (note: I haven't tried them yet):

• Hip Hop Multiplication
• Schoolhouse Rock! Earth
• Muévete- Learn Spanish Through Song and Movement

and because it makes me giggle:

• Beethoven's Wig 2: More Sing Along Symphonies

There are thousands of other mp3s to choose from; don't feel like you have to go with those!

I did both steps in this offer tonight before writing you. It took me under 5 minutes to purchase the game (for nothing, as I keep saying!) and receive a promotional credit in my Amazon account for $5 in mp3s.  There were no catches!

This offer expires August 31, 2009, so hurry up!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Free Museum Day at Over 1,000 American Museums

On Saturday, September 26th, 2009, you and a guest may enjoy free admission to one of over 1,000 museums across America during the Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day.

I'll bet there's one near you! 

Go to the Smithsonian Magazine's Museum Day site to:

• download your free ticket voucher
• view participating venues (by address or state)

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

College-Level Biology from Carnegie Mellon University

Another free course offering from Carnegie Mellon University. This course is called Modern Biology...

A description from Carnegie Mellon:

This introductory course in"Modern Biology" covers topics found in the fields of celluar biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. It does not cover organismal biology or taxonomy. This course is a requirement for biology majors at Carnegie Mellon University. The course is carefully planned to provide the backgound biology students will need for advanced biology classes. Non-biology majors will also find this course useful as it explains many of the concepts and techniques currently discussed in the popular press.ans for a complete on-line Biology course are under development.

This Modern Biology course is built around six Key Concepts that provide unifying explanations for how and why structures are formed and processes occur throughout your study of biology. Because it is not possible to cover the breadth of modern molecular biology in one semester, an understanding of these Key Concepts will provide a basis for extension of your knowledge to biological systems beyond the specifics covered in this course. One of the major goals of the course therefore is for you to not only learn the definitions of the concepts but also learn to recognize when they are operating the process being studied.

The Key Concepts:

• Bioselectivity
• Energy
• Equilibrium
• Ionic State
• Rate Control
• Solubility

Unit 1: Modern Biology

Unit 2: Biological Chemistry
- Atoms, Functional Groups, and Water
- Equilibrium and pH
- Carbohydrates and Polysaccharides
- Amino Acids and Proteins
- Enzymes and Regulation

Unit 3: Cell BiologyModule
- Lipids and Membranes
- Transport and Signalling

Unit 4: Basis of Molecular Biology
- DNA and RNA
- DNA Replication
- DNA Transcription
- RNA Translation-Protein Synthesis

Appendix: Glossaries
- Instructions for Activities
- Tutorial Animations
- Functional Groups
- Structure and Function of the Cell Membrane
- Images of Living Cells

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Another free course offering from Carnegie Mellon University. This course is called Modern Biology...

A description from Carnegie Mellon:

This introductory course in"Modern Biology" covers topics found in the fields of celluar biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, and genetics. It does not cover organismal biology or taxonomy. This course is a requirement for biology majors at Carnegie Mellon University. The course is carefully planned to provide the backgound biology students will need for advanced biology classes. Non-biology majors will also find this course useful as it explains many of the concepts and techniques currently discussed in the popular press.ans for a complete on-line Biology course are under development.

This Modern Biology course is built around six Key Concepts that provide unifying explanations for how and why structures are formed and processes occur throughout your study of biology. Because it is not possible to cover the breadth of modern molecular biology in one semester, an understanding of these Key Concepts will provide a basis for extension of your knowledge to biological systems beyond the specifics covered in this course. One of the major goals of the course therefore is for you to not only learn the definitions of the concepts but also learn to recognize when they are operating the process being studied.

The Key Concepts:

• Bioselectivity
• Energy
• Equilibrium
• Ionic State
• Rate Control
• Solubility

Unit 1: Modern Biology

Unit 2: Biological Chemistry
- Atoms, Functional Groups, and Water
- Equilibrium and pH
- Carbohydrates and Polysaccharides
- Amino Acids and Proteins
- Enzymes and Regulation

Unit 3: Cell BiologyModule
- Lipids and Membranes
- Transport and Signalling

Unit 4: Basis of Molecular Biology
- DNA and RNA
- DNA Replication
- DNA Transcription
- RNA Translation-Protein Synthesis

Appendix: Glossaries
- Instructions for Activities
- Tutorial Animations
- Functional Groups
- Structure and Function of the Cell Membrane
- Images of Living Cells

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Biblical Studies: Free Online Curriculum

If Biblical studies are part of your curriculum, check out Experiencing the Word.  With illustrations, maps, and quotes, this Bible study covers all of the Bible through 43 online volumes.

Plain Truth Magazine, the publisher of the online version of Experiencing the Word, describes the program like this:

Experiencing the Word Online — covering the entire Bible in 43 online volumes. Whether you’re a new student of the Bible, or have been studying it for years, this series is an adventure in faith that will change forever the way you look at the Scriptures. Written, designed and edited by a highly qualified team of Bible experts and publishing professionals, packed with illustrations, charts, maps and stories, Experiencing the Word Online combines the heart of a Bible devotional with the mind of a Bible study course.

 

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Free Catholic Charlotte Mason Curriculum

For ages 4-14, Mater Amabilis is a Catholic-friendly option for fans of the Charlotte Mason style of education.  Go to this page for an overview of the program and to view each year's scope and sequence.

The curriculum includes schedules and lesson plans.  You'll have to purchase the books, but many can be found free, online.

Thank you, God's Dancing Child, for sharing this high quality, 100% free, educational find with us!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

From MIT: Free High School Courses

MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) has been highlighted here on FreelyEducate.com before, for their 1,900 (!) courses available for free (!) at the college level.

Well, now they're focusing on high schoolers.  Check out the MIT OpenCourseware: Highlights for High School website for the course listings.

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Best of Freely Educate: Free Full Curriculum

Continuing the Best of FreelyEducate.com theme, I thought I'd highlight two free homeschooling curriculum, which I think could be adapted to schools as well as other education options (such as self-learning!).  Both of these curriculum contain all that you need for a full education, including history, literature, writing, math, etc.  This does not mean that the materials are included - it is curriculum, after all -  but the lesson planning and book lists are included. 

I could only find two free full curriculum, so hope you will mention others to us in the comments, below.  Click on the title or screenshot for a review of each:

Ambleside Online:  a Charlotte Mason curriculum

Old-Fashioned Education: a Christian, living books curriculum

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Connections Academy: Free Online Public School for K-12

 

(the following text is from the Connections Academy FAQ)

What is Connections Academy?

Connections Academy provides a new form of free public school that students attend from home or another location outside a traditional classroom. This is a unique program that combines the strong parental involvement of home schooling, expertise and accountability, and a flexible learning environment. Connections Academy provides all the tools and support students need to learn in the non-classroom setting. We currently operate schools in many states.

How much does the program cost?

The program is free, including all of the books and curriculum. The only costs are the optional field trips, which are organized by your school's Community Coordinators and staff, and the replenishment of some school supplies, such as printer cartridges.

What does a Connections Academy family receive?

First-Class Curriculum: Our program features curriculum developed by leading educational publishers. Connections Academy families receive textbooks, comprehensive lesson plans, and exciting enrichment courses.

High-Quality Teaching: Connections Academy's professional teachers work one-on-one with students and their parents to instruct, review assignments and customize the curriculum, including extra help for struggling or gifted students.

State-of-the-Art Technology: Families receive a computer, printer, and subsidy for Internet access*; online communication, planning, and learning management tools; online lessons and library resources; and technology literacy courses.

Community Connections: Connections Academy facilitates numerous activities, online and in person. Our community coordinators and school staff members plan field trips, special projects, and group meetings with other families in your area.

*Availability of computer equipment and Internet access varies by state.

Connections Academy is offered free in 14 states.  To see if your state is covered, vist this map.

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Best of Freely Educate: For High Schoolers

We're continuing our Best of FreelyEducate.com series by sharing a few favorite free educational finds for high schoolers.  Click on the titles or screenshots for a full review of the site:

Alice: Computer Programming

LiveMocha: language learning

GCF: math and computer skills

HippoCampus:  Algebra, Biology, Physics, History, to name a few!

Do you have any free high school finds to share with us?  If so, please do in the comments!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Best of Freely Educate: For Jr. High / Middle Schoolers

Today we're focusing on the students between elementary school and high school. Whether you call them middle schoolers, junior highers, preteens, or "those kids," we have something here to keep them happily occupied.  Here are my favorite educational finds for students around 6th-8th grade, or so:

Math Moves U

World History

Khan Academy (math program)

N.E.E.D.: Science Fair Projects

Do you have any favorites for middle schoolers?  If so, let us know in the comments!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

GIVEAWAY for ALL from Pocketville!

As a mom and teacher, it's a great feeling when we find a place that our kids love, whether it's the park down the street or a family friend's home. And when Mom or Teacher can sit back and relax knowing that her little ones are safe, everyone has more fun.  We recently came across a place that we know your kids will love- and they don't even have to leave the house or schoolroom to get there!
 
We'd like to introduce you to Pocketville. Pocketville is a creative virtual world where kids can play games, decorate their own environment, and adopt "In My Pocket" virtual pets.  Kids will discover a world of fun that offers a safe social place to meet friends, engage in innovative games, create their own avatar, and dress their pets to look the coolest in the town!  

 
Teachers and parents can feel safe letting their students play in Pocketville because the site is 100% secure and no open chatting is permitted. All users are anonymous and can't share personal details with other players. And in addition to the fun they'll have taking part in the games and activities, kids will learn responsibility by taking care of their virtual pets and virtual piggy bank account.
 
We’re so excited to offer you and your kids an exclusive Pocketville experience.  By visiting Pocketville, http://www.jungleinmypocket.com/, and entering the voucher code below, your child or student can purchase items for their virtual pet at the Pocketville Pet Supplies Store:

 

Voucher Code: B9GX8NUDYS

Valid for 250 Pocketville Tokens

 

Please feel free to share the voucher code with other educators or Moms and kids who you think might enjoy the site. Please note that the voucher code expires on September 30th, 2009 so make sure to take advantage of this fun offer while it lasts!

We are confident that your children will love exploring Pocketville.  Pocketville was developed by the makers of Puppy In My Pocket, a trusted and popular company who specializes in children's character lines and toys that is sold in over 50 countries worldwide.

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Best of Freely Educate: For Elementary Grades

It's our Best of Freely Educate week!  Today, it's all about the elementary grades (around 1st through 6th, give or take a year or two, depending on  your students).  Once again, I find myself shaking my head at what is offered free to us educators!  See what you think about my favorites!

(click on the screenshot or links to read a full review of the site):

English Banana's Big Grammar Book

Scott Foresman's Grammar Curriculum for Grades 1-6th

Dick Blick's Art Lesson Plans

Dance Mat Typing

Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching (math curriculum)

Share some of your favorites with us, too!  Write them below in the comments or send them to me (loriseaborg@gmail.com) and I may highlight the site here on FreelyEducate.com!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Best of Freely Educate: For Preschoolers & Kindergartners

This week, I'm going to post some of the best and most popular free educational finds for certain age groups. 

Today:  Preschoolers reign!  Over the past year+ of FreelyEducate.com, we've discovered many great preschool to kindergarten learning freebies.   Here are the best free educational finds I've discovered so far for preschoolers and kindergartners (click on the screenshots to read the full review post):

Poisson Rouge

Starfall

Storynory

Those are my favorites!   Which are yours? 

Share your favorites below in the comments or send them to me (loriseaborg@gmail.com) and I may highlight the site here on FreelyEducate.com!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate

Free Docent-Led Virtual Tours of the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Too far away from the Smithsonian American Art Museum to mosey on over for a field trip?  Unfortunately, most of us are.   But we all can schedule a free field trip!

These are not your normal self-led virtual field trips.  Instead, these are scheduled, docent-led virtual tours!  The Smithsonian writes, "Via real-time videoconferencing, museum docents lead the study of U.S. history and culture using our extensive holdings of American art."

Visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum site for more information, available topics, and a registration form to request an appointment for your school's free virtual field trip.

Thank you, Samantha, for sharing this high quality, 100% free educational find with us!

Subscribe to FreelyEducate here  or keep up with FreelyEducate tweets (Twitter) here: @freelyeducate