Homeschool and Online Resources

Getting Started

New to homeschooling? Don’t worry, these sites will guide you through the process, help you choose or design a curriculum, and give you all the legal information you need.

The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers 

A guide to getting started, including legal information. Also includes information about homeschool events and testing services, and a guide to support groups near you. 

Home Educators of Virginia 

A guide to getting started, including legal information and detailed online webinars (for a fee). Also includes information about homeschool events, and a guide to tutors, counselors, and support groups near you. Christian-based.

The Homeschool Mom  

A guide to the homeschooling basics, plus an overview of methods, curriculum reviews, and subject-by-subject help. Visit the Virginia page for specific legal information, support groups, information about homeschool events near you.


Homeschool World 
 

A breakdown of common homeschooling methods (such as Charlotte Mason and Classical Education), as well as a guide to useful software, apps, and reference materials.


 
Time 4 Learning  

Subscription-based curriculum and lesson plan access. Also includes an online forum to chat with other homeschooling parents.

Learning Communities and Support Groups

Connect with other homeschooling families near you. (Due to COVID-19 most group lessons and community events have been temporarily suspended, but community members continue to share information and support.)

Parent Educators of Augusta County Homes (Christian-based)
Natural Learners of the Shenandoah Valley (secular)

Raw Learning (secular) 

Valley Home Educators (Christian-based)

Albemarle Homeschoolers (secular)

Waynesboro Classical Conversations (Christian-based)

C'ville Waldorf-Inspired School at Home (secular)

Lessons & Lesson Plans

Khan Academy   (FREE)

Scholastic Learn at Home  ($)

Time 4 Learning   ($)

PebbleGo   ($)

Crash Course on YouTube  (FREE)

IXL Learning   ($)

Oxford Owl UK  (FREE)

BrainPop   ($)

Arcademics (“Arcade Academics”)  (Free with premium content)

HelpNow  Brainfuse Help Now  is an educational website is designed for middle and high school students, educators, and parents. 


STEM

STEM Activity Clearinghouse 

Math Playground

Xtra Math

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives  (English & Spanish)

Oceans Initiative Virtual Marine Biology Camp  (Go to videos)

Boonshoft Museum of Discovery

Mad Science

Arts & Humanities


Great Books Foundation

Gilder Lehman Institute of American History

National Gallery of Art Kids

Art Class with Cassie Stephens

Draw Every Day with Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Center for Puppetry Arts

Metropolitan Opera Livestreams


Free Books & Online Story Times


Storyline Online

Internet Archive Open Library

FreeBooksy

Project Gutenberg

International Children's Digital Library

Learn a Language

Duolingo is a great way to learn a language. It's free, fun and science-based. Practice online on duolingo.com or via the app.

Transparent Language Online provides an effective and engaging experience for language learners looking to build their vocabulary, practice their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, and maintain what they learn. With courses and supplemental resources in 110+ languages, Transparent Language Online can be accessed anytime, anywhere, on almost any device.

Magazines, News, and Research


 Gale in Context Elementary
meets the research needs of students in Kindergarten through Grade 5. It features a developmentally appropriate, visually graphic interface, a subject-based topic tree search and full-text, age-appropriate, curriculum-related magazine, newspaper and reference content for information on current events, the arts, science, health, people, government, history, sports and more.

Explora Schools

Books, journals, and more.

Read it! Welcome! Read It!™ was created for anyone who has a good foundation in English grammar and reading skills. It is a place to find reading material about many subjects. Articles are short, and written to support your reading skills as you learn about topics in English that you need for school and everyday life.

Readers' Advisory


Novelist Plus K8 Can’t decide what to read next? Need a recommendation for a child, student or family member? Use Novelist Plus to discover your next favorite author, series, or title!

Virtual Tours & Livestreams


Virginia Zoo Virtual Voyage

Wildlife Center of Virginia Critter Cams

Virtual Museum Tours from Google

Explore Livestreams

San Diego Zoo Kids

Yellowstone National Park Virtual Tour

New England Aquarium Virtual Visits

Cincinnati Zoo Home Safaris

American Dairy Association Virtual Farm Tours