The Summer Olympic Games are definitely an exciting time for most people! It’s so much more than gymnastics and swimming, or whatever your favorite sport to watch happens to be. Each new location for the summer or winter olympics provides an excellent opportunity to learn about the country’s culture surrounding the games. From July 27 to August 12, 2012, the Summer Games will be happening in London, England. Will you be watching? What do you already know about them? What do you want to want to learn about them? Sounds like a fun project to me! I think we will start out with a viewing of “Chariots of Fire” and a discussion to follow.

Project Britain

Project Britain and the 2012 London Olympics provides an excellent opportunity to engage students all round the world in learning about Britain and the countries within (England, Scotland and Wales). There are some suggested activities and ideas for exploring the theme across the curriculum. The website has things that will interest kids and adults alike.

Teaching English

Teaching English has free teaching resources based around the London 2012 Games. There are lesson plans and activities on themes such as the Olympic and Paralympic sports and values. Each week they add a new resource. The website is dedicated to teaching people of foreign language to speak English (British spellings), but the worksheets and activities are still good for lesson plans.

Australian Olympic Committee

Australian Olympic Committee provides this thorough resource for the London 2012 Olympics. It is produced by the Australian Olympic Committee in consultation with teachers and educational advisors. The resource contains over 60 primary cross-curriculum lesson plans and student handouts themed around the 2012 Olympic Games in London, England across lower, middle, and upper elementary grades as well as high school. It is a part of the a.s.p.i.r.e. school network.

TES Teaching Resources

TES Teaching Resources is where teachers can share and download free lesson plans, classroom resources, revision guides and curriculum worksheets. You do have to register, but it is free. It appears that there is a subscription based level of membership, but I was able to join for free and download several lessons without being asked for any sort of payment. I found 34 lessons related to the 2012 Olympics, from Greek history to current events. There were over 2,000 with the keyword search of Olympics. I narrowed it down a bit!

Kids’ Soup

Kids’ Soup is a paid membership site, but you don’t have to join to use the free resources on this page. If you scroll down the page a bit, you will see there are several free links to printables as well as activity ideas for younger students.

EdGate

EdGate gives you the Gateway to the Summer Games. Keep the spirit of the Games alive as you use these themed lesson plans for your summer learning. You might notice that some of the lessons refer to Athens as the home of the summer games, which it was in 2004. Most of the lessons, however, are not dependent on the year of Athens hosting the games. Read through the ones that sound good and change any reference to the 2004 games to London 2012.

Lapbook Fun

Summer Olympics 2012 Unit Study & Lapbook has a reading list and links to another lapbook about England. Combine the lapbooks with this page here of fun activities and you will have your kids wishing the Summer Games were every summer!

Cheerios & Lattes

MacKenzie from Cheerios & Lattes has a great list of “teachable moments” that occur throughout the Olympic Games.  She has them listed by category:  Good Sportsmanship, How Different Sports Are Played, Geography, Time Zones, Being Gracious When Winning or Losing, Team Work, Hard Work, Being A Role Model, and Math.  There are lots of great things to talk about as you watch the games!

This post is part of the How To Homeschool For Free series!

Be sure to check out the other posts in the How To Homeschool For Free series too!

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I love this quote by Emily Post:

“Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use.”
—Emily Post

I didn’t grow up in a fancy house with servants, nor did I know why there were two or three forks in a place setting until I was in high school Home Economics. Each person at our supper table only had one fork. I thought others put out extra forks in case one fell on the floor! What I did know is that that people should be polite and pass the food to the left. Saying “Please” and “Thank you” was par for the course at our table. We said a blessing over our meals, and we knew that food was not free. We ate what we were given and helped clean up afterwards. If we had extra food, we invited someone over to join us, and others did the same for us. I know that my parents taught me to treat others the way I want to be treated. If only the world could be full of those kinds of people… well, what a world it would be!

Learning Manners

Emily Post and Everyday Manners

Emily Post.com covers almost everything you might need to know. Emily Post is known today for her timeless advice on entertaining, weddings and all things etiquette. She also has quite an interesting biography, which you can read on this site. While there are not any lesson plans that I could find, there are plenty of ways to find real-life lessons for learning everyday manners.

In Good Company

In Good Company is a company that has curriculum for sale, but they also have a free lesson download. They call themselves “The Civility Experts!” and have plenty to say about it on multiple websites with activities for kids. Visit here for your free download of “Be a Manners Detective.”

Manners Matter with 4H

North Carolina 4H has a free lesson plan for manners on their club website. “Manners Matter” is an etiquette curriculum for three age groups. The series includes activity guides for ages 5 to 8, 9 to 12, and 13 to 19. The series also includes a Helper’s Guide with tips and background information, along with several activities designed for group participation. This looks like a well-thought-out program that could encompass several weeks or months, depending on your preference.

Mommy Nature

This is a 4-day schedule for “Good Manner Week” at a preschool, but you can just use it as you please. The lessons include a list of books that fit the lesson, DVD suggestions, and other activities.

Creation Science Academy

Here is a take on the Biblical origins of good manners, how our perceptions of manners have changed over the past generation, and what our response should be. It’s more than a pdf download. It is a thought-provoking article with ideas for application in life.

WebQuests About Manners

WebQuest with Miss Rumphius

Your student’s quest will be to study citizenship through the eyes of author Barbara Cooney’s story, Miss Rumphius, and through projects and activities. Be ready to read, visit the web, and complete the tasks to earn a Good Citizenship Award.

WebQuest with Do Unto Otters

This is a WebQuest based on the book “Do Unto Otters:A Book about Manners”, by Laurie Keller. Students will create a brochure on different types of manners, based on the story’s characters. They will do a little research first, but it’s all in the webquest.

Free Kindle Books About Etiquette.

The Ladies’ Guide to True Politeness and Perfect Manners
By Eliza Leslie

Book of Etiquette Volume I & Volume II by
Lillian Eichler Watson

Be sure to check out the other posts in the How To Homeschool For Free series too!

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Learning to crochet or knit can be a useful and profitable skill for your children to learn. Some moms, like me, learned just enough to finish a home ec project and move on to something else. Others picked up the skill and developed it into something wonderful. Whichever kind of student you were, maybe you will find something useful here. Whether it is learning all over again with your children, or learning how to teach the skills of knitting and crocheting, I hope you will enjoy this post.

Lion Brand Yarns

Lion Brand Yarns sells yarn, it is true, but they also want you to know what to do with it. After all, the more knitters and crochet fans there are, the more yarn they can sell. Even if that is their motive, the video lessons here are among the best I found in my search for free video lessons. The Learning Center has help for knitting, crocheting, and using a loom for various projects.

Knitting Help

Knitting Help is a website dedicated to knitting. The videos are practical and useful. KnittingHelp.com has become one of the most, if not the most, popular online instruction web site for knitting. There is an iphone app (not free, however) for accessing the video tutorials on the go. There is also a forum for asking questions and showing your projects.

CyberSeams

CyberSeams is a site to show you how to knit, but they also have sewing and other crafing fun on there as well. On their YouTube channel, they have 66 tutorials for your learning pleasure. One impressive feature of this website is that they are thoughtful of the Left-handed group of learners who have to learn by mirroring the action, not copying it.

Knitting Tips by Judy

Knitting Tips by Judy starts with tips on which size needles to buy, what kind of yarn, and other helpful information for getting started. She also has free videos (scroll way down the page to find them) showing the techniques up close and with clear directions.

The Crochet Crowd

The Crochet Crowd is not just for crocheting, although it is a great resource for that. There are knitting videos and tutorials, for using needles and well as using looms. You can visit this link for the list of video categories. If you see a project on a video and want a printable version of the directions, visit this page and you will find a .pdf file for your use.

The Knitting Site

The Knitting Site is for anyone at any level of knitting. “Whether you’re completely new to knitting or a seasoned veteran I aim to bring you new skills and answers to your knitting problems.” The owner of this site also has suggestions and ideas for helping you make money from your knitting success. She is another teacher who shows Left-Handed knitters how to get started.

Crochet Geek

Crochet Geek is teaching the world to crochet, one stitch at a time. She has several videos for Lefties. There are also several YouTube videos available for viewing patterns for cute hats and other, more complex, projects.

All Free Knitting

All Free Knitting has a free e-book available for downloading. It’s called Knitting for Beginners. One of the best parts of this free e-book is the chart on page 7 that tells you about the weight of yarns and what they are best used for. There is also a sister site called All Free Crochet which has numerous free pattern e-books for downloading.

Local Resources

There are website for the Crochet Guild as well as the Knitting Guild. They should have resources to help you find a local chapter with members who might take you under their wings for a few free lessons.

Last, but not least, I want to encourage you to remember your local library and churches as a resource. I have been fortunate to find a retired school teacher who is willing to teach my girls to crochet. For Free! I found out about her through a local church group who crochets prayer shawls as a ministry. All it took was a phone call to the number on the church website and my girls are set to begin lessons very soon. If you have a true desire to learn or have your children learn to knit or crochet, I encourage you to ask around and find something that will work for you!

Be sure to check out the other posts in the How To Homeschool For Free series too!

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Preschool Sewing Skills

Kids Sewing Projects

Kids Sewing Projects has all levels of learning to sew. It begins with age-appropriate projects that focus on fine motor skills and getting kids interested in the mechanics of hand-sewing. Be sure to check out all of the links of learning to sew in this website as it has projects up the intermediate level. It’s not just preschool!

Preschool Express

Preschool Express has projects that are easy for kids. An explanation of how sewing skills can help young children reach developmental milestones is helpful for you to know it’s not just playing around. It’s educational fun, but you don’t have to tell that to the kids!

Elementary Sewing Lessons

Craft and Fabric Links

Craft & Fabric Links provides sewing lessons for parents & children to learn together. It starts with learning basic tools, how to choose fabrics, and how to read patterns. The website also offers several free patterns and other crafty ideas.

About.com

About.com has free lessons with pre-sewing basics. If you already know a little bit about sewing, you can go choose a project.

Older Kids without Sewing Experience

Sewing.org

Sewing.org has printable sewing information for learning the basic tools of sewing and working up to serious projects. You can print these .pdf file and use them to accompany any video or audio tutorial as a reference.

Simplicity

Simplicity has a Sewing 101 course available online. It starts with a list of materials need for various projects and what those materials are used for.

Sewing Solutions

Sewing Solutions has both lessons and ideas for new projects. This is for beginners as well as more advanced students looking for ideas or help with specific issues.

Older Kids with Sewing Experience

Homeschool Blogger

Homeschool Blogger has a webinar that was recorded live & is now available for viewing online. It is titled beginning sewing lessons, but I feel like this would have to be for a jr. high or older student who has already accomplished some hand-sewing projects. There are 4 lessons available with different projects.

Husqvarna Viking

Husqvarna Viking is a company that makes sewing machines. In the Sewing Room, your student can learn techniques and basics of sewing from an expert seamstress. To get started, click on the Assistance tab to read the Getting Started information.

More Projects

Your student might simply need some inspiration to start a new project. Here are a few links to spark some creativity.

Sewing.Org

Sewing.org has many, many ideas and projects. It also has information on how to start your own sewing business.

Retro Sewing

Retro Sewing has quite a variety of projects on video. There are links for tutorials, gift ideas, and tips for preparing your fabric for the best results.

All Free Sewing

All Free Sewing will keep you in stitches! …or so they claim. With the variety and number of projects, I have little doubt that it is true. It’s full of seasonal ideas as well as practical projects for any time of the year.

Burda Style

Burda Style has video tutorials on all kinds of sewing. From how to sew on a button to a more difficult task of altering garments, you will find something at your level of learning.

Happy Sewing!

Be sure to check out the rest of the posts in the How To Homeschool For Free series too!

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This is a perfect time of year to focus on Home Economics.  What exactly is “Home Ec?”  It covers a wide variety of topics, but the main point of it is to teach the economics and management of the home.

This week we’ll talk about how your children (and YOU) can learn Cooking Skills online for FREE!

Food Safety  & Nutrition

US Department of Health & Human Services

I highly recommend starting with a food safety course.  I cannot stress enough that kids should learn this early in their cooking adventures.  If they are planning on helping at church or community buffets or group meals, this 40-page booklet with pictures and list for cooking & planning for large groups is also recommended!

Communities & Schools For Health

An organization called Communities and Schools for Health has fairly comprehensive lesson plans for grades K-12 on food safety.  Most all of the links on their page are external links to other websites that will have the information for that lesson’s study topic.

Nutrition Explorations

Nutrition Explorations for kids has several nutrition-oriented games for children in the lower and upper elementary grade levels.  For the younger kids they have several categorizing games (putting fruits in the fruit basket, vegetables in the vegetable basket, etc.), and for the older ones they have several classifying games, as well as games for identifying the health benefits of different foods.

Baylor College Of Medicine

Baylor College of Medicine has an entire section on their website dedicated to helping kids & parents understand the role healthy living plays from fetal development throughout an entire life. It has an interactive game section with a food pyramid game and a food challenge game.

Online Cooking Lessons

Activity TV

Activity TV is chock full of things for kids to do & learn and there is a whole section for cooking!  When my children first started cooking for themselves, they started with easy things, like sandwiches and tortilla wraps, and Activity TV has several ideas for where to start teaching your kids how to cook.  Many, if not all, of the recipes have a printer friendly option for easy use as a lesson plan. I know my children take pride in their food and generally eat all of it when they have taken part in the preparation. There are so many other things on Activity TV also, such as crafts, making family gifts, and even science experiments!

Kids Cooking Activities

Kids Cooking Activities has a ton of lesson plans for kids from toddler age up through 18 years old. The lesson plans look pretty comprehensive and cover everything from pouring (for the younger ones) to planning and making meal plans, to preserving food! There are even recipe contests as well as a monthly newsletter with recipes and cooking tips.

Video Jug Food Recipes

Video Jug has a ton of food recipe videos.  You can sort the recipes by Cooking Method, by Dish, by Country, by Theme or Season, by Ingredient, by Preparation Type, or by Diet!  The videos that I’ve seen look to be great quality and I love that the videos are centered around the actual cooking instead of a particular personality (like most cooking shows).

All Recipes on Youtube

All Recipes is a great place to search for recipes in general (my one beef with them is that someone will rate a recipe as 5 star but then in the comments say “I changed this and this and added more of this and this… so be sure to read through the comments and not just the recipes!), so I think it’s great that they also have an All Recipes YouTube channel.  There are several different recipes series on their YouTube channel including, “How To Videos”, “Behind The Recipe”, “Food Wishes”, “Mastered In 90 Seconds”, “Shortcut Cooking”, and many more!  I’m not too thrilled with the organizational method here, but with 166 videos it’s sure to keep your aspiring cook busy for a while!

Dress Up 121

Dress Up 121 is a fun online game where you make different recipes virtually.  For example, I played around with it this afternoon and made virtual sushi!  I had to mix up the ingredients, cut the veggies, steam the rice, roll up the sushi rolls, and put it into a nice visual presentation!  I could see this being a blast for younger children who are not ready to do things on their own in the kitchen, but would love have some hands mouse-on experience.

And be sure to download the Free Basic Kitchen Measurements Conversation Chart Printable for your children to reference!