Basic Information About Homeschooling
Illinois State Board of Education: https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Homeschool.aspx
Illinois H.O.U.S.E. (Home Oriented Unique Schooling Experience): http://www.illinoishouse.org
Illinois Christian Home Educators: http://www.iche.org
National Home Education Research Institute: http://nheri.org
Homeschooling Legal Defense Association: http://www.hslda.org
Home Educators Resource Directory: http://www.HomeEdDirectory.com
A to Z Homes' Cool Homeschooling Web Site: http://a2zhomeschooling.com
Homeschool Diner: http://www.homeschooldiner.com
AllDigitalSchool.com - A directory of resources to help teachers and parents - teaching tools & tips for on-line lessons, plus links to lots of educational websites. Use the filters to find the ones that are free at this time, or always free.
KahnAcademy.org Free instruction in a variety of subjects for students in elementary school through college level
Books from the Carthage Public Library
Home Learning Year by Year : How to Design a Creative andCcomprehensive Homeschool Curriculum, Revised edition, 2020 by Rebecca Rupp (371.04 Rup)
Homeschooling the Child with ADD (or other special needs) by Leonore Hayes (371.01 Hay)
The Homeschooling Handbook : how to make homeschooling simple, affordable, fun, and effectiveby Lorilee
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas : 500+ fun and creative learning activities for kids ages 3-12 byy Linda Dobson (649 Dob)
The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling by Debra Bell (649.68 Bel)
Books & DVDs - Content area resources - information and learning activities
![]()
|
The items on this list are owned by Carthage Public Library -
We can borrow other items for you through InterLibrary Loan |

Prepare for standardized tests with eBooks, online courses, and full-length practice tests for GED, SAT, ACT, AP, PSAT, GRE, LSAT, MCAT, TOEFL, U.S. citizenship, and more in Gale Presents: Peterson’s Test and Career Prep. Research undergraduate and graduate programs, finding tuition assistance, and exploring and preparing for careers whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or searching for new opportunities. A variety of interactive methods prompt personalized career recommendations and insight on programs, knowledge, skills, and ability. Search for jobs and create visually interesting résumés, cover letters, and websites that can be externally shared with prospective employers, using prebuilt templates.
![]()
Information about World History, cultures, languages, foods, religions, and more from 174 countries. Includes lesson plans. https://www.atozworldculture.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI |
Comprehensive collection of royalty-free downloadable maps of all types: City, Country, & World Maps; topographic, Climate, Geology, and Ecology Maps; Historical Maps; Flags, and more. Also a GeoFindIt! Game.
www.atozmapsonline.com/?c=Uvx65GuwAI |
Links to On-line Learning Games and Educational Resources
Disclaimer: The Carthage Public Library District is not responsible for the content or accuracy of any of the websites shown below. Although the Library has made an effort to screen the websites , it is not possible to explore them completely.
In addition, Internet websites, links, and content are constantly changing.
Parents are urged to preview all sites and to closely supervise and monitor their child's Internet usage.
Be sure to read all privacy policies. Some of the sites may contain advertisements.
Inclusion on this resource list is not an endorsement of the site, the company, or its advertisers.
ABCya Educational games for PreK-6th Grade. Free on computers, there is a charge for the mobile app.
Almanac.com/kids Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids - free stories and activities
ArtforKidsHub.com Art lessons. Most via youtube.
Bedtimemath.org Download the app or sign up for emails to receive a free "family fun" set-up story with several levels of math problems/questions each day.
Brightly Storytime - Children's book read-alouds (video recordings). The home page, https://www.readbrightly.com, offers advice, tips, and book recommendations to help engage children in reading
Code.org K-12 Computer Science Curriculum and coding games
CoolMath.com
DKfindout! From the publisher of DK children's books. Explore animals, math, science, history, and more.
Ducksters.com
Everyday Life from GCF: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/everydaylife/
For7th grade -adult.Learn Free features multiple interactive tutorials designed to take students through everyday life activities, including work skills and getting around town. Also tutorials of various computer skills and programs.
Funbrain Games, videos, & books for kids
Girls Who Code: https://girlswhocode.com/programs/code-at-home Although their focus is on girls, boys would enjoy the coding challenges as well. They also have resources for college students.
Google Arts & Culture: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/u/0/
features content from over 1200 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online.
Highlights Kids
International Children's Digital Library - books from many countries in multiple languages
Into the Book A reading comprehension resource for elementary students and teachers
focusing on reading strategies.
iCivics.org: Learn about civics and citizenship thorough on-line games. There are resources for teachers.
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Learn using videos, interactive exercises, and in-depth articles in math (arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, linear algebra), science (biology, chemistry, physics), economics, and even the humanities with playlists on art history, civics, finance, and more.’
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections…The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors.
NASA Stem Activities for various ages NASA STEM Engagement: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/foreducators/k-12/index.html A variety of STEM-related videos, homework help, and games.
National Geographic Kids Animal facts & fun (The Library subscribes to this magazine in print form)
Oxford Owl at Home British site with "free resources to support learning at home." Includes educational activities & games for Language Arts and Math, storytelling videos; and free e-books. For ages 3-11.
PBS Kids Sections for Curious George, Arthur, Daniel Tiger, and many more.
PBS LearningMedia for Students: https://iowa.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/ilcoll/#.XozZly9Omf0
This site allows students of any age to create their own learning experiences by engaging directly with innovative, curriculum-targeted content.
Prodigy math: https://prodigygame.com/
Prodigy is a free, adaptive math game that integrates Common Core math (1st-7th grade) into a fantasy style game that students absolutely love playing.
Ranger Rick Animal facts & fun from the National Wildlife Foundation
Readbrightly.com - Advice, tips, and book recommendations to help engage children in reading
ReadWriteThink.org - Lesson plans, activity ideas, and resources for teachers and parents.
Savethemusic.org has compiled links to free resources for music learning and musical activities for families.
ScienceBuddies: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities. Science Buddies offers thousands of free resources for learning STEM, including a collection of 160+ fun, hands-on STEM activities and videos. Each of our K-12 activities covers a specific STEM concept, can be done in an hour or less, and can usually be done with materials easily found at home.
Sesame Street
Seussville.com
Smithsonian Education: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html
It provides education resources and information, lesson plans, field trips, and interactive activities based on Smithsonian museum collections and research.
Starfall Reading Games
STEM Resources - list from University of California, Berkeley
Storyline Online The SAG-AFTRA Foundation records well-known actors reading children’s books and makes graphically dynamic videos.
Story Time from Space videos of astronauts reading children's books
Storytelling Series from Dltk - videos of popular fairy tales.
Switch Zoo - animal games
TeachYourMonsterToRead.com Series of reading games. Computer version is free.
There may be a charge for the mobile app.
Wonderopolis
Almanac.com/kids Old Farmer's Almanac for Kids - free stories and activities
ArtforKidsHub.com Art lessons. Most via youtube.
Bedtimemath.org Download the app or sign up for emails to receive a free "family fun" set-up story with several levels of math problems/questions each day.
Brightly Storytime - Children's book read-alouds (video recordings). The home page, https://www.readbrightly.com, offers advice, tips, and book recommendations to help engage children in reading
Code.org K-12 Computer Science Curriculum and coding games
CoolMath.com
DKfindout! From the publisher of DK children's books. Explore animals, math, science, history, and more.
Ducksters.com
Everyday Life from GCF: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/everydaylife/
For7th grade -adult.Learn Free features multiple interactive tutorials designed to take students through everyday life activities, including work skills and getting around town. Also tutorials of various computer skills and programs.
Funbrain Games, videos, & books for kids
Girls Who Code: https://girlswhocode.com/programs/code-at-home Although their focus is on girls, boys would enjoy the coding challenges as well. They also have resources for college students.
Google Arts & Culture: https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/u/0/
features content from over 1200 leading museums and archives who have partnered with the Google Cultural Institute to bring the world's treasures online.
Highlights Kids
International Children's Digital Library - books from many countries in multiple languages
Into the Book A reading comprehension resource for elementary students and teachers
focusing on reading strategies.
iCivics.org: Learn about civics and citizenship thorough on-line games. There are resources for teachers.
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Learn using videos, interactive exercises, and in-depth articles in math (arithmetic, pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, calculus, linear algebra), science (biology, chemistry, physics), economics, and even the humanities with playlists on art history, civics, finance, and more.’
Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections…The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors.
NASA Stem Activities for various ages NASA STEM Engagement: https://www.nasa.gov/stem/foreducators/k-12/index.html A variety of STEM-related videos, homework help, and games.
National Geographic Kids Animal facts & fun (The Library subscribes to this magazine in print form)
Oxford Owl at Home British site with "free resources to support learning at home." Includes educational activities & games for Language Arts and Math, storytelling videos; and free e-books. For ages 3-11.
PBS Kids Sections for Curious George, Arthur, Daniel Tiger, and many more.
PBS LearningMedia for Students: https://iowa.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/ilcoll/#.XozZly9Omf0
This site allows students of any age to create their own learning experiences by engaging directly with innovative, curriculum-targeted content.
Prodigy math: https://prodigygame.com/
Prodigy is a free, adaptive math game that integrates Common Core math (1st-7th grade) into a fantasy style game that students absolutely love playing.
Ranger Rick Animal facts & fun from the National Wildlife Foundation
Readbrightly.com - Advice, tips, and book recommendations to help engage children in reading
ReadWriteThink.org - Lesson plans, activity ideas, and resources for teachers and parents.
Savethemusic.org has compiled links to free resources for music learning and musical activities for families.
ScienceBuddies: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/stem-activities. Science Buddies offers thousands of free resources for learning STEM, including a collection of 160+ fun, hands-on STEM activities and videos. Each of our K-12 activities covers a specific STEM concept, can be done in an hour or less, and can usually be done with materials easily found at home.
Sesame Street
Seussville.com
Smithsonian Education: http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/students/index.html
It provides education resources and information, lesson plans, field trips, and interactive activities based on Smithsonian museum collections and research.
Starfall Reading Games
STEM Resources - list from University of California, Berkeley
Storyline Online The SAG-AFTRA Foundation records well-known actors reading children’s books and makes graphically dynamic videos.
Story Time from Space videos of astronauts reading children's books
Storytelling Series from Dltk - videos of popular fairy tales.
Switch Zoo - animal games
TeachYourMonsterToRead.com Series of reading games. Computer version is free.
There may be a charge for the mobile app.
Wonderopolis

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, from the Government Printing Office, provides information about the U.S. government, a "Place the States" game, and printable activities.
https://bensguide.gpo.gov
https://bensguide.gpo.gov
Temporarily Free Resources
Be cautious of any "free trial" offers that ask for credit card information.
If you do not cancel before the end of the trial period, you may be charged for a subscription.
If you notice that some of these resources are no longer free, or that links or passwords don't work,
please let us know (email cartlib@mtcnow.net.)
Be cautious of any "free trial" offers that ask for credit card information.
If you do not cancel before the end of the trial period, you may be charged for a subscription.
If you notice that some of these resources are no longer free, or that links or passwords don't work,
please let us know (email cartlib@mtcnow.net.)
The Children's Book Council has put together a list of book publishers that are offering online resources: www.cbcbooks.org/readers/reader-resources/publisher-online-resources/
Resource list from an Association for Library Services to Children Blog:
Ideas for Kids during the Coronavirus Crisis.
The list at this link: https://www.railslibraries.info/news/179383 was compiled by RAILS Library System.
Amazingeducationalresources.com - Another list with links to on-line resources. Some may be duplicates of the ones listed.
https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/ - Another list with links to on-line resources. Compiled by author Kate Messner, and broken down into age/grade levels.
Resource list from an Association for Library Services to Children Blog:
Ideas for Kids during the Coronavirus Crisis.
The list at this link: https://www.railslibraries.info/news/179383 was compiled by RAILS Library System.
Amazingeducationalresources.com - Another list with links to on-line resources. Some may be duplicates of the ones listed.
https://www.katemessner.com/read-wonder-and-learn-favorite-authors-illustrators-share-resources-for-learning-anywhere-spring-2020/ - Another list with links to on-line resources. Compiled by author Kate Messner, and broken down into age/grade levels.

Learn with Socrates
An information page is located withsocrates.com/libraryfree/
The actual website is: www.learnwithsocrates.com.
Our Activation Code is CARTPLIL
Primarily for grades K-6, Math questions through 8th grade
An information page is located withsocrates.com/libraryfree/
The actual website is: www.learnwithsocrates.com.
Our Activation Code is CARTPLIL
Primarily for grades K-6, Math questions through 8th grade
Amazon audio stories - usually via subscription but free while schools are closed. Stories are free to stream on your desktop, laptop, phone or tablet by using the following link: http://stories.audible.com/start-listen. Includes stories in other languages.
Amazon videos - for a limited time Amazon is making many kids videos available free. You must have an amazon account, but you do not need to be a Prime member.
Authors Everywhere YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCowhHSUaWp3KJDcuI0nR0vw/videos - Read alouds, writing workshops, art demonstrations.
Big History Project & World History Project oerproject.com
Foundational concepts in history, humanities, and critical thinking. World History Course for High School students.
Ck12: http://www.ck12.org/student/
This is a platform that provides high quality curated STEM content for teachers and students. Its library has over 5000 math and science materials ideals.
Docs Teach: https://www.docsteach.org/
Access thousands of primary sources — letters, photographs, speeches, posters, maps, videos, and other document types — spanning the course of American history.
EdX: https://www.edx.org/
EdX offers online courses from world’s top universities including ‘Harvard University, MIT, UC Berkeley, Tsinghua University, Microsoft, Linux, The Smithsonian and more. Courses cover different topics like computer science, engineering, history, psychology, nutrition, big data, statistics and hundreds more. Auditing a course is usually free.
Family-at-Home Financial Fun Pack from Council for Economic Education: Econedlink.org
Focus @ Home https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/focus-at-home/
- Christian videos from Focus on the Family
Highlights Kids and Highlights@Home -- a free email subscription of activities
Pinkalicious Storytimes and Activities from Harper Collins Publishers
Practical Money Skills: https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/
bills itself as a site that offers financial education for everyone. The site includes free articles and learning modules for students, and a host of fun games, including many related to athletics.
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/
App to find, create, use digital flashcards; website is better than the app. A convenient way to find, create, and review digital flashcards, which have all the advantages and disadvantages of paper flashcards.
SplashLearn: Math games for Grades K-5. Some portions are free.
Time (magazine) for Kids
Varsity Tutors Many of their large group classes are free.
Amazon videos - for a limited time Amazon is making many kids videos available free. You must have an amazon account, but you do not need to be a Prime member.
Authors Everywhere YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCowhHSUaWp3KJDcuI0nR0vw/videos - Read alouds, writing workshops, art demonstrations.
Big History Project & World History Project oerproject.com
Foundational concepts in history, humanities, and critical thinking. World History Course for High School students.
Ck12: http://www.ck12.org/student/
This is a platform that provides high quality curated STEM content for teachers and students. Its library has over 5000 math and science materials ideals.
Docs Teach: https://www.docsteach.org/
Access thousands of primary sources — letters, photographs, speeches, posters, maps, videos, and other document types — spanning the course of American history.
EdX: https://www.edx.org/
EdX offers online courses from world’s top universities including ‘Harvard University, MIT, UC Berkeley, Tsinghua University, Microsoft, Linux, The Smithsonian and more. Courses cover different topics like computer science, engineering, history, psychology, nutrition, big data, statistics and hundreds more. Auditing a course is usually free.
Family-at-Home Financial Fun Pack from Council for Economic Education: Econedlink.org
Focus @ Home https://www.lightsource.com/ministry/focus-at-home/
- Christian videos from Focus on the Family
Highlights Kids and Highlights@Home -- a free email subscription of activities
Pinkalicious Storytimes and Activities from Harper Collins Publishers
Practical Money Skills: https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/
bills itself as a site that offers financial education for everyone. The site includes free articles and learning modules for students, and a host of fun games, including many related to athletics.
Quizlet: https://quizlet.com/
App to find, create, use digital flashcards; website is better than the app. A convenient way to find, create, and review digital flashcards, which have all the advantages and disadvantages of paper flashcards.
SplashLearn: Math games for Grades K-5. Some portions are free.
Time (magazine) for Kids
Varsity Tutors Many of their large group classes are free.