This is our Year in Review for my Eldest for Middle School/Secondary+ Resources we used last year.
This may not include everything we did, as some things end up
skipping being recorded/noted down. Some resources are also shared between the
kids.
It's been quite a while since I posted (nearly 8 years!), and
we've obviously changed a lot since then, but thought adding our resources
might help others get ideas.
Most curricula/resources we may have dipped in/out of and not
used the entire workbook/curricula, based on their interest. (And they were all
definitely not used at the same time, haha).
2021 Resources used:
CROSS-CURRICULAR
Complete Education Australia (now known as Euka)
Inventorium
As You Like It Online Classes (Gothic Literature, Women in
History)
Brainpop (he has been using this for several years, we went in
alphabetical order, one video a day, he finally finished it this year).
Mini Unit on the Pitfalls and Burnouts of becoming a Youtuber,
along with general info
Build Your Library Level 9 – Prehistoric World
Funcation Academy/Edementum
Education Perfect
APPS – iOS
I will note down categories/learning areas we put it under, but
I would encourage you to make your own choices as to what the app covers (many
of these apps can cover so many learning areas, I have just chosen one or two
areas). These were apps available on the Australian Apple Ipad store over the
past year. I cannot guarantee they are still available or available in your
area.
Note: If something has a subscription, I’ll usually just use the
free trial to let them play over the course of that, and cancel before the
trial is up. If we used it for a longer period, I’ll usually put it
App: Zombies, Run! (Language Arts, Health and Physical
Education, Technologies)
StudyChat Japanese (LOTE/Foreign Language)
Night of the Living Debt (Social Studies, Mathematics)
Apocalypse 10 Lives (Language Arts, Social Studies)
Zombie Exodus – Safe Haven (Language Arts, Social Studies) Big
hit!
MadLibs (Language Arts)
Final Outpost (Language Arts, Social Studies)
The Wanderer (Social Studies, Language Arts)
Trading Game – Forex & Stocks (Social Studies, Technologies,
Mathematics)
Investmate – Learn to Trade (Social Studies, Technologies,
Mathematics)
MentalUP Educational Games (multiple areas)
Super Corners by Rightstart Math (Mathematics)
Thinkrolls 2 (Science, Technologies, Math)
Coaster Physics (Science, Technologies, Math)
MassMutual FutureSmart (Technologies, Mathematics)
Skillbot (Technologies, Mathematics)
Mind Your Own Budget (Technologies, Mathematics)
Fingle (Science, Maths, Technologies)
Unblock Me Premium (Technologies, Mathematics)
Orbit – Playing with Gravity (Science)
Carbon Capture (Science)
Climate Trail (Science)
Trivia Crack/Kingdoms (Science, Social Studies)
Monument Valley (Science, Technologies)
Apart of Me. A Mental Health Guide (Science, Health and Physical
Education, Technologies)
Pocket Marble Runs (Rube Goldberg Machine) (Technologies,
Science)
JFK Challenge (Science, Social Studies)
WWF Free Rivers (Science, Social Studies)
Habitat the Game (Science, Social Studies)
Future Quest (Science, Health and Physical Education)
Human Heroes Atom Blast ( Science)
Love Balls (Science, Technologies, Mathematics)
Global Hero (Science, Health & Physical Education, Technologies)
Piig Labs (Science)
Ink Inc – Tattoo Drawing (Art)
Science Experiments Fun (Science)
Little Alchemy 2 (Science)
Finding Home – A Refugee’s Journey (Social Studies)
LongStory (Social Studies)
Re-Play (Social Studies)
Democratic Socialism Simulator (Social Studies)
Lifeline (Social Studies)
Lawgivers (Social Studies)
Governing Australia (Social Studies)
First Aid Action Hero (Science, Social Studies, Health and
Physical Education)
Cosmonet (Social Studies)
The Pyramids (Social Studies)
bCyberwise (Health & Physical Education, Technologies)
BOOKS (Some of the books we read/explored this year
– there are too many to list, so have chosen some of them)
They Called Us Enemy by George Takei (Social Studies)
Frotz (Language Arts)
The Life-Changing Manga of Tidying Up (Social Studies, Language
Arts, Health and Physical Education)
Emma (Manga Classics) (Language Arts)
Bang! How We Came to Be (Multiple Areas)
Evolution – How We and All Living Things Came to be (Multiple
Areas)
Beowulf by Gareth Hinds (Graphic Novel?) (Language Arts)
Gregor Mendel – The Friar Who Grew Peas (Science, Social
Studies, Health & Physical Education)
From Here to Eternity – Caitlin Doughty
RECCOMENDATIONS This were things I added similar
to unschooling “strewing”. I use Trello, so a digital version of. I just added
things (with the word recommendation in front) that I thought they might be
interested in, and added the appropriate links/info on. If they were interested,
they would let me know, or follow up on their own. These could be books, links,
information, videos etc. I have just shown some of the things below
The 100
Cells At Work Books & Videos
Kingdom Hearts
Hunter X Hunter
The Resurrectionist: The Lost Work of Dr. Spencer
DIY.org
Propaganda Critic
Full Metal Alchemist
Starting a Small Business Starter Pack (from Money Smart)
The Cartoon Guide to Genetics
Universal Online Class: Cryptozoology 101
Face Off (Syfy Channel)
Website: CryptoZooNews
X-Files
Rum Rebels & Ratbags Podcast
Myths & Legends Podcast
Show: Extinct or Alive
Kids News Australia
Game: Folklore Hunter
Historical Sewing Website
Behind the News – ABC’s Teen News Website
School of Historical Dress
Ripley’s Believe It or Not show
In the Hands of a Child – Mythological Creatures Around the
World
30 Days of Cryptozoology Nature Journaling
Show: Small Town Monsters – CaseFiles
Netflix Show: America’s Book of Secrets
Show: Expedition Unknown
Ace Attorney Trilogy
Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files
Graveyard Tales Podcast
Cryptozoology: Learning with Cryptids
Habitica – Gamify Your Life
EpicWin – RolePlaying Life
BOARD GAMES (not many this listed this year
(although we did do some unlisted), life got in the way, hoping to work through
our collection more rigorously over the next year). This also doesn’t include
the kids self-initiating board game plays with each other (which usually happens
multiple nights a week and some afternoons). We did spend a good amount of time
completely overhauling and re-organizing the collection, so the follow is what
was done in the last month before the end of school.
Twister
Skittles
Snakes & Ladders
Gator Golf
Hasbro – Buckaroo Game
Outdoor Obstacle Course (adding to collection thanks to Kmart)
MINECRAFT MAPS
These are maps I played with the kids. They may either be for
the bedrock (Microsoft pc store, not sure if the other platforms have the same
store maps) or the Java (pc-so maps downloaded from random sites) Editions.
We only started doing this in the final two-ish last months of
the year last year, after we finished with the education edition (which
honestly, was not much fun), and we’ll continue through this year.
Metro Post-Apocalypse (Java).
1.8.1
In late 2014, a nuclear war ocurred causing severe radiation
across the world. 10 years later what's left of humanity live underground in
the metro stations away from the deadly effects of radiation. For the last
decade the survivors have done well, but now, mutated beasts from the surface
are hunting them!
This is an adventure map set in a post-apocalyptic world where
humans survive underground in the metro tunnels, away from the deadly effects
of the nuclear radiation. You start the map by choosing a class that can be
Hunter, Guard, Merchant or Doctor. Then you spawn in your home metro station
and have to complete several missions around the metro or even go to de surface
using a radiation suit.
The map is about 2-3 hours long and is meant to be played with
friends it allows 1 to 4 players. The map has an immersive storyline and unique
locations to discover.
Papercraft Survival by Jigarbov Productions (Bedrock Version -
$$)
Explore this unique survival world where all the Minecraft mobs
have been turned paper thin! Landscapes burst out of the novel islands
featuring varied biomes, dungeons, a city skyscraper & more.
+ Achievements/trophies enabled!
+ Includes the caves & cliffs update mobs!
+ Unique mob style.
+ Find a fragmented story explaining the world.
+ Every monster has been flattened.
GRANNY for Minecraft – This one was not
multi-player, so those kids that wanted it, played it separately. Highly
requested by my youngest, based off another game.
CREATED BY HAMMON
WARNING!
please play with caution because this map contains lots of scary
sound effects and jump-scares and I am not responsible for any deaths, heart
attacks, and injuries.
"Granny" is a complex and horror game made by D.VLoper
The same Creators of Slendrina!
This map contains a lot of puzzles for you to solve and you
should leave the house before the 5th day.
The Grand Museum – This is one of my
favourite maps, highly underrated. (Java Edition).
Restore an Old Museum, Gain Donations to Pay for Exihibits
You took a chance. You put yourself a million dollars into debt
to become the new owner of the Grand Museum. The building was finished, but the
exhibits are missing! You need to purchase, collect, and construct large and
small exhibits to encourage visitors to donate enough money that you can stay
ahead of the loan payments and make a big profit for more projects!
It's a race against the debt collectors that you're sure to win
if you can put up your exhibits fast enough. Your visitors can't get enough!
They're throwing thousands of dollars at you! Some of the exhibits are going to
be super easy, like pressing a button, but can you reconstruct an entire
dinosaur skeleton? Or find the hidden pharaoh's tomb?
FEATURES
* Solo or Co-Op
* Casual and Challenge Modes
* Custom Advancements for all challenges
* Sound and particle effects
* 6 themed museum sections
* Explore ancient ruins
* Discover dinosaur fossils
* Construct interesting exhibits
* Attract more visitors!
Climate Hero (Bedrock Edition - $$)
The historic city on the water will be lost in the ocean if our
climate gets worse. The museum director is relying on you to save the city.
Earn coins by stopping smog, driving commuters in the gondola, turning off
lights, recycling and farming. When you earn enough coins to complete the solar
and wind farms, the island will be saved! Be a hero alone or with friends!
Santa Quest (Bedrock Edition - $$)
Your fast-paced adventure begins with a personal letter from
Santa. Only you can save Christmas! You'll be fixing toys, fighting angry
gingerbread men, finding Santa's Suit and much more.
- Fly Santa's Sleigh
- Elves, Santa, Yeti, and other custom mobs
- Amazing animations
- Survival, roleplay, or multiplayer holiday fun
LANGUAGE ARTS
The Week Junior Subscription (he’s getting towards the end of
interest for this, but our youngest is starting to be interested in it, so we
will probably keep the subscription).
BBC iReporter Game
Aesop’s Fables 1 & 2 (Simply Homeschool)
The Flyaway Highway (Simply Homeschool)
As Part of Flyaway Highway (I believe) they read Murder on the
Orient Express. I also got the Movie so they could watch that afterwards.
The Word Spy (Simply Homeschool)
MATHS
Money Time Modules/Course
ST Math
100 Things to Know about Numbers, Computers & Coding
Prodigy Math Subscription
Dragonbox Math App Series
Khan Academy
Maths Online
Stock Trading – ASX Game
Aleks Math
Math Puzzles
Teenage Boss Series & Workbook
Movie: In Pursuit of Happiness (Careers & Finance)
Be Moneysmart Modules
School Yourself (also available on EDX)
Banzai
SCIENCE
The Manga Guide to Physiology
The Science of Climate Change
Tyto Online Subscription
Hollow Earth Theory isn’t Funny Anymore (Article from Wired)
Hue Test at XWrite
Thames & Kosmos Genetics & DNA Kit
How do we know Evolution is Real? From BBC Earth
Your Genome Website
PC Game: Niche – A Genetic Survival Game
Pathogen Tracker Game
Four Ways to Understand the Earth’s Age – Ted-ED
What caused the Cambrian Explosion – The Economist
Journey 2050 Game/Website
SOCIAL STUDIES/HASS/SOSE
Interactive Map of Auschwitz "Auschwitz: The Nazis and the
'Final Solution' BBC History"
(this was a Flash resource, it took a lot of finagling to get working, we had
to use a flash archive site.)
Guest Hollow’s High School Geography
Zombie Preparedness Tips- CDC – emergency preparedness. Was
available from the CDC, came with a downloadable comic etc, video tips, disease
detectives stuff, it was fantastic, but seems to have been pulled down. There
is also a program – Zombie Based Learning, for anyone interested in that sort
of thing
British Columbia’s Government Zombie Preparedness (unfortunately
this also seems to have been taken down. Perhaps they thought in light of current
situation, it wasn’t suitable?).
How Do You Decide Where to Go in a Zombie Apocalypse? – David Hunter
(YT)
Documentary: The Social Dilemma
iCivics: Argument Wars
iCivics: Branches of Power
Get Parliament – How Your Federal Parliament Works – PEO Australia
iCivics: Cast Your Vote
iCivics: Counties Work
iCivics: Counties Work Texas
How Does Your MP Vote on the Issues that Matter to You? – They Vote
for You Website
iCivics: Court Quest
Criminal Law Experiences in Australia: Court Hierarchy Game –
Teachers Pay Teachers
iCivics: LawCraft
Making Law in Australian Government – PEO Australia
iCivics: Newsfeed Defenders
Virtual Tour of Parliament – APH Australia Gov
iCivics: Race to Retify
What is Parliament? – PEO Australia
Introducing the 3 Levels of Government – PEO Australia
iCivics: Sortify U.S. Citizenship
The Roles and Responsibilities of the 3 Levels of Government –
PEO Australia
Federal, State and Local Government Quiz – PEO Australia
TECHNOLOGIES
Huion Drawing Tablet & Tutorials
Crash Course - Navigating Digital Information
The Ultimate Guide to Teaching Source Credibility – Education World
Leaving a Digital Footprint – Digital Citizenship NSW
Avoiding Scams – Digital Citizenship NSW
Controlling Your Privacy Settings in Social Media – Digital Citizenship
NSW
Copyright and Creative Commons – Digital Citizenship NSW
Internet Hoaxes – Digital Citizenship NSW
Online Speech and the Law – Digital Citizenship NSW
What Makes a Good Password? – Digital Citizenship NSW
Smoothie Lab – Chopped Edition – Teachers Pay Teachers
The Quandry Game
Design Your Own Room - PBTeen
LOTE/FOREIGN LANGUAGE
Duolingo
Influent: French
Learn Japanese to Survive! Katakana War
Earthlingo French
HEALTH & PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Chores (haha!)
A Local Homeschool Gymnastics Class
Workout & Dance Videos from Youtube (Fitness Marshall is one
of the faves)
Type 1 Diabetes Unit (self-created, with links to random
things).
The Trans Self-Care Workbook
Healthy Eating Plate Resources
Daily Health & Hygiene Skills gr6-12 – Classroom Complete
Press (TPT)
LIFE SKILLS
How to Read Clothing Care Labels
Moneysmart – First Car
Finding My Rental Home – Teachers Pay Teachers
How Much Does it Cost to Furnish My Home? – Teachers Pay Teachers
Life Lessons: How to Do Laundry – Jennifer Maddrell website
Credit & Debt – Moneysmart
Shopping for a Mobile – Moneysmart
Moving Out – Moneysmart
First Job – Moneysmart
Let Me Tell You How Dad Got Sick – USDA
Match My Career Interests – Career Ship
Driving a Car – VicRoads
RACV Road Rules Quiz
Guide to Driving Leaners – VicRoads
Road to Solo Driving Handbook - VicRoads
Practice Learner Permit – VicRoads
Hazard Perception Practice Test – VicRoads
THE ARTS
Special Effects Makeup & Prosthetics Tutorials from Youtube
Huion Drawing Tablet & Tutorials
Colour Theory Intro on Colour Hamonies
Elements of Design – A Review of Line – Youtube
Elements of Design – Monicaniftian Blog
Principles of Design Overview - Youtube
Hopefully this list sparks some ideas for things to do with your
children!
