I welcome Suggestions for this page! PLEASE if you know of a free tool that is great for homeschoolers email me!
 ALSO did you use to have a wonderful free software? You remember the link but it is no longer free?
In some cases it is possible to go back to the last day you installed it and reinstall from the Archives just plug in the website select the date and you are good to go.
Another option is to Check at Old Version. They have old versions. This page is also useful for your old windows computer you got for the kids to use the older versions of software you picked up at that lawn sale or thrift shop.

Honorable Mentions! # 1
THESE ARE NOT FREE but are a good deal anyway!
Planet CD ROM has Jumpstart, Clue finders and other wonderful learning software for the price of shipping! They offer discounts on bulk orders so get the order for your whole homeschool support group before you submit your order. I just printed the page and showed it around to the group or ordered software that I knew they could use then put it into the groups Library.

Gepetosoftware has 32 software educational programs for $5.00 each (added February 20 2007) Network Licences are only $35.00 which is an AWESOME price!

Honorable Mentions #2
These are Free but not specifically for Homeschoolers.
Fresh Download is for those with slower connections. It makes it possible to download large files even when your connection gets interrupted! wait a minute I think we could all use that! my network hiccoughs all the time!
Audacity Is wonderful for making mp3 files! We have made our own radio shows from "readers Theater" and done versions of our favorite songs.
Word Web is a dictionary Program that I use for looking up words that I want to put into puzzles and Flash cards.
Print Master is a free creativity program.
Free Serif Software has several free programs worth looking at.

Here is your Homeschooling Software Package

Download these today to get started Homeschooling

If you know of a program you would like to see her let me know. I only have 1 requirement. It must be free or its value high enough to disregard the cost. If a software listed here is not FREE it is because I can't find a free program that fills the placement sufficiently.

Record Keeping is not negotiable. Although it is more so with unschooling those using a structured curriculum will want it too.
Why?
    1. It gives proof that you are educating at home.
    2. It reinforces your confidence that you are successfully educating your child at home.
    3. It allows you to track where you have been and where you are going.
    4. It keeps a record of progress you can refer to if your having a problem.
    5. sooner or later you will wish you kept better records of what you covered!
To meet that end the only software that has lived up to the expectations of this page is Homeschool Tracker Download the free basic today and get it set up. Join their user group for tips and help. There is someone there to answer your questions 24/7. When you decide to use transcripts and lesson plans you will want to upgrade to plus but I wouldn't do it before then. When you do upgrade PLEASE use my referral code PCOEH!

While Adobe reader is good, it is a HUGE, bulky, and sluggish, If you want a reader that doesn't  have to be installed is small enough for your OLD computer then Foxit PDF reader is the one you want!If you have older computers you can burn this to your cd of PDF books and use them there without taking up any hard drive space for a reader.

 Open Office a clone of Microsoft Office that is free for download, has a plug in called Teacher's Pet that works with all subjects you will be doing. This could easily be your only worksheet maker and you would do fine. Download Teachers pet and Open Office

Add another Great tool For your Math Worksheets. This simple tool covers your math worksheet needs from Preschool through Grade 12! Download Math Worksheet Maker

Crossword Puzzles add fun to learning you may want to create you own word lists and that is fine it allows you to suit any subject or topic your working on. Eclipse Crossword is the best we have found so far.
Glencoe gets and Honorable Mention for its Math and Science Crossword worksheet programs.

Need Handwriting Sheets? Worksheet King Wins in this category although Startwrite is a close second since it converts to a notebook page maker when we outgrow the need for handwriting sheet! Startwrite allows you the option of importing your own clip art. I am looking for a free notebook page maker so if you know of one let me know!

Another tool I really like is Stinkybear word search maker. It makes word searches from any word list so it can support any subject or topic.

There is  also a free software site that suport learning in various areas. They change offers Daily.
General tools and Games

Additions for 2/4/08
Sheppard Software has a collection of Student software that is free for teachers Including homeschool Teachers.

Owl &  Mouse have a wonderful collection of Social Science Software! they are great when it comes to teaching the continents.

School Express has over 100 free progrms. I can't say they are the best software but they ARE free so give them a try!


Before You Know It has some great flash card software for languages and other areas.

Engineering Student software.

SEN Teacher has a collection of about 100 decent software programs that will help you homeschool your children.

Pocket Basics has a Screen Saver teaching the Parts of speech as well as other useful tools


Additions for 2/14/08

Kiran's Typing Tutor teaches typing for all ages.

AbiWord is a Microsoft WORD clone and uses several word formats well.


Additions for 2/20/08

Timez Attack Basic Version