Composition

1. Descriptive Words – just a big list of really great words
2. Random Wacky Headline Maker – creative, fun, crazy writing prompts
3. Get Writing Mini-Courses – creative writing tutorials; beg/int/adv
4. The Writing Room – how to teach writing; prompts & resources
5. Writing Bugs – printable story starters; elementary

Grammar

1. Online English Grammar – extensive information, resources and tips for grammar, writing, punctuation, etc.
2. Grammar, Punctuation and Spelling – printable lessons and exercises; middle and upper grades
3. Online Grammar and Writing Handbook – printable workbooks; gr. 1-6
4. Common Errors in English – huge list
5. Daily Grammar – get lessons & quizzes emailed to you or check out the archive

Penmanship

1. How to Teach Handwriting – discusses three main components and offers lots of tips
2. More Tips for Teaching Handwriting – a “Part 2″ to the article above
3. Handwriting Worksheets and Printable Activities – lots of handwriting resources here
4. Handwriting for Kids: Cursive – printable cursive worksheets
5. Handwriting for Kids: Manuscript – printable manuscript worksheets
6. Writing Wizard – make your own handwriting worksheets
7. Copywork – how it’s done and its benefits
8. How to Hold a Pencil: The Correct Pencil Grip – diagrams and tips
9. Teaching Left-Handers to Write – lots of tips; with diagrams
10. Help for Left-Handed Children – addresses writing as well as cutting with scissors, calligraphy and more
11. The Left-Handed Child in a Right-Handed World – explains how to determine hand dominance, positions for writing for the leftie as well as special problem

Phonics

1. Phonics and Phonemic Awareness Worksheets – for beginners (and adults too)
2. Starfall – “Where children have fun learning to read!”
3. StudyDog – “an early reading (Pre-K thru 2) software program”
4. Dolch Kit – games, flashcards & activities to teach these high-frequency, sight words
5. Dolch Words – word lists and ways to teach them; an article
6. Dolch Sight Words – downloadable lists

Spelling

1. 100 Most Often Misspelled Words in English – with tips and tricks to remember the correct spellings
2. Spelling Rules – “from a 70 year old book”
3. Complete List of Spelling Rules for Nouns and Verbs – “a list of rules for irregular plural formation of nouns, a list of irregular nouns showing singular and plural, and a list of rules for irregular spelling of verb inflections”
4. Spelling: A Lost Art – how to approach spelling logically; an article by Linda Schrock Taylor
5. Absolutely Ridiculous English Spelling! – an attempt to make confusing spellings a little less so
6. 60 Ways to Practice Spelling
7. Spelling Ideas and Activities – individual and group activities as well as games designed to help students learn spelling words
8. Spelling It Right – worksheets, help & advice
9. Spell It! – study words by language of origin; tips, resources, exercises; National Spelling Bee study site
10. Spell Check – get a list of 4 words, choose and rewrite the incorrect one; easy and hard levels
11. Musical Spelling Rules – songs to help remember a few common spelling rules
12. Everyday Spelling – grades 1-8 spelling lists, resources, activities; not a lot of explanation about how to use the program so browsing is required
13. Carolyn’s Corner – a 36-week course intended to prepare students for the National Spelling Bee but could be adapted to homeschooling; lots of resources and tips
14. Free Spelling Course – 30 lessons; for grades 7, 8 & 9
15. Spelling Practice Pages – grades 1-8; a supplement to a paid-for curriculum, but could be useful alone

Vocabulary

1. SuperKids Vocabulary Builders – get a word a day for upper elementary, junior high and PSAT/SAT levels
2. Daily Buzzword – get a random word daily, hear it pronounced, read how it’s used, more; from Merriam-Webster
3. National Reading Vocabulary Lists – “the precise reading vocabulary your student(s) should be learning throughout the school year in order to maintain ‘true’ grade level progress”
4. 5000 Free SAT Words – collegiate words with brief definitions
5. Learning Vocabulary Fun – online games to build vocabulary skills
6. Fake Out! – choose a word and guess its definition; grades K-8

Know of any more? Share the love & leave ‘em in the comments!

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