1. Free civics course from Generation JoshuaiCitizen: Civic Literacy for Young Americans will equip your student with the practical and historical knowledge every American needs to be an engaged citizen.
The course highlights the purpose of the Constitution, the structure of America’s government and economic system, the role of American diplomacy, and expressions of patriotism, and provides an introduction to American parties and politics. iCitizen is perfect as a half-credit, stand-alone civics course for high school students or as excellent preparation for accelerated middle school students.
As the nation is impacted by the coronavirus, families are searching for alternate ways to help their students learn and grow. To assist parents in this endeavor, we have decided to give away GenJ’s iCitizen civics course (valued at $49.99) at no cost for a limited time. We hope this is a small way that we can come alongside your family in these strange times. Go to https://generationjoshua.org/icitizenforall and fill out the form to get your copy today!
Email info@generationjoshua.org with any questions!

2. Special homeschool pricing Mondays at New England AquariumOn Mondays between now and December 21, 2020, the New England Aquarium invites homeschool families to take advantage of special pricing during a visit to the Aquarium.Tickets must be purchased at least one business day in advance by calling (617) 973-5206 to receive the school rate of admission ($10.00 for children and $19.00 for adults). Homeschool Field Trip days will be available to book on September 1, 2020. To book your tickets, please call Central Reservations at 617-973-5206. They are limited in capacity to 66 people in each time slot right now and ask that guests wear masks and practice social distancing.

3. Learning Together Tutorials is moving to Uxbridge!It’s not too late to sign up your kids for classes! Learning Together Tutorials is offering in-person science and writing classes on Wednesdays, and online math classes on Mondays. Our program provides an opportunity for your children to learn and interact with other students in a positive environment with qualified teachers. Our location is conveniently located just off Route 146. The website  has all the information about our program including all forms needed to enroll!
We are currently offering: Intro to Writing, Writing B, Literary Composition, Physical Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Transition to Algebra (online), Algebra 1 (online), and Geometry (online).

4. One World Language School scheduling online classesThis academic year One World Language School will be offering world language classes over Zoom to children ages 5-15. Your child can learn Chinese, French, German, or Spanish.
For more information go to https://new.oneworldlanguageschool.org/, or contact Pranav Dadarwala at pranav@oneworldlanguageschool.org.

5. Register now for MFI’s annual fundraising celebrationFrom Andrew Beckwith at Massachusetts Family Institute (MFI)Registration is now open for MFI’s 29^th annual fundraising celebration. Will you join us on Friday, October 16 at 7 p.m. for a celebration of our work over the past year?  We are hosting a hybrid experience, with limited in-person attendance at a local church that will also be streamed live into your home. You can register for virtual or in-person attendance HERE.
In addition to giving thanks for the pro-family victories in Massachusetts from the past 12 months, we are excited to observe the 400th Anniversary of the arrival of the Mayflower in Plymouth. Paul Jehle, author and pastor as well as executive director of the Plymouth Rock Foundation, will be our keynote speaker.
The pilgrims were determined to establish a colony in the New World where they and their families could worship freely. Please join us for what promises to be an enriching opportunity to learn about our founding and the legacy of faith, family, and freedom which still provides insight and hope for the future.

6. AP studio art for homeschoolersWe’ve heard that Sharon Jeffus is offering AP art classes for homeschooled students via Zoom. Classes will be on Tuesday and Thursday morning for Studio Art Design and Studio Art 3D, at 9:00 and 10:10, respectively. They started yesterday, but are being recorded so you may still be able to register. The cost is $50/month. Learn more at visualmanna.com. You can contact Sharon at visualmanna@gmail.com for more details.

7. MassHOPE Facebook discussion groupConnect with us on Facebook at MassHOPE’s brand-new Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group. This group provides support and encouragement for homeschoolers pursuing privately-funded, parent-led home education. Its purpose is to encourage and equip homeschool parents to disciple and educate their children for the Lord, and to connect families within our state to give them opportunities to gather together for educational and recreational experiences. https://www.facebook.com/groups/MassHOPEDiscussion/

8. Free PDF preview of Israel Wayne’s latest bookYou’ve made the decision to homeschool. Suddenly, you find that some of those who were once in your corner supporting you are now questioning your competency as a parent and maybe even your sanity. Their lack of confidence may sting, but in reality, the critic provides a wonderful opportunity to replace fear and stigma with truth and reality. This book equips you to answer the critic in your life with resolve and confidence. Find answers in these areas, to help you become confident in your homeschooling journey :·        Socialization·        Qualifications·        College·        Legality·        Academics·        Sports·        Affordability·        CompetencyTo order your free preview, click on: https://www.familyrenewal.org/store/product/answers-for-homeschooling-free-pdf-preview/.

9. Martial arts academy in HudsonAKLA Martial Arts – myblackbeltleadership.com – is offering a great $99 Homeschool Fast Pass! Here’s the deal. Get your child’s martial arts training started with a one-time payment of $99! If you want to save some serious cash now that we have reopened, then just shoot a reply, and we’ll get you started! Text us now @ (781)951-3044 with the code 99HOMESCHOOL so we can help your family get started today!
Not ready to train In-Person yet? No Worries, we have a great Virtual Program which will be FREE for life if you sign up with this great deal!

10. Christian ballet program in MarlboroughBeautiful Feet Ballet School, a Christ-centered ballet program in Marlborough, is open for registrations for their 2020-2021 season. Classes will be held in-person for girls ages 18 months-12^th grade. Registration weekend is September 12-15, and classes being on September 28. For more information, and to contact director Amber Pollard, please visit Beautiful Feet Ballet.

11. Virtual programs for homeschoolers at Mystic Seaport MuseumLooks like Mystic Seaport in Connecticut has a great series of programs for homeschoolers. Scroll down a bit on this page to access them. To register, call (860)572-5331.
From the website:“Homeschooling families are invited to join Mystic Seaport Museum for a series of six virtual programs and one on-site program around the theme of astronomy and navigation. In most cases each age group will study the same theme, but the specific programming will be age-appropriate and may vary accordingly. The series will culminate in an on-site program under the dome of our Treworgy Planetarium.
Programs are delivered through Zoom and each program has a staff moderator and educator. The moderator facilitates questions that students ask through the chat and convey those to the educator throughout the course of the program. Participants can sign up per program or for the whole series.”

12. Piano lessons in West BoylstonAre you looking for private piano instruction this year? The home studio of Elaine Crane in West Boylston currently has a few openings available. Lessons are on a weekly basis, ranging from beginner piano to intermediate, with a focus on music reading, musicality, technique, and overall musicianship. A graduate of the Boston Conservatory, Elaine is a former homeschool mother with 25+ years of music education experience. While there is no age limit (upper or lower – adults are welcome), younger students should be able to read some words (reading musical notation requires similar ability) and have the focus and attention to sit through a 30-minute lesson. For more information, email elaine@elainecrane.com.

13. Homeschool offerings at Thayer Conservatory in LancasterHomeschoolers love Thayer Conservatory! Thayer Conservatory in Lancaster is offering a combination of in-person and/or virtual private lessons on almost every instrument. Wednesday is homeschool day at Thayer when there are various classes available, including Beginner Piano, Ukulele, Music Theory, Drama, and IEW Writing classes. For more information, visit the website or call (978)368-2100.

14. For-fee advertisingThe MassHOPE Messenger is a biweekly e-newsletter that is sent free to approximately 2500 mailboxes. Unfortunately, it is not free to distribute. This cost increases each year, and MassHOPE has limited funds. Therefore we charge a nominal fee of $20 for unsolicited submissions from individuals, and from most organizations or groups unaffiliated with MassHOPE, who wish to advertise their for-fee goods or services. Items will ordinarily run in two consecutive issues. Note: Normally an ad will be limited to one round (two issues) per quarter. Contact Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org. for specifics.

15. The MassHOPE Educator ID CardEducator IDs are now available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website HERE.

16. Are you on our mailing lists?To those who have been recently added to our email list through our website: if you would also like to be added to our “snail mail” list to receive information (such as our print newsletter) via the U.S. Postal Service, please send your full name and complete mailing address to newsletter@masshope.org.

17. Your news items wantedDo you know of an event or activity in or near Massachusetts that would edify or interest the homeschool community? Email Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org and we will review it for possible inclusion in the MassHOPE Messenger. 

18. Remember to “Like” MassHOPE on Facebook“Like” MassHOPE’s Facebook page: facebook.com/MassHOPE?fref=ts. You’ll be encouraged in your homeschooling journey and will receive all updates for upcoming events.

19. Do you receive The Voice of HOPE?MassHOPE publishes a quarterly print newsletter, The Voice of HOPE. In addition to announcements you might also find in the Messenger, we provide three or four full-length articles on a variety of homeschooling topics. If you would like to add your name, please send your name and “snail mail” address to newsletter@masshope.org.

20. Support MassHOPE through AmazonSmileDo you shop at Amazon? If you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to MassHOPE! If you’re not already signed up, you can do so more easily than ever. To start supporting our organization, simply click this link, which is unique to MassHOPE: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-HYPERLINK “http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3220412″3220412. That’s all! From then on, when – and only when – you enter the Amazon website through amazonsmile.com, Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to MassHOPE. Thank you for supporting the work of your Christian state homeschool organization!

21. How to submit Box Tops for convention savingsYou can earn free or reduced admission to the MassHOPE conventions AND support MassHOPE at the same time! Submissions for the 2020 convention are now closed, but you can start getting credit toward the 2021 convention. Want to submit Box Tops for convention credit but aren’t sure how to proceed? Just click on this link: https://masshope.org/boxtops/.

22. Video help for getting started, from HSLDACheck out this free 7-part video series sponsored by the Home School Legal Defense Association, discussing how to get started with homeschooling for children at any age level.
Watch it all, or skip to the age group of your choice!

23. A bevy of materials, offers, and helps for you and newhttps://www.mfwbooks.com/My Father’s World materials. Includes offer of two free activity packs.https://homeschoolhistory.com/Notgrass History web-based curriculum. Free trial.https://www.iew.com/three-weeks-of-language-arts-instruction-from-iewFree language arts lessons from IEW.https://coronavirushomeschooling.com/Getting started, with free access throughout May.https://homeschoolfreedom.com/The importance of Christian homeschool organizations for homeschool freedom.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgV-1tfKz8&feature=youtu.beYouTube with Dr. Kathy Koch: Having Conversations about Today’s Tough Stuffhttps://www.oaclub.org/Remember Adventures in Odyssey? Free 28-day trial.https://billygrahamlibrary.org/continue-the-journey-from-home/Family activities from the Billy Graham Library.

24. Variety of interesting sites suggested by the Heritage FoundationScience, engineering, and building projects and lessons from The League of Young Inventors.
Exciting free courses from Hillsdale College in literature, politics, history, and economics.
From Joy Hakim: DIY lessons on topics such as the human body, Magellan’s travels, the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham, and plagues from previous eras.
Students can explore the remains of Athens’ ancient Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and more in these virtual tours.
Free online language learning materials in English, Spanish, French and German, from Lingoda.
More free language learning from Duolingo, with 23 languages.
Explore Shakespeare with Folger Shakespeare Library, which is offering free access to seven full-cast audio recordings of plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Othello. The library is also providing free access to their video recording of Macbeth. These resources are available free of charge through July 1.
Minecraft  has released its Education Edition (free through June 2020) to help children at home. The program provides 50 lessons, STEM, and project based learning activities. Using the platform, students can visit the international space station, explore the human eye, tour D.C.’s most memorable sites, and more.
Core Knowledge offers a vast array of resources. Their Language Arts, History and Geography, and Science curricula are available for free.
TouchMath offers free downloads of TouchMath Workbooks.

25. Browsing corner for vets and newbiesHow To (and How Not To) Homeschool During COVID-19 by John Stonestreet by John Stonestreet‘Most Rewarding Thing You Can Do’: Homeschool Experts Offer Hope to Parents in COVID-19 School Shutdowns by Kayla RootHome-school family feels the impact of social distancing, offers advice to other families by Tiffany Kafer5 Tips From Homeschool Veterans For Parents New To Learning At Home by Laura Isensee.