When you have time to search the Web there are some good sites out there and the search is an adventure.  When you don't have time.... let the search come to you.  

This page has some good links for "beginners".  See the Basics, Helps, Resources, and Subscription sites below.

Groups: If you want to find out about some groups in this area of Maryland please click on Homeschool Groups to the left.  This page includes names of Md. support groups, Umbrellas, Field Trip Groups, and Classes; both as co-ops and as paid classes.  

Field Trips: Field Trip Ideas (also to the left) will take you to a list of links to places  HERITAGE members recommended at a meeting. 

Links divided by Subject can be found under What Works. Presently there are pages for Art, Civics, Civil War, Field Trips, HS to College, Music, and Summer Fun.

If you have something to add to this page please let the Heritage Web Meister know.

The Basics

HSLDA is the Home School Legal Defense Association.   It's a very interesting place to get the latest national news and an overview of homeschooling in America.  It also has a list of state organizations and the laws of each state.

Focus on the Family is both educational and refreshing to the heart.

Good website to check out e-rumors, "viruses", even urban legends you hear about----  www.truthorfiction.com  

Flylady is a site that offers advice for keeping control of your home and you can sign up if you wish for free email messages that remind you when to do things, like eat.  Better than being reminded is the fact that this is an encouraging system.  Anything else would be nagging.  This is especially designed for Sidetracked Home Executives (SHE's).

Helps - where you can find some fun and useful sites

Blue Web'N is my favorite link.   I can browse a library of Blue Ribbon learning sites on the web; searching by content, subject, or refined search.   Since these sites are all educational sites that have been reviewed, sorted, and graded I save time and patience.  There are also lesson plans!

Check out this site.
http://www.dailyhomework.orgThere is home schooling homework, including daily-changing vocabulary, spelling, geography and history - free & online !

Physics IS Phun, really fun.  This is their site to find out what is next planned at the U. of Md. event and to find great physics questions and answers.

Resources for Purchase, New and Used

General:
Homeschooling Sites is the most complete collection of resource sites I've seen.  It is very well organized, from Abeka to Writing Strands, has several categories; Used Curricula, Home School Helps, and then subject categories...and MORE!  

Reading:
The Homeschooling sites above have almost everything imaginable but the reading program put out by Stevenson is not so well known. It deserves a special mention.  Stevenson Learning Skills is for regular and learning disabled students. It uses established techniques like mnemonics (memory aids) and multisensory instruction. The materials accommodate common learning problems, such as attention deficits, phonological processing difficulties, memory weakness and sequencing confusion.

RecordKeeping:
For record keeping try the HomeSchool Record software.  It is my tool and was developed to help me record quickly what I've been doing and then lets me go back and ask the program to show me by subject, student/s, dates, projects, year, and/or whatever, what I have accomplished.  It is very flexible, and can be used year after year.  It also can generate reports usable in the review process here in Montgomery Cty, Md.  NEW  We added a Daily Planner!  With 2 clicks the plan becomes a record.  The link is to email me, eP.  Ask about a free trial if you'd like.

Graduation:
Need caps and gowns for a graduation?  The SPRINGER CO. provides a real service by catering to Homeschoolers needs.  They hope you will make SPRINGER CO. (www.SpringerCo.com) known in exchange for an additional 10% discount off their already low prices if you mention your organization's name as a referral. They would rather give the money as a discount to those who need it most, THE HOMESCHOOL, rather than spending it on organizational sponsorships and/or expensive advertising campaigns.  NO ORDER IS TOO SMALL and they can even ship just one cap and gown, usually the day the order is placed, if needed.

Magazines:

The Teaching Home - bimonthly magazine devoted to a Christian perspective of home education
Practical Homeschooling - homeschooling and family products
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - practical and inspirational content 

Curricula for Free

7th Grade Integrated  Science Sci-ber text from Utah teachers and the 8th Grade Integrated Science Sci-ber text include reading, pictures, fun activities, interesting labs, and quicktime movies.  They look well done.  It might be all you'd need as a core and you could use the saved money for frills.  Or just use this as a free frill.

Daily Grammar lessons are yours for free from this site.  They are short, succinct, come with answers, and regular quizzes.  They are very nicely done.