Year In Review: Middle School/Secondary+ Resources

 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!