Why You Should Not Try to Isolate Muscle Groups When Weight Training

Working as a fitness professional, there is one type of question I get all the time that shows that many people are missing the big picture regarding the benefits of strength training. This popular question usually goes something like this:

"What exercise can I do to isolate my _______ (insert your muscle of choice abs, quads, biceps, triceps, etc)?"

It doesn't matter which muscle someone is asking about, they always seem to be asking how to 'isolate' it. My first response to this question is always Why in the world would you want to isolate it?

The first thing I try to teach my clients is that the body does not work well in muscle isolation. Rather, it works better in movements along a kinetic chain; that is, large portions of the body assist other portions of the body in completing a complex movement. In fact, there really is no such thing as true muscle isolation. There is almost always a nearby muscle group that will assist in some way with whatever movement you are doing. However, this article compares attempting to 'isolate' body parts via single-joint exercises to the much more effective strategy of performing multi-joint complex movements.

When you attempt to 'isolate' muscles by performing single-joint exercises, you are actually creating a body that is non-functional and will be more prone to injury. Essentially, you are creating a body that is a compilation of body parts, instead of a powerful, functional unit that works together.

Now if you really want to end up hobbling around in a body bandaged up with joint problems, tendonitis, and excess body fat, then by all means, continue trying to 'isolate' body parts. On the other hand, if you would rather have a lean, muscular, injury-free, functional body that works as a complete powerful unit to perform complex movements (in athletics or even everyday tasks), then you need to shift your focus away from muscle isolation. Believe me, focusing on how well your body functions will give you the side effect of a body that looks even better than it would have if you focused on muscle isolation. For example, take a look at the physiques of any NFL running backs, wide receivers, or even world class sprinters. Trust me when I say that these guys pretty much NEVER train for muscle isolation (their strength coaches wouldnt be crazy enough to let them), yet they are absolutely ripped to shreds! Just look at guys like Maurice Green or Terrell Owens and tell me who wou ldnt want a physique like those guys.

Another benefit to moving away from the 'muscle isolation' mindset to a more 'complex movement' mindset is that you will find it much easier to lose body fat. The reason is that by focusing more on multi-joint complex movements as opposed to single-joint muscle isolation, you not only burn a lot more calories during each workout, but you also increase your metabolic rate, and stimulate production of more fat burning and muscle building hormones like growth hormone and testosterone.

Let's look at an example. The machine leg extension is a single joint exercise that works mainly the quadriceps, can potentially cause knee joint instability in the long run, and doesnt even burn that many calories. On the other hand, exercises like squats, lunges, step-ups, and deadlifts are all multi-joint complex movements that work hundreds of muscles in the body (including the quadriceps) as a functional unit, create more stable and strong joints in the long run (when done properly), and also burn massive quantities of calories compared to the single-joint exercises.

Auto Navigation Systems that use Laptops or PDAs

Auto Navigation Systems that use Laptops or PDAs

You may or may not be aware of the many options on today's market when it comes to auto navigation systems. Take my word for it there are now more options than ever before with new options appearing daily. Among the many options that are available for those of you who are interested in obtaining equipment that will assist you in finding your way on long and short trips there are options that can be used along with your laptop or PDA devices. If you currently own and use on a regular basis a laptop or PDA the software or other devices and receivers that are required in order to utilize your laptop as a GPS device aren't nearly as expensive as purchasing a stand alone auto navigation system.

In fact, as far as money savers go, this is a great way to save money on your purchase and receive the same great benefits that some of the top of the line auto navigation systems has to offer. You will find these types of devices that are geared towards as many different budgets as the actual stand alone systems. Some of the more popular of these tools include the following:

1) US Global Sat BU-353 USB port GPS Receiver. This nifty device costs less than $100 and allows you to turn your laptop or pc into a GPS. This is a great feature for finding directions and attaches to your laptop through the USB port.

2) DeLorme Earthmate LT-20 GPS. This is also a little less than $100 and gives your laptop fully functional navigation features. This not only works with laptops but also with Palm OS. You will experience rapid satellite acquisition and you have the Street Atlas software to guide you towards your destination. The software is included with the Earthmate. This software will even recalculate your directions should you miss a turn along the way. For the price, I highly recommend this if you have a PDA or laptop already.

3) DeLorme Earthmate Blue Logger Bluetooth Wireless GPS. This is another nifty tool by DeLorme. This device will allow you to receive a real time image of your location but requires an unobstructed view of the sky in order to accurately record its current position. This device also works with Street Atlas software in order to assist you in charting your course and giving proper driving directions.

4) Tom Tom Navigator 6 Bluetooth. If you are looking for feature rich navigation then this is certainly the tool for you. This is useful with laptops and Palm systems. Not only will you find mapping technology that is quite superior but you will also find useful things such as parking garages, fueling stations, and restaurants along the way.

You will notice a great variety of prices and features with these devices. The important thing to remember is that you want the same or better features for less with this type of equipment since you are providing either the laptop or the PDA. If you already have the laptop or PDA you should be able to save a tremendous amount of money over the costs of purchasing a stand-alone auto navigation system. If you aren't getting an incredible bargain you might want to debate whether or not the system you opt for really is the best system for you.

Perhaps the most important thing to keep in mind is the fact that your laptop or PDA can become an important tool in keeping you on the right track when traveling. You may be one of the lucky few who has never gotten lost while traveling (or one of those who refuses to believe they are lost) however, if you aren't then perhaps it is time to seriously invest in either software, equipment, or devices that can help you find your way whenever you are lost. Laptop and PDA equipment offer great alternatives for those who need navigational assistance but need to remain within a strict budget.

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Finding the Right Computer Desktop for Your Needs

When it comes to buying a computer, the choices can make you dizzy. You not only have to decide between desktop computers and notebooks (also known as laptops), but you need to determine which features will work best for your needs. This is all the more difficult because technology changes so rapidly. Given that most people buy computers infrequently, what may have been state-of-the-art the last time you bought a desktop or laptop is now considered obsolete. Here, then, are some things to consider before purchasing a new computer.

Computer Desktop vs. Notebooks

Not that long ago, no one would consider using notebooks or laptops as their primary computers. After all, when compared with desktops, they didn't have much RAM, had small, less-than-crisp displays, and didn't have features like DVD players and multiple USB ports. Today, though, LCD monitors make notebook displays brighter, and multiple ports make hooking up printers a cakewalk. Because hard drives are so much bigger and RAM is so much greater, it's no longer necessary to worry that software will either overload the hard drive or slow down performance.

But just because notebooks are more powerful, it doesn't mean that they're the right choice for everyone. If, for example, you regularly work from home, you probably want a computer desktop. Bigger displays, traditional keyboards and mice, and more versatility are just some of the advantages of desktops. In addition, many people use have begun choosing computer desktops that can double as media centers. If high quality sound is important to you and your computer will have a dedicated space in your home, you probably want to choose a desktop.

Mac vs. PC Computers

Although Apple is gaining market share with notebooks, when it comes to a computer desktop, PCs still reign supreme. Making the choice between a Mac and a PC really comes down to how you will be using the computer. If you're a creative type who wants to, for example, take photos from your digital camera and create albums and slideshows, a Mac might be the right choice. Similarly, if you're interested in editing home movies or doing work with graphics, Macs rule.

On the other hand, if you or members of your family are avid gamers, you probably want to go with a PC, since most games are Windows-based and not compatible with the Mac operating system. And, while software like Microsoft Office is available for the both the Mac and PC, other software often isn't compatible with Macs.

Extras

When you're shopping for a computer desktop, you need to consider which "extras" are important to you. For example, do you need a computer that can burn a DVD? Do you need six USB ports, or will four suffice? Is a built-in webcam a must-have? Can you live without wireless connectivity? Are you willing to pay a little extra for a higher resolution LCD monitor? Is surround sound speaker output an absolute necessity?

Before you make a buying decision, it's important to understand what's available in the market, what kind of operating system you would like, and which features are important to you. When you do, you'll know that you're paying for only what you need, and will end up owning the computer desktop that's perfect for you and your family.

Computer Hardware Desktops and Notebooks and Handhelds - Oh My

Computers have become ubiquitous in almost every facet of our lives. At work, desk jockeys spend hours in front of their desktops, while delivery people scan bar codes with handhelds and workers in the field stay in touch with the central office via their notebooks. At home, we rely on our desktops and notebooks to do our shopping, to entertain us, and to keep us abreast of world events. We may not see our email servers, but we count on them to deliver our email whenever and wherever we want it. Our PDAs keep track of our hectic schedules, our to-do lists, our contact lists, and even entertain us with games while we're waiting for an appointment or to board a plane. Computer hardware weaves itself through the fabric of our lives.

Even though computer hardware is central to almost everything we do, it's easy to lag behind in the advances made in both hardware and software. Desktops that are four or five years old, for example, become obsolete. You may be able to upgrade operating systems or buy computer add-ons to extend the life of your desktop, but at some point the software, applets, and plug-ins you need to get the most out of your computer simply won't support your old machine.

If it's time to get new computer hardware - whether desktops, notebooks, or PDAs - you'll be amazed at the computing power and the crisp displays that are available, as well as the incredible low prices. Take some time to shop around, and you'll soon discover that online computer hardware sources will save you money over traditional retail stores. When you think about it, it makes sense. According to logic, direct sales cut out the middleman and can pass along the savings to the consumer.

If you're in the market for new desktops, notebooks, or PDAs, there are a myriad of choices. Here's a rundown of some of the best systems available:

Desktops: First, you need to decide - as the advertising campaign so cleverly drives home - if you're a Mac or if you're a PC. If you're a Mac, the iMac Desktop with a 20-inch display can be found for just under $1,500. That includes a 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 1 GB RAM, a 250 GB hard drive, and a SuperDrive.

If you're a PC, the Hewlett-Packard Pavilion S7700N Slimline Desktop PC includes an AMD Athlon Processor 3800 Plus, 1 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, SuperMulti DVD Drive, and Vista Premium - the new Microsoft operating system. Price? You can find it for a little over $600.

Notebooks: If you love Macs, you'll adore Apple's PowerBook at just under $2,500. With a 15.2-inch screen at 1280 x 854 resolution and TFT widescreen display, the PowerBook gives you a lot of bang for your buck. It runs on a 1.67 GHz PowerPC G4 and 512 MB RAM, and has an 80 GB hard drive and a SuperDrive.

In the PC universe, the Toshiba Satellite A135-S4427 is a perfect example of the computing power you can get at a very low price. The 15.4-inch widescreen notebook has an Intel Core Duo Processor T2250, 1 GB RAM, a 120 GB hard drive, a SuperMulti DVD drive, and Vista Premium - all for around $900.

When it comes to computer hardware, it pays to shop online. Desktops, handhelds, PDAs, notebooks, servers, and even software can be found at incredibly low prices - so low that you'll want to upgrade all of your computer hardware to the fastest, clearest, best systems available.

Why Buy a Used Laptop Instead of New

If you're planning to purchase a laptop or notebook (note that laptops and notebooks are the same thing), consider buying used or refurbished laptop. A refurbished laptop is a used laptop that has been rebuilt by a professional, and made to be like new again.

First, let us take a moment to consider your needs in a laptop. What do you plan to do with your laptop? Do you your plans include the following:

Surfing the internet

Checking emails

Instant messenger

Writing papers

Printing Papers

Making spreadsheets

Slide Presentations

Playing Solitaire

Downloading MP3's

Listening to MP3's

Burning to CD's

Watching DVD's

Digital camera photo

Children's games

Keeping bank figures

Small business use

The lists goes on...

Most used laptops will easily complete all of the above mentioned tasks for you. What's really great is that for most current applications on a refurbished laptop, you won't notice a performance difference compared to a brand new laptop.

How is that possible to not notice a difference between a brand new laptop and a refurbished one?

That's a good question. The fact is, most current software for your computer is not designed to need the high performance of a brand new laptop. Computer manufactures are moving so fast, that software makers simply do not keep up. Most current software will run on a computer 4 times slower than the fastest laptops made.

Most current software will run flawlessly on a computer 4 times slower than the fastest laptops made.

What does that mean for you? It means that it's not necessary to spend $1500 or more on a top of the line laptop. Depending on your needs from your laptop, you may be able to buy a laptop for as low as $250. A $250 laptop will perform all the necessary tasks for most people. However, if you are looking for a laptop that will burn CD's and watch DVD movies, expect to spend $400 - $750.

Dell says I can buy a brand new laptop for $699, why should I buy a used one?

This is a very smart, and very much overlooked, marketing trick. Let me start by saying that I think Dell is the best computer manufacture on the market, and I endorse their products myself. However, try this yourself on any given day with any manufacture : Today I went to do and browsed new inspiron laptops (The Dell line designed for home users). On the home page was an ad for a laptop "from" $699. This is after a $100 rebate, so make that price $799. I click the ad and attempt to purchase the item. I am offered to "Customize" or choose "Recommended Solutions". Customizing sounds great. I'm the customer, and I should get what I want. After choosing "Customize", without selecting any upgrades at all, suddenly the price of the laptop is $1371. I don't like that, so I chose all of the lowest possible choices for all available features to achieve the lowest price. The lowest available configuration made the price $907. I don't want to give up, so I go back and choose "Reco mmended Solutions" because these configurations are pre-manufactured in quantity, and are therefore cheaper. Four options were offered at these prices: $949, $1249, $999, and $1319. Each one of these options was offered a $150 rebate (keep in mind this is a mail-in rebate so it doesn't lower your price at checkout) so respectively, if I were to purchase, then wait for my rebate, I could get a laptop for $799, $1099, $849, or $1169. Not one option was available to purchase this laptop at the advertised priced price of $699, even after a mail-in rebate! You will find the same scenario anywhere you go, no matter what manufacture.

No option was available to purchase a laptop for $699, even after a mail-in rebate!

They have to get you to buy from them somehow. All of the computer manufactures have been using this marketing technique (as described above) for years. Imagine if everyone knew about this and the money they could save on buying a refurbished laptop, without having to sacrifice any of their goals and needs from the computer. These manufactures would not be the same companies that they are today.

There are more reasons to consider a refurbished laptop.

Another aspect of buying a refurbished computer that should be considered is this: Most refurbished laptops available are not the "low end" home user based laptops. Examples of home user laptops are: Compaq Presario, Dell Inspiron, eMachines, Hewlett Packard Pavilion, Sony Vaio, and Toshiba Satellite. Refurbished laptops are almost always business model laptops that are off-lease from major corporations.

Business laptops have parts available even long after warranty expires.

Business laptops provide a better solution because they are the laptops provided by a company that are proven to work well. Examples of business laptops are: Compaq Armada, Dell Latitude, Hewlett Packard Compaq Mobile/Business Workstation, and Toshiba Tecra. Home user laptops, believe it or not, are usually testing grounds for new engineering of laptop equipment. Home user laptops are typically given shorter warranty, and are designed to last until that warranty expires. After the laptop's warranty has expired, the newer "experimental" home user model available uses different parts. Since the older models are no longer under warranty, and they use "out of date" parts, the manufacture no longer stocks the parts. Therefore, when your home user laptop has an out of warranty problem (which it will), the parts that are available to fix your laptop are very expensive, if they are available at all. This leaves the home user with the attitude to "throw away and buy new", which is exactly what the manufacture wants you to do.

Since business laptops use technology that is proven to work, their parts seldom change from model to model. Due to this fact as well as the fact that business laptops are leased to corporations, huge stock piles of parts are kept at the manufacture for extended warranties as well as out of warranty purchases. For example, you can still call Dell today to order parts for an out of warranty laptop that was manufactured in 1997 or 1998 for the same cost as laptops manufactured in 2002.

Business laptops are more expensive than home laptops (as much as $3000), buy used and save a ton.

Business laptops, due to their stability, are far more expensive than home user laptops. Using the Dell example, the cheapest Dell business laptop (Latitude), currently available is $2000. Many of the refurbished laptops being sold today for $250-$800 originally sold for $3000 or more. This means you can buy refurbished and save as much as 80% over buying new.

Purchase a refurbished laptop that will suit your needs and last for years, at a great savings.

What all of this means is that if you purchase a refurbished laptop, you can expect the following:

Able to complete all tasks necessary to an everyday user

Half the cost of a brand new home user laptop

Up to 80% less than a brand new business laptop

Proven technology that will last for years

Parts always available if your laptop has a problem

Take control in your life, and put extra money in your pocket for other things that are important to you!

Find a Great Refurbished Laptop on the Web Today at

Talking Rugged Notebook

A rugged notebook offers mobile professionals the ability to work in any environment and in any location. Versatile and powerful, rugged notebook computers are designed specifically for both in-plant and outdoor industrial (and military) applications. Built to handle the toughest environments, fully ruggedized notebooks should have IP54 environmental protection, meet MIL-STD 810F and have heavy duty - generally magnesium alloy - cases. Rugged notebook computers enable professionals to work smoothly in adverse environments and are adequately equipped to face almost any tough situation with ease. Naturally, these rugged notebook computers are heavier than non-rugged models but offer substantially more protection than standard laptops. RuggedNotebooks.com offer a variety of semi-rugged and rugged notebooks, wireless tablets and even rugged PDAs in their Recon series. They also offer custom solutions.

Arguably the most rugged and heavy-duty notebook available is the Rough Rider III from Meeting IEC and MIL-STD 810F, temperature, humidity, altitude, shock, vibration and drop standards, the case also conforms to IEC 529 and Ingress IP 54 requirements. It has extensive configuration options and a second bay available with internal PCI connector that supports a wide variety of options including two additional COM ports (RS232, RS422, or RS 485), two additional PCMCIA slots, a SCSI-2 port, DGPS or wireless modules, an auxiliary battery, or fixed floppy drive. It can be configured with 1.4 or 1.6 GHz Intel Pentium M processor, up to 2GB of DDR RAM, a 60GB HDD, and up to a 14.1 inch screen. It also provides extended wireless communications with 802.11b Wi-Fi, GSM/GPRS and DataTAC connectivity. As you might expect, all this ruggedness comes with a penalty and with the primary battery installed, the Rough Rider III rugged notebook weighs 12.7 pounds, definitely not a light- weight.

RuggedNotebooks.com offers a variety of semi-rugged and rugged notebooks, wireless tablets and even rugged PDAs in their Recon series. They also offer custom solutions. As one of the premier providers of notebook computers that meet and exceed military (810F and 461E) and industry standards (IP54), anyone interested in a high quality semi- or rugged notebook should make it a point to check them out.

Sterling Computer Sales in Landenberg, PA, offers a series of rugged notebooks meeting MIL STD 810E (which primarily involves small drops and rough transport). Their RB1500 has a rubber mounted HDD, spill-proof keyboard and magnesium alloy case. It comes with a 15.1 inch TFT boasting sXGA+ resolution (1400X1050) and a Pentium 4 Mobile 1.6Ghz processor. You can stuff it with up to 2GB of DDR ram and a 100GB HD. For communications this rugged notebook includes modem, Ethernet and 802.11b/g Wireless. This might be better considered a semi-rugged, but the price with default options starts at only $1,595.

The Durabook N15RI is a rugged notebook that has a magnesium alloy top and bottom case - which is 20 times stronger than plastic. This rugged notebook has anti-shock mounting and spill-resistant keyboard, scroll buttons and touch-pad. While it meets some (modified) 810F military specifications for ruggedness it doesn't appear to be IP54 compliant and is probably best viewed as a more rugged than usual semi-rugged notebook. It still provides the mobile professional with a tough, durable notebook at a more reasonable price than a fully rugged notebook.

HP also has a rugged notebook series - the HP nr3610 Rugged Notebook. This model meets MIL STD for ruggedness in the areas of ESD (Electrostatic Discharge), low pressure, humidity, sealing, temperature and vibration - and the Ingress IP-54 Protection rating for dust and water. However, it is very pricey for a notebook with a 12.1 LCD (over $4000) and nearly impossible to find currently.

Another rugged notebook, offering the choice of 14.1" and 15" Tflex displays - which work very well both outdoors and indoors, is the Argonaut Ranger. The hard drive and LCD are both shock mounted and the case is constructed of magnesium alloy. Both models of this rugged notebook - Argonaut Ranger - meet military specifications for ruggedness. The keyboard is spill-proof and the circuitry of this rugged notebook makes use of anti-corrosive technology for extra protection. Designed particularly for marine use the TFlex display works extremely well under any lighting conditions - from full darkness to direct sunlight.

Panasonic has its ToughBook line of semi-rugged and rugged notebook computers which are also worth looking into. The semi-rugged notebooks have a variety of features from the T2 with touchscreen weighing in at only 2.7 pounds to the Toughbook 51, available with a 2GHz Intel Pentium M 760, a shock-mounted 80 GB HDD and up to 2 GB of DDR2 SDRAM, with a 15 inch TFT Active Matrix Color LCD and a standard Combo Drive of a DVD multi-drive, weighing in at about 6.7 pounds. Base pricing for the T51 seems to start around $1600.

The Panasonic Toughbook-29 is a fully rugged notebook tested to MIL STD 810F. The vibration and drop-shock resistant design has Intel Centrino Mobile Tech and integrated 802.11 a/b/g wireless LAN. It has a 13.3 inch outdoor-readable TFT Active Matrix Color LCD (optional touchscreen), a shock-mounted removable HDD in a stainless steel case, sealed port and connector covers and a full magnesium alloy case with handle. With battery and floppy drive it weighs 7.9 pounds. Base version pricing seems to be around $3500 currently.

One thing you need to be aware of about rugged notebooks - particularly full MIL-STD ruggedized models - they can be a little hard to find at your local computer store - or even on some of the big internet sites. The substantial added costs of manufacture and testing - and sometimes, the performance compromises that are made, make them a questionable option for the usual notebook user. If you will be working under harsh conditions, then they may be your only rational choice. However, for a user who will simply be doing a lot of traveling, day in and day out, and wants a notebook computer that can better tolerate the inevitable shocks and bumps, a semi-rugged notebook could be a much more affordable option, providing reasonable protection and better performance at a lower price.

Copyright 2005 Richard Keir

Free Homeschool Resources and Low Cost Homeschool Curriculum

Even though there are many advantages to homeschooling over the traditional public school classroom setting, many parents decide not to homeschool due to the high cost of a homeschool curriculum. Children who are homeschooled are physically and mentally healthier, enjoy learning and look forward to learning, are exposed to more realistic social situations other than just school bullies, nerds, and cliques, have a flexible schedule that allows time for other interests and activities, and receive one on one instruction that follows their own individual pace of learning. However, to homeschool just one child can cost a family thousands of dollars annually for a complete packaged name brand homeschool curriculum. Fortunately, as a homeschool parent, you have the freedom and authority to research and learn how to tailor a curriculum to fit your childs grade level and learning style, along with your family budget.

Make use of your local public library and free library card. Some public libraries have a certain section of the library reserved just for homeschool material. Participate in special programs they have to offer, such as reading clubs, story time, or learning presentations. Check out reference books, magazines, and videos that pertain to your current homeschool topic of study, instead of purchasing expensive text books. Most public libraries also offer audio books or books with cassettes or compact discs.

Instruct your child using a skill check list put together and designed specifically for your childs age and current grade level. Present one skill at a time to your child. Study and practice that skill until your child has retained it before moving on to another skill. Gather or purchase teaching material for one skill or topic of study at a time. For a typical course of study with curriculum requirements and standards by grade level, visit /wb/students?curriculum or Skills for Social Studies, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Health and Safety are listed for preschool age all the way up to grade twelve.

Purchase and use inexpensive paperback workbooks and print free online worksheets. Summer Bridge Activity workbooks can be purchased by grade level for ten to fifteen dollars each at a local bookstore and contain every skill your child will learn in that grade level to pass on to the next grade level, along with suggested reading lists and spelling word lists. Worksheets are perforated for easy tearing and answer keys are provided in the back of each workbook. The Summer Bridge Activity series goes up to the eighth grade level. These workbooks are a perfect resource to build your skill check list. Expand and practice each skill further using printable worksheets and smaller workbooks that contain only one skill at a time, such as multiplication or cursive handwriting. Utilize websites on the internet that offer free printable worksheets and flashcards that are perfect for practice work and memorization, such as , or To locate other websites, simply do a search for free pr intable worksheets along with a specific skill.

Let your child play free online interactive learning games and quizzes and view free online learning videos. Interactive educational flash games keep children engaged and interested in learning. Contrary to the old saying Youre not learning if youre having fun., children actually tend to learn best when they are having fun. So, visit , /kids/hme/k_5/quizzes, , , , /schools/typing, and /schools/games, for interactive learning games and quizzes in Social Studies, Science, Math, Language Arts, and Keyboarding. Also, utilize /tag/family-and-education, , , , and for free educational video clips to go along with your childs current topic of study. Through video, it is possible for children to visit places and explore things they otherwise would not be able to.

Schedule inexpensive educational field trips outside of the home. Take your homeschool student to a museum, the zoo, a local YMCA, or conservation parks and nature trails, just to name a few. Get together with another homeschool family or locate a homeschool group in your area and take a trip together. This will allow your homeschool child a supervised, healthy social opportunity to make friends and interact with other children who are schooled at home. If the weather doesnt allow for an outing, hop online and take a virtual field trip to outer space or another country using the free Google Earth download or /vft.htm.

Enroll your child in your states free online public school or pay a small membership fee for use of a completely online homeschool curriculum. About half of the fifty states offer free online public school and provide all supplies, textbooks, workbooks, and even a computer to enrolled children at no cost. By participating in your states charter school, your child has access to your states educational requirements and standards, but without all of the distractions that go along with a public school environment. The learning is very flexible. Your child can log on and work at a time that is convenient for them and your child will also receive a teacher for phone conferences and live online learning sessions. It is a graded and a pass or fail program offered through grade twelve. Students do receive a diploma after completing and passing grade level twelve. Call your states department of education for enrollment details or go to /enroll-or-buy/find-a-school-and-enroll/ and cl ick on your state to find a school and enroll. However, if the public school curriculum is too fast paced for your child, another option is to pay a small monthly membership fee for an online homeschool curriculum, such as that can be completed at a pace comfortable for your child.

For homeschool highschool, study the skills in a GED manual and workbook. The General Educational Development test provides high school level skills and knowledge. Taking and passing the GED test is the equivalent of receiving a high school diploma. A GED study manual and workbook contain lessons of study in Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, and Science. There are also tips for taking the GED and full length practice tests. For paperless GED study, your child has the option of taking courses online to prepare for the GED. For free classes that are developed by teachers and instructors and practice tests, go to If your homeschool highschool student decides to take the GED and when your child is ready, simply visit /resources/GED/center_locator.cfm to locate a certified GED test center nearest your location. The test can be taken as often as needed until passed and provides the opportunity to apply for college scholarships only available to students who acquire their GED certificate.