Monthly newsletter packed with info on free and paid resources for homeschool parents wanting to prepare their children well for college and careers.
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August Newsletter: New AI Class and Unit Study, FundaFunda Events, and More!
Published 13 days ago • 6 min read
This month you'll find information about FundaFunda's trivia nights for teens, webinars for adults, as well as a reminder about fall semester courses. We also found some links to curriculum ideas to help you fill those empty spots this fall. And, we have a new teacher spotlight, a new AI tip, ACT updates, new podcast episodes, and more, so take a little break and see all that we have for you this month!
Our first Teen Trivia Night is tomorrow! See below for information on how to sign up! There will be prizes for winners!
And there will be a bonus newsletter this month - expect one in 2 weeks. This will include a great giveaway, so don't miss it!
Disclosure: This newsletter may feature affiliate links, which means we will earn a small commission if you purchase through the links provided.
Teacher Spotlight
Heather and some of her farm animal friends.
Heather Fulghum
Heather Fulghum is FundaFunda's earth science and ecology teacher. She is also a farm gal and nature enthusiast. Heather has been homeschooling since 2004 and lives on a 35-acre hobby farm where she grow blueberries, drives a skid steer like a pro, and raises produce for the community and her chef brother.
When Heather isn't teaching or tending her fields, you’ll find her playing cards with her family or hosting guests at their farm Airbnb. Heather believes learning should be as alive and growing as the land she cares for — and she can’t wait to share that belief with you at FundaFunda Academy!
"I love Mrs. Fulghum! She is an amazing teacher but also just an amazing person! I learned so much and had a lot of fun. I gained a ton of valuable information that has already helped me in other science courses and endeavors. Even if you don’t love Earth Science, this course covers so many topics and I have loved discussing and learning how to digest information. This class has really helped me learn how to deeply absorb knowledge and has been a lot of fun! If you are considering this course, do it. You won’t regret it! It is a high school workload, but it is interactive and not too overwhelming. This course will deeply enrich your learning experience."
~Maggie Wood
JUST FOR YOU:
August Deal
According to our May poll on unit studies, you want materials on AI. To help out, we've created an AI unit study AND a full semester 1/2 credit hour Artificial Intelligence for Teens course for you!
The unit study is for students in 6th-12th grades and consists of four modules. Students will explore the basics of AI through interactive websites, videos, games, and creative products.
The one-semester (16-week) course introduces students in grades 7–12 to artificial intelligence—what it is, how it works, ethical concerns, real-world applications, and tools they can explore.
With the August Deal you can get our AI unit study for FREE with any FundaFunda purchase of $100 or more from now through Sunday, August 10, 2025.
Use code INTROAI when making a qualifying purchase and receive the unit study for FREE!
On Tuesday, August 5th (TOMORROW), teens (ages 13+) should join us for a FREE summer-themed trivia night via Zoom. The top three winners will receive Amazon gift cards!
This event is perfect for trivia lovers—or anyone who wants a fun way to connect with other homeschoolers this summer.
To play on August 5th at 8pm EST, please follow the directions here to register.
On Thursday, August 7th, parents and children can join us for a FREE webinar: “Scholarships for Homeschoolers: Where to Look & How to Win”.
Students in all grades can win scholarships, so no need to wait for high school!
We'll cover where to find legitimate scholarships, what makes an application stand out, and tips specific to homeschool students. Plus, there will be an opportunity to ask questions!
If you and/or your child want to join us on Thursday, August 7th at 8pm EST, please complete this form to register.
August Poll: What topic would you choose for our free September webinar?
We have been nominated in various categories - and we would appreciate your votes! It only takes a few seconds. Just scroll through each category. And vote for others you like too!
High school string, piano, and harp musicians (grades 9-12) are eligible to apply this year. Woodwind, brass and percussion players will be eligible during the 2027 competition.
Applicants must select one work from the repertoire list and submit an unedited recording of their performance. They must also fill out and submit all required information on the application form.
All application materials are due NOVEMBER 15, 2025.
The winner will receive a $2,500 scholarship and appear as a guest soloist with the Marine Band during the 2026 concert season. Second and third-place winners will receive $1,000 and $500 scholarships, respectively.
AI Tip / Resource of the Month
Brisk
Install the Brisk Chrome or Edge extension to quickly create quizzes from any YouTube video or website. You can also create presentations, rubrics, lesson plans, and more!
Keep an eye out for an upcoming podcast episode about Brisk!
Are you still looking for a few things to fill the "holes" in this year's curriculum? Or, maybe you like to work ahead. Either way, we found some great curriculum ideas for you.
Chronos History Curriculum - Chronos is a flexible, parent-led history guide with 27 chronological lessons packed with primary sources, videos, discussion questions, and fun extras—perfect for teaching world and U.S. history without being tied to a textbook.
Music in Our Homeschool - Self-paced Music Classes for all ages on everything from voice lessons, to music history and music theory!
Mr. D Math - Known mainly for math (online, live or self-paced), they also offer other classes, including ASL.
7 Sisters Homeschool - Curriculum for middle and high school. Known particularly for their literature guides - including 'Movies as Literature'.
The Enhanced ACT is live for paper and online testing starting with the September 6th test date.
The new format gives students extra time per question, decreases math answer choices from five to four, and makes science optional along with the writing section. The content of the test is similar to the previous format, but the test has been shortened.
You can find tips and check out the changes on the sample test.
In our Homeschooling with Technology podcast, we explore new and different ways of using technology in homeschooling. There is an episode released every week!
You can start listening at any time. Just click on a link to listen in a browser, or find the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Email me if you need help! We have a tab on our website to browse through all our past podcast episodes easily. Check it out!
In this episode, we explore why every homeschool family should consider developing an AI policy—and how to do it.
As AI tools become more prevalent, it’s no longer a question of if teens are using them, but how. Meryl explains how teens often approach AI differently than adults and why it’s important to proactively teach them how to use these tools responsibly and effectively.
In this episode, Meryl is joined by two of FundaFunda Academy’s language teachers—Sebastian (French) and Suzette (Spanish)—to discuss how media can enhance the foreign language learning experience.
In this episode, guest Mariselle Gonzalez, a former semiconductor engineer, talks about engineering exploration at home. She offers practical ways homeschool parents can spark their child’s interest in engineering—no tech degree required!
In this episode, Meryl revisits a topic she first explored back in Episode 41 — scavenger hunts! But this time, she brings fresh insights from her recent European adventures, where she completed three different app-based scavenger hunts in Belgium and France.
This month you'll find a special offer from Music in Our Homeschool and two new courses from FundaFunda. We also found some free and fun math links to share with you. And, we have a new teacher spotlight, a new AI tip, ACT updates, new podcast episodes, and a reminder about fall semester classes--yes, the beginning of the school year is right around the corner! AND - be sure to check out our curated list of Amazon Prime Day deals. We selected items that homeschooles will love! Teacher...
This month we're taking a look at homeschooling styles and summer reading/book clubs. Our Stock Market Contest is in full swing; you can still join in on the fun and learning! We also have new content in our regularly featured areas, including a new teacher spotlight, a new AI tip, and much more. Teacher Spotlight Jennie at Sports Dress-Up Day at Thursday Connection Jennie Miller This fall, Jennie will start her third year of teaching high school English through FundaFunda Academy, but she’s...
This month we're taking a look at homeschooling styles and summer reading/book clubs. Our Stock Market Contest is in full swing; you can still join in on the fun and learning! We also have new content in our regularly featured areas, including a new teacher spotlight, a new AI tip, and much more. Teacher Spotlight Jennie at Sports Dress-Up Day at Thursday Connection Jennie Miller This fall, Jennie will start her third year of teaching high school English through FundaFunda Academy, but she’s...
