I am looking for a computer-based curriculum, other than SOS. Also, I need it to be on CD's, not internet based. Any ideas?? Thanks!
Jeff, isn't Robinson more of a reading books on the computer kind of thing though? I think SOS is more interactive. There used to be one.. in fact it was the non religious version of SOS, but now it has become an online thing and it is geared more for public schools and is very very pricey... shoot what is it called... I think it starts with a C or a V... ummmmm I will look and be back.
I can find math in quite a few forms, but what I'm actually wanting is something maybe with social studies or spanish, maybe another elective. Something I can use when we're on the go in the car or if we're having a tough day and it would just be best if he could do a little something on his own on the computer. lol Other than SOS, though, I'm having a hard time finding anything. I will check that Robinson, just in case. Thanks!
I remember looking at Robinson a while back and for some reason I was put off by it, I want to say it was the fact that it had lots of reading on the computer screen or you had to print a ton... but if I remember rightly it looked like a good curriculum. I can't remember how old your son is, but what about things like Mevis Beacon (sp?) typing, and there are tons of language things that you can get that are disk based (Rosetta Stone, Instant Immersion, etc), there are lots of games.. Amazon Trail, Oregon Trail, and there are quite a few things out on disk from the Critical Thinking Company (Editor in Chief is one I would like to have )
Ah yeah, Dana... our netflix is always loaded with things that are educational, and I'm always scouring the $1 and $5 bins at like Walmart for things that are educational.. as well as yardsales.
I just ordered a few from "The Bible Collection" for them to watch of eBay - amazon wants $12.95 each and I got them for $8.00 each including shipping.
I was also put off by Robinson. I think my biggest thing is that most of the "learning" lays on the shoulders of the child. It is more of an independent learning program. My littles are not independent enough to do something like that.
After looking at the Robinson and reading reviews, I think I'll be skipping that one. It doesn't look like a good fit for us, but thank you for the suggestion! I think I'll have to look around some more... it seems he used to have some Reader Rabbit CD's back when he was in K and 1st... I may have to see if I can find any for 3rd. I don't want it to be too childish, but surely they take into account the child's age when they make those things.
Reader rabbit and jumpstart have that age level. I know you did not want online based, I have not used it yet I just got an email about it. It is free and I am signing up for it to check it out http://www.theheadoftheclass.com/SplashPage/SplashPage.aspx.
I just looked, we have some Math Blaster and Reading Blaster disks for that age as well as JumpStart.
The only reason I don't want internet-based is bc some of the time he'll be using it while we're traveling in the car, which we do 2-3 days out of a week. I just can't rely on some random internet signal being available, you know? lol
lol.. I liked the jumpstart games.. they are fun and a bit challenging! They are almost the kind of thing that makes kids not realize they are doing school. Garrett used to play them all the time... he also likes the disks from the critical thinking company the math and reading dective ones.
I may end up trying the Jumpstart then. I also have found some on music, which look like a great idea... not sure if it would actually teach him, though, since he doesn't take any lessons yet.
Never underestimate the power a game possess when it comes to learning.. Garrett learned how to read maps, locations of states, and math from playing 18 Wheels of Steal (a truck driving game)
I bought a $349 laptop from best buy (who ever heard of a full laptop that cheap?!?!!?), loaded it up with videos (ripped from the DVDs) and feed the videos through some software I wrote for my son called Stryder's Learning Center. Basically the software asks him questions like "what is 10 + 2", and when answers enough questions right he gets points, and when he gets enough points he can watch 5 minutes of video. The software is free in beta (for like ever now), just google and you can find it for download, it was written and tested by a one man shop (me) so it might take a bit to get up and running. It fits the bill perfectly for something for my boy to work on in the car as it doesn't require an internet connection (except to download a license every once in a while).
The music ones I'm looking at are MusicAce 1 and MusicAce Deluxe. Not sure which is better suited for us, but they look pretty fun and educational.
