Ok, so as we start to completely restructure, I want to find things that appeal to Garrett's idea of fun... computer/video games. I know for math I am going to splurge and buy TT for next year, last night I picked up a book that will catch him up where he has become lacking this year so that next year we can go with the 6th grade level.. we tested for it and he just passed it, I saw his weaknesses and looked for something to bring him up to par on them. What programs are available for Grammar, Science, History? They can be video or computer program. I know of SOS, what more can you tell me about that? I don't want something of a religious nature, as we keep our schooling secular as much as we can.
tt? i know if you call alpha omega they will send you a sample dvd so you can browse teh set up and style of their computer program. Pretty nice and you can exclude bible or any other subjects. other than that i dunno
TT is teaching textbooks... an AMAZING math program. Thanks, I will call them and see what I can find out
There is time4learning.com. They have a free 2 week trial so you can check it out. After that, you have to pay.
We have only used SOS for science. My 3rd grader likes it, my 5th grader doesn't. What I like about it for science versus some of the other subjects are the little video clips, etc that they have in it. Some are even the experiments so that you don't "have" to do all of them at home yourself (although you still can if you want). We have opted not to use SOS as our only science. DD8 uses it for extra because she loves science and we're doing Apologia Zoo 2 as a family. My DD10 is not using the 5th grade at all. She hated it and is using Real Science 4 Kids instead. So I'm saving the 5th grade for DD8 who likes it. Definitely watch the science demo online (or call them and order the DVD). I will add that I didn't like the demos of some other subject due to personal preference. Science was really the only one I thought would work for us (esp. since every kids doesn't have their own computer). Another computer subject that my 10 yr old does love is a web-based vocabulary that we did through Homeschool Buyer's Co-op. It's called Get A Clue. It's for 5th grade - high school. She previously did Wordly Wise and didn't like it very much (not a workbook kid for this subject). She likes GAC a lot and I never have to fight to get her to do it. It's pricier than the workbook obviously but for us...WELL WORTH IT! She had tested to start at the 7th grade level but I made her start at the beginning and I'm glad I did. She typically does the pre-test well for each unit but I think it's good for her to review it all (for the latin/greek roots, etc).
Thanks Rhonda, I'll look into GAC. I'm not so sure about SOS, the more I look the more it seems like it is very Christian based? I may be wrong there. I was just looking at Robinson Curriculum... but that seems more like bookwork that you have to print out yourself??
SOS is very Christian based at least from a science perspective. It definitely talks about God's creations, etc. Get A Clue is NOT religious at all. It is used in many public and private schools throughout the country. By using it through HS Buyer's Co-op, we basically have a "schools subscription" as a co-op. If a homeschooler buys it independently, it's about 3 times what I paid for it thru the co-op. From what I've researched on Robinson, you do have a lot of print out unless you can find the books in print elsewhere cheap.
We use S.O.S as a back up and that's all for language arts, history and science. I don't require my kids to do it every day and it is Christian based, when a question comes up that includes a bible verse we skip it and move on. Other than that I like the program, the kids sometimes say it's a little boring and would rather use the books they have.
Thanks rhi, I did look at their site quite a bit this morning, and it seems too religious for me to accept it. I am not finding much of anything to fit what I need. I had thought of time4learning, which would be a strain on our budget, but then I read that you can't print any kind of "hard copy" and that made me turn the other way.. we have to turn in a portfolio, and without papers to put in there, I just don't see how I can make it work.
What if you scanned what work you were doing onto your computer and saved it that way onto a disk? I agree sometimes SOS is to religious and there have been instances where we've skipped more than I would like so that's why I use it as a back up more than anything else. A friend has it and her son likes it, my kids are o.k with it. Some days they like it other days they don't want to sit in front of the computer doing school work.
I think Garrett would sit in front of the computer 24/7 if we let him. I think that is why he loves his ASL course.. because it's 100% computer based, and why we will spend the small fortune for TT for next year.
Sommer, Thought of you when I read this article today: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/730440.stm. My son adores video games as well, and after reading up on different studies, as well as just noticing how well his reasoning and deduction skills have come along, I definitely think this is a very viable and rewarding way our kids can learn. Of course, I don't allow Cam to be on the computer/game all day (and I carefully monitor the games he plays), but he does truly enjoy it, so I think this is a great idea for Garrett! Some games that Cam has enjoyed so far: The Carmen San Diego Franchise (he has a PS2 but not sure if it comes in other systems). Talk about fun geography and landmarks, plus really helps them learn cardinal directions and deductive reasoning. This is my favorite (I even sneak it in sometimes!) Civilization IV (PC)--this is a strategy game that delves into political structure, diplomacy, culture, environment, civics in general. It's really fun, plus it has a "team play" function and Cam and I play together often and discuss different teaching points afterwards. Here's a bit on it if you are interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Civilization_IV A list of things I plan on researching are: www.science.net www.epistemicgames.org www.dimensionm.com www.fas.org/immuneattack/ Hope this helps some!
Online learning You might know the name Renzulli- the man who came up with the 3-ring definition of giftedness that is used around the world..? He's come up with a programme for online learning, where first each child first fills out an online questionnaire, to determine their learning styles, interests, academic ability etc. The when the child keys in an activity topic (from a broad topic like Space to a specific topic like fractions), the Learning programme pushes them ONLY activities which are specifically tailored to your child's learning profile. It's pretty amazing! Might be well worth you checking out. I believe it's $99 per year.
We have used SOs for everything now! Wee! Even Spanish Secondary spanish I mean. okay-- We like it but for MATH. So it is good that you are looking at tt, mus is also good! Sos is wonderful for the teach- she only has to grade some problems not all, unlock tests and quizes and send back things that you do not think they did well enough on to really get! It keeps the transcript info for you so you can print out a "report card" as often as you like! You can also use the option to add your Math programs grades to the report card, I found that was fun! okay.... Pros,_ it does have video games in the lessons, I made ds wait till he finished the lesson to play them. They have video "mini tutor" who teaches the concepts in a lot of the lessons. They have click on this for a time line, they have click this for a cartoon lesson!
Stacey, thanks.. and I can agree 100% that computer games are a great learning tool! TV too, esp for some kids. Garrett can pull amazing things from shows like "How It's Made" and "Modern Marvels". I have to get my rear in gear this morning, but I will look up those other links later when I have time. thinks, I will look the program you talked about, thanks
Ds wants it back for next year (7th then) because he has had two years off. I have his Science already for it, and may add english to that... Not sure about it but maybe history too since he will be the only one home student wise! WOW they grow! There is also a thing called drive through history-- it is a dvd lesson program, I was looking into that because I had seen a portion of it on cable at the grands. feel free to msg me and ask me any specifics on SOS, we have used AOP and Sos for.. well since ds17 was in 6th grade, we have had it for Science so I know the different versions and what you need, and whats different about them even! wow! ( Sorry for the double post, I accidently hit the enter key still getting used to the slight variance in keyboard with the lap top!
Carmen sandeigo comes in PC ! We have several of her! They are wonderful for learning geography! My kids know of places that thier peers have no clue about due to these types of games!
All my kids love to play Civilization III and IV. My son has been playing for several years before he could even read. It is pretty advanced for him but because Daddy is a soldier and has explained things so well to him, he played without even knowing what it said It's actually motivated him in his reading. It is generally considered a adult-type game but as long as you're comfortable with weaponry (not actual blood or anything like that), it's fine for kids (at least for us...maybe not everyone). My son has actually learned about a lot of historical figures as well.
I thought Civilization was a war type game? We don't allow any kind of fighting games, I know this is one I haven't looked into alot, but I think it is because I took it to be a fighting game. I forgot about Carmen San Deigo!! I loved those games as a kid, and even the tv show that was on PBS! We do have things like Oregon Trail, Amazon Trail, oh and some of the Jumpstart? games for different grades.
