Can anyone here tell me their thoughts on it? Ok.. as per my other thread this is only an option for Garrett (not my younger crew). I am 100% ok with the textbook approach... and we actually used a couple that they use, and I liked them. I'm thinking this could be 1 of 2 things: 1. AWESOME, he is home, but someone other than me is telling him what schoolwork to do and he is responsible to prove his work to someone else. He can take the laptop they provide him and go to the basement to do his work (we have a family room down there...it's not a dungeon) and I can be up here working with the Littles. or 2. NIGHTMARE, he could totally fight every bit of work thrown at him (he kind of did this last year in PS.. he hates busy work, esp when it is repetitive). I could be fighting with him all day over it. Anyone here have experience with them. (PA also offers virtuals that use K12, but I'm not sure I like them, their books all seem so black and white, and virtuals that offere Calvert.. and Little Lincoln in the younger grades)
I don't have any experience with that specific program but we do have experience with SOS. My child with ADD and an mood disordered loved it in the beginning but then it started to make that child crazy, couldn't even stand it anymore. What about the Oak Meadow, its cheaper than that??? I know its a bit more labor intensive for you. But you are so gifted in crafts and those types of things. I am not! Remember this..... With his diagnosis he doesn't have the ability to love you or him self at this point. His acting out is hurting him as much as the rest of your family. I have become an child avocate because of our experience in our home. If I can help you find the resourse that you need I would love to.
Well I will give you our experience. My oldest (13) did this and HATED it. Started out ok but after the first week she would drag her feet and just didnt like having to be on the computer up to 5 hours aday....and she IS a computer person.....She has no interest in doing it again so we are going back to the regular way. My 9 yr old daughter had NO interest even trying it because she doesnt like the computer all that much and would prefer just game type stuff and workbooks. Most of the staff was nice and helpful but it was not for us at all. HTH! :>)
I think that if I were to use an online approach and he likes the idea, I would do it with the mindset that he will know what he is to do and I am not going to save him from himself. Help him when asked, but for the most part, you are giving him the opportunity to choose success or failure for himself by being most hands off and no nagging. I would explain to Garrett that you think he is shown himself capable of being responsible (maybe a stretch, but it might be encouraging to him), so you are excited (yes, excited) for him about this opportunity to be even more self-responsible with this online school. That you are very confident in him to do most if not all of it all on his own, but you are also confident that when he needs your help, he will ask you. (Then don't be asking him.) Lots of ego stroking but then you have to be willing to allow him to fail also, which is the hardest part.
Thanks Christine I am worried that he may not like being on the computer so much... he loves technology.. but he loves it for video games or watching really stupid youtube videos..lol
The time on the computer is something that worries me as well. They have started using mostly all itexts.. meaning all reading is done on the computer. He wouldn't mind if we could get those books on a tablet, I dont' think, but I can't find any answer as to whether or not that would work.
I like your train of thought. I am completely ok with him failing (as I said before in my other thread, I'm not a rescuer, he is responsibe for his own actions).
I have heard mixed reviews about this. I do have an old friend who's a mentor/teacher through them and I love her....but I don't know anything from personal experience. Hope you find what works!!!!
