I just signed my boys up for it and they are loving it. I was just going to use it as a game for them, but it actually looks like a good curriculum. Does anyone else use it? What do you think?
I use it as a supplement for my kids---- 5 and 6 [both are in first grade curriculum]. I personally didn't think it was good enough as a stand-alone, but it's worked well as something to do in addition to our standard curriculum. I usually have one on the computer while the other is doing the workbook lessons.
I used it for my first year and a bit this year while getting ready to move. My oldest has lost interest in it (8). My younger two liked it but I am not going to sign them up. They are happy with Jumpstart and starfall.com
We have used it for K and now for 1st grade also. My DD goes through phases of liking it and phases of being bored with it though. It was a lifesaver for me when I bought a curriculum for 1st grade that just did not fit us. I signed back up for T4L in October and I felt like it got us 'caught up' and really helped with her reading especially. I think the phonics is great. The math moved kinda fast--and I think for us math needs to be on paper and drilled. T4L gives a lesson on a concept and then moves on--we just needed a bit more reinforcement. It isgreat when I have trouble explaining something to have T4L explain it. I also like that the computer is an objective teacher, i.e., it's not just me teaching and correcting. The science and social studies are light, but good. I wish they had more! IMO, it's an excellent supplement, and if you kids really like it could be a core/spine for curriculum. I love the idea of computer-based learning (both my 4 and 7 yo have their own computers!), but I also think, for us, we need to have some pencil-and-paper work. For the time being I will keep T4L, because it breaks up and blends with our curriculum nicely. BTW--You can purchase for the year for a good discount--I think $179? And you can also put it on hiatus for $3 a month I think...I can't seem to find the email where this info was listed tho.
I wouldn't use it as a stand alone curriculum either. I like that it reinforces things they have learned or are currently learning. My oldest with the ADD loves it and thats a big plus for me. I dont care for the 3rd grade science and social studies but I do like the language and Math. It's like a really fun educational game. This past week I looked to see where my current curriculm and T4L would/could over lap and I had my boys work on those lessons in T4L. It worked our beautifully. We were learning about division and Noah was bored with my version of the lesson but he enjoyed T4L's explanation and interactive lessons. I'm now checking to see where the T4L phonics and our Abeka phonics can over lap and I'll schedule those together this week for Caiden. So far this is working out great for my kids.
We have been using T4L since October for 3rd and 5th grade. Since we moved last year, the kids seemed to lose some of 2nd and 4th (probably the stress of last Spring, me not them). T4L was a quick way to review last year. I think it can be used as a good base. I have never used a box curriculum so I am used to adding in to a basic lesson. I like the science and social studies as a jumping off place. We continue to research further but the general topic is covered in an organized fashion. I agree that math sometimes needs additional practice time. We use the "key to" series when extra is needed. One benefit is that on days that I am busy, the kids can sign on and get some schoolwork done with very little assistance from me. For someone who is concerned about covering everything they are "supposed' to cover in a particular school year (like me), T4L lays it out and provides that. I no longer feel like I am missing some important topic.
we use T4L with our 2nd grader. I pulled her out of ps in Jan. and didn't know what to use. The school had supplied me with supplies for the rest of the school year but she was very bored with book work. Her reading levels improved drastically. I just had her tested to continue homeschooling and the test administrator was impressed with what she had learned using T4L. my 10 yo was struggling in math in ps, I signed her up and now she is back on grade level. I do add to it and tend to use workbooks I found at a local bookstore to reinforce. I also have her do each lesson for two consectutive days. She has to get at least a 80 on each quiz in order to move on. Personally for my child's learning ability I love the program.
We use it and we all love it. We use it as our core and to date have no need to search for other curricula. They have a bunch of free printables that go along with lessons and other resources on the parents forum. Science lessons sometimes mention experiemnts or other hands on things you can do, so we do those to make science fun and see it in action. The hoistory lessons mention places to visit ont he web or books to check into, so we do that as well. We use all the tools Time4Learning gives us. We visit the library weekly, watch educational programming and movies/films that showcase whatever she is learning about. All of our hands on activities or trips follow the same theme of her studies as well. Time4Learning is our core, she is 10 and in 6th grae level now.
I used it as a supplement but if I were them I'd organize it better so that people could use it as a stand alone curriculum. Seriously the homeschool community is waiting for something fun and complete - if I were a programmer that's what I'd be doing.
