Has anyone used this? (I have a curriculum list that I put together, but it is proving to be more expensive that my budget allows. And I think I'm starting to freak out that I'll miss something in his education.)
We use K12 for our 6 year old. We purchased the following courses: math, language arts (which includes phonics), history, science, art, and spanish. We complete a bible study and music component outside of K12 and supplement math with Reflex Math. We are part of the independent study program, which means that we are not part of any public school; we are completely independent. I like that as we can mix and match course levels and start new ones whenever appropriate. We're about to start 2nd grade materials in two weeks, for example -- we wouldn't be able to do that if we were subject to public school oversight (and therefore their calendar). I've seen K12 get a bad rap on some homeschooling websites -- it's usually the public school version of K12 that's being reviewed in those cases. Each public school that purchases K12 curriculum materials imposes its own local regulations and associated content restriction. K12 is somewhat pricey, but I think the materials are very challenging and seem to be about a year ahead of other curriculums I've seen. This is what we initially sought when we selected K12 -- I suppose whether it would be a fit depends on what your goals are. Our primary reason for homeschooling is academic challenge, although we certainly appreciate the myriad of other benefits. I've been very impressed with the creativity of K12 as well -- my daughter finds the games and craft projects very engaging. Good luck finding what works for your family!
I'm guessing you are talking of using it through a cyber school. If you have the option to use other charters I would look at one that uses Connections. I much prefer their curriculum. But, know without a doubt that you will be a public schooler, you will be required to move at their pace, often times people can't get ahold of the teachers or the teachers are unhelpful. It's nice to see shiny curriculum dangling in your face, but think of your reasons for homeschooling before you go that route. For me, I homeschool to give my kids an education that fits them individually... therefore nothing in a box would fit them.. not a bought homeschool curriculum and definitely not a cyber school that tells us what to do. Homeschooling can be crazy expensive, or it can be virtually free. Look around and ask around, I know almost any subject can be accomplished for practially free (minus basic office supplies of course).
I've been thinking about why I want to homeschool. My son was born with a cleft lip and palate. His 6th surgery is planned for June 6th (a bone graft). After this in a couple years he will have extensive orthodontic work. I don't want him to be teased in school, and I don't want him to miss school because of doctor's appointments. Also, I'm not a morning person and his PSing would start at 7:45! I'm too lazy to get everyone dressed, fed and out the door at that time. :lol:
I'm on my tablet right now but can link you to litterally every subject for free later (or more likely tomorrow ) if you want. I homeschool on the cheap, there are a few thinks I don't skimp on but could... math is one. My oldest used cheap workbooks for it till 5th grade and did awesome on standardized testing so I do think they can work, but I really love McRuffy and have no problem having spaghetti a few more nights a year to save enough money to pay for it. most other things in my siggy there are very cheap or free.
Thanks! The curriculum I need (excluding math) really are cheap, I just don't have $100 right now to purchase them. I found a math program that is free. I will be using this for now..I think. http://ceure.buffalostate.edu/~csmp/CSMPProgram/Primary Disk/Start.html It's a lot of printing but it allows me to be in budget.)
A lot of people use that one, and lots of people use MEP also (R is Reception or Kindy I believe) http://www.cimt.plymouth.ac.uk/projects/mep/default.htm You dont' have to print everything, you can use the screen of your computer also remember. Now remember, you have until fall to gather all you need, you don't have to buy it all at once, and if you have your list of what you want, start looking for it used. Welltrainedmind has a curriculum sales area, homeschoolclassifieds, diaperswappers has a homeschool sales section as does vegsource and so does the message boards at homeschoolreviews. Ebay, Half.com, Amazon, Albris can all be good places to look for things as well. Also, on the needing to buy stuff, many homeschoolers start off slow, they pick just one or two subjects, get that going and then a week or two later add one or two more until they reach full speed. Doing that may buy you some time. Something that is a must have for me to make homeschooling affordable is a printer that is crazy cheap to operate. I have found that just about any Brother inkjet has generic cartridges available on Amazon and Ebay. I pay less than $1 each, shipping included for my ink, now it holds 4 at a time and needs all of them all the time so I can't run out of back stock, but I buy 15 cartridges for like $13 and it will last me almost all year. You can find very affordable Brother machines on Amazon... but wait till you need a printer to get it if that money is an issue Also paper I used to only buy once a year when Staples had a buy one get one sale, but lately they haven't been as great as they once were and it's cheaper to go to Walmart and buy a case for $28. I go through 2 cases a year usually. I print a lot and my kids like color, this is way cheaper than most black and white laser printers (in fact its cheaper than any I know of and have compared mine to), so my printer is essential to me.
I have no experience with K12, but I agree with Sommer, find some things free, and search for others used. I never buy all of my curriculum at one time. It doesn't fit in my budget. I have a list of things I need for next year, and purchase one or two things at a time, until I have them all. You can try Curriculum Share. It's free (except postage). You do have to list something to give away before you request an item. I haven't had a lot of luck with it. I got people who would request an item from me and never follow through, or I'd request an item and never get a return email. It's worth a shot though. I did get one great book through it.
have you checked out easy peasy all in one curriculum Liz? It's a complete curriculum and totally free and mostly on the computer with some printing. My sister is planning to use it with all four of her kids this coming school year. I used the learning to read part with Colton for a while this school year. It's really a great resource. We also use a free grammar program - Scott Foresman free grammar. I print out the worksheets for Kayd and have him write the answers in a notebook so I can reuse the printed pages with the other kids in coming years. I know that curriculum really can add up. Buy used what you can that definitely helps. Have you checked out homeschoolclassifieds.com?
My sil did k12, and she didn't like it. She was forced to go with THEIR schedule. Every time I would call and ask her to go apple picking with us, or something, she would have to say no, because one of her kids "had to" be on the computer at a certain time. Plus, her one son is a bit slow to pick up things. He got sick, and missed a week. K12 told her not to worry, just "double up" lessons until he was caught up. "Doubling up" lessons simply doesn't work for a child who is slow to begin with!
We did k12 with a virtual school and didn't like it one bit. Youa re forced to go on their schedule and they are not at all flexable. A couple of things that stand out in our experience was that my older dd was not at grade level math. They would not tailor her curriculum to fit her needs. They flat out told me that they would not and that "She is just going to have to fail this year". EXCUSE ME???? That is unacceptable. Second experience was with my little one for kinder. We moved to a new city at this time and I thought I'd try k12. We began in December and guess what? They wanted all the work from when school started to December, done. Do you realize how much paperwork that is? It was almost the whole 1st semester book and in every subject. They said just "double up". On a kindergartner? Really? I think we stayed with k12 for 3 months and said baloney!
You only adhere to a set schedule when you enroll in K12 via a cyber school. If you buy the materials directly from K12 and use them via the "independent study" option, you are not subject to anyone's schedule, or any oversight. It's as if you're buying the materials from Abeka, My Father's World, or any other curriculum provider or bookstore. I'm only clarifying this as I think K12 provides excellent materials and is frequently misunderstood. Most people associate "K12" with the cyber schools. The cyber schools are public school offered online; they use K12 materials but customize the program to local requirements. K12 is free if you enroll in the cyber schools, however, you're enrolled in public school and subject to public school attendance requirements, grading, and standardized testing. If you purchase K12 materials directly and are an independent study consumer, you have no association with the public school system and are free to implement any or all materials however you like, whenever you like. I'm not suggesting K12 is for everyone (and it's on the pricey side) -- just want to make sure folks understand there's a distinction between enrolling in public school online and using K12 materials on your own.
Yes, I have seen that! I really like it but Eli is not at the reading level required for 1st grade. I'd like to get him reading well before starting him on that..maybe 2nd grade. I'm going to use Getting Started 1 & 2 with him over the summer. Having him read fluetly is important to me, and he WANTS to be reading his own books (and video games lol) I really would like to aim for a classical education (TWTM), so the curriculum I'm going for is recommended by Susan Wise Bauer. I am using Peace Hill Press for First Language Lessons, Writing with Ease and SOTW (two of which I've already purchased). Eli is a very hands on learner, so I'm trying to get a math and science that uses a lot of manipulative and experiments...which I think is why I'm having such a hard time with pricing. I know of curriculum he will enjoy, but the price is pretty much my whole budget.
Yikes! Thanks for letting me know. Doubling up wouldn't work for Eli. With his ADHD he has a hard time sitting through one lesson!
I knew this. Thanks for letting other people know. I was asking about PS K12. There is NO way I'd be able to afford K12 IS!
We are using K12 (through an eschool) and love it. The scheduling is flexible (you do it whenever you want), you don't need to be on the computer at any certain time since the class connects are optional, and you can assess out of lessons and units that your kids already know. For the most part you can teach the curriculum however you want as long as you reach the objective. I have a huge stack of worksheets that we have never touched because our dd didn't need to do them. You just have to cover the grade material by the end of the year. We are having no problems and will be done well before the end of the year. If you are working on advanced grade material (like a first grader doing second grade math for example) you have until the end of the second grade to complete it. The bottom line it that you have to be willing to cover the required curriculum by the end of the year. It's all on your schedule and at your pace. Let me know if you have any other questions. I would be glad to answer them.
Huh. Maybe the k12 you did was different from the one my sil did, even though you are both in Ohio. I do know that Rachael did ECOT, and that worked very well for her. She did have flexibility as a high schooler.
