Hi Friends, I wondered where everyone went! I had to email Jackie to find you. I have been out of it for awhile. Imagine my surprise went I tried to find the abcteach forum?! But I found you, so now I have a question.... I got a flyer through the mail about "Ohio Connections Academy." My husband thinks I should check into it but I was always told that these things are usually like public school at home. Being a Christian this would not be good for me. Has anyone heard of this particular virtual academy?? Thanks in advance.
Bernie, good to see you made it! I'm with you; they're public schools at home. I don't know anything about this one in particular; you might want to check with CHEO to see if anyone there has any specific information.
Thanks Jackie, I was thinking about doing that but hadn't gotten around to it. I wouldn't even be considering it at all but money is becoming a problem at the moment and this program is free. But, God comes first and if I think this is anti God, then it will be a no go for sure. Thanks
Keep in mind, too, that you will be considered a "public school student" by the Ohio government. Your child will be required to take and pass the Profeciency Test, and will be required to follow Ohio guidelines. You might discuss with DH your reasons for HS'ing in the first place. Would this program still follow those reasons? I know for my family, it wouldn't, but I also know others where it would. I understand money being tight, but DH needs to decide if it can be done without compromising priciples. If so, then go for it! If not, then the money shouldn't make any difference.
Oh great!! I never thought of that!! I will definately check on that. I don't want to put my children through that. I don't agree with those tests. I know some do but I think there a waste of time. Thanks heaps Jackie
Jackie, You were right! They require your kids to take all state mandated tests. Big bummer! Thank you so much for bringing that to my attention. That would have been a BIG mistake! Thanks again
I have come across this forums that discusses connections academy, maybe they might help you with more info. I dont know anythng about connections but I hope this helps: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/virtual_school_Nation/ Lauire
Hello from the new girl on the block ) I'm so glad to have found this site. I am the Mother of a wonderful boy who is an "in between-er" and turning 5 in June. He's so excited to go to Kindergarten and is doing great with his scholastics. Yet the Brick and Mortar schools here "aren't sure he's ready". Though he's a laid back little guy they think "Red shirt" him because of his age. I'm sure many here have run into this as well. I feel this would be detrimental to his advancement for sure. So for this and other concerns as you might imagine, I am looking for that "other" option. And in my research I've come across Connections Academy as well as others. I feel it's a really good option and still it is my first venture into the pseudo/homeschooling. As a single parent now and a person who's schedule and location changes greatly I feel I'd be entirely unequipped to construct an entire curriculum myself. Even though I am an older Mom now at 45, I know my limitations and the 7 or more hours a day I would have to take is just not possible. Where as 4 or even a little more, I would be able to pull off most days. That being said I noticed your concerns about testing and such here and feel those are very valid points about the "Public School" aspect with them. Though I was not a "tester" in my day, what is it about the state testing that in your opinions is the issue? Is it the point that "we shouldn't Have to do it" or is it a concern over the content of the testing? I am so grateful for any thoughts you might share and look forward to perhaps having more to share with you as well. Thanks The Rev. Anna
If they're telling you seven or more hours a day for a kindergartener, they're bunch of crap. Sorry, but that's the truth of it. There's no reason for you to spend more than three or four hours a day TOPS for a child that age.
I looked into the Connections Academy here in AZ, and when they sent me a copy of the contract it stated "I agree to not provide religious instruction of any kind during school hours" Previously in the contract it stated that school hours are M-F 7:30 am - 3:30 pm. That was a deal breaker for me. As for time...I am teaching 3rd graders and we don't do 4 hours a day. Well, if they do their papers without goofing off we don't. My actual time put into each day is about 1.5 hours. Then they do their papers, and I am there for help if they need it, or to check their work when they are done. we start around 10 and finish by 3 with an hour break in there.
Hi Jackie, you know I kind of felt that way myself. I appriciate your input to be sure. I went to an in person info meeting last night. I had researched it pretty good so there weren't allot of surprises. They do require 26 hours of "attendence" however I was not aware that it didn't all have to be part of the "core" lessons. I was happily surprised that unlike a B&M school "life learning" is expected too. My confusion had been the complicated way the state requirements are listed. But they kind of cut through all that by doing by weekly hour. And even though I know that equals more yearly hours then are required it does meet the weekly requirements and the day requirements in the end. You know how it is I'm sure. Until you get something under your belt you make it harder for yourself then you need too. ) So tell me more about your experience Jackie (and anyone who would like to chime in) I would Love to hear how you and your kindergartners have organized and put together your days. Thanks so much again. T. Rev. Anna )
First of all, my children are now older. My youngest is 11, finishing 5th grade, and my oldest is finishing up her Junior year. My middle one just turned 15. For children that young, learning is play. I'd do 15 minutes to a half-hour of math, read LOTS of stories, do some letter/pre-reading/readiness activies (or all-out phonics, depending on the child!) for another 15 minutes to a half-hour, and then have some fun "theme" stuff. A week on BUGS, another on ANIMALS, maybe a week on APPLES in the fall (which includes going apple picking), PLANTS, etc. That would include stories, videos, non-fiction books, art work. Do a picture journal. Get a notebook with divided paper...bottom half lined, top half blank. The child draws a picture, and then tells you what to write. Depending on the child, he might do some of the writing himself. Again, we're talking maybe an hour in the morning (which can be broken up some), and another hour maybe in the afternoon. Actually, you might ask this on a seperate thread. I'm betting people see "Connections Academy", and think they know nothing about that so they won't read this. So start a thread about the amount of time for Kindergarten, and you'll get lots of responses.
